# Montrous Cult RPGs 'Monster Hunter: World' is the First Wide Release of the Japanese Classic By Joey Haar | Published 2018-01-25 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-world References: [digitaltrends](https://www.digitaltrends.com/game-reviews/monster-hunter-world-review/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds) For more than a decade, 'Monster Hunter' has been a beloved video game franchise in Japan with a niche, cult following elsewhere, and 'Monster Hunter: World' is the first game in the series to get a wide release in North America. The game, which will be released for all three [major consoles as well as PC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stellar-blade-pc) later this year, features a broad landscape, [epic battles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-myth-zhong-kui), and the deep gameplay that inured fans in the first place. The narrative of the game revolves around a team of hunters and researchers who look to learn about the [massive monsters roaming in virgin areas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aniimo) of the world. From slaying giant iguanas to fighting terrifying dragons in the later stages, the game's fulcrum is its boss battles. According to reviews, Monster Hunter: World only increases the frequency of these battles, making it a more fun and approachable game for the newcomers in North America. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Monstrous Cult Rpgs:** The popularity of 'Monster Hunter: World' signals a trend towards increased interest in niche, cult RPGs with a dedicated fan base. - **Broad Release of Japanese Franchises:** The success of 'Monster Hunter: World' marks a trend towards more widespread releases of Japanese video game franchises in North America. - **Increased Fandom for Epic Battles:** The success of 'Monster Hunter: World' points towards a trend of increased interest in epic boss battles and challenging gameplay among gaming audiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Video Game Industry:** The success of 'Monster Hunter: World' opens up opportunities for the video game industry to explore and invest in niche, cult RPGs with a dedicated fan base. - **Japanese Video Game Industry:** The widespread release of 'Monster Hunter: World' shows potential for the Japanese video game industry to reach a larger audience in North America and expand their market share. - **Online Gaming Industry:** The challenging gameplay and epic boss battles of 'Monster Hunter: World' suggest opportunities for the online gaming industry to create online multiplayer options and allow for collaborative gameplay experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Augmented Reality Hunting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-now.md) - [Retro-Style Dungeon-Crawling Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mon-yu.md) - [Expanded Monster-Hunting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-rise-1.md) - [Multiplayer Action Game Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-rise-sunbreak.md) - [Monstrous Horror Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horror-video-games.md) - [Open-World Multiplayer Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palworld.md) - [Creature-Collecting Action Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmagia.md) - [Japanese Role-Playing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/persona-3-portable.md) - [80s-Inspired Game Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storm-lancers.md)