Niantic and Capcom have announced a brand new AR real-world action RPG mobile game, Monster Hunter Now, scheduled for release in September 2023 on iOS and Android devices. It is due to start rolling out in closed beta form starting 25th April, which you can sign up for at MonsterHunterNow.com.
Monster Hunter is a popular RPG that first released back in 2004 with the original ‘Monster Hunter’ game on Playstation 2. It is become Capcom’s biggest franchise, so Niantic will be hoping for lasting success, unlike the Harry Potter Wizards Unite which shut down after a couple of years. The most recent addition to the series was ‘Monster Hunter Rise’ in 2021, and now creators Capcom have worked together with Niantic to bring the franchise into mobile gaming. It will be a free play to app, supported by in-game purchases. The game was initially pitched by Niantic to Capcom back in 2019, who instantly agreed and it has been in development behind closed doors ever since.
Much like Pokémon GO, players will be able to explore their area and discover monsters from the Monster Hunter series, battle monsters with various weapons, and have the option to play alone, or with four friends. The monsters you encounter will vary depending on your local biomes, encouraging exploration of different areas to discover different monsters. It aims to be a simplified version of the main Monster Hunter series games, with battles done by swiping and tapping.
Two other notable parts of Monster Hunter Now are your Palico companion and the ‘Paintball mechanic’. The Palico are Felynes that have created a pact with hunters to support them in battle and come from the main series, and they will accompany each player on their adventures. It is the Palico that will be able to use Paintball mechanic, allowing you to ‘tag’ a monster whilst our exploring, which will then mean you can finish battling it at home (a feature this author wishes we had in Pokémon GO for raids!).
This game has been developed by the Tokyo Niantic team, with their spokesperson Kei Kawai stating:
“[Gaming] is a hit-driven business. You will never know and I don’t want to speculate how big this will be. What we can focus on and control is making this a fun game with the great talent and hitmakers at Capcom. I strongly believe we have a hit on our hands and have a strong belief the world will like this and have fun out there. And we do want this game to last a very long time.”
An official Twitter account has been launched, so you can follow it to find out more information as the game progresses towards release.
We have opened an official Twitter account for Real-world hunting action RPG “Monster Hunter Now” from Niantic and Capcom which announced today!
Service is scheduled to begin in September 2023!🔽Apply for the closed beta test here 🔽 #MHNowhttps://t.co/eP8oR2MGPa pic.twitter.com/g8CwYQmVX3
— Monster Hunter Now (@MH_Now_EN) April 18, 2023
2023 looks to be a busy year for Niantic, with the impending release of Peridot globally on May 9th, a Marvel game coming later in the year, as well as continuing with Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom and the NBA All-Stars basketball game.
Will you be playing this new game? How do you feel about Niantic developing yet another game while it feels like Pokémon GO is in a tricky state of transition? Let us know in the comments!
