Monster Hunter has always been one of those series that should be more popular than it is. The games have and continue to be huge successes over in Japan, but in the United States, Monster Hunter hasn't been able to hit critical mass quite yet.

It's a shame, too, as Capcom's action-RPGs are consistently excellent. The various creatures of Monster Hunter are almost enough to justify a purchase on their own — combine that with a combat system that's both easy to understand and difficult to master, and you've got a recipe for something unique.

Then again, there are a few possible reasons as to why Monster Hunter hasn't taken off in the States: the games can be notoriously obtuse, with hidden mechanics buried under multiple layers of hard-to-navigate menus. The combat is almost always fantastic, but everything in between can be rough.

For better or worse, Monster Hunter Generations is no different. The game is great, but it has its fair share of moments that will likely have new players trying to pull their hair out. That's where our guide comes in. With these 10 tips, new fans and old pros alike should have no trouble navigating the first few hours of Monster Hunter Generations.

Take It Slow

First things first: Monster Hunter Generations throws a lot of information at the player right from the very beginning. While it's nice not to have to sit through hours of tutorials, it can be a little overwhelming.

Remember, there's really no rush. If you're playing Monster Hunter, you're in it for the long haul. Don't worry if your screen is covered in Quest Markers — going at a comfortable pace is really the best way to experience the game.

Don't Worry About Weapon Or Armor Upgrades

Upgrading weaponry and gear is one of the biggest mechanics in the Monster Hunter series, and the same holds true for Generations. That being said, new players shouldn't focus too much on the smithy.

As in previous games, collecting enough materials to upgrade a weapon takes quite a bit of time. The first few hours of a playthrough should be spent on finding a weapon that works for a particular playstyle, not worrying about which end-game Longsword to use.

Don't Worry About Other Towns

On a somewhat similar note, don't bother traveling to the other villages right away. The game makes them available relatively quickly, but for the first few hours of the game, there's nothing to do once you get there. Don't worry, the story will take you on a tour of the different towns regardless, so it's best to just grind away at the beginner's quests until the game asks you to move.

Complete Every Quest

More so than any other Monster Hunter game, Generations starts off with some serious grinding. Out of the entire initial batch of quests, only one involves actual monster hunting, and while these quests may be boring, completing them is the best thing to do.

It's important to build up a stock of supplies and build resources, and the best way to do that is grind out the early quests. Plus, the earlier quests usually take just a few minutes to complete, so at least they won't take up too much time.

Store Everything In The Item Box

Inventory management is another big part of Monster Hunter, but Generations never really explains it to players. Basically, there's a set of items that players will always want to keep in their inventory:

Potions Restores Hit Points (HP)
BBQ Spit Allows cooking of raw meat
Well-done Steak Restores Stamina Points (SP)
Whetstones Repairs weapon condition, increases damage
Pickaxes Allows players to mine for ore and other materials
Bug Nets Allows players to catch bugs and other materials
Paintballs Tags monster on mini-map

Everything else — including monster components — should be left back in one of the Item Boxes. Players can always find them in one of two places: either near the quest gate, or back inside the player's house.

Combine Items Whenever Possible

Speaking of items: while herbs may make for a helpful impromptu health boost, it's always best to combine different components into more powerful items. Potions and Mega Potions can be combined with ingredients from the first area alone, and the game features a handy list for making everything from a Cold Drink to all sorts of different ammunition types.

Always Read The Quest Descriptions

Most of Monster Hunter Generations quests are relatively straightforward, but there are a few with more nuanced mechanics. If you're having trouble figuring out what to do, just consult the Quest Info section of the Start menu — trust us, it could end up saving you quite a bit of time.

Play With People

Monster Hunter may seem like the kind of series that requires a group of friends to play with, but that's usually not the case. There's no denying that having people to actually talk to certainly helps, but for the most part, the Monster Hunter community is a helpful, friendly bunch — don't be scared off by the idea of playing with a group of strangers.

Customize The Game

Playing Monster Hunter can feel a little clunky — but it doesn't have to! Buried in the game's menus are a number of different customization options: different camera configurations, control options and button layouts can all be fiddled with until you land on something that works.

Panels are also worth changing around. Generations offers up two presets when the game starts, and neither are great. Again, just mess around with the layout until you find something that works — it'll go a long way toward making the experience smoother.

Finally, there are Hunter Arts and Styles, which subtly change how each Hunter controls. The game will constantly hint at the idea of different styles, so this one is hard to miss — plus, it adds yet another layer of customization.

Play With The Animals

Every world-famous Monster Hunter needs a break every now and then — why not take a load off and pet one of various moofah wandering around the village?

If you're looking for more on Capcom's long-running action-RPG series, make sure to check out our first impressions of Monster Hunter Generations' opening hours!

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