“Monster Hunter Stories” provides a refreshing take on the Monster Hunter series by focusing on a turn-based RPG format rather than the traditional action-oriented gameplay. You assume the role of a Rider, a unique character who bonds with monsters, known as Monsties, and battles alongside them. The game’s core loop involves exploring various environments, from lush forests to arid deserts, and engaging in turn-based combat that relies on a strategic rock-paper-scissors mechanic.
You choose between Power, Speed, and Technical attacks, requiring them to anticipate their opponent’s moves and counter them effectively. This system introduces a layer of strategy absent from the main series, encouraging you to learn enemy patterns and weaknesses.
In addition to the combat, the game emphasizes exploration and questing. You will navigate diverse landscapes, discovering resources, hidden items, and monster dens where they can find eggs to hatch new Monsties. The quests range from main story missions that drive the narrative forward to side quests and subquests that offer additional challenges and rewards. This variety ensures that you remain engaged, continually exploring new areas and revisiting old ones for hidden secrets.
Monster Hunter Stories Trailer
Game Mechanics
A standout feature of “Monster Hunter Stories” is the Rite of Channeling, a gene-splicing mechanic that allows you to transfer abilities between Monsties. This system provides deep customization options, enabling you to create powerful Monsties with tailored abilities that fit their combat strategy. Additionally, the Kinship Gauge, which fills during battles through specific actions, allows you to unleash powerful Kinship Skills when fully charged. These skills are not only visually spectacular but can also significantly influence the outcome of battles, emphasizing the bond between the Rider and their Monstie.
Customization extends beyond Monsties to the player character as well. You can equip their characters with various weapons and armour, each affecting stats and abilities. This equipment customization adds another strategic layer, as you must balance your gear to optimize performance in different combat scenarios.
Sound Design
The sound design in “Monster Hunter Stories” significantly enhances the gaming experience. The soundtrack, composed by Masahiro Ohki, features a blend of orchestral and traditional Japanese instruments, creating an adventurous and mystical atmosphere. Each environment in the game is accompanied by unique musical themes that reflect its mood and setting, from the tranquil tunes of peaceful villages to the intense and dynamic scores of boss battles.
Sound effects are meticulously crafted, adding to the immersive quality of the game. The roars and growls of Monsties, the clash of weapons, and the ambient sounds of nature all contribute to a rich auditory experience that brings the world to life.
Graphics
The remastered version of “Monster Hunter Stories” features significantly improved graphics, boasting higher resolution textures, enhanced lighting, and smoother animations. The game’s vibrant and colourful art style perfectly matches its lighthearted and adventurous tone. Character and Monstie designs are detailed and expressive, with each creature featuring unique visual traits that make them stand out. The environments are equally well-crafted, offering diverse and visually stunning landscapes that encourage exploration and adventure.
Story
The narrative of “Monster Hunter Stories” is engaging and heartfelt. you follow the journey of a young Rider who aspires to become a legendary figure like their ancestors. The story revolves around uncovering the mysteries of an ancient artefact and the legend of the Rathalos, a powerful dragon whose potential for destruction must be controlled. Throughout their journey, you will meet a cast of memorable characters, each contributing to the unfolding plot and the protagonist’s growth. The emotional moments and character development enrich the narrative, making it a compelling experience from start to finish.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Gameplay
“Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin” builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor, offering enhanced mechanics and expanded features. you continue the role of a Rider, exploring even more vast and diverse environments, hatching eggs, and engaging in turn-based battles. The combat system in the sequel is more refined, introducing additional attack types and strategies. For instance, you can now perform double attacks with their Monsties if they choose the same type of attack, adding a dynamic and rewarding element to the combat.
The game also features cooperative multiplayer modes, allowing you to team up with friends to tackle challenging quests and battles. This social aspect not only increases replayability but also encourages collaboration and strategic planning among you and your fellow riders.
Game Mechanics
The Rite of Channeling returns in “Monster Hunter Stories 2,” now offering even deeper customization options. You can transfer specific genes between Monsties, allowing for a more strategic and personalized approach to combat. The advanced combat system includes new mechanics such as double attacks and unique skills that make battles more engaging and varied. Additionally, the game introduces expeditions and side quests, providing you with more opportunities to explore the world and obtain valuable rewards. These activities offer additional challenges and extend the game’s longevity by encouraging you to continually seek out new adventures.
Sound Design
“Monster Hunter Stories 2” excels in sound design, featuring a richer and more varied soundtrack than its predecessor. The orchestral score, composed by a team led by Masato Kouda, is both epic and emotionally resonant, enhancing key story moments and battles. The music adapts to different scenarios, creating an immersive experience that reflects the game’s diverse environments and the intensity of its combat. The ambient sounds and voice acting further enrich the game world, providing a deeper level of immersion and helping to bring the characters and settings to life.
Graphics
Visually, “Monster Hunter Stories 2” is stunning. The game features highly detailed environments and character models, with an art direction that maintains the vibrant and whimsical style of the original while introducing more polish and intricacy. Improved animations and special effects make battles visually spectacular, with each move and ability rendered in detail. The environments are richly designed, offering a variety of landscapes that are both beautiful and inviting, encouraging you to explore every corner of the game world.
Story
The narrative of “Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin” follows a new Rider, a descendant of the legendary Rider Red. The protagonist embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious Rathalos egg, delving into themes of heritage, friendship, and the delicate balance between humans and monsters. The story is compelling, with a plot that intertwines personal growth and larger, world-spanning mysteries. The well-developed characters and emotional depth of the narrative make it a captivating continuation of the series, providing a satisfying and enriching experience for both new players and fans of the original game.
Conclusion
Both “Monster Hunter Stories” and “Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin” offer rich, engaging experiences that stand out in the RPG genre. The remastered version of the first game brings a beloved classic to a new audience with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay mechanics, while the sequel expands on these foundations with deeper combat systems, more customization options, and a compelling narrative. Together, these games provide hours of entertainment with their blend of exploration, strategic combat, and heartfelt storytelling, making them must-plays for fans of RPGs and the Monster Hunter series alike.
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Written by myself edited by Natalie Thomas (Partner)
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