A caravan, uncharted lands, and giant monsters to hunt controller in hand for hundreds of hours.

First finding that surprises: when the community picks on gut feeling, no criterion, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate only edges out 16% of games. That's low. On few votes, so to be confirmed, but look at the detail and everything flips. Feel in hand explodes, ahead of 95% of titles. Fun ahead of 85%, desert island ahead of 79%, rediscovery ahead of 80%. Art direction stays solid, above average. Only the soundtrack slips a bit, down low. There's the tension: a game that delights the moment you talk about playing, but struggles to win you over on pure instinct.

In the great Capcom hunting tradition, this 3DS entry stays a benchmark for controller pleasure. The complexity rewards investment, which probably explains the more timid instant pull.

So, who's it for? For you if you love demanding loops, the hunt you learn to master, sessions that stretch on. Much less if you want the game that wins you over in three seconds.