OMG tru armor spheres blargh....

Finally started getting these. Most places on the internet seemed to be low by about 20 levels for when they started appearing for me.

What do you need tru for?  Pretty sure g rank armor skips tru, though you still have to get divine from really high guild quests.  Haven't done stuff for divines myself yet.

Just upgraded all my armors to Heavy stones...Have not seen any Tru's. 

Gotta do guild quests in a certain level that varies on the monster.  Scroll down on this page: http://gaijinhunter....ing-expeditions

Once I got g rank armor I just ignored the tru spheres.  I'm probably gonna do basarios for divine.  Even at max level, I'd rather fight it then tigrex at a slightly lower level.

Think the only event quest I've done so far is the akantor one for the zelda weapons. I keep meaning to do the other ones with my friends, but we usually are more concerned with a bigger prize.

Anywhoooo...

I think I've decided what I'm doing with honing.

LS, CB, and anything with a slower hit/sec - Life

Faster melee weapons - attack

Gunner weapons - defense

Life is definitely the way to go with LS.  Time spent healing is time spent wasting the spirit gauge.  Mainly going defense for gunner because I don't want to risk death by combo.  It's saved my bacon a couple times already

Also, if you try to do the online final boss with randoms, lord have mercy on your soul.  When I was doing it a week and a half ago, I couldn't believe how often randoms died.  It's not that hard of a fight, so why do people keep dying?!  G rank teostra?  No one dies.  Kushala?  Annoying but no problem.  Online final boss?  Everyone get in line to die.  Make sure to have low defense and health while you're at it.  And even when we did succeed for someone's urgent, they would leave immediately and no one would help me on mine.  It's a miracle I found a group. 

It was unbelievable.

I'm sure there were other things I wanted to say, but too busy.  Must get back to MH.

Conflicted.

On one hand, MH spinoffs aren't usually that great.  On the other, it sounds like they've been working on this for awhile, so it should be good.

Then again, it also sounds like this is trying to occupy the same space as pokemon and yokai watch, which sounds like a really bad idea given the stranglehold on that subgenre.

For the most part, the artstyle looks nice, but then why is that cat so ugly?!  MH has enough ways for felynes to look, so how come the cat looks like it's trying to be a person?

I've always been against the notion of riding monsters into battle in MH, as I don't think it would mesh well with MH's gameplay.  For a more standard RPG, guess you can do whatever you want, so no big deal.  It sounds like this is their way of exploring the idea without forcing it into the main series.  More power to you in that case.

But I'm not sure I can handle having a rathalos under me without stabbing it to death and carving it for materials in a blood rage...

Also, odds of this coming west are pretty damn low.  Think the last spinoff game that came west was a really bare bones mobile game.

Still waiting on the g rank metal raths.  Come on Capcom.  Let them be next month....
 
Also, since I keep seeing it asked on the web, "How does upgrade bug?", here's my how-to for the ideal bug with Effect Extender:

Somewhat of an explanation of what was happening by gaijin hunter (since it's all in japanese):

Seems to be a culmination of the entire series (including some of the flashy and style elements of the Frontier sub series).  Saw plenty of returning zones and monsters.  I'm glad to see agnaktor back.

Hope they really pay attention to balancing the different styles and special moves.  The big moves should leave you vulnerable, and the small ones shouldn't allow insta dodging all the time, or it will become like a lot of action games (and the tonfas from frontier) and just be mash buttons til monster looks at you then dodge through everything.  Also hoping you don't have to grind for the different styles and such like you do in frontier.  I don't want to grind to a high HR just to get an opportunity to grind out the other moves.  Just like the weapons themselves, I like MH because all your attacks and combos are there from the get go.  Armor skills may augment those attacks slightly, but the general mechanics never change.

The game is called something of a spinoff/sub series (wording is unclear apparently).  Not really sure what they are qualifying it as, but they made it clear that it is not MH5.  SO is this just a way to test out some new mechanics they might implement in MH5, or is this actually going to be a sub series like frontier?  If a true sub series, will any of these mechanics bleed over to the main?  So long as I don't have to grind out the weapon styles, I'm all for them.

Also hoping they tone down the flash.  If not here, then for MH5.  It's really unnecessary.

For the most part, I'm hyped.

More in depth analysis from GH:

It does seem like that is the four styles per weapons.  Can be interesting.

I'd also like to point out that we are getting a large monster that's a mammoth.  Series has needed it like how it previously needed a proper snake and spider monster.

What flash?

From about 0:40 to 1:35 in the trailer, there was a light of extra light effects going on beyond what was needed, or is normal for MH.  It just seemed unnecessarily flashy at times, particularly with the bowgun at around 1:21.  Practically a flash bomb effect before a gigantic explosion.  The only previous moves that had anywhere this level of effects were the SA's Element Discharge and the CB's Amped Disharge. 

I have to wonder how well this game will run on a normal 3ds with four hunters using all these flashy moves in an area with two large monsters and multiple small monsters.  4U can drop the frame-rate heavily at times between AI and effects while online on an old 3ds.  Add in these new shenanigans, and I would worry.  Fortunately for me, I have a MH4U new 3ds.

Yeah, glad I didn't watch it live.  Cliff's notes version seemed boring, and it didn't seemed like they announced much.  Turns out they didn't.  General thoughts (in no particular order):

STar Fox 0 - Seeing Star Fox was nice.  I'm a little more sold on the game mechanics now.  While it looked fun, it didn't look great visually.  Plenty of other games on wii u put it to shame in the graphics department.  Why no online multiplayer?

Xenoblade X -  I'm at the point where Trailers mean nothing to me on this game.  I'll buy it day one, a trailer doesn't hype me.

SMTxFE.  Would it have killed them to put some dang subtitles in there?  I can't understand moonspeak.

FE Fates.  Trailer looked good.  Nice to get a final name.  Need more info on pricing and packaging.  Only other question I have is, "will you actually kill the named people from the other kingdom as part of the game, or will they just end up joining you anyway?"

Zelda triforce heroes - Now I liked four swords more than most people, so as far as I'm concerned, this falls in the "pleasant surprise" category.  Now amazing, but fine by me.  Actually has online multiplayer, which is saying something.

Metroid Prime: Fed Force - Similar to four swords, I enjoyed Hunters more than most people apparently.  As far the game play is concerned, this also falls in "pleasant surprise".  However, my god those graphics seemed terrible.  Really hope they work on that.  I don't always harp on graphics, but even I did a double take and wondered if it was actually a 3ds game.  Just seemed really poor.  The main kick in the gut for this was that it seemed to take the place of a major new metroid such as for wii u. 

Yarn yoshi/skylanders/animal crossing/everything else - dont care.  These are not big reveals worth taking up e3 time. 

Pacing wasn't great.  Too much talking by devs that should have been saved for treehouse.  Earthbound beginnings and the smash direct should have been lumped in here.  There were no bombs dropped, and Zelda U wasn't present.  This would be okay for any other direct, but for an E3 direct, it ultimately flopped.  At least the other people's E3 shows could get their fans hyped.

This really should have been in the direct.  It looks like it will the void left in me by F-ZERO.  Kind of hoping you can pull the camera back a bit more.  Feels a little too close to the car and ground for my tastes.  Otherwise, I like what I saw.

Apparently G rank Gold rathian is in episode quest 5, so next month we are at least getting Star Knight set and access to g rank gold ian.  Hoping they give silver los next month too.  So many fire weapons languishing in my box.

Dare I ask what some of you people's hour counts are?  I'm over 500 at HR375.  So much more stuff I want to make.

http://www.capcom-un...ine-up-for-july

G rank Gold Rathian hunting season is now open!  Silver Los as well.  On July 17th, we get access to the USJ collab gear, including the amazing Star Kight Set.  Dem Skills: http://kiranico.com/...,2944,2945,2946

Spent the last 3 weeks playing smash, so I kinda forgot about the monthly MH DLC.  Goal for the day: G Rank Gold Ian armor.  Huzzah!

Gotta agree with Chrop on the camera thing.  Ever since E3 I've been hoping I can zoom out the camera a bit.

Otherwise, cannot wait for this game!  Looks like fun.

Not only announced, but confirmed for the west!

Practically confirms we won't be getting the Great Ace Attorney game now, but oh well.  I'd rather get something than have one of my favorite series in the west.

There.  Now I have met my quota for making a topic every 6 months.

September DLC

Standout is we finally have g rank black fatalis.  GX Amatsu gear is good too.

October Shenanigans

Finally get G rank Dala, so now all monsters can be fought at their appropriate ranks in one manner or another.

You see, a console handheld hybrid would make complete sense for Nintendo.

...And because it would make sense we can confirm its not true.  I'll believe it when I see it.

A proper Metroid at launch would go a long way.  The most obvious choice.

I wouldn't mind finally getting a new f zero, but I guess Fast Racing Neo will have to fill the void because Nintendo don't care.

Personally I'd love the Custom Robo to series to come back, but if F Zero is a pipe dream, than CR is never in a million years.

I figure Star Fox is off the table since we are already getting one next year.

New Fire Emblem.  Though that probably won't happen since we're getting fates soon and that SMT crossover.

Some new IP that's a major game, not some small eshop download (we need big stuff).

Be nice to see Monster Hunter grace a Nintendo home console once again.

Well, I wasn't gonna bring it up myself, but...

This would totally justify it for me (big surprise, right?).  NX is rumored to be handheld/console hybrid.  MH3U was on Wii U and 3DS, and you could transfer save data between both.  I feel like this would be the perfect for MH since it wouldn't necessarily splinter the player base like 3U did.  Heck if it ends up being MHXU or whatever the next MH that comes west, that would be phenomenal at launch.  MH is one of a few 3rd party games Nintendo fans seem to receptive to.  (Slightly unrelated, but I wish Nintendo would just buy Capcom already, or at least merge.  Quit with the foreplay you two.)

That all aside, there are two main things they should have learned from the Wii U (I hope):

1. You can't just throw a 2D mario on there and call it good (especially since Maker is out)

2. ADVERTISE YOU FOOLS

I remember that there was a time when topics were created solely because someone saw an advertisement for the Wii U.  Wasn't that hilarious(read: sad)?  I expect the NX to launch and sell much better than the Wii U, if they have in fact learned some things from this past gen.

That's my two cents.

No, I don't mean jack up sale prices/DLC.

I've had this thought rolling around in my head for awhile, and I think I need to get it out. My question is, what do you all believe Nintendo could do to increase their profits in the short term or long term?  The Wii U isn't exactly printing money, and the 3DS is getting long in the tooth.  The NX will no doubt be an investment from both a producer and consumer side.  What could Nintendo do that would theoretically keep them in the black going forward.

We know they are doing stuff with smartphones and DeNA, and there was that Quality of Life venture that they...haven't really talked too much about?  Did they talk about that much and I just wasn't paying attention?  Anyway, we know they are more open to alternative revenue streams, and the new guy in charge, Kimishima, has a more financial background.  What could they do?

To me, the most obvious choice for easy money is music.  Nintendo has plenty of great music, that I'm sure people would be willing to pay for (I know I would).  There are two parts to this:

The first is releasing on Itunes.  Pokemon released the X and Y soundtrack on itunes last year, and I'd be willing to bet they made money.  They could release a game soundtrack or two a month, in order to make sure they don't burn out the consumer.  They have a huge library to draw on.  I can't imagine it would be that hard either.  Sure there's the paperwork and legal fees to put it on itunes, but as far as collecting the music, that's an intern's afternoon and a couple higher ups to review it.  Boom.  Easy money.  (Here's where I'd put all my official Nintendo soundtracks...IF THEY SOLD THEM!)

The second part is concerts.  Zelda had its concerts do three whole runs.  They wouldn't have done a second run if they hadn't made bank on the first.  Pokemon is in the process of doing a concert run too, so I hope this is now a thing they will continue with a series a year.  I'd love a Fire Emblem run (Music from the radiant saga is begging for it imo).  Heck, a year or two later, they could release the orchestrated tracks (or make them rewards through their new rewards/account program).

More on the long term side of things, I have to go with buying/merging with Capcom, though it would definitely hurt them in the short term from the cost.  I'm sure many of you have heard or thought of this before, so allow me to flesh out my thoughts.

This would be a mutually beneficial event.  For Nintendo, it means having more exclusives coming to their systems.  We all know how Nintendo has droughts on it's consoles, and adding Capcom's teams to their stable will help fill out the schedule.  Capcom's experience in HD development and online infrastructure would help Nintendo with development, even if they aren't involved directly.  Lastly, they'd have Capcom's franchises.  Mega Man, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, etc.  People want Capcom's games?  Now they have to buy a Nintendo console.

For Capcom, it would save them from themselves.  I don't really need to explain that, do I?

That's all I've got for right now.  Need to go to bed.  What are your ideas?

Noticed immediately during the direct that they had upgraded the vsuals a bit.  Good to see a side by side to confirm I'm not crazy.

Would prefer it as early as possible, but that's just me being greedy.  Definitely don't want to wait til late December.

Star fox Zero

Zelda U

Fire Emblem Fates (all versions, though I think Conquest will be my favorite)

FExSMT Crossover (whatever the hell it's called)

Bravely Second

Thats it for new games I'm looking forward to and plan to get.

1080p 60 FPS video.  How did such a small team accomplish so much?

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! So no hard copy?

You are correct.  It's an indie title that's download only.

So the game is out now.  I know there's an information thread, but I thought it might be time for a fresh start.  If mods disagree, merge/remove this thread as you see fit.

So here's some talking points:

1. What does your character look/sound like? (description or picture)

2. What division did you choose?

3. What class are you currently or targeting?

4. What do you like so far?

5. What do you dislike so far?

6. Other thoughts/questions?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll start.

1. I made him look like Dunban, and made him sound like Shulk.  I'm really feeling it!

2. Reclaimers, for the increased drop chance.

3. Currently Striker.  Looked to be the most dunban class of what I had, and wielded longswords.  Will probably target the uppermost class line (can't remember it's name).

4. Battle system seems just as good if not better/ than Xenoblade.  Nice customization options.  Still on first continent but I think the world building  is fantastic.  It feels like you really did crash land on an alien planet and humanity is just trying to figure how it's gonna survive.  It also isn't playing the, "You are the CHOSEN ONE!" card.  You're just a regular person.  It's nice to have a game treat you normal once in awhile.

5. Some technical things really.  It's a little annoying during panning cutscenes when they're focusing on an object while it swaps out the high res texture for the low res one.  I feel like they could have handled that better.  I do think they could have recorded some actual mocap for certain animations during the cutscenes as well as given your character speaking lines outside of battle.

6. Nothing currently.

Good.  Make a bunch of money on the side.  Use your brand and marketing power.  Get the money to hire the personnel to make more games and such to make more money.  Now if you guys would like to sell some music too and hold more concerts that would be great.

Star fox Zero - Should be fun, interesting they included project guard with it
Splatoon updates - eh, neat I guess
Mario & Sonic - meh
Mario Maker - Need to spend more time with that game
TMS - Gonna give it a shot.  Really into RPG's lately
Lost reavers - no idea what to think of this really
Paper mario - not a big paper mario guy honestly
Pokken - I totally want it, and yet I don't care.  I can't decide how I feel
TP HD - It doesn't look like its updated enough for me to buy it
Mini Mario - meh
VC 4 3DS - meh
Pocket card Jockey - ...wat?
ASG2 - Never did finish the first
FE Fates - Still playing with my special edition, so I already have all 3 paths
HW legends - Not convinced this game's existence was necessary
Disney Art - meh
Bravely Second - Loved the first, will probably enjoy this
DQ7 - no opinion
MH Generations - Damnit.  I had a list of games I expected to play through this year.  Only gonna get through half of that now.  I need time to play other games Capcom.
MP Fed Force - I'm sure it will be fun on it's own merits, but it just isn't what we wanted.  It at least looks slightly better than last time.  Still not that great looking, even for a 3ds game.
Rhythm Heaven - eh, whatever
Kirby - Seems interesting
 

My immediate reactions.

That controller can go straight to hell.  No physical buttons is a solid deal breaker.

I would rather only be able to use a wiimote for every game ever than that.

Please don't be anything like the real one...