WithMonster Huntercelebrating its 20th Anniversary with projects such as exclusive collaborative game chairs with Secret Lab, themed products with MSI, a model of Alatreon, and even a crossover withStreet Fighter,fans of the acclaimed monster-hunting franchise may want to reminisce about the “good old days” of chasing monsters with friends with the earlier games' clunkier controls and limited weapons. Now that franchise entries offer new elements such as a fantastical tale withMonster Hunter Storiesand more dynamic combat withMonster Hunter Rise, Capcom ensures there’s a little something for everyone no matter their pick in the franchise.
However, fans and newcomers to the series who want to tryMonster Hunter’s acclaimed co-op offerings may want to go straight to specific games that offer the best multiplayer options. While players can technically team up with others across mostMonster Huntergames, which ones have the more worthwhile multiplayer options?
How To Access Co-Op
Use PSP Ad-Hoc
Considered the first barebones “upgrade” of the original Monster Hunter, gameplay inMonster Hunter Freedommaintained some of the franchise’s rougher youthful edges that are largely absent in today’s modern entries. In terms of both visuals and features,Monster Hunter Freedomlatches onto the series' “hunting” roots. The gameplay itself is plagued by rather bonkers hitboxes, difficulty spikes with monsters, and rather janky maneuverability. However, this did representan era whereMonster Hunter Freedomcould be put beside the earlierSoulsgamesin terms of skill ceiling: hunting takes prowess.
As a PSP exclusive,Monster Hunter Freedommultiplayer can only be done with players owning the same console. This is possible through the PSP’s Ad-Hoc mode, which allows nearby wireless plays with fellow PSP owners. While the game’s limited arsenal of weapons can already make coordinated plays tricky, the dated camera can keep it challenging for players to stay in sync when they always have to re-center their view behind their character. Not to mention, the shared three lives between Hunters can make endgame bosses exceptionally difficult.
Being the first of the second-generation titles to be ported in the West,Monster Hunter Freedom 2brings the full slate ofMonster Hunter 2’s game and loremechanics to the PSP. These include new monsters and their respective mechanics, better climbing spots for exploration, and new weapons like the Bow, Gunlance, Hunting Horn, and the Long Sword. In both single-player and multiplayer experiences, the extra mobility of the Long Sword, despite its weight, as well as the buffs from the Hunting Horn, added more versatility in combat. Meanwhile, the dual-purpose nature of the Gunlance and the ranged-dominating Bow gave players more incentives to stay at a safe distance from more powerful monsters.
As with the originalFreedomentry,MHF2still suffers from lackluster camera controls, which can get extremely detrimental to players in clutch moments. The added weapons also work in line with the game’s new mechanics, which in turn extend to more complex resource management with its limited inventory options. Ad-Hoc stays as the main method of accessing multiplayer via the PSP. Regardless of complications in accessing multiplayer, seeing for the first time how the Bow and Hunting Horn changes Monster Hunter meta for the first time can be a delight for well-coordinated teams.
The MMO That Brought Monster Hunter To New Heights
Co-Op Status
Official Servers shut down in 2019, Fan-Managed Private Servers are up and running
After getting a copy of the game, usethe guidein theMonster Hunter FrontierSubreddit
WhileMonster Hunter Worldis a multiplayer-focused modern experience, it’s by no means a fully-fledgedMonster HunterMMO. This is an honor still held byMonster Hunter Frontier Zto this day, wherein fans still grieve the game shutting down its servers in 2019. Such is the fan reception of the game that private servers are up and running for players who own copies of the game, and much of the MMO’s critical acclaim is attached to its features. The MMO seemed like a testing ground for player reception of mechanics that eventually made their way to more modern titles: Monster Movesets, Weapon Styles, and even Siege mechanics, to name a few.
At its core, the game is the only otherMonster Hunterentry aside fromIceborneto go past its G-Rank as the highest tier. WhereasIcebornehas the Master Rank,Frontier Zhas new missions ordinarily considered overkill in other titles: a 10-person server-wide hunt againsta giant monster, killing two monsters at the same time, and even multi-Rage Mode targets. Fans who manage to get into the private server with their copy of the game can join other players to embark on other shenanigans, such as fighting monsters that adjust attacks based on player weapons and quests, using the airborne-dependent Tonfa weapon, and fighting seemingly-reskinned monsters with new behavior.
PSP Access, 4 Hunters per Party
Use PSP Ad-Hoc, or connect PSP to the PS3 or PC (via Xlink Kai) for wireless
Among earlier titles in the franchise,Monster Hunter Freedom Unitestruck a balance between serviceable Monster Hunter mechanics and a hunting grind that left much of Quest’s success in the hands (no pun intended) of the handheld title. Both classic and modern players can findMHFUquite challenging, especially with how much of the mechanics heavily rely on manual setups. This was during the days of broken hitboxes and aggressive monsters, manual targeting via paintballs, no fast travels and multiple camps, and limited numbers of whetstones per mission.Monsters are also updated with new movesets, as well as the option to have a Felyne comrade to accompany both solo hunters and non-quartet teams.
The above caveats mean co-op in the PlayStation Portable title became an important step in clearing harder missions, as players had to be more coordinated to overcome the game’s “manual” hiccups. Being an older title,MHFU’s multiplayer component can get tricky to access. Aside from the PSP’s Ad-Hoc mode, they can connect the game to their PS3 or PC (via Xlink Kai) to use their wireless access to look for online teammates. The clunky controls and the considerable difficulty of some monsters can makeMHFUdifficult to get into as a team, although the game’s more expanded roster of weapons can help players accommodate each other’s weaknesses.
Active, 4 Hunters per Party
Go to Port Tanzia to access the Hunter’s Guild for local play, or create/join a World and access Port Taniza from there for multiplayer
Players may findMonster Hunter 3 Ultimatea polarizing title in combat due to its slower mobility, which makes its monster roster equally challenging and satisfying to fight. Its underwater combat feature has its critics, but it makes for a change of pace compared to classic andmodernMonster Huntertitles. The Target Camera option allows players to center the camera on larger opponents instead of themselves, and the touch-sensitive screen can be configured to accommodate various information displays.
As with other classicMonster Huntertitles,MH3Umultiplayer can accommodate up to four players who own the same console. In local play, players can talk to Neko and go straight to Port Tanzia to access the Hunter’s Guild, whereas in online multiplayer, players need to ask Neko to bring them online first, select or create an available World, and then go to Port Tanzia from there. All Quests in the base game can be solo’d, especially with the player’s Felyne companions. However, the added option to play with friends can speed things up significantly, provided everyone can accommodate the game’s clunkier mechanics.
Create or find a Gathering Hall via Local Play, Hunter Search, and Online Multiplayer
When players encounter Gore Magala for the first time inMonster Hunter 4 Ultimate, they discover the monster is the source of a mysterious illness that causes monsters around villages to
rampage. Compared toMH3U, controls inMH4Uare as smooth as they become for its console generation and previous counterparts. Unique monsters maintain an element of challenge for newcomers coming from more modern entries. Of the older entries,MH4Uis easier to get into, as this title introduced jumping and mount mechanics to the franchise. However, a lack of proper scaling can transform endgame huntsagainst powerful monstersinto resource management fights as the game simply boosts the enemy’s health.
Going multiplayer inMH4Urequires all players to own a Nintendo 3DS. Playing with Hunters is possible by creating or finding a Gathering Hall with Local Play, Hunter Search, or even Online Multiplayer. The limited hardware of the 3DS limits chats to text, which by today’s standards means less chances of toxicity among players. While not as fast-paced as modern entries,MH4Uis the closest to more recent titles in terms of more manageable mechanics. Monster scaling based on HP demands more aggressive plays from teams, encouraging experimentation with the game’s assorted weapon types.
Players create or join a public or private Lobby, wherein they can host or join Quests
Despite being an older title,Monster Hunter Generationspacks someenjoyable features for a celebration title, such as hold-based gathering, Hunter Arts super moves, and even Prowler Mode to play as a Feline. Hunter Styles heavily diversify weapon gameplay as they provide four distinct playstyle options, such as balanced (Guild), air-based combat (Aerial), better combo access (Striker), and skill-ceiling technical (Adept) options.
As with otherMonster Huntertitles, co-op inGenerationsis mainly done by joining either private or public Lobbies and then hosting or joining Quests created there. While the requirement of a 3DS for online play becomes a considerable barrier for enjoyingGenerations, the relative popularity of the console can make it and the game much easier acquisitions compared to other titles. TryingGenerationstoday in a multiplayer setting may be worthwhile, as the variety of Hunter Styles and unique Hunter Arts ensures teammates may likely have different combat preferences even if everyone uses the same weapon.
Technically the expanded version ofMHG,Monster Hunter Generations Ultimateadds relevant balancing tweaks and QoL features, the much-awaited G-Rank, as well as both variant and returning monsters. The new Alchemy and Valor Style also further diversifies weapon options, making co-op more exciting to experiment with. Newcomers to theMonster Hunterfranchise who want to experienceother games beforeRisecould tryGenerationsto get a “feel” on a relative middle ground between traditional-esqueMH Worldand faster-pacedRise.
Perhaps the main caveat ofGenerations Ultimateis its difficulty, as all Quests are scaled to four players - making some hunts either too easy or too challenging regardless of the party composition. The added Switch support vastly expands on the game’s multiplayer offerings, as the Hunter Arts do provide reinvigorated aggression against monsters that the other games lack. Players who begin experimenting with Hunter Arts can find their party transforming into a rhythmic team that defeats monsters in sync, something that other games don’t necessarily have.
Active, up to 4 Hunters per Party
Select Play Online via Senri the Mailman, where players can Find or Create a Lobby to join rooms or invite other mutual friends who own the game via Hunter Connect. In the Gathering Hub, begin a Hub Quest solo and then send out Join Requests
Considered by many asa more beginner-friendlyMonster Hunterentry, the more compact mechanics ofMonster Hunter: Risedefinitely make the game a more straightforward hunting experience. The Palamute allows players to quickly navigate the game’s seamless open-world environment, while the Wirebug adds verticality toRise’s combat mechanics. These alone make battles faster-paced, marking a change of pace to the series' clunkier and more elaborate hunting features.
Players who prefer a faster-pacedMonster Hunterexperience won’t go wrong withRise. However, smaller maps and simpler environments can become a drag for those looking for immersive experiences. Multiplayer isn’t as complicated to get into, as players can join or create Lobbies for players to join before actually inviting them to quests via the Gathering Hub.
Create or Join an Online Session, and then Post or Join a Quest. Passwords can prohibit strangers from joining Quests. Other players can join mid-session Quests via SOS Flares
Practically a massive content update toMH World’s overhaul of stapleMonster Huntermechanics, the open-world nature ofMonster Hunter World: Iceborneadds icy locales to the game’s already-immersive features: pitting monsters against each other, destructible environments, and seamless open-world movement, to name a few. On top of morecomprehensiveMH WorldbuildsIceborne’s flexible multiplayer component can make co-op more customizable to fans. Players can enter lobbies that fit up to 16 Hunters, all of them having the option to join or create both private and public quests. Missions can be stopped mid-way to launch SOS Flares, allowing others to join.
The more comprehensive take on theMonster Hunterexperience can makeIcebornea more immersive and feature-complete co-op experience, at least bar its unskippable cutscenes. Players may still need to integrate a mod for a skip feature, the lack of which can make co-op encounters jarring. Save for this,WorldandIceborneoffer more “traditional"Monster Huntergameplay, emphasizing more coordinated moves and elaborate use of environments against monsters.
