User blog:Lord Loss/Discussion of the Week: Temperate Areas

Welcome to Discussion of the Week: Temperate Areas!

Yeah, it's not the catchiest title, but it's the only way I could think of clumping these zones together.

Forest and Hills
Appeared in: MH, MHF, MH2, MHF2, MHFU, MHFO



Ah, the Forest and Hills. That takes me back. I mentioned it briefly on the 1st Gen DotW, but I really quite like this area. I like the aesthetics, and I like the sense of altitude. My biggest problems are with Area 9 (obvious) and Area 6 (basically impossible to navigate). Apart from that, though, I think it's one of the best areas Capcom produced in the first Generation.

Best Monster to hunt here?: At the risk of sounding really boring, I think Rathalos is best fitting monster here. Pah.

Deserted Island


Appears in: MH3, MHP3 (modified), MH3U

At the risk of sounding too over the top, the Deserted Island might be one of my favourite areas of all time. Everything about it feels alive, buzzing, vibrant - as though there's a deep and structured ecosystem going on just fine when you're not there. And at the risk of sounding even more mad, I think the use of water is bizarrely fantastic; the stream in Area 2, shallow pool from the sea in Area 5 (though wouldn't the salt in it prohibit all the plant growth around it). The higher up areas are just as good; even the fairly bland 7 is a bit moody and scenic. 6 is a fantastic monster nest area, 8 is cool. 10 and 11 are good if not especially thrilling underwater areas, but the cave in 12 is smashing.

I think I've rambled enough.

Best Monster to hunt here?: Ohhh, tough. I prefer Lagiacrus here to the Flooded Forest (personal preference) but, again to my frustration, I think Rathalos fits this area quite well. Strangely, so does Deviljho.

Mountain Peaks


Appears in: MHP3, MH3U

This is unheard of; a third consecutive area in a DotW that I not only like, but can't stop praising? Crazy.

Anyway, Mountain Peaks has a very great deal going for it. A rocking theme, for starters, but the overall aesthetics are nice (look at the blues and bright green grounds clashing with the red-brown tree leaves) there's a waterfall, the cave area manages to be quite nice, and there's a nice amount of variety to the areas. The wooden hut things in Area 4(?) I thought were a bit weird and out-of-place, but I can live with that.

Best Monster to hunt here?: Zinogre. Duramboros not too far behind, but it has to be Zinogre.