Yesterday in Japan, Capcom held their Summer Jam 2012 event.  The developer gave more details on several already announced titles including, of course, Monster Hunter IV.  You can watch the new trailer above.  It shows new features for the franchise already revealed in the original Monster Hunter IV trailer such as more expansive maps, scaleable terrain, lots of jumping/climbing, and of course being able to climb on monsters.

The trailer revealed at Capcom Summer Jam 2012 does, however, reveal some brand new mechanics in the game.  I was quite pleased to see that Felynes will be returning, though the player was only shown with one in tow (Monster Hunter Portable 3rd allowed for two — this may be a feature reserved for future iterations of Monster Hunter IV).

It was also revealed that the player may attack while climbing:

This scene takes place at about 1:17.  I’ve annotated the blade in the character’s hand because I was surprised he wasn’t attacking with his equipped Great Sword — rather he uses the standard issue dagger used to carve materials off felled monsters. I also noticed the SAME tool is used to attack monsters when on their back:

Sorry about the poor quality there, but take my word for it that the character on that Rathalos’s back is also equipped with a Great Sword, yet he’s using the humble dagger to attack while clinging to the beast’s back.  Interesting! In past Monster Hunter titles this weapon has played a much smaller role, but seeing it being utilized more makes me wonder if it will be more important in the game, perhaps even being upgradable?

Next there were three quick clips of jump attacks which look especially gratifying with the Great Sword:

Hunters, it would seem, aren’t the only creatures capable of taking advantage of the terrain in Monster Hunter IV.  A creepy little bush baby monkey thing is shown at one point climbing quickly among vines and launching projectiles.  I made this gif of his interesting eye situation as well:

I can’t tell if the critter has unique colorings on his eye-flaps, or if the eyes glow through the thin covering.  Either way its rather interesting.

There is a scene where a Giadrome pins a hunter. WHAT?  Normally only large monsters with ample leverage on their side are capable of this:

I do hope more creatures are capable of pinning, since only a handful could do this in Monster Hunter Tri.

One more new monster was revealed right at the end of the trailer, though it was hard to make out since the beast appears to be covered in a veil of black smoke:

Spooky. Not bush-baby-monster-spooky, more like oh, God; I don’t want to know what that thing’s gonna do to me spooky.  To calm the nerves, here are some awesome images from the stage event which proceeded the reveal of the trailer:

All hail meat, and its stamina regenerative capabilities.

I think this is an Azure Rathalos hat, but I’m really not certain due to some slight derpitude going on there.

Another BAMF hat.

Awesome Poogie plush.  I’d guess by his top hat that this Poogie is going to his plantation to see how the cotton crops are coming along.

That’s right, son. Make the meat.

It’s hard to be too excited about Monster Hunter 4 since I don’t yet own a 3DS.  I have to admit the new features look interesting and I hope to learn more about them and the game’s new monsters between now and Spring 2013 when the game is released.