Monster Hunter 4

The most dangerous game

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better than the Hunting Horn that doubles as both a trumpet and a mace, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate comes along and introduces the Insect Glaive. Think of it as a gigantic spear combined with a blowgun that shoots out gigantic beetles, which burrow into the flesh of whatever gigantic beasts you're trying to kill. It's one of two new weapons, alongside the Charge Blade, that might drastically change the way you play Monster Hunter. And for gamers like me who love over-the-top weapon designs, wielding this gigantic bug-shooting staff is a hoot.

At any time, the Insect Glaive can launch out a beetle that will latch onto the first thing it hits, though you can command it to come back to you like a bug boomerang. To make things even more unconventional, your bugs will grant you a color-coded buff on impact with an enemy, increasing stats such as defense or stamina regeneration. Sending out bugs to do your bidding makes you feel like some kind of druidic acrobat.

The acrobatics come in once you start using the Insect Glaive as a bladed pole vault, launching yourself into the air for a downward slash in a way no other weapon in the game can. If timed correctly, you can even vault onto your prey's back, triggering an intense minigame. As you ride the monster like a gigantic bucking bronco, you'll need to hold on for dear life when it starts thrashing around. If you can get enough steady stabs in before you fall off, you'll topple the monster, giving you and your allies the opportunity to wail on it.

Part of the appeal of the Monster Hunter series comes from truly mastering the subtleties of your favorite weapon, then moving on to the next type and starting the learning curve anew. For those unafraid of a playstyle that feels truly apart from the norm, the Insect Glaive should have you abuzz with excitement