Being a fledgling hunter of monsters, I was apprehensive about venturing out into these untamed lands. Consorting with all manner of primitive barbarians, adorned in garments forged from the cured pelt of some butchered creature they’d sooner kill than study. But I was here regardless, washed ashore at the behest of the swelling seas. You see our voyage across an unknown sea was accosted by some mysterious beast, which had left us stranded.

The crash had seperated me from my provisional crew. Our cargo now a scattered detritus of jetsam. A disoriented accretion of freight cresting on the waves towards an expectant shore. I’d somehow managed to survive this ordeal, clinging to the hide of our mysterious assailant.

My eventual arrival at the improvised, yet palatial village of Astera, a communal hub where budding adventurers gather to compare clothing, was greeted with relief by the lingering denizens and newly stationed remnants of our failed expedition. Astera, a fabricated village of commercialised death for the organised militia stationed there, composed from the remains of the derelict ship that brought them to these distant lands was thriving. Elaborately converted into an ornate, 3 tier base of smithing, bartering and commerce. It was here that I encountered the administrator of this particular colony; a taciturn man capable of communicating with vague hand gestures and uselessly flapping gums. A man that soon commissioned me to hunt my first monster.

My reputation had clearly proceeded me, which was interesting considering I had no indication of who I was? But it was apparent that this despotic community, eschewing the traditions of conformity, such as hiring anthropomorphic felines as the settlements CATerers, acknowledged skills that they could only speculate too. Skills that only years of diligent training or brief, mandatory tutorials can impart.

Thrust into an incumbent errand with my newly assigned handler, an inqusitive researcher with all the adept utilities of a Star Wars companion, I prepared for my expedition. With Jar Jar in toe, we set off to the forest in search of the “Great Jagras”, an enlarged iguana with an appetite for large herbivores and a renowned animosity towards those that interupt there feeding.

Despite the perilous terrain and the perennial encumbrance of the indigenous denizens, I discovered tracks that indicated it’s destination. Drag marks and peculiar indentations that correlate to this exotic lizards burrow. A secluded area surrounded by an encompassing woodland, sheltered by the intimidating carcases of fallen enemies and guarded by a menagerie of vicious sentries. Trailing the footprints of my prey and pursuing it to its lair, I engaged with its subordinates, my bow slaying them before they could even react.

The Great Jagras advanced, bearing its teeth as it scrambled awkwardly along the ground. I drew my bow, firing arrows into its inflated gullet, maneuvering around its laboured swipes as I tried desperately to position myself a safe distance away. It lunged again, piercing my fragile armour, sending me hurtling towards the ground. I scurried out of range as it began to rear up, ready to advance. I braced for impact, anticipating another crushing blow. Mercifully his attack was too short, granting me the opportunity to fire a few well placed arrows into its skull.

Reeling from my rapid recovery, it retreated, scurrying out of its home. This respite afforded me the opportunity to compose myself. Consuming a healing tincture to alleviate the wounds I’d sustained. With renewed vigor I set off in pursuit of my craven target, quickly tracking it to a spacious area, perfect for our glorious encounter.

The battle waged for literally minutes, with the Great Jagras lumbering attacks no match for my dexterous evasions and precision bow skills. Eventually this diabolical lizard suffered a fatal blow to its scaly abdomen, finally succumbing to its wounds. With my adversary slain and my weapon sheathed, I surveyed the now lifeless body, before harvesting its corpse for materials.

As the sun began to set, my expedition accomplished, one thing became clear: I was indeed a Monster Hunter.

If you couldn’t tell from my overly embellished preliminaries, I’m throughly enjoying Monster Hunter World. Have you played it? Let me know what you guy’s think. Cheers.