Chapter 923: Had to Offer a Free Trial!
Looking at the barrage of comments from players on Weibo, Chen Mo let out a helpless sigh.
"The world has gone downhill, people's hearts are no longer what they used to be."
"What's wrong with the players these days? Where's the trust between people?"
"Can't we have a little less trickery and a little more sincerity?"
Zou Zhuo was stunned: "Wow, store owner, you have the nerve to say that? Who was it that told everyone *Dark Souls* was a hack-and-slash game in the first place?"
Chen Mo thought for a moment. "In that case... I have no choice but to pull out the big guns!"
Zou Zhuo scratched his head. "Store owner, you have so many tricks up your sleeve. Which one are you talking about specifically?"
"Heh." Chen Mo let out a cold laugh. "You think you can dodge the trap? Not a chance. I'm setting it up now!"
Zou Zhuo shuddered all over. "I have a feeling... something really terrifying is about to happen..."
...
...
As the development of *Monster Hunter* progressed, more and more information was leaked.
All signs pointed step by step toward the direction players had speculated.
The game's title was announced: *Monster Hunter*.
The available weapons were revealed: Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, Hammer, Hunting Horn, Lance, Gunlance, Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun, and Bow—fourteen weapon types in total.
Additionally, concept art of the game's environments was released, including the Ancient Forest, Wildspire Waste, Coral Highlands, Rotten Vale, and more...
With so much information coming out, the gameplay was already quite clear: it was an action RPG centered on survival, adventure, and hunting. Players would use various weapons to engage in close-quarters combat with massive dragons, hunt them down, and collect materials from the monsters to craft their own gear.
Many players felt they were very clever for seeing through Chen Mo's scheme!
"I told you, it's definitely a Souls-like game! Look at that Great Sword, look at those weapons! The weapon types seem even more varied than in *Dark Souls*, but it's the same old story!"
"Exactly! No matter how beautiful the environment art is, what's the point? No matter how cool the weapons look, it can't hide the fact that this is a suffering game!"
"I'm absolutely not playing it. Not even if you kill me!"
"Right, don't be fooled by the fancy promotional materials. *Dark Souls* used the same trick when it launched. We can't fall for it a second time!"
"And these monsters are using the latest artificial intelligence! What's the point of playing that? Goodbye!"
As more game details were revealed, the players' resolve to "absolutely not play" only grew stronger.
In truth, players could sense that while *Monster Hunter* had some similarities to *Dark Souls*, they were fundamentally different game genres and couldn't be lumped together. For example, *Monster Hunter* allowed players to use ranged weapons like the Bow, Light Bowgun, and Heavy Bowgun as primary weapons, whereas in *Dark Souls*, bows were mostly used to lure enemies.
Beyond that, the entire combat system was completely different, and the game environments, enemies, and other aspects were vastly distinct.
If there was one thing they had in common, it was probably that players would suffer...
Although a significant number of players were wavering, the overall reaction remained...
Absolutely not playing!
However, alongside the release of the *Monster Hunter* promotional CG, Chen Mo announced a piece of news that caught many players off guard.
A free trial!
Yes, just like *Uncharted*, players could try the beginning of *Monster Hunter* without spending a single cent.
Although *Uncharted* had led many players to curse Chen Mo for being a cliffhanger-loving dog, many calmed down and realized that, in this regard, Chen Mo was actually quite generous.
Strictly speaking, buying a game and then refunding it wasn't quite the same as a free trial. Two or three hours often wasn't enough to determine if you truly liked a game. Sometimes, you'd hesitate past the refund deadline, and the game would end up rotting in your library forever.
But a free trial came with no pressure. Players could play as long as they wanted, with only the game content strictly limited, giving them plenty of time to decide whether to buy it.
This free trial strategy caught many players off guard, especially those who had sworn they wouldn't play. They were torn: it's free, so should I play or not?
And after watching the promotional CG, even more players were conflicted.
...
A gentle breeze blew, rustling the grass and trees. A hunter carrying a Great Sword walked into the tranquil Ancient Forest.
Surrounded by towering trees, drooping vines, lush undergrowth, and faint insect chirps, the hunter's figure seemed very small.
He pressed on, deeper into the dense forest.
Unfamiliar plants, unfamiliar birds, unfamiliar beasts...
This was an entirely new environment, filled with species completely unlike anything in the real world.
Green scoutflies clung to massive claw prints. The hunter cautiously approached, gathering information about the monster.
Finally, the hunter found the prey he was tracking.
This Anjanath was enormous. In appearance, it resembled a Tyrannosaurus Rex, but it had strange crests on its head and thick, armored hide, making it look even more formidable than a T-Rex.
The hunter donned a leafy Ghillie Mantle and carefully crept closer to the Anjanath.
At last, he found the perfect attack position. Leaping down from a slope, he grabbed onto the Anjanath's head, drew his dagger, and stabbed wildly!
The Anjanath roared in fury, crashing into nearby tree trunks and rocks. The hunter was shaken violently from side to side but held on tightly, clinging to the monster's body!
After a frenzy of attacks, the hunter pulled the Great Sword from his back and delivered a heavy blow to the Anjanath's head!
The Anjanath was stunned, collapsing to the ground and giving the hunter a chance to unleash a barrage of attacks. But it quickly recovered, charging at the hunter with even greater ferocity!
The hunter ran, observing his surroundings, and successfully lured the Anjanath into the territory of a Rathalos.
The two colossal beasts collided with a thunderous crash. The Rathalos spewed flames, its massive claws gripping the Anjanath's back as it opened its gaping maw and bit down!
The hunter raised his hand and fired a signal flare.
The camera quickly zoomed out. At the entrance to the Ancient Forest, three hunters grabbed onto Wingdrakes, flying toward the direction of the flare!
The background music swelled with intensity. The Great Sword, Dual Blades, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun... various weapons were showcased in turn. The Heavy Bowgun, in particular, roared like a Gatling gun, spitting fierce flames at the monster, pinning the massive dragon to the ground with no chance to fight back.
Finally, a mountain-sized Zorah Magdaros emerged from the ocean, its colossal form blotting out the camera.
At the same time, the game's title appeared on screen: *Monster Hunter*!