Fresh New Monster Hunter 4 Details and Footage from TGS

Capcom lifted the lid on the next mainline entry in the popular Monster Hunter series for 3DS at this year's TGS.

The Japanese game studio took the stage to present the newest incarnation of the all-action franchise, a revamped yet familiar setup that once again sees players venturing into the wildness to slay an array of menacing beasts. With a similar premise to past games, Monster Hunter 4 does come with some refinements - the ability to pounce off walls with a jump, ride huge beasts and come victim to a Dragon Virus.

According to Kotaku, hunters will be able to attack boss monsters and hardness them whilst in mid air to ride about - until shaken off. A deadly virus also comes into play when attacked directly by specific beasts, preventing healing until a player strikes back at the inflicting foe. For overcoming the virus, players can improve chances of getting a critical hit. Nifty, yet deadly!

Weapon wise, the TGS session also reveals a "bug stick" that's used to inflict damage by controlling a horde of tiny insects to inflect damage on a monster and bring back its remains to improve your own body - better speed, improved armour etc.

Monster Hunter 4 will slay exclusively on Nintendo 3DS in January next year.