IntroductionIn just a few short weeks, a brand new entry in the Monster Hunter franchise will have reached Western shores once more, and far quicker than usual. This thread is more going to look at the what's new in Generations as opposed to being a general Monster Hunter thread, but feel free to look back at the
4 Ultimate one if you're still new to the series as a lot of what is detailed there is still relevant here.
Hunter Arts and Styles
No doubt the biggest change to the game is actually controlling your Hunter yourself. While a lot of the precision and techniques you've come to expect from the series are still in-tact, the new Styles let you customize your game in a way like nothing previously!
Guild Style - This is your standard grade Monster Hunter style of gameplay. If you've played a previous title, you will feel right at home with this one. Can use 2 Hunter Arts.
Striker Style - Need to go right on the offensive? Try out Striker! Their attacks are a bit more long winded, but have much greater power and are more focused on performing Arts, filling the gauge more quickly as a result. Can use 3 Hunter Arts.
Aerial Style - Feel like putting a spring in your step? Aerial Style puts more emphasis on dodging and bouncing about than any other style. Great for reaching hard to hit monsters or if you'd like to make more use out of MH4U's mounting system. Can use 1 Hunter Art.
Adept Style - Sometimes a good defense is the best offense. This is where Adept Style. As the name suggests, they're good at letting you adjust should you find yourself in unfamiliar territory and are capable of doing Instant guards and dodges to avoid damage. Can use 1 Hunter Art.
All four styles play distinctly different and have various different combos and controls. One top of choosing a weapon the feels comfortable to you, you also can now make a choice as to what style best suits you as well. Experiment and have fun choosing!
On top of these new styles are also a new thing called Hunting Arts. These are special skills that are tied to your weapon of choice. They come at different levels and can do a variety of things depending on what you are wielding, such as dealing a large, powerful attack, putting you in a state that will never drain your Stamina, and many other features, some of which work in tandem with one another if you're going Guild/Striker Style.
Being a Hunter has gotten a lot more flashy!
Prowler
Felynes have been as much a staple to the franchise as monsters such as the Rathalos have been. And now, in Generations, you can run around as one such furball thanks to the new Prowler system.
They can take on any job a Hunter can and can even mingle about in Multiplayer! Playing as a Felyne has its own strengths and weaknesses, much like choosing a different weapon and style would:
+Prowlers do not have a Stamina meter, meaning they can run, dodge, and climb to their heart's content without feeling tired or needing to eat food.
+They can gather and carve much faster than Hunters, making them ideal choices for farming items.
+Another reason they are such good gatherers? Unlimited pockets! They can collect as much as they want and it'll be instantly sent to your box!
+In place of the standard Hunter Arts and Items, you have your own set of Support Abilities. What they are vary from Felyne to Felyne and can range from healing yourself and allies to throwing large bombs.
+They can hide underground to recover health and avoid monster attacks.
+They have a "life" counter, so to speak, due to their weaker health and are required to be KO'd 3 times before it counts as getting carted.
+Immune to all weather effects.
-On average, they aren't even close to being as strong as your traditional Monster Hunter. Taking down a monster is going to take a lot more effort as a Prowler.
-Because they don't carry items in the traditional sense, you can't come supplied with your own Potions, Traps, etc. as a Felyne and are at the mercy of the Support Gauge.
-Healing mid battle, especially when soloing, can be really tricky due to the aforementioned lack of carryable items.
Now you, too, can be a Meowster Hunter!
Dangerous Deviants
On top of all the new Monsters introduced in Generations, there are a few special cases of classic Monsters having a specialty about them, and I don't mean in the "altered colour" kind of way usually reserved for Ultimate/G editions.
These special monsters have survived a previous encounter with a fellow Hunter and have now changed and adapted their attack style to add an extra dose of challenge to your usual hunts. These guys may look similar to others of the same species, save for a few subtle hints here and their, but watch yourselves! You can't attack these guys like you could any of their kin!
However, should you fell one of these "Red Baron"-esque creatures, you will gain some valuable rewards in the form of rare carves used to make some exceptionally powerful weapons and armor. Weapons made from these beasts can fill your Hunter Arts faster and full armor sets give you a very special bonus if you happen to have everything from that set equipped. (ie. You can have one that gives you both the Speed Eating +2 Skill and the Hiqh-Quality Earplugs Skill at the same time, both quite useful Skills on their own that would usually require mixing and matching armor sets)
Four FlagshipsEvery Monster Hunter title has a Flagship monster on the cover that showcases a baddie that happens to be one of the tougher hunts you'll need to climb before calling yourself a true Monster Hunter. For example, last time, it was the Gore Magala. However, this time, you've got yourself Four nasty brutes to deal with across your entire Generations career!

Gammoth - The Largest Fanged Beast by a large margin, this woolly guy prefers the colder climates and uses its incredible girth to show who's boss. It has many ice based attacks and can cause Iceblight and Snowman.

Mizutsune - Before anyone asks, no, swimming isn't coming back, but the Leviathans are, and chief among them is Mizutsune. Unlike most Leviathans, this one is far more adapt on the land and can move quite swiftly, though it isn't usually very aggressive. With the element of water on its side, it can cause Waterblight to targets.

Astalos - You thought that was just mere lightning up in the skies? No, that is the thundering claps of an Astalos taking flight and seeking prey and new territory! Aggressive to just about everything, it is not something you want to see come barreling down on you! Capable of causing Thunderblight and Paralysis.

Glaverus - After not getting any new Brute Wyverns last game, out comes to king among them, Glaverus. As the name implies, its tail is incredibly sharp and capable of slicing down any sort of threat it comes across, especially Hunters. It can also breathe fire and can cause Fireblight to any enemies in its way.
Think you can take these guys on, tough guy?
Other Changes-More food combos than ever before, including things such as types of sauces to help push you towards a specific playstyle (such as bullets dealing more damage, or making it easier to mount monsters)
-Holding A now let's you continuously gather/carve.
-The Multiplayer hub now includes an equipment box, a smithy, and a bed, so no more leaving the lobby to make adjustments.
-Making equipment has changed quite a bit. Rather than pulling your hair out looking for that one specific carve, you can now exchange for parts of equal value for the one you want.
-Equipment also have levels, letting you get more powerful stuff easier at a bit of a slower pace (with more skills getting added as your equipment "levels up.")
Feel free to try out the Demo today!