Monster Hunter 4 Developer Preview: Jump Attacks, Bug Staffs and Other New Features (video)

A NEW FRONTIER: So in case you missed it, Capcom posted a 20-plus minute video during the 2012 Tokyo Game Show with producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and director Kaname Fujioka discussing the new features of a certain highly anticipated game. Now some of you might be asking, “Wait, what is this ‘Monster Hunter Ho’ that Tsujimoto keeps talking about — and more importantly, how can I get in on some of that action?” Sorry to burst your bubble but that’s just his way of pronouncing “Monster Hunter 4.” Yes, I know it’s a huge bummer but I’m sure you’ll live through the disappointment and become a stronger person. Now that I’ve got the uncomfortable stuff out of the way ... so exactly what sorts of new goodies does Monster Hunter 4 have in store for its fans? Let’s start carving up the video, shall we?

Resident Evil 6: Sherry Birkin Anger Management Therapy

THAT'S HOT: To add some extra variety to their diet, Gaga and Pacman decided to spend some time with another Capcom game, Resident Evil 6. Given that they've already finished the campaigns for Leon (very good) and Chris (not so good), our two "kitty karters" booted up the third campaign, with Pacman taking the reins for Wesker's little boy Jake Muller and Gaga taking control of the grown up Sherry Birkin. Now, if you've ever had the pleasure (or displeasure) of playing Monster Hunter online with Pac, you'll know he has a tendency to goof around. Then again, the normally laid back Gaga can be evil, too. Check out Gaga's unique take on anger management therapy after Pac kept hassling Birkin while the latter was scouring the field for bullets.

L2K2 Noob Run: Silver Rathalos - Amatsu Element Rapidfire Bowgun & Zinogre / Jinouga Longsword

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD: Meanwhile, back in Loc Lac.... It’s been more than a year since our favorite “kitty karters” laced up their monster hunting boots. Even after Gaga got his grubby paws on a white 3DS and Monster Hunter 3G during a visit to Japan last Christmas, he eventually quit playing a month later because “honster munting” just ain’t the same without his two buddies.

Then Monster Hunter Ultimate got announced. Like a hunter getting a second wind after being dumped like a sack of potatoes via kitty cart in camp, the old gang decided to boot up Monster Hunter Portable 3rd again for some much needed practice. Their first target? Ke$ha’s white, er, silver whale: Silver Rathalos.

Given the fact that Ke$ha and Pacman haven’t hunted for more than a year while Gaga hasn’t used a bowgun for the same amount of time, the potential for noobin’ moments was as high as a dragon egg on Area 8 of the Deserted Island. The best part of the hunt? When Ke$ha carved a Rathalos Ruby from Silver Rath’s tail and started running around like an idiot while screaming “I got a Rathalos Ruby!” over and over and over. This was made even funnier by the fact that in his quest to get that one ruby to complete his Silver Rath armor set more than a year ago, Gaga and Pac -- who didn’t need said ruby because they already have their Silver Rath armor -- kept getting the gem over and over.

So ‘grats, Ke$ha. Let us hope that the Rathalos Ruby is no longer your drug.

L2K2 Noob Run: High-Rank Rangurotora - Amatsu Light Bowgun/Falmel S

SON OF A GUN: So I got me an Amatsu LBG and decided to go back to gunning again after fiddling with melee weapons for a bit. All I can say is, the time off pretty much shows. Also had editing issues with this vid but was too lazy to re-do and re-upload everything again. Kinda' like redoing a trip to the toilet bowl, you know. It's just not worth it. So without further ado, it's noobin' time!

EQUIPS: Amatsu Light Bowgun, Falmel (Farumeru) S Armor Set, King's Talisman

SKILLS:  Thunder Resist (L), Evade +1, Earplugs, Critical Eye +1, Halve Stun

L2K2 Noob Run: High-Rank Great Baggi - Shadowbinder & Ananta Kai Paralysis Longsword

CUZ' YOU'RE NOT GONNA REACH MY TELEPHONE: In this latest episode from Loc Lac Kitty Karters, Pac asks yours truly to help him get Great Baggi Hides to upgrade his Ananta Bone Blade Kai to a Shadowbinder. Naturally, every phone in the house starts ringing midway. Let's do a noob-by-noob breakdown of this hunt, shall we?

L2K2 Noob Run: High-Rank Gigginox

NOOBIN' IT ON THE TUNDRA: Chalk it up to needing some rehab. Or maybe needing some sleep. But Ke$ha was feeling a wee bit left out after being absent in the inaugural Loc Lac Kitty Karters Support Group video. So Pac and I decided to take the Ke$hter with us to a Gigginox farming hunt. A hunt in which our esteemed, um, videographer apparently decided to channel his inner pinball. Ah, good, old aggro Pac. The best part of this video? The background music. Yep, that's pretty much it. 

L2K2 EPISODE 2B: Gettin’ Giggi With It

STARRING: Pac, Gaga, Ke$ha and Gigginox 
ALSO GUEST STARRING: Urukususu

L2K2 Noob Run: Video Test With High-Rank Double Aoshira

RUN, NOOBS, RUN: Ho-ho, look who just figured out how to grab video from a PSP. Now if only they could figure out how to grab sound... Or how to properly play Monster Hunter. But we're grading on a curve today (a veeerry low curve) so we'll give these geniuses a pass. Now witness L2K2's first noob run as Pac flaunts his prized Silver Los armor while Gaga decides to put her bowguns aside and wear some cheap Japanese clothing while giving the Shadowbinder a spin.