I have to admit that prior Monster Hunter games have felt impenetrable for new players. And, to some degree, I can understand why. After several impressive sequels, Capcom must have the core recipe of Monster Hunter forged in stone at this point. The epic co-op battles convey a colossal sense of scale, as you slay massive, unrelenting bosses to acquire rare loot and build equipment. It’s a satisfying formula, especially as a 4-player co-op game, but it tends to get tough right out of the gate.

Thankfully, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate finally addresses the problems of being a first time hunter without upending the grand face-offs or deep systems that make its core game so distinct. People who like loot driven games like Destiny or Diablo 3 make want to check it out. The MH4U campaign finally teaches the more valuable skills upfront; New weapons like the mighty Charge Blade have nuanced elements that make them fun to use once you understand how they work.

But that’s not all! Mobility is a huge focus for the new game. Hunters fluidly scale up walls, and you can use them to attack or flee from fights. You can scale up monsters that have been knocked down and carve away extra damage through a button mashing mini-game! And then, behind it all is the charming localization, which provides layers of fan service, subtext, and direction that is just plain fun to read. It’s never afraid to embrace the wacky or weird nature of a game that’s all about killing massive fictional monsters.

The massive creatures of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate have as much personality and detail as the world itself. My demo started with an incredible sense of scale and a bang. One minute, I’m minding my own business sailing across the bright, sandy dunes of the Great Desert. The next I’m in a fight with Dah’ren Mohran, a massive elder dragon that attacks my cobbled together caravan. This mission is just a simple tutorial, and it ends quickly enough, but it also does a great job of mentally preparing you for just how big the monstrous opposition can get in this world.

The slithering Najarala would circle and hiss, using its brittle tail, sharp teeth, and large body as formidable weapons. I also hunted a Zamtrios as well, a new shark-like monster that conjures up icy armor as a means of defense. Zamtrios also transforms, filling up its gut with air to bounce around and trample foes like some demented hybrid blowfish. It’s scary stuff your first time through.

But the creature that stole the show for me (so far, at least) was the infected Zinogre. Infected monsters are a new twist for Monster Hunter, one that transforms familiar prey into menacing beasts. As if fighting a fanged wyvern wasn’t hard enough. Now, you get to fight an even tougher version that can even infect you, too.

For it’s next series of tricks, MH4U slowly takes off the training wheels and tosses you headfirst into a promising, loot-fueled hunt to acquire amazing gear. But, when friends aren’t around to have your back, you’re not alone. Cat assistants, called Palicos, help you accomplish goals, scour the land for loot, and even join the fray to attack enemies with a barrage of cat-puns in tow. With unique gear to boot that includes crossovers with characters from Nintendo, Sega, and Capcom franchises. Just imagine the paw-sibilities. If you haven't given this series a chance, now is the time to jump in.