Monster Hunter: World

Hunt massive beasts, craft ridiculous gear, and get lost in a world that doesn’t care about your schedule.

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Monster Hunter: World – My Cozy Struggle With Giant Lizards
Intro: I Was Not Ready for This Game (But I’m Glad I Tried)
Okay, I’ll admit it — I used to think Monster Hunter games weren’t for me. Too much grinding, too many systems, too intimidating. But something about Monster Hunter: World made me bite. And you know what? It’s kind of beautiful in a “you-will-die-a-lot” sort of way.

I’m not here to tell you how to play it “right,” because honestly, I still mess up combos. But after a few dozen hours, several failed hunts, and at least one friendship mildly strained over “accidental” friendly fire, I’ve got thoughts to share.

Let’s talk about big monsters, bigger swords, and why cooking meat over a campfire is unexpectedly soothing.

First Impressions: What Is This Menu System?
I won’t lie — the first few hours were a mess. I stared at the screen like a caveman discovering fire. Menus on menus. Tutorials that assume you’ve got a photographic memory. Palicoes (adorable cat companions) that do more damage than me.

But slowly, it started to click. You hunt, you loot, you craft. Then you do it all again but with a bigger sword and less dignity.

And honestly? It feels good. The gameplay loop is addictive in that “just one more hunt” kind of way, even when the game absolutely destroys you for thinking you’re ready.

The Monsters: Absolute Units
If you play for spectacle, this game is worth trying for the monster designs alone. These things are massive, unpredictable, and straight-up gorgeous in motion.

I spent 40 minutes chasing a fire-breathing T-Rex that kept running off mid-fight to bully smaller monsters like some kind of schoolyard villain.

Every fight feels like a little story. Sometimes the story is “Lina rolls into a poison cloud and forgets to bring antidotes,” but hey — that’s still a story.

Gear and Progression: Fashion First, Function Maybe
The gear system is deep. Too deep. I won’t pretend I’ve mastered it. But I do know this: if you’re not picking your armor based on how cool you look, you’re missing out.

I once spent a full evening crafting a ridiculous insect-themed helmet just because it matched my hammer. It had awful stats. I regret nothing.

There’s a lot of math here if you want it — damage types, resistances, elemental bonuses — but you can also bumble through just fine on vibes and stubbornness. Trust me. That’s my entire strategy.

Cooking, Gathering, and… Chill?
There’s something unexpectedly relaxing about the non-combat parts of this game. Wandering through lush environments, picking herbs, watching your Palico grill meat with perfect comedic timing — it adds balance.

Monster Hunter: World isn’t all about stress and boss fights. It’s also about sitting down at the canteen and watching a cartoonishly extravagant meal animation that makes you irrationally hungry at 2 AM.

Playing Solo vs. With Friends
Solo hunting is fine — atmospheric, tense, sometimes lonely in a cool way. But co-op is where the chaos really happens.

I played with two friends who took the game way more seriously than I did. Let’s just say I was “the wild card.” Translation: I screamed and fainted a lot.

The multiplayer system is a bit weird — joining quests mid-hunt, the SOS flare stuff — but once it works, it works.

And reviving a friend after a badly-timed divebomb from a Rathalos? That’s bonding.

Final Thoughts: A Game That Grew on Me
Monster Hunter: World didn’t win me over right away. It confused me, frustrated me, and at one point made me yell “WHY AM I ON FIRE AGAIN?” out loud in my room.

But somewhere along the line, I realized I wasn’t just playing it — I was into it. I started looking up armor sets. I learned (kind of) how to use the bow. I even started enjoying the grind.

It’s not the kind of game you breeze through in a weekend. It’s a slow burn — the kind that starts awkward, turns fun, and ends up with you sending Palico memes to your group chat at 1 AM.

Should You Play It?
If you’ve ever wanted to fight a dragon the size of a house using a sword bigger than your character, while a cat in chef’s attire cheers you on — this might be your thing.

Just… be patient. And bring potions. Lots of potions.