Monster Hunter Stories

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 173 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Monster Hunter Stories Game Cover
Monster Hunter Stories is so much more than just a spin-off, deserving the attention of both RPG and Monster Hunter fans alike.
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"Monster Hunter Stories is a fantasy role-playing game, available for single-player and multi-player. Recruit, raise, and battle with Monsties, monsters you can form bonds with. The game features high-resolution graphics and an improved user interface for the smartphone version. The story follows a hero and their friends who discover a shining egg and perform a Rite of Kinship, leading to an exciting adventure."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 173 reviews
story14 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game is a charming and nostalgic remaster of the original 3DS version, featuring improved graphics and voice acting.
  • The turn-based combat system, while simple, offers strategic depth and is enjoyable for fans of both Monster Hunter and Pokémon.
  • The game provides a fun and engaging story with colorful characters, making it a great entry point for newcomers to the Monster Hunter series.
  • Some gameplay mechanics can feel RNG-dependent, leading to frustrating moments during battles.
  • The port retains some outdated graphics and textures from the 3DS version, which may not meet modern expectations.
  • Certain characters, like Navirou, can be annoying and detract from the overall experience.
  • story52 mentions

    The story is generally described as charming and enjoyable, with a mix of lighthearted and darker themes that appeal to a wide audience. While some reviewers noted that the writing could be improved and certain side quests felt repetitive, many praised the engaging plot, colorful world, and memorable characters, making it a solid experience for fans of the genre. Overall, it is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a fun narrative that complements the gameplay.

    • “The story and art may be a bit cuter, but it is fun, and if you love Monster Hunter and RPGs, I cannot recommend this game enough!”
    • “From the characters that we both have you smiling and gritting your teeth to the absolutely wonderful heartwarming story that had me in tears of joy as I arose from humble adventure to hero, alongside my monsters and friends.”
    • “This was an absolute gem, and very happy that I got to play it now, I highly recommend this game to anyone that is looking for a good story.”
    • “The story is written for 6-10 year old Japanese boys and girls, real shounen, including an 'irritating' mascot that talks way too much and is way too hyperactive with a very annoying voice.”
    • “The story really doesn't get started until midway through the game.”
    • “The last two story quests before the final boss felt a little like padding.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game, while based on a 3DS port, feature smoother visuals and an appealing anime-inspired art style that remains charming and timeless. Although the graphical enhancements are appreciated, they do not significantly elevate the overall quality beyond the original, with some users noting that the visuals are slightly dated yet still clean and colorful. The game runs smoothly with a solid framerate, making it visually enjoyable despite its origins.

    • “Monster Hunter Stories is characterized by its charming, anime-inspired graphic style.”
    • “The colorful, cel-shaded graphics deviate from the more realistic look of the main series and give the game a whimsical and inviting feel.”
    • “The new PC version looks fantastic with its improved graphics and smoother performance.”
    • “Graphics are smoother but is still based on a 3DS port, so nothing too grand for graphics.”
    • “This is a 30 dollar game with absolutely nothing different besides some better graphics.”
    • “The graphical options are also very slim but since this game can run on a potato and has framerate settings above 60, it's not too bad in the long run.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is turn-based and incorporates a rock-paper-scissors mechanic, which can lead to frustration due to its RNG dependence, especially when facing monsters with varied attack types. While the mechanics are relatively simple and not particularly deep, they offer a mix of strategy and challenge, especially in post-story battles. Overall, the game provides an engaging RPG experience set in the Monster Hunter universe, appealing to those who prefer a more relaxed gameplay loop compared to the mainline series.

    • “Monster Hunter Stories uses a turn-based battle system and a rock-paper-scissors mechanic as their way of battling.”
    • “There is a pretty addictive gameplay loop of getting to new areas, collecting a few new monsters, and carrying on.”
    • “I would definitely recommend playing this one though; I'd say it's a bit easier to get into, and the combat and mechanics are much more simplified than the second game.”
    • “Gameplay is turn-based and is pretty decent, but the scissors-paper-rock system can be frustrating when a monster uses multiple types and gives no indication of what it's going to use, making it a bit too RNG dependent.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing mind-blowing; there is a small bit of strategy and patterns, but it is mostly luck and RNG.”
    • “Also, the gameplay, even being a scissors-paper-rock mechanic, is very complex because the monsters have their own attack patterns.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its charm and memorability, with standout tracks like the "Hakum Village" town theme and the "Severe Challenge" boss battle theme enhancing the overall experience. The orchestral score contributes significantly to the sense of adventure and immersion, making it a delightful aspect that players enjoy throughout their extensive playtime. Overall, the soundtrack, along with the sound design and voice acting, is considered a strong point of the game.

    • “I enjoy the monster designs, music, sound design, and storytelling.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is an absolute delight with an orchestral score that adds to the sense of adventure and immersion in the game scenario.”
    • “Great town and battle music, with favorites being the 'Hakum Village' town theme and 'Severe Challenge' (Kirin boss battle theme) that are so charming and memorable, you never get tired of listening to them no matter how many times they play.”
    • “In my 90 hours of playtime, I think I've collectively heard Qurupeco's scream more than the game's actual soundtrack.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often viewed as excessive and simplistic, requiring significant effort to progress, especially for high-rank content. Players note that battles can become tedious and rely heavily on guesswork, making it less appealing for those who dislike turn-based mechanics or grinding. Overall, it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those averse to repetitive gameplay.

    • “It took quite a bit of grinding and min-maxing to catch up to the high-rank content.”
    • “The battles are a little tedious as it's mostly guessing.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is enhanced by the game's richly detailed environments and fluid animations, which complement the adorable and memorable character designs, creating a visually engaging experience that supports character growth and expression.

    • “The environments are richly detailed and varied, from lush forests to arid deserts and icy plains, complemented by fluid animations and expressive character designs.”
    • “The character designs are adorable and memorable.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, particularly enjoying the animations and comedic elements. However, some have encountered bugs, such as achievements unlocking without completing the associated quests, which adds an unintended layer of humor to their experience.

    • “Love the animations and the sense of humor for sure.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game shows a mixed performance; while it excels on higher-end hardware with improved graphics and smoother gameplay, users report that it struggles on lower-end systems compared to its predecessors and similar titles.

    • “The optimization in this game has made a noticeable difference in my gameplay experience.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers focused on performance enhancements, making the game run seamlessly on various hardware.”
    • “Compared to Stories 2 and other games of a similar caliber, performance is not great on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The new PC version looks fantastic with its improved graphics and smoother performance.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its engaging characters and a heartwarming story that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to nostalgia, ultimately leading to moments of tears as players embark on a transformative journey alongside their companions.

    • “The characters made me smile and grit my teeth, and the absolutely wonderful heartwarming story had me in tears of joy as I rose from a humble adventure to a hero, alongside my monsters and friends.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story truly resonated with me, making every victory feel earned and every loss deeply felt.”
    • “I was completely immersed in the narrative, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions that left a lasting impact long after I finished the game.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly and provides a stable experience, enhanced by improved visuals.

    • “The game runs great and offers a fresh experience with better visuals.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “The stability of the game allows me to fully immerse myself without worrying about technical issues.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Despite its lackluster graphics, the game offers a compelling story and significant replayability, encouraging players to revisit it multiple times.

    • “Even though the game doesn't have the best graphics, it has a beautiful story and a lot of replayability.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Monster Hunter Stories

Play time

70hMedian play time
50hAverage play time
9-90hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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