China Clones Monster Hunter

Is this the end for Monster Hunter Frontier Online?

2009-05-20 15:21 / Anoop Gantayat / Comments

Check out this Monster Hunter clone:

<a href="http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm7084201">【ニコニコ動画】HUNTER BLADE 獵刀</a>

(You'll need to be a member at the site in order to view the clip.)

The game is from China and is called Hunter Blade.

While many point to Monster Hunter as starting a trend in multiplayer PSP and DS games, Hunter Blade didn't just take hints from the social aspects of the Capcom hit. It pretty much copies everything, right down to the attack animations.

There are a couple of differences worth mentioning. First off, you fight in parties of five. Also, there are giant enemy crabs (perhaps with weak points?)

Gigazine (via the frequently updated Game no Hanashi) says that it contacted Capcom about the game and was told that it's not in any way a licensed product.

In fact, Capcom actually plans on entering the Chinese market some time this year through a modified version of the PC Monster Hunter Frontier Online. I wonder if in bizarro China land players Capcom will be the one accused of copying.