Monster Hunter Frontier was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Capcom, the renowned Japanese video game developer. Released in 2007, the game was an ambitious project that aimed to bring the popular Monster Hunter series to the MMORPG genre. However, despite its promising start, the game’s popularity declined over the years, and it eventually ceased operations in 2015. In this article, we will delve into the history of Monster Hunter Frontier, exploring its development, gameplay, and the reasons behind its decline.
Development And Release
Monster Hunter Frontier was first announced in 2005, with Capcom revealing that the game would be developed by their internal team, led by producer Ryozo Tsujimoto. The game was designed to be a PC-exclusive title, with a focus on online multiplayer gameplay. Capcom invested heavily in the game’s development, with a team of over 100 developers working on the project.
The game was released in Japan on June 21, 2007, with a subscription-based model. Players could choose from various subscription plans, including a monthly fee and a pay-per-play model. The game received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its engaging gameplay and impressive graphics.
Gameplay And Features
Monster Hunter Frontier was set in a vast open world, where players could explore and hunt monsters in real-time. The game featured a variety of playable characters, each with their unique abilities and skills. Players could choose from different classes, including hunters, gatherers, and crafters.
The game’s combat system was similar to the traditional Monster Hunter games, with players using a variety of weapons and tactics to take down monsters. However, the game also introduced new features, such as a dynamic weather system and a day-night cycle, which affected the behavior and difficulty of the monsters.
One of the game’s most innovative features was its online multiplayer mode, which allowed players to team up with friends and take on challenging quests together. The game also featured a complex crafting system, which allowed players to craft their own equipment and items.
Expansions and Updates
Over the years, Capcom released several expansions and updates for Monster Hunter Frontier, adding new content, features, and gameplay mechanics. Some of the notable expansions include:
- Monster Hunter Frontier Season 1.0, which added new monsters, quests, and gameplay mechanics.
- Monster Hunter Frontier Season 2.0, which introduced a new ranking system and a revamped crafting system.
- Monster Hunter Frontier Season 3.0, which added new classes, quests, and gameplay mechanics.
These expansions helped to keep the game fresh and exciting, with new content and features being added regularly.
Decline And Closure
Despite its promising start, Monster Hunter Frontier’s popularity declined over the years. Several factors contributed to the game’s decline, including:
- Lack of international release: The game was only released in Japan, which limited its global appeal.
- Subscription-based model: The game’s subscription-based model was seen as restrictive by some players, who preferred a free-to-play model.
- Technical issues: The game was plagued by technical issues, including lag, bugs, and server crashes.
- Competition from other MMORPGs: The MMORPG market was highly competitive, with other games such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV offering similar gameplay and features.
In 2015, Capcom announced that Monster Hunter Frontier would cease operations on December 18, 2015. The game’s servers were shut down, and the game was no longer available to play.
Legacy
Despite its decline and closure, Monster Hunter Frontier left a lasting legacy in the world of MMORPGs. The game’s innovative gameplay mechanics, such as its dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, were praised by critics and players alike.
The game also spawned a dedicated community, with fans creating their own content, including fan art, cosplay, and fiction. The game’s community was known for its passion and dedication, with many players continuing to play the game until its closure.
In conclusion, Monster Hunter Frontier was an ambitious MMORPG that aimed to bring the popular Monster Hunter series to the MMORPG genre. Despite its promising start, the game’s popularity declined over the years, and it eventually ceased operations in 2015. However, the game’s legacy lives on, with its innovative gameplay mechanics and dedicated community continuing to inspire and influence the world of MMORPGs.
What Is Monster Hunter Frontier?
Monster Hunter Frontier is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Capcom. It was released in 2007 for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows in Japan. The game is part of the popular Monster Hunter series, which is known for its action-packed gameplay and challenging monster battles.
Monster Hunter Frontier allowed players to create their own characters and embark on quests to hunt and slay massive monsters in a vast open world. The game featured a variety of playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Players could also form parties with other players to take on more challenging quests and battles.
What Were The Key Features Of Monster Hunter Frontier?
Monster Hunter Frontier featured a variety of key gameplay mechanics, including a vast open world to explore, a variety of playable characters and monsters, and a complex crafting system. The game also featured a unique “guild” system, which allowed players to form and join groups with other players to take on challenging quests and battles.
The game’s combat system was also a key feature, allowing players to use a variety of weapons and abilities to take down monsters. The game’s difficulty level was also a major draw, with many players enjoying the challenge of taking down the game’s toughest monsters. Overall, Monster Hunter Frontier offered a unique and engaging gameplay experience that set it apart from other MMORPGs.
Why Did Monster Hunter Frontier Shut Down?
Monster Hunter Frontier shut down in 2015, after an eight-year run. The game’s shutdown was likely due to a combination of factors, including declining player numbers and the rising cost of maintaining the game’s servers. Capcom also likely decided to focus on other projects, including the development of new Monster Hunter games.
The shutdown of Monster Hunter Frontier was met with disappointment from the game’s dedicated community, who had spent countless hours playing the game. However, the game’s legacy lives on, with many players still nostalgic for the game’s unique gameplay and challenging monster battles.
What Impact Did Monster Hunter Frontier Have On The Gaming Industry?
Monster Hunter Frontier had a significant impact on the gaming industry, particularly in Japan. The game’s success helped establish the Monster Hunter series as a major franchise, and paved the way for future games in the series. The game’s unique gameplay mechanics and challenging difficulty level also influenced the development of other action RPGs.
The game’s influence can also be seen in other Capcom games, including the popular Dragon’s Dogma series. Overall, Monster Hunter Frontier played an important role in shaping the gaming industry, particularly in the action RPG genre.
Can I Still Play Monster Hunter Frontier?
Unfortunately, Monster Hunter Frontier is no longer available to play, as the game’s servers were shut down in 2015. However, fans of the game can still experience the Monster Hunter series through other games, including Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise.
These games offer similar gameplay mechanics and challenging monster battles, and are available on a variety of platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. While they may not be the same as playing Monster Hunter Frontier, they offer a similar gaming experience that fans of the series are sure to enjoy.
What Is The Legacy Of Monster Hunter Frontier?
The legacy of Monster Hunter Frontier is that of a pioneering game that helped establish the Monster Hunter series as a major franchise. The game’s unique gameplay mechanics and challenging difficulty level set it apart from other MMORPGs, and its influence can still be seen in other games today.
The game’s dedicated community also played a major role in its legacy, with many players creating their own content and sharing it with others. The game’s shutdown may have been a disappointment to fans, but its legacy lives on, and it remains a beloved game among many gamers.
Will There Be A Revival Of Monster Hunter Frontier?
There has been no official announcement from Capcom regarding a revival of Monster Hunter Frontier. While the game’s dedicated community would likely welcome a revival, it seems unlikely at this time. Capcom has instead focused on developing new games in the Monster Hunter series, including Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise.
However, never say never, and it’s possible that Capcom could revisit the idea of a Monster Hunter MMORPG in the future. If a revival were to happen, it would likely be met with excitement from fans of the series, who would be eager to experience the game’s unique gameplay mechanics and challenging monster battles once again.