Alejandro: The graphics are nice for a Wii game, and Nintendo President Satoru Iwata pressured the Zelda team to match those visuals, but I feel like Zelda is a much more enjoyable action game. I'll take a less-graphically impressive Zelda over the nice-looking-but-flawed Monster Hunter Tri any day.

It sucks because developers don't seem to make too many solid action games for the Wii. Certainly, if you want a hardcore game and you only have a Wii (buy a PS3 or 360 already), you might want to check this game out. But really, it's just a winner by default.

I want to make it clear that I don't think the game is bad by any means. I think that it's well polished for what it seems to be trying to do (item-gathering sim?)...yet that doesn't make for a game I particularly enjoy.

The whole game just feels like a chore to me.

Expect fair fights like this all of the time.

Rob: I, too, am disappointed to see Monster Hunter on the Wii. In almost all respects, this is a perfect title for the PlayStation 3, since I think that system is most likely to have an audience for this kind of game. Onscreen text strains your eyes a little because the Wii cannot display an HD resolution. The graphics have a sort of fuzziness to them, too.

That aside, Monster Hunter is an experience that rewards patience and persistence. You have to be willing to put in some time and effort. You need to learn the ins and outs of all of the game's systems to fully appreciate them.

Ultimately, though, I walk away from every session with Monster Hunter satisfied. Tackling quests online with a friend is an absolute blast. Facing increasingly devious and dastardly foes tickles my brain. Something about Monster Hunter's item acquisition and equipment crafting is addicting. I enjoy the quirky, interesting, and lively personalities of the villagers.

Monster Hunter is a rare experience, and I savor it all the more because of that.