$\"Monster$ <\/p>\n

When I was growing up my brother was a fan of the\u00a0Monster Hunter<\/em>\u00a0franchise; but for some reason, it didn\u2019t click for me. I don\u2019t know if it was the difficulty or the foreign design. When\u00a0Monster Hunter World<\/em>\u00a0came around<\/a>, almost everyone I knew was talking about it and purchasing a copy for PlayStation 4. Suddenly something clicked over-night and it became the only game I played for hours on end.\u00a0Monster Hunter World\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0latest\u00a0<\/a>expansion<\/a>,\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>, has already brought back those endless sessions of fighting monsters back to back.<\/p>\n

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The\u00a0Monster Hunter World: Iceborne<\/em>\u00a0expansion is a great reason to start back up with the introduction of the new Hoarfrost Reach region. The snow-covered landscape combined with new creatures around every corner is a sight to see. Except for the few areas where you have to trudge through deep snow, nobody needs those. Fortunately, most fights don\u2019t take place in the deep snow. However, it\u2019s frustrating when you can barely walk and need to dodge a giant monster in your face.<\/p>\n
$\"Iceborne$ <\/a>
\nHot springs and Hot Drink are one way to fight the cold in Haorfrost Reach.<\/i><\/p>\n
Introducing\u00a0Iceborne\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0Clutch Claw<\/h2>\n
A new device in every hunter\u2019s arsenal arrives with the Clutch Claw. After 18 hours in\u00a0Iceborne,\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I\u2019ve discovered my favorite use for it is hitching a ride on monsters. Essentially it\u2019s an easy, but minor mount attack. As long as I sheath my weapon, I can shoot the claw toward any part of a monster to grab on for a few attacks. There are a few other uses, but for the most part, it\u2019s a neat way to attach without the full power of a normal mount.<\/p>\n
Early on, I didn\u2019t think much of the Clutch Claw since you can only do a minor amount of damage before the monster kicks you off. My most common use thus far is when a monster flees a zone. As long as they\u2019re not too fast, especially when they\u2019re in a tired state, it\u2019s entertaining to hop on and off while they attempt to run.<\/p>\n
$\"Iceborne$ <\/a>
\nThe Beotodus gives a warm welcome into Hoarfrost Reach.<\/i><\/p>\n
Master Rank Might Be Tough, But It\u2019s Not G Rank<\/h2>\n
This expansion functions as practically a whole new game when you combine the new region and monsters together. The first monster introducing us to Hoarfrost Reach is one of my most frustrating ones so far, the Beotodus. It might as well be a fish since it swims through the snow most of the time. This monster creates an interesting situation as the first Master Rank one in the transition to\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>.<\/p>\n
I haven\u2019t decided if Beotodus is difficult because I was undergeared or if they\u2019re one hell of a challenge. The defense stat increase on\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>\u00a0gear is significant enough that I felt underpowered until catching up. Meanwhile, I felt a drop in difficulty almost immediately after fighting Beotodus. As an Insect Glaive main, those who share my playstyle understand its outstanding mobility. It\u2019s an easier weapon for learning fights since I can comfortably dodge most attacks.<\/p>\n
There are still variants and\u00a0new monsters<\/a>\u00a0I haven\u2019t encountered that might test my skills a bit further. However, the challenge of G Rank is nowhere near the ease of master rank thus far. If I\u2019m defeating every monster on the first try without rage quitting, I\u2019m probably not playing G Rank. Regardless, the new variants of previous monsters are refreshing and exciting alongside creative fights.<\/p>\n
$\"Iceborne$ <\/a>
\nHumans and Palicos working side by side in Seliana.<\/i><\/p>\n
Introducing Your New Home Base, Seliana<\/h2>\n
The new home base away from Astera is easily a new favorite in the transition to\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>. Seliana is designed as one zone instead of split into multiple floors like Astera. This prevents any long loading screens and chaos in running around. The new Gathering Hub is also excellent as it follows the same rule. You can access everything you need without going through a single loading screen.<\/p>\n
A lack of loading screens isn\u2019t the only great part about Seliana, don\u2019t worry. Seliana has a neat little minigame where you can convert minerals into fuel for the base. The minigame doesn\u2019t have much to it, but it rewards you with random goodies. The best part of Seliana, however, are the hot springs where you can play with your Palico.<\/p>\n
$\"Iceborne$ <\/a>
\nDiscover new wildlife in Hoarfrost Reach like the Popo.<\/i><\/p>\n
Can I Ride it?<\/h2>\n
The real question to ask is how many creatures can you ride in\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>? Aside from mounting large monsters, you can ride certain creatures in each zone using the new Raider Ride mechanic. Before you can use it, you have to befriend the Grimalkyne of the zone you want to ride in. The Raider Ride action then appears in your quick bar for more than just another companion in battle.<\/p>\n
When the Clutch Claw doesn\u2019t quite do it for latching onto a monster, the Tailraiders come to your rescue. In the Coral Highlands, I rode a Shamos to chase after the monster and sharpened my Insect Glaive along the way. The new Raider Ride mechanic is minor, but saves time while you multitask to prepare for the next encounter. Instead of managing your stamina as you sprint across zones, it\u2019s nice to let your hands rest for a moment.<\/p>\n
The real creature that deserves attention for being more than a walking hunk of meat is the Popo. This wooly rhino looking creature is rideable for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I don\u2019t know why, but kudos to Capcom for making the Popo rideable in\u00a0Iceborne<\/em>.<\/p>\n
$\"Iceborne$ <\/a>
\nRelax in a hot spring at Seliana with your favorite Palico.<\/i><\/p>\n
A Winter Wonderland of Neverending Monsters<\/h2>\nMonster Hunter World: Iceborne<\/em>\u00a0is a great addition to the original version, providing new content in more ways than one. I\u2019d like to see the difficulty ramp up further, but we\u2019ll see as I get closer to finishing it. For my first impressions, it\u2019s more of what I love from\u00a0Monster Hunter World<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and I fully intend to grind it out.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.mmorpg.com\/monster-hunter-world\/editorials\/monster-hunter-world-impressions-winter-wonderland-1000013950<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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