Talk about your hidden gems, the Monster Hunter series has forever been something of a misnomer over on Western shores - whilst absolutely dominating the Eastern markets. Seriously, entire families will log in and play together, teaming up to fell the various hulking creatures of the land - all having a damn good time along the way. For MH4 it did feel like the tide was turning somewhat in terms of overall cultural engagement - although that's also down to the first half of this year not having a huge amount of titles to write home about, leaving out-in-the-wind 3DS owners taking a punt on a franchise they'd formerly only known by name. Luckily for anyone who did indulge though, they found one of the best MMO-influenced experiences out there, something that also offers a robust offline world bustling with quests and items to find, craft and refine. MH 4 offers a worthwhile purchase even if you don't have a posse of hunters assembled beforehand - a first for the series - as you explore a brilliantly realised Final Fantasy-style world, alongside a string of monsters whose specific tells you'll have to study to figure out exactly how to take them down.
