This combat role-playing franchise is almost single-handedly keeping the PSP relevant in its home market of Japan. Sony is hoping it can repeat the trick here, too – although cultural differences make this unlikely – asking a PSP owner on the Tube if they want to team up to battle virtual beasties is probably not a wise move – but for game-starved PSP fans Monster Hunter Freedom Unite certainly fills a gap.
It's an intense affair, with the kind of detail normally found in massively multiplayer online games such as World of Warcraft. What on the surface seems simple – create character, grab weapon, get quest and go kill "monster" – becomes a compulsive mix of weapon upgrades, armour construction and inventory management. Improving your gear is the way to bag harder trophies. Teaming up with other players is what really makes the game come alive, which makes the lack of online play such a shame. Find some other players – possibly by moving to Japan – and you'll get the best multiplayer experience on your PSP.
