《魔物獵人3》（Monster Hunter 3，又稱《Monster Hunter Tri》）是Capcom於2009年推出的動作角色扮演遊戲，最初登陸任天堂Wii平台。該系列的第三部正傳作品，對畫面、玩法和系統進行全面升級，並首次引入水下戰鬥等全新元素，使其成為系列的重要里程碑。

故事舞台位於莫加村，在村長努力下，長期以來村民都過著和平單純的生活。隨著年齡增長，村長決定由兒子繼承建立村莊繁榮的重責大任，忽然巨大震動從海底傳來。來自深海中的「海龍」等怪物，它們引發頻繁的地震和海嘯，對村莊的生存構成嚴重挑戰。玩家所扮演的專業獵人出現在村長面前，表示其專長就是獵取各種魔物，並收集其身體部位，販售或當成素材，於是冒險就展開。

一開始除選擇性別外，臉部及髮型也是自行設計，需注意每個魔物都有其特性，設定好攻擊策略及陷阱，會讓戰鬥事半功倍。與傳統RPG不同於，武器裝備除可在村中購買，還可透過魔物素材各別生產及強化，裝備雖無法強化，卻可引導出其特殊能力。

需要逐步完成村莊長老和居民分派的任務，從狩獵較為簡單的小型怪物開始，不斷提升技能和裝備，最終對抗傳說級的怪物。遊戲的劇情雖然簡單，但緊扣環境保護與自然平衡的主題，通過與生態環境的互動，傳遞人與自然和諧共存的理念。

在操作上對系列玩法進行顯著改進，特別是針對Wii主機的特性，增加對體感操作的支持，同時提供經典手柄模式以滿足不同玩家的需求。主要的核心仍然是狩獵和製作裝備，但加入一些全新的機制和特色。該系列以其深度和挑戰性著稱。需要擬定戰略計劃、技能戰鬥和資源管理。可以使用Nunchuk的類比搖桿來移動角色，Wii遙控器上的方向鍵來控制鏡頭，按下A鍵和B鍵進行基本攻擊，不同的組合可以執行特殊動作，Z鍵用於閃避，+鍵打開道具選單選擇並使用道具。可以選擇多種武器類型，每種武器都有其獨特的玩法和動作集，包括大劍、單手劍、長槍、鎚、斬擊斧和弓箭。

主要有幾種任務類型，包括狩獵任務、採集任務和捕獲任務。狩獵任務要求玩家擊敗或捕獲指定的怪物，要收集一定數量的材料，捕獲任務則需要使用陷阱和麻醉劑捕獲怪物。通過遊戲成就解鎖各種功能和物品。裝備雖無法強化，擊敗特定怪物可以解鎖相應的裝甲套裝和武器，完成高級任務可獲得稀有材料用於製作強力裝備。完成所有緊急任務就會解鎖村長的特殊請求並獲得稀有獎勵，完成競技場挑戰可以解鎖獨家裝備和物品。在狩獵前務必準備充分，帶上治療物品、陷阱和其他必要的補給品。了解怪物的攻擊模式和弱點，以便有效地閃避和反擊。

最引人注目的是水下戰鬥系統。可以潛入水中，與水域中的怪物展開戰鬥。該系統大幅增加遊戲的深度和挑戰性，因為水下戰鬥需要玩家適應全新的移動方式和攻擊節奏。此外，還引入專為水下戰鬥設計的怪物，如巨大的「海龍」和「喀拉古亞」。這些怪物擁有獨特的攻擊方式，要根據其行動模式制定不同的策略。

武器系統依然是核心之一。引入新的武器類型，如「斬擊斧」，它可以在斧形態與劍形態之間切換，提供更多樣的攻擊方式。此外，還對原有的武器類型進行平衡調整，使得每種武器都具有獨特的戰鬥風格，滿足不同玩家的偏好。另外的特色是村莊的「資源管理系統」。通過完成任務來收集資源，這些資源不僅用於製作裝備，還可以幫助村莊發展。例如，透過升級村莊的農場和漁場，從而獲得更多的材料。

關卡設計更加多樣化，場景涵蓋海灘、火山、沙漠、森林等多種地形，每個地圖都有獨特的生態環境和資源分佈。地圖更加注重細節和氣氛，尤其是在水下場景中，展現壯觀的海洋景色和真實的水下光影效果。遊戲的怪物種類豐富且設計精妙，從小型的掠食動物到巨大的古龍種，每一種怪物都有獨特的行為模式和攻擊方式。例如，海龍會利用水流來壓制玩家，而沙漠中的怪物可能會利用地形隱匿行蹤，帶來意想不到的威脅。

此外，多人模式提供額外的挑戰。與在線與朋友組隊，挑戰難度更高的怪物和任務。多人合作要求玩家分工合作，例如一人吸引怪物注意力，另一人負責進行支援或遠程攻擊。這種模式不僅增加整體的趣味性，也讓玩家之間的互動更加緊密。在推出後獲得極高的市場評價和商業成功。水下戰鬥系統和全新怪物設計成為玩家和評論家熱議的焦點。畫面表現也因為充分利用Wii主機的硬體性能而廣受讚譽，尤其是在光影效果和環境細節上達到系列新高度。然而，水下戰鬥系統也受到部份批評。有些玩家認為水下的移動和視角控制過於複雜，降低戰鬥的流暢度。此外，地圖數量相較於前作有所減少，這點讓部分老玩家感到遺憾。

總體來看，《魔物獵人3》成功地拓展了系列的玩法深度，並引入許多具有創新性的元素。儘管存在一些小瑕疵，但它仍然被認為是《魔物獵人》系列中具有里程碑意義的一部作品，為後續的作品提供豐富的靈感和基礎。

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) is an action role-playing game developed by Capcom, released in 2009 for the Nintendo Wii. As the third main installment in the series, it features significant upgrades to graphics, gameplay, and systems, and introduces underwater combat for the first time, marking an important milestone in the franchise.

The story takes place in Moga Village, a peaceful and simple community that has thrived under the village chief’s leadership. As the chief ages, he entrusts his son with the responsibility of continuing the village’s prosperity. However, their peaceful life is disrupted by powerful tremors originating from the ocean depths. Monsters like the Leviathan emerge from the sea, causing frequent earthquakes and tsunamis, threatening the village’s survival. The player, a professional hunter, arrives and offers their expertise in hunting various monsters, harvesting materials from them to sell or craft gear, thus beginning their adventure.

At the start, players can customize their character’s gender, face, and hairstyle. Each monster has unique traits, and planning attack strategies and traps can greatly improve hunting efficiency. Unlike traditional RPGs, weapons and equipment can not only be purchased in the village but also crafted and upgraded using monster materials. While armor cannot be enhanced, it can unlock special abilities.

Players must gradually complete quests assigned by the village elder and residents, starting with small, simpler monsters, progressively honing their skills and upgrading gear to eventually face legendary monsters. Though the storyline is simple, it emphasizes themes of environmental conservation and natural balance. Through interactions with the ecosystem, the game conveys a message of harmony between humans and nature.

Gameplay features significant improvements tailored to the Wii’s capabilities, including motion controls, with the option to use a classic controller for those who prefer a traditional setup. The core mechanics remain focused on hunting and crafting, with new systems and unique features enhancing the experience. The Monster Hunter series is known for its depth and challenge, requiring strategic planning, combat skills, and resource management. Players can control movement with the Nunchuk’s analog stick, adjust the camera with the D-pad on the Wii Remote, perform basic attacks with the A and B buttons, and use combinations for special moves. The Z button is used for dodging, while the + button opens the item menu. A variety of weapons are available, each with unique playstyles and moves, including Great Swords, Sword and Shield, Lances, Hammers, Switch Axes, and Bows.

The game features several quest types, including hunting, gathering, and capturing missions. Hunting quests task players with defeating or capturing specific monsters, gathering quests require collecting materials, and capturing missions involve using traps and tranquilizers. Completing achievements unlocks new features and items. While equipment cannot be upgraded directly, defeating certain monsters unlocks corresponding armor sets and weapons. High-level quests provide rare materials for crafting powerful gear. Finishing urgent quests unlocks special requests from the village chief, granting rare rewards, and arena challenges yield exclusive gear and items. Adequate preparation is crucial before hunts, requiring healing items, traps, and other supplies. Understanding monster attack patterns and weaknesses is essential for effective evasion and counterattacks.

The standout feature is the underwater combat system, allowing players to dive beneath the surface and engage aquatic monsters. This addition significantly enhances the game’s depth and challenge, as underwater movement and attack rhythms differ from land combat. New monsters designed specifically for underwater encounters, such as the mighty Leviathan and the colossal Ceadeus, introduce unique attack patterns that demand tailored strategies.

Weapons remain central to gameplay, with the introduction of new types like the Switch Axe, capable of transforming between axe and sword forms, offering versatile attack options. Existing weapons have also been rebalanced to ensure each has a distinct combat style, catering to different player preferences.

Another highlight is the village resource management system. By completing quests, players gather resources used for crafting equipment and upgrading village facilities. Upgrading the farm and fishing areas yields additional materials essential for crafting.

The level design is more diverse, encompassing beaches, volcanoes, deserts, forests, and more. Each map boasts unique ecological environments and resource distributions. The environments are highly detailed, with vibrant atmospheres, particularly in underwater stages, where breathtaking ocean scenery and realistic light effects create an immersive experience.

Monster designs are intricate and varied, ranging from small predatory creatures to massive elder dragons. Each monster exhibits distinct behaviors and attack patterns. For example, the Leviathan uses water currents to suppress players, while desert monsters blend into the terrain to ambush unsuspecting hunters.

Multiplayer mode adds further excitement, allowing players to team up online to tackle more challenging monsters and missions. Cooperation is key, with roles distributed among players—one might distract the monster while another provides support or ranged attacks. This cooperative mode enhances the game’s enjoyment and fosters stronger player interaction.

Monster Hunter 3 received critical and commercial acclaim upon release. The underwater combat system and new monster designs became focal points of praise among players and critics. The game’s graphics were highly lauded for pushing the Wii’s hardware to its limits, achieving impressive lighting and environmental details.

However, the underwater combat also drew some criticism. Certain players found the underwater movement and camera controls cumbersome, impacting combat fluidity. Additionally, the reduced number of maps compared to previous entries disappointed some long-time fans.

Despite minor drawbacks, Monster Hunter 3 successfully expanded the series’ gameplay depth and introduced innovative elements. It remains a landmark title within the Monster Hunter franchise, laying the groundwork and providing inspiration for future installments.