That doesn't make any sense. Stories is a turn based RPG they're entirely different genres. Capcom can't make an entirely different game and attempt to appeal to the core MH fanbase as all their spinoffs bar X have shown (which is essentially just a mainline game with expanded move set) it doesn't work. Either the PS4 version will be an entirely different game to the core MH experience to appeal to a western sensibility or they'll both be exceedingly similar. Switch isn't the 3DS or PSP either it'll be expensive to create to essentially two different HD games getting away with 3DS like graphics late into switches lifespan when Zelda's been their since launch risks losing players due to how far behind it'll look in comparison to comparative games especially in the west.
Capcom have been milking PSP era MH assets for years now and have exhausted them. You can bet that they'll be looking to do this again with whatever engine and asset pool forms the basis for the next 5-10 years of Monster Hunter games. That way, a series on Switch and a series on PS4/XB1 and PC could co-exist, sharing some assets such as Monsters, but with different structures and mechanics.
Like I say, I don't see the point in dropping the current MH formula. It's great and it'd be a big fuck you to fans like me, you and a bunch of people here on GAF and across the web. However, I think that the formula could be modernised in such a way that it suits console better. After all, Nintendo fans are the same people who say Monster Hunter wouldn't make sense on a home console because it's structured around portable play.
Going by that train of thought, the only logical options for bringing the franchise to console are to drop the old formula and change it out right, or branch it out into two separate series.
Making it more fit to modern standards. Show the HP bar, more craft, easier to control, while keeping the core mechanic of beating huge monsters.
Not that I would like that, but that's how I see a western-focused MonHun.
And this is the problem I find with too many Japanese game fans, and I say this as a Japanese game fan; this idea that modernising a franchise means westernising it is just nonsense. They're not mutually exclusive.
Breath of the Wild felt very "modern", but didn't at any point feel as though it wasn't distinctly Japanese in style and delivery. The issue being that many Japanese developers assume that slapping on western gameplay tropes is the key to success. It isn't. Monster Hunter can be modernised for a console audience without losing the soul and essence of the franchise.
I think the majority of MH player base in Japan already expecting Switch version of MHXX and then skip the 3DS version altogether. It seems only the most ardent players that buy the game on 3DS anyway, and as long as MHXX Switch later enables you to import save, there wouldn't be too much damage.
However they can't use the same strategy on the West.Trying to release MHXX 3DS on the West will do much more damage than it did on Japan considering people have expecting Switch version and waiting for localization of the game.
The game already sold 1 million on portable alone with that formula. Capcom have measured that it was not the formula, but handheld lack of popularity on the West especially from the perspective of "serious" gaming (MH4U lost to Tomb Raider mobile game in the video games award for "mobile game" award, what a fucking joke). A new branch that made to "pander" the West will only split the player base, hurts the brand, and make confusion. The last generation have shown how fucking stupid it is for Japanese developer to intentionally "pander" to the west audience.
splitting the player base.
Looks like there's point discussing this anymore. You don't want to talk about MH's future on Japan and Capcom's next step in regard of Switch existence. You just want something different with the name Monster Hunter on it and released exclusively on PS4 right?
Read my response to Kano, modernising Monster Hunter for a console audience does not necessarily mean destroying the essence of the franchise.
I'd also like to add that no, this isn't about what I want. Monster Hunter could stay as it is and exclusively on Nintendo systems forever and I'd still be there day one every time, just as I was for 3 Ultimate, 4U and Generations. This is about what I personally think is going to happen. Don't get it twisted. And your emotions are clearly getting the better of you because I clearly am talking about Monster Hunter's future and Capcom's next step now that Switch is on the scene. It just seems that some of you really don't like the very possible and likely idea that Capcom's ambitions for the series are bigger than just Nintendo Switch.
