![Monster Hunter Portable 3rd - PSP [import review]](http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/assets_c/2011/01/Monstercov-thumb-260x447-53280.jpg)
Released in Japan just last month, Capcom's latest entry in its incredibly popular Monster Hunter series has already racked up more than three million sales.
It's a cultural phenomenon quite unlike anything we have experienced in the West - adults take sick days from work and kids bunk off school just so they can queue up to get their hands on the game come launch day.
It is so popular that a vast range of merchandise has cropped up - and it's not limited to the usual array of mugs, T-shirts and keyrings.
Monster Hunter-themed noodles, pizzas, ice cream and drinks are available, a beach side cafe dedicated to serving up Monster Hunter meals was opened in Kamakura, Tokyo, while a spa resort in the Nagano region recently held an event to celebrate the series.
Despite this huge success, the games have never really flourished in the West. Sales of last year's magnificent Monster Hunter Tri on Wii were healthy enough, but the PSP games have consistently struggled to get off the ground. It's a great shame, as previous PSP game Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is one of the best games on the system.
The premise behind the game is simple: the player takes on a series of quests to slay wild creatures and then uses their remains to craft elaborate stat-boosting armour and forge a huge selection of incredible looking weapons.
This kill, gather and create element is at the core of what makes the game special and farming monsters to get a rare drop takes dedication and a great deal of perseverance. But the effort is worth it, as the rewards and sense of satisfaction Monster Hunter grants the player when a hulking beast hits the floor is quite unlike anything else.
Portable 3rd confidently swaggers along this well worn path, but Capcom have integrated a bunch of new ideas to keep the game fresh. Many of Portable 3rd's creatures and areas have been lifted from Monster Hunter Tri, although that game's underwater sections have been scrapped.
Monsters such as Barroth, Royal Ludroth and Qurupeco make the jump from Wii to PSP, while a bunch of brand new monsters, including cover star Aoashira - a rip-snorting giant blue bear - make their debut.
Visually the game is an absolute treat. From the autumnal feel of your base at Yukumo village to the detailed environments and jaw-dropping monsters, Portable 3rd is the finest looking game on Sony's hand-held.
Combat mechanics are the same as before - as is the control set-up. Many people playing the series on PSP for the first time have been put off by the stodgy controls and flunky camera system. Veterans will feel right at home, though, but those unaccustomed to Monster Hunter's unique set up are advised to practice before getting into any scrapes.
People have always been quick to chastise the series for the inability to lock on to enemies while fighting. This misses the point entirely, as Monster Hunter is a game of skill, with the player having to carefully study each creature's attack pattern before wading into battle. A lock-on option would only serve to dilute the experience, especially as tails can be lopped off and heads can be smashed - each target area determining what items the enemy drops.
One of the biggest changes in Portable 3rd in the starting area of Yukumo village. While all the shops and areas you would expect are present and correct, there are a huge number of changes to make the game more accessible.
Freedom Unite allowed players to team up with a Felyne companion - an addition which helped enormously. Portable 3rd lets the player take two cat companions with them into the heat of battle. Not only that, but it is now possible to craft weapons and armour for them, too, something which adds an enormous amount to the game.
These fur balls not only dish out damage, but with a monster focusing its attention on them, the player can grab a vital few seconds to wolf down an endurance-boosting steak, glug a health potion or sharpen their blade before diving back into the fray.
The village farm has been streamlined and upgraded allowing the player to fish, cook and gather items far quicker than before, while a spa in the north of the village takes the place of Unite's kitchen - a dip in the warm, bubbling waters now grants an array of stat boosts.
Unfortunately, Portable 3rd still doesn't feature full online play - with only ad-hoc multiplayer possible. Yes, you can still use the PlayStation 3's Ad-Hoc Party to take the game online, but it's a frustrating lack of progress for the series.
Portable 3rd is a wonderful addition to the Monster Hunter family, but unfortunately there's little chance of the game making its way to the UK any time soon - a great shame as it's the most accessible version yet.
The language barrier doesn't throw up a huge amount of problems - although I still have to consult online forums from time to time to check out item descriptions -but it certainly helps to know a bit about the series if you are planning on buying Portable 3rd.
For those who can't import the game and fancy giving the series a try, Freedom Unite and Tri are available in the UK. Let's just hope Capcom decide to release this wonderful game in the West in the near future.
