PlayStation owners were recently treated to a double serving of role-playing game goodness as Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, came out on PlayStation 4. The turn-based RPGs are quite different from the main series, which are action RPGs that revolve around hunting the monsters rather than becoming pals and riding them. So are they both worth picking up? Should you play the first game before the sequel? Here’s what you need to know.
The original Monster Hunter Stories was a Nintendo 3DS game and was released in 2016. While it doesn’t necessarily show its age, it definitely shows its hardware limitations to a degree. Environments are on the sparse side, and graphics are quite simple, although some strong artistic style helps mask its shortcomings as it’s still a fun game to look at. However, Stories 2, which was released for Nintendo Switch and PC in 2021, looks leagues better and really ups the production value as it really feels as if you’re exploring the ecosystems, and there’s a great sense of wonder like in the main series.
Both games largely play the same, although a lot of the ideas are further polished and fleshed out in the sequel. At the core of the turn-based battle system is a rock-paper-scissors system that has players choosing between power, speed, and technique-focused attacks. Unlike Pokemon, the player’s character, called a rider, fights alongside the monsters that he’s created a bond with. You can also use a variety of skills, take advantage of elemental effects, and use special attacks that use your kinship that is built over time. It’s a simple system with a lot of depth, especially in Wings of Ruin.
Another nice aspect of the battle system is that the clashes often result in little mini-games that will determine who gets an edge in battle. For example, a power clash might require you to mash a button as fast as possible to beat a foe. There are other examples, such as having to rotate an analog stick in circles, and while it is a gimmick, it keeps the player more engaged throughout, and the scenes are accompanied by some animated sequences as well.
So since Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin looks and plays better in just about every area, should you skip the original? That’s a complicated question. You can certainly skip to the better game, but it should be known that the original has a slower start and takes its time, really easing you into the systems and the world more. There are also recurring characters that show up in both games even though the narratives don’t directly build on each other, so fans will get more out of playing both titles. Given that the Monster Hunter Stories Collection is a good deal, I would recommend grabbing both, as the first is a good entry point and will make you appreciate Wings of Ruin even more.
Both of the Monster Hunter Stories spin-offs are quite rewarding to play through, even if the sequel provides a more robust experience. As a Monster Hunter fan, getting to view another section of the world, one that focuses on the bond between man and beast rather than simply hunting for survival (although there’s still plenty of combat, don’t get me wrong), is a real thrill and helps further build out the series. The battle system is fun, and the stories are full of quippy dialogue exchanges and enjoyable twists, even if they’re not groundbreaking. They’re an easy recommendation and fit right at home in the PlayStation 4 RPG library.
Monster Hunter Stories Score: 7.5/10
Monster Hunter Stories 2 Score: 8.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7.5 equals “Good,” while 8.5 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a digital copy for our Monster Hunter Stories 1 & 2 PS4 review. Reviewed on version 1.005.000.
