Monster Hunter: World is the breakout hit for this long-running action role-playing (RPG) video-game series. Since its debut on the Sony PlayStation 2 console in 2004, the franchise has been hugely popular in Japan. But its steep learning curve and lack of localisation have hamstrung its global appeal.

The latest instalment changes everything. Developer Capcom has made a concerted effort to make the game more accessible to mainstream gamers.

It could still do with some tweaks to be less overwhelming at the start. But the early hunts are simple and, more importantly, forgiving enough for new players to get to grips with the gameplay.

So far Capcom's efforts have paid off. Monster Hunter: World is already the best-selling title in the series with more than five million copies shipped within a week of its launch.

The premise of the game is in the title - hunt giant fantastic beasts that often look like a cross between dinosaurs and mythical creatures.

At the player's disposal are a multitude of tools, such as pitfall traps, potions and 14 different types of weapons. There is also a cute cat companion that plays an invaluable role in a player's hunts with its gadgets and heals.

Unlike typical RPGs, Monster Hunter: World does not have character classes such as mage or warrior. Instead, the weapon determines your playstyle. Use a giant hammer to stun enemies with heavy blows to their heads or weave between the legs of monsters, dealing quick strikes with dual blades.

My current favourite is the hunting horn, which is basically an oversized bagpipe that plays music to enhance the abilities of the team. It can also be used to bash monsters into submission.

But I see myself trying other weapons because each one is distinct enough that I have to change my tactics to utilise it properly.

The gameplay is repetitive, but addictive. The player's character does not level up and gain health points or abilities via quests or by killing monsters.

Instead, players hunt monsters and carve their bodies up to get items to upgrade their existing armour and weapons. Rinse and repeat, but with a bigger monster.

In other words, Monster Hunter: World is one of those games where being proficient with one's weapon of choice and knowing how the enemy monster behaves are crucial - just like being a real-life hunter.

Upgrading one's gear helps to a limited extent. The learning curve may turn off some gamers, but the sense of achievement from finally taking down a tough monster after repeated attempts is a reward in itself.

The game world helps with the immersion. Monsters engage in epic turf war battles when they encounter one another in the wild. When the monsters crash into rocks and trees, the debris can be deadly to a hunter.

If a foe is too challenging, PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold members can call for help from other online players via an SOS flare. But the game is viable without going online, though the interface does not make that clear enough.

Multiplayer mode, especially if one wishes to play with friends, can be complicated initially to set up because the game does not do a good job of explaining how it works. The user interface also takes a while to get used to. After spending more than 40 hours, I am still learning how some things work.

In fact, the main story feels like an extended tutorial. As one progresses, new game features are unlocked, accompanied by text tutorials that are too tiny to read comfortably even on a big TV screen.

I reckon there is sufficient content to last at least 50 hours. Capcom has also promised to add free downloadable content such as new monsters.

At launch, it has a cross-over event - a timed quest for the PS4 version of the game that expires tomorrow, where players can earn gear from last year's Horizon Zero Dawn RPG game.

A second Horizon Zero Dawn timed quest will be available later this month, while Street Fighter fans can look forward to a collaboration to acquire a Ryu costume.

• Verdict: A guide is recommended for newcomers before venturing into the wilds in Monster Hunter: World. But once acclimatised, players will find World a blast of a game.