Appreciate the shoutout! And hot work covering Iceborne! Seems the devs tried to innovate using fancy new tools like clutch claw and wallbanging but had a hard time balancing the advantages with the rise in bigger hp pools. Leading to a spongebattle. But also requiring the player to utilize them. Haven’t played iceborne myself since I was burned out from playing too much of MHW, but it seems more time in the oven could’ve been used to make these new mechanics more smoother.

Perhaps with a bullettime to adjust launching the claw, that would in theory help against the terrible aiming. but i’m not a game designer so maybe they thought of this and threw it out the window in case of abusing it beyond the claw capabilities. Or at the very least make a separate button to tell your felyne companion to initiate the claw for instant attachment hmm..

Regarding the spoiler link. First, I'm glad to see you and more reviewers using it! And second in regards to what’s inside I think some more time could’ve been available. Not gonna say anymore cause i dont want to spoil whats inside. But I generally agree with your thoughts there.

On DPS checks. You bring up an excellent point. Over the years since playing the og and a handful of entries I think its one of the key problems for newcomers in trying out the harder endgame monsters. Sure MH isn’t really hand-holding to tell you to gear check and rise above your dps values. But making the player grind yet again for better stats to have a better chance of winning could’ve been more gentle. Doesn’t help RNGSUS may or may not be in your favor if you need that one lil material, but can’t get it. Requiring hunters to grind again. An increased drop chance, pity mechanic(like in gachas) or something else would help. Maybe a better tutorial & “XXX” stat values before facing certain monsters would be a viable solution...

Don’t worry. I don't think this review is mediocre. If anything its worth a read to get a different sense of the game despite official outlet scores. I’ve been reading my friends' reviews on stellar blade and it’s been fruitful in seeing different scores/perspectives. So its great to see what you think of this!

@SOLERO - Very nice! I do agree it is as upgrade. Despite my overall score for ACVD i don’t think its truly bad. There’s still a wealth to appreciate here. From robust customization of AI companions, not immediate death after hitting 0 hp. An uplifting OST in contrast to ACV’s chaotic but varied into triumphant to somber and vice-versa. And a final boss I felt was superior to ACVs.

Looking forward to what you think of the game when you finish it!