(also known as ''Monster Hunter 2'') is an

action role-playing An action role-playing game (often abbreviated action RPG or ARPG) is a subgenre of video games that combines core elements from both the action game and role-playing genre. Definition The games emphasize real-time combat where the player h ...

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

developed and published by

Capcom is a Japanese video game developer and video game publisher, publisher. It has created a number of List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being ''Resident Evil' ...

for the

PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...

. The second main installment of the ''

Monster Hunter is a Japanese media franchise centered on a series of fantasy-themed action role-playing video games that started with the game ''Monster Hunter'' for the PlayStation 2, released in 2004. Titles have been released across a variety of platforms, ...

'' franchise, it was released in Japan in February 2006. The game features additions such as a day-night cycle, inclusion of seasons, monsters and weapon types that would eventually become mainstays such as the Long Sword and Hunting Horn.

Gameplay

''Monster Hunter 2''s gameplay follows closely with the preceding games as well as introducing several additions. The player's character can embark on quests involving hunting large or small monsters and gathering; the rewards gained from completing quests are used to forge weapons and armor. ''Monster Hunter 2'' has an improved weapon tree and upgradeable armors. As in all ''Monster Hunter'' games, armor pieces can be worn to obtain skills and abilities. A new feature in ''Monster Hunter 2'' is the use of gems. Gems add skill points to complement those added by armor and weapons. Gems are created by combining ore and/or monster parts. Gems can be attached and detached from armor and weapons that have special gem slots.

Reception

''Monster Hunter 2'' received generally positive reviews from Japan-based

Famitsu formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...

magazine receiving a score of 37/40 from the publication.

Related games

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 is an action role-playing video game developed and published by Capcom for the PlayStation Portable. It is the second handheld installment in the ''Monster Hunter'' franchise. Marketed as a sequel to '' Monster Hunter Freedom'', ''Freedom 2'' is ...

'', released in Japan as ''Monster Hunter Portable 2nd'', is a partial port of ''Monster Hunter 2'' for the PSP. ''Monster Hunter Freedom 2'' adds features and includes several changes to the original game.

Notes

References

{{Authority control Role-playing video games Action role-playing video games Japan-exclusive video games Monster Hunter PlayStation 2 games PlayStation 2-only games Video game sequels Video games featuring protagonists of selectable gender 2006 video games Video games developed in Japan Video games scored by Akihiko Narita