I wanted to like this game and honestly, it's still not a bad game. It's just that it's REALLY not what i was hoping it would be.
(Edit for disclaimer for the context of my review.)
Ordinarily i would judge a game based completely off it's own merits outside of a comparison to another game but this game was specifically designed to be bandai namco's answer to monster hunter. Therefore i will be comparing it to monster hunter directly as the basis for my review.
Allow me to explain. I love monster hunter and have been playing the crap out of all of them that are available on steam. I was running out of things to do on monster hunter though so I got this game because everyone is saying that its the closest thing to monster hunter you can get. Structurally, they do have a similar premise. You go on a mission (hunt), you fight a monster, you get it's parts and you use it's parts to make new gear. Ok great, it nailed that part. However, that's not why i like monster hunter. I like monster hunter for it's combat and while this games combat isn't terrible, it PALES in comparison!
There are multiple weapons in this game, just as there are in monster hunter. All of them have a light attack combo, heavy attack combo, special attack combo as well as light and heavy aerial attacks and a step attack you do after dodging. That SOUNDS like a lot when you write it down, but realistically, it's kinda the bare minimum. This is all you get for ALL the weapons. Sure, there are some faster hitting weapons and there are some slower heavier hitting ones and some that have longer reach and so on, but none of them have ANY other interesting mechanics to them. There is quite a bit of customization where you can change your attacks with your god archs, which also sounds cool, but it's all just replacing one of your basic attacks, not really adding anything new.
Lets compare this to monster hunter. Every weapon feels and acts completely differently. You have longsword that builds up a spirit gauge that you then spend on spirit attacks and level up your spirit level that you then can spend on helmbreaker. You have insect glaive where the kinsect gathers essence and gives you buffs and then you can play the floor is lava hopping around on a monster's back. You have Hunting horn that builds up notes on your attacks that you then play songs to buff yourself and allies. Even the much simpler weapons still have something unique about them! Dual blades is about as simple as it gets, run up and hit stuff fast! But you still have different modes you activate and the higher mobility adds a very unique feel to the way you dash about the battlefield dodging around monsters and getting to their flanks. Basic sword and shield has certain combos you can do that end in really high damage and a perfect rush that requires you to get timing down to unleash a huge combo. The lance has it's very unique charge that keeps going until you cancel it, hit a wall or run out of stamina! All of monster hunters weapons still have their basic combos and abilities they perform with 3 different buttons but then also has things they do when you hit multiples of those buttons together and many even have different things that they do if you hit a different button during another combo based on where you were in that combo and THEN have additional unique mechanics on TOP of all that!
This game's combat just feels like a beat'em up or a hack 'n slash and i don't like those kinds of games. And yes, i did fight a few of the "large" Arigami before i gave up on it. It doesn't feel any different. Run up to it, spam an attack button, maybe block an attack and then just keep hacking at it till it stops moving. The burst gauge and devoir stuff looked like it could have been something, but in practice, it's just a certain attack you do every once in a while to keep a meter up and it's still not unique to any particular weapon since it's a common thing between all of them. I want a reason to try different weapons, to change up my strategy. I want to run into something that using my scythe makes it more difficult to fight but if i switch to say the buster sword then something about it mechanically makes it easier to fight it. Monster hunter does this! Lot's of ground based attacks you need to avoid? Dual blades to have higher mobility or insect glaive to stay above it! Monster does a bunch of charges flailing around everywhere? grab something with a shield and just let it wear itself out slamming into the wall that you've made yourself! Having trouble blocking and dodging something? Pick something that has a parry! Speaking of, there's another thing this game doesn't have...
The arigami also feel very samey. None of them are memorable or stick out that much. They all have a similar aesthetic and vibe to them and i don't remember the names of any of them. Compare that to the likes of Mizutsune or Rey Dau or Gore Magala... I think you get the idea. If you're looking for another monster hunter and you are like me and want to master different weapon sets and get enjoyment of conquering unique and varied challenges and don't want to just mash basic attacks until stuff stops moving, this is NOT the game for you.
I'm sad that i don't like this game. At least i got it on sale for like $5.
