How to Unlock Multiplayer in Monster Hunter: A Comprehensive Guide
Unlocking multiplayer in the Monster Hunter series is a key step in experiencing the full breadth of the game, allowing you to team up with friends or other hunters to take on formidable monsters and complete challenging quests. Generally, the process involves a few straightforward steps, but the specific details vary slightly across different titles in the series. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to unlock multiplayer in Monster Hunter:
The primary way to unlock multiplayer across the Monster Hunter games is to progress through the early stages of the single-player campaign. This often involves completing a specific introductory quest or a series of them, designed to teach you the basic game mechanics. Once you have completed this step, you’ll gain access to features required for multiplayer gameplay such as the quest counter and the option to join or create online sessions or lobbies. The requirements will vary slightly per game, but the core concept remains consistent: a short single player introduction, then multiplayer.
Unlocking Multiplayer in Different Monster Hunter Titles
While the core concept is the same, the specific mechanics for unlocking multiplayer vary between Monster Hunter titles. Here is how it works in a few of the more popular iterations:
Monster Hunter Rise
To unlock multiplayer in Monster Hunter Rise, you must first reach the Kamura Village hub. After your arrival, head towards the center of the village. Locate Senri the Mailman, the Palico Courier, who can be found standing on a box near Hinoa’s bench. Senri provides access to several online options. To create a multiplayer lobby, choose “Play Online,” followed by “Create a Lobby.” You can also search for an existing lobby to join. For quests that you do in multiplayer, you will need to accept Hub Quests at the quest counter in the Gathering Hub. These quests are different than the Village Quests which are single-player only.
Monster Hunter World
In Monster Hunter World, you’ll need to finish the game’s first quest, “Jagras of the Ancient Forest,” which involves hunting seven Jagras monsters. Once you complete this introductory quest, you can begin playing online with others. To do so, visit the quest counter by talking to the Handler, Hub Lass, or Arena Lass, or using a quest board. Select the option “Online Session” to either join an existing session or create a new one. To play quests together, everyone must watch cutscenes of story missions before they are able to join the other players. After watching the cutscene, return from the quest and now you and your friends will be able to play together.
General Steps for Most Monster Hunter Games
While the specific steps might have minor differences, here are the general steps to unlock multiplayer:
- Start the Game and Progress: Begin by playing through the introductory sequence of your chosen Monster Hunter game. Follow the on-screen prompts and familiarize yourself with the controls and basic gameplay.
- Complete Introductory Quests: Complete the initial set of single-player quests that serve as a tutorial. These quests often involve hunting smaller monsters and gathering resources.
- Locate the Multiplayer Hub: Once the introductory quests are complete, your game will provide access to a specific area like a village, outpost, or hub.
- Access the Quest Counter: In the hub area, find the quest counter or a similar NPC that lets you access both single player and multiplayer content. Here, you will be able to select quests and choose to play them in singleplayer mode or multiplayer mode.
- Create or Join a Lobby: At this point you should be able to create your own lobby or look for one to join.
- Invite or Join Friends: Now that you have an online session set up or have joined one, you can invite your friends to join you in your hunt or join theirs.
- Start Hunting: Once your party is gathered, it’s time to post a multiplayer quest and begin hunting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To help you even further, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about multiplayer in the Monster Hunter series:
1. What are Hub Quests and Village Quests in Monster Hunter Rise?
In Monster Hunter Rise, Village Quests are designed to be single-player quests and are focused on the story. Hub Quests, found at the Gathering Hub, can be played solo or in multiplayer. If you are playing with other people you will need to post a hub quest for them to join.
2. Can I play Monster Hunter with 2 players?
Yes, most Monster Hunter games allow for cooperative play with 2 players, as well as with 3 or 4 players. Some titles, like theHunter: Call of the Wild can even host up to 8 players.
3. Why can’t I join my friend in Monster Hunter World?
There are a few reasons you might be unable to join a friend. Firstly, both you and your friend must have completed any required cutscenes for the quest you want to do together. Secondly, you might have different Hunter Levels that need to be similar, and finally you might need to make sure your social status on your platform is not set to “appear offline”.
4. Do I need a subscription to play Monster Hunter online?
Yes, generally you’ll need the respective platform’s subscription service like PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, or Xbox Live Gold to play online. PC versions typically do not require an extra subscription.
5. How do I invite friends to my lobby in Monster Hunter Rise?
In Monster Hunter Rise, use Senri the Mailman to access your friend’s list. From there, you can find friends who have a lobby set up and join their game.
6. Can I play Monster Hunter World with local multiplayer?
No, Monster Hunter World does not support local multiplayer or split-screen. It is either solo or online with 1-4 players.
7. Can you play Monster Hunter Rise multiplayer with friends on different consoles?
No, generally cross-platform play is not supported. Players on Nintendo Switch can only play with other players on Nintendo Switch, and PC players can only play with other PC players.
8. How does Monster Hunter multiplayer work?
One player creates a lobby (sometimes called a session or online session) and posts a quest. Other players can then join the lobby and accept the posted quest. You and your friends then work together to complete the quest, with only one player, the host, needing to post the quest.
9. Is Monster Hunter Rise only multiplayer?
No, Monster Hunter Rise offers both single-player Village quests and multiplayer Hub quests. This gives players the option to play however they wish.
10. What is the recommended way to host a multiplayer game in ‘the Hunter’?
It is recommended that the player with the more powerful PC be the host. This reduces the chances of performance issues.
11. How do I accept a multiplayer quest in Monster Hunter Rise?
To accept a multiplayer quest, you must go to a quest board or talk to the quest counter in the Gathering Hub and find a quest posted by the lobby host. You will then be able to accept that quest for you and your friends to play.
12. Why can’t I connect to my friend’s session in Monster Hunter Rise?
Make sure that your social setting is not set to “appear offline.” This can prevent players from joining or finding you online. Check your game platform settings to change your status if necessary.
13. Do Hunter Levels matter in multiplayer?
Yes, Hunter Levels can be relevant in some Monster Hunter games. Often there are restrictions put in place that limit the ability of one low-level player to join a high-level quest that they haven’t progressed far enough into the story to complete.
14. Can you lock on in Monster Hunter Rise?
Yes, you can lock on in Monster Hunter Rise. Press the right stick to toggle the lock-on feature, and tap it to target different body parts.
15. What is the difference between playing theHunter in singleplayer and multiplayer mode?
In single-player mode you hunt alone and progress through the game at your own pace. Multiplayer mode allows you to team up with others, either cooperatively or competitively, to hunt trophies in the same game.
By following these guidelines and FAQs, you should be well-equipped to unlock and enjoy the multiplayer experience in the Monster Hunter games of your choice. Enjoy hunting with your friends!