Iceborne is an incredible expansion that provides Monster Hunter World with a breadth of exciting new fights, impressive monster designs, and small but substantial additions to combat make Iceborne a must-have for anyone who loves a good hunt.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Developer: Capcom
Price: $40 if you own Monster Hunter World, $60 for the base game and Iceborne bundle.
Platforms: PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS4 code for review.
Monster Hunter World was one of the most pleasantly addictive games to release last year, as it made Monster Hunter more accessible for new fans without losing its identity as a series. Though there have been lots of limited-time events since the base game’s release, none have come even close to offering the exciting amount of content that Iceborne promises. Thankfully, Iceborne delivers on its promises and then some.
Iceborne’s story picks up after Monster Hunter World’s main story ends. After defeating the Xeno’jiiva, your hunter and the Handler witness an unexpected mass migration of Legiana to an unseen location. To uncover the mystery behind this dangerous phenomenon, the Fifth Fleet heads to the frozen landmass known as “Hoarfrost Reach”. As you battle new monsters and explore the tundras, background information about the Handler and all of the New World is revealed. It’s nothing remarkable, but it’s perfectly fine for Monster Hunter. Chances are you’re here for the hunts, and that section does not disappoint.
Iceborne provides plenty of additional monsters for hunters to slay. Some are brand new, some are returning favorites, while the rest are altered subspecies/variations of monsters from throughout Monster Hunter World. The brand-new monsters naturally fit perfectly into the frozen tundras of Iceborne, while the subspecies are specifically designed to fit into new areas. The elk-like Beotodus is my favorite of the brand-new monsters, as it fights using snowballs made by its antlers, and feels the most suited for an arctic environment. They’re all rather creative and challenging though, with only the Barioth providing a somewhat off-putting bump in Iceborne’s general difficulty. Regardless, every fight is manageable if you’re willing to adapt, so even the more frustrating fights feel entirely fair.
“Outside of the added monsters, there are tons of gameplay additions that add a refreshing twist to Monster Hunter World.“
I was surprised at how much I liked the different subspecies monsters, as they really felt like familiar but novel ideas mixed with these monsters I’ve fought tens of times before. The Coral Pukei-Pukei, which blasts water from its tail instead of poison from its mouth, is my favorite of them, as it best exemplifies this creativity that I’ve been talking about. I found all of these alternate monsters to be enjoyable though, so I don’t have anything to complain about.
Iceborne comes with a new difficulty for hunters, titled “Master Rank.” It’s quite challenging and definitely tests your reflexes and quick-thinking. There are lots of new side-quests in addition to the main hunts, which let you explore the Hoarfrost Reach, grind for new materials, and practice against the many added monsters. I took my time with this review in order to play as much of the expansion as possible before writing, and even then, I’ve yet to really make a dent in the amount of side-content Iceborne provides, which means I’ll still be playing in the weeks to come.
Outside of the added monsters, there are tons of gameplay additions that add a refreshing twist to Monster Hunter World. Slingers can now be used while your weapon is drawn, as can the Slinger’s Clutch Claw. The Clutch Claw lets you grab a monster and grapple onto them from a distance, at which point you can hack at them to do damage and gain Slinger ammo. Each weapon class receives some additional combos as well, which gives veterans some new tricks to learn. Though these additions may sound minor, together they add a surprising amount of variety to each battle.
Outside of combat, there’s an entirely new snowy hub area (named Seliana) with its own features in addition to all the necessary shops and mission boards. Your hunter receives a new two-story room with walls, floors, furniture, and decorations that can all be changed and customized, which makes it feel much comfier than the main Asteran room. Seliana’s steamworks minigame is a great way to get lots of useful items, as well as yet another adorable Felyne animation.
The Final Word
Iceborne is an excellent and robust expansion that adds further depth to Monster Hunter World. The new monsters are creative both in their visuals and battles, while the altered subspecies serve as surprising but fantastic twists on familiar fights. The winter atmosphere adds extra life to the New World, and the gameplay updates make the addictive cycle of Monster Hunter even more fun.
MonsterVine Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
