Monster Hunter: World isn’t coming until 2018, but Capcom has revealed mini-gameplay videos highlighting each of the weapon types available. That’s 14 30-second videos. Each video has been combined into three longer trailers with narration, categorizing the weapons into Light, Heavy, and Technical.
Light Weapons includes Sword & Shield, Dual Blades, Long Sword, and Light Bowgun. Sword & Shield and Dual Blades let you stay quick and nimble, with the latter favoring a more offensive style. The Long Sword is your traditional 2-handed greatsword, only lighter. The Light Bowgun looks like a semi-automatic crossbow.
Heavy Weapons is home to the Greatsword, Hammer, Lance, Gunlance, and Heavy Bowgun. The Greatsword is lovingly referred to as “ye old faithful,” capable of large damage at the cost of mobility. The Hammer provides a similar style but with more stunning attacks. The Lance is more well-rounded, including a shield for defense. The Gunlance transforms your lance into a slow-firing rifle, giving you increased range options. The Heavy Bowgun provides mortar shells and machine gun blasts for huge long-range damage.
Technical Weapons is the “Other” category of Monster Hunter: World. They include the Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Hunting Horn, and Bow. Both the Switch Axe and Charge Blade offer unique transforming options mid-fight. The Insect Glaive lets you dash in mid-air. The Hunting Horn is the oddest weapon, a fighting instrument designed for the aspiring bards out there. The Hunting Horn can also provide buffs and support to allies. The Bow is just a bow, and probably somewhere between a light and heavy bowgun.
Weapon types determine your primary playstyle in Monster Hunter games. In Monster Hunter: World you can change weapons mid-quest at the base camp, giving you further options for each hunt.
Monster Hunter: World launches on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Early 2018, with a PC version arriving later.
