Try "Monster Hunter Outlands," a hunting action game, at TGS 2025—highlighting features optimized for smartphones and unique elements of the title
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/667/G066758/20250926019/
Editorial Department: Akasaka | 2025/09/26 04:22 (UTC)
At the Level Infinite booth (Hall 2 S03) of Tokyo Game Show 2025, currently running until September 28th at Makuhari Messe, TiMi Studio Group is offering playable demos for their new smartphone app “Monster Hunter Outlanders” (iOS / Android). While a separate article covers the announcement event held on opening day, this piece shares my personal impressions after actually playing the game.
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Enjoy Monster Hunter action on smartphones: Report from the TGS2025 stage where “Monster Hunter Outlanders” unveiled its latest information
On September 25, TiMi Studio Group held the stage event “Producers and You: Frontline of the Hunting Island” at their Level Infinite booth during TGS 2025. The event featured Huang Dong from TiMi Studio Group and Genki Sunano from Capcom, who revealed new details about the upcoming smartphone app, “Monster Hunter Outlanders.”
[Updated: September 26, 2025, 11:51]
- Keywords:
- iPhone: Monster Hunter Outlanders
- iPhone
- Action
- TiMi Studio Group
- Capcom
- Android: Monster Hunter Outlanders
- Android
- Event
- Editorial Team: Akasaka
- TGS 2025
- Tokyo Game Show
This game is a hunting action title being developed by TiMi Studio Group, Tencent’s key studio, under license from Capcom. A closed beta test is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with sign-ups currently open via the official website (external link).
In the demo version, players could choose from several adventurer characters: the protagonist (player avatar), Midori (sword specialist), Pepé (heavy bowgun user), Laya (dual swords user), and Madre (archer). These adventurers can be brought along when party members are insufficient, but they can also be directly controlled as player characters. Personally, I found their designs to have a notably stronger “pretty girl” aesthetic compared to previous entries in the Monster Hunter series.
I selected Pepé, the heavy bowgun user. The first noticeable difference from past games was the absence of a weapon-specific ammunition selection feature. Instead, the game features a shared system called “Recommended Items,” which automatically switches items based on situation—clearly reflecting an effort to minimize choices during combat.
First target: Defeat the Luminescent Pukepuku Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 003: Try out “Monster Hunter Outlanders,” a hunting action game featuring smartphone-optimized features and unique elements from TGS2025
Furthermore, the aiming system has been unified into a common feature called “Lock-on.” This allows players to select specific parts of monsters from a list and continuously aim at them—whether head or tail. As a result, it became much easier to secure rewards for part destruction.
Players can choose their target area using a circular menu Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 004: Try out “Monster Hunter Outlanders,” a hunting action game featuring smartphone-optimized features and unique elements from TGS2025
While the combat system appears relatively simplified, action-based mechanics—such as reading an enemy’s attack animation and dodging accordingly—are still fully functional on smartphones.
Pepé is known for aerial shooting, so it’s no surprise that she has a wide array of defensive options: jumping, dashing, guarding, etc.
Outside of battle, the game features numerous mini-games designed as exploration elements. I tried “Swing Hanger,” a rhythm-based tap game requiring precise timing—quite enjoyable as a break from hunting.
When the dragon’s stamina is completely drained, you claim the treasure it has collected Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 005: Try out “Monster Hunter Outlanders,” a hunting action game featuring smartphone-optimized features and unique elements from TGS2025
The demo also lets players experience other mini-games like “Egg Hunt” (carrying an egg to the goal) and “Spirit Hour” (stacking stones as high as possible).
I became so engrossed in the mini-games that I ran out of time during my battle against the Luminescent Rioluus. Those aiming for monster kills should probably limit their exploration.
Finally, I’d like to introduce one of the game’s new features: “Craft.” This allows players to build and place facilities anywhere on the map—except physically impossible locations such as steep slopes. During my demo session, I experienced three types: a “zip line” for traveling between arbitrary points, a “catapult” that launches the player in any direction, and a “blower” generating upward air currents.
Crafts can be placed freely Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 007: Try out “Monster Hunter Outlanders,” a hunting action game featuring smartphone-optimized features and unique elements from TGS2025
The catapult launches the player Thumbnail image for Gallery No. 008: Try out “Monster Hunter Outlanders,” a hunting action game featuring smartphone-optimized features and unique elements from TGS2025
While having customizable movement options is certainly a new feature, I personally don’t have strong preferences for mobility methods, so the appeal of crafting didn’t really come across. Since monsters will move between areas and players must use crafts to follow them, these structures can’t be reused later—making it hard to feel any lasting benefit from keeping them in place.
Balancing gameplay with this system might prove challenging. However, if future updates introduce combo mechanics or creative uses beyond mere transportation, the crafting feature could gain greater impact as a new element. It will be interesting to see what other types of crafts are introduced down the road.