Reviews of Monster Hunter Generations are coming out ahead of its release this week, and the vast majority of them are positive.

Generations is the third game in the series to make its way to the 3DS. For the first time in the Monster Hunter franchise, you can play as Felynes, the furry cat-like creatures who have only served as companions until now. There are multiple themed costumes for the feisty cats, including one that makes them look like Link from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Monster Hunter Generations releases exclusively for 3DS on July 15. For a wider view of the critical reception, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Monster Hunter Generations
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform: 3DS
• Release Date: July 15
• Price: $40

GameSpot — 8/10

“After dozens of hours I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of this adventure–there are other weapons and Hunter Art combinations I want to try, and of course, there are many more monsters to hunt. With Monster Hunter you get out what you put into the game, and Monster Hunter Generations is a game that compels me to put in more of my time.” — Justin Haywald [full review]

Telegraph — 5/5

“As it is, Monster Hunter Generations is the absolute pinnacle of the series, both a perfect starting point for new players and a wonderful return to an old favourite made fresh for veteran hunters. One of the most essential handheld games in years.” — Nina White [full review]

Game Informer — 8.75/10

“While Monster Hunter can be distilled down into a basic loop of hunt, gather, upgrade, micromanage inventory and Palico perks, rinse and repeat, the process is quite satisfying as the “boss barrage” continues to serve up interesting encounters across snowfields, volcanos, and lush islands. Monster Hunter Generations offers some minor new tweaks to the franchise, but keeps the core completely intact, an easy winner for series veterans and the best point of entry for a new player looking to cut their teeth on some challenging creatures.” — Daniel Tack [full review]

Hardcore Gamer — 4/5

“Monster Hunter Generations is an action RPG that is designed to consume your life. With countless quests that can be tackled solo or with friends, it is easy to sink hundreds of hours into Generations, but this should not surprise anyone who is familiar with the franchise.” — Chris Shive [full review]

Arcade Sushi — 7/10

“Monster Hunter Generations is still an exciting and fun game for the longtime hunters out there. However, the changes made to the format aren’t significant enough to impress us all that much. The Hunting Arts are flashy and fun to watch, the ability to choose different styles makes the game cater to personal styles a little bit more than before, and playing as a Felyne is as cute and fun as we had hoped. But in the end we feel the same way about Generations as we did about Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate last year: it’s a fun game that requires far too much grinding. We only wish there were more new things to talk about instead of just the same old hunter’s song and dance.” — Jason Fanelli [full review]

Destructoid — 9.5/10

“If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at Monster Hunter, start with Generations. The tutorial aspect isn’t any better than normal, but it’s much more likely to appeal to a wider audience with its breadth of customization options and content. If you’ve been champing at the bit for more great gameplay you already love, with lots of new things to discover, Generations doesn’t disappoint there either.” — Patrick Hancock [full review]

Polygon — 8.5/10

“Monster Hunter Generations misses the occasional opportunity to be the deep, immaculately polished action-RPG that this series, on its best days, aspires to be. But beneath those rough spots is a core formula and undeniably compelling loop that are, with the changes made to the franchise’s combat systems, better than ever. Monster Hunter Generations is a successful tribute to the series’ past, but more importantly, it’s a stellar step forward into its future.” — Griffin McElroy [full review]

EGM — 8/10

“Monster Hunter Generations is a game that caters heavily to fans of the series, but sometimes leaves new players in the dust. Yet, a deep armory of gear and an engaging multiplayer experience deliver a game that offers hours of gameplay for those who don’t mind the grind.” — Matt Buchholtz [full review]