Monster Hunter 4’s Verticality was inspired by MH3 water areas
Monster Hunter Tri tried to spice up the series formula by introducing water areas. This new feature split the MH fanbase due to underwater controls feeling off, with these sections being in full 360 movement. In his previously mentioned interview with US Gamer, Kaname Fujioka commented that Monster Hunter 4 vertical focus was inspired by Tri’s underwater areas but he also commented that the inclusion of vertically to the series had to feel “natural.”
While talking to US Gamer, Fujioka said the following:
“In 4, we looked at [underwater battles] and said, ‘That idea is great, but we think we can do better. We think we can implement that in a way that’s going to be even better, more natural.'”
Fujioka also noted that one of the advantages to the verticality was that its was something that they could add to every environment naturally, without changing up the control scheme too much like with the water areas. One of the ways that the team made MH4U verticality feel more natural was by having the hunter climb up ledges and jump off them by simply running towards them.
