Monster Hunter Stories

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 296 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Monster Hunter Stories Game Cover
An already amazing game gets a few upgrades, but most of all, it's a deserving second chance at life for a title that may have been overlooked previously.
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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."

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 296 reviews
story29 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the original 3DS version, enhanced with improved graphics and voice acting.
  • The turn-based combat system is engaging and encourages strategic thinking, making battles feel rewarding.
  • The creature collection aspect is fun and allows for customization of monsters, adding depth to gameplay.
  • The game shows its age with some outdated mechanics and clunky controls, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The story is often criticized for being simplistic and aimed at a younger audience, lacking depth compared to other RPGs.
  • Some players find the AI behavior in battles frustrating, as it can lead to unpredictable outcomes in combat.
  • story90 mentions

    The story of the game is generally described as charming and engaging, focusing on themes of bonds and the consequences of intentions, though it may start off cheesy. While some reviewers find it simplistic and aimed at a younger audience, others appreciate its depth and emotional moments, making it a delightful experience for both new and veteran players. Overall, the narrative is considered better than many other titles in the monster-hunting genre, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and lack of originality.

    • “The story is all about the importance of bonds and how they can make people and creatures stronger, as well as how good intentions and negative feelings can lead to potentially disastrous outcomes.”
    • “While the start may be quite cheesy, the story gets wonderfully deeper as you progress throughout the game, thus giving an incredible experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “Other than the gameplay, the story in the title is a joke.”
    • “I really really wanted to like this game but by the end of the story I was feeling incredibly tired of it all and just wanted it to be over.”
    • “There is no depth, no plot twist, and the story itself is terribly generic and often makes no sense.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay of Monster Hunter Stories is characterized by a turn-based combat system that employs a rock-paper-scissors mechanic, which some players find simplistic and RNG-dependent, while others appreciate its strategic elements and depth. The game blends monster-collecting elements reminiscent of Pokémon with the Monster Hunter universe, offering a charming experience that appeals to a younger audience, though it has been noted that the mechanics can feel clunky compared to its sequel. Overall, while the gameplay may not be groundbreaking, it provides an enjoyable and addictive loop of collecting monsters and engaging in battles.

    • “Monster Hunter Stories is a delightful spin-off that seamlessly blends the Monster Hunter universe with the classic monster-collecting gameplay of Pokémon.”
    • “The gameplay loop is basically stealing eggs and putting together the optimal fighting team, but it's a surprisingly intricate system with a lot of possibilities.”
    • “You have many of the monsters people love, a vibrant world filled with color and life, a great soundtrack that lends to the atmosphere of the game, and simple mechanics that never overstay their welcome.”
    • “Other than the gameplay, the story in the title is a joke.”
    • “It's fun, but I'm not a huge fan of the direction the story went in several places, and the gameplay is a lot more clunky than in Stories 2.”
    • “Battle mechanics feel way simpler and less refined in comparison to the sequel, lacking additional strategic layers introduced in 'Wings of Ruin', like swapping your weapon mid-fight.”
  • graphics44 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, anime-inspired art style that appeals to a younger demographic while still offering a deeper narrative. Although the visuals are based on a 3DS port and may appear slightly dated, they maintain a charming aesthetic that holds up well at higher resolutions, with smoother performance in the remastered version. Overall, while not groundbreaking in graphical fidelity, the game's colorful design and improved visuals enhance the overall experience.

    • “The art style is vibrant and colorful and the soundtrack is also amazing.”
    • “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 graphics made a huge jump in this remake and I love it!”
    • “Visually, you can tell it’s a 3DS game, so don’t expect too much graphically.”
    • “Graphics are smoother but are still based on a 3DS port, so nothing too grand for graphics.”
    • “As someone who played MHST2 first, I must say that the graphics and gameplay aspects of MHST1 are much inferior to those of its sequel.”
  • music18 mentions

    The game's soundtrack is widely praised for its vibrant orchestral score, memorable town and battle themes, and overall contribution to the immersive experience. However, some players noted a significant lack of music during exploration in open areas, which can make the environment feel empty. Despite this downside, the music remains a highlight, enhancing the game's colorful art style and engaging storytelling.

    • “Beautifully remastered, banger game, banger monster cast, banger music.”
    • “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.”
    • “You have many of the monsters people love (and some that people don't), a vibrant world filled with color and life, a great soundtrack that lends to the atmosphere of the game, and simple mechanics that never overstay their welcome.”
    • “One big downside, though, is the lack of music during exploration in open areas.”
    • “It makes things feel empty and, honestly, I ended up playing my own music in the background.”
    • “In my 90 hours of playtime, I think I've collectively heard Qurupeco's scream more than the game's actual soundtrack.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find it tedious and frustrating, especially in relation to enemy AI and boss fights, others appreciate the challenge it presents. The grind for materials and high-rank content can feel excessive, but some players enjoy the process and find it rewarding. Overall, the grinding experience varies significantly among players, with some considering it a major drawback while others see it as a manageable part of the gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is pretty fun and the story is great, but the AI on some enemies is very frustrating to deal with. A lot of these enemies are story boss fights, and the grindy nature of the game can ruin some players' experience. So yeah, this game is great, but it's overall a pretty mixed bag compared to the sequel; this game loses a lot.”
    • “Simply finding monsters to obtain materials, eggs, or quest clears felt extremely tedious a lot of the time.”
    • “It took quite a bit of grinding and min-maxing to catch up to the high-rank content.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Monster Hunter Stories is praised for its emotional depth, combining thrilling monster battles with heartwarming bond-building reminiscent of Pokémon. Players appreciate the cozy atmosphere, engaging characters, and a touching story that evokes strong feelings, making it a delightful and uplifting experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Monster Hunter Stories is a fantastic RPG that seamlessly blends the excitement of monster battles from the main series with the heartwarming bond-building of Pokémon.”
    • “They are cozy and heartwarming <3”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Monster Hunter Stories is praised for its exceptional optimization on PC, delivering smooth performance even on lower-end hardware and the Steam Deck. However, some users note that compared to its predecessor and similar titles, performance may not be as strong on less powerful systems. Overall, the new PC version impresses with improved graphics and performance.

    • “As with many Capcom games, Monster Hunter Stories is exceptionally well-optimized for PC, running smoothly even on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game's performance is impeccable, making it a joy to play on a variety of hardware configurations.”
    • “The new PC version looks fantastic with its improved graphics and smoother performance.”
    • “Compared to Stories 2 and other games of a similar caliber, performance is not great on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The game's performance is inconsistent, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
    • “Optimization issues make it difficult to enjoy the game on a range of systems.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the charming character of Navirou, the felyne companion, who adds a delightful comedic touch to the adventure. Players appreciate the amusing animations and overall sense of humor, enhancing the gaming experience.

    • “The characters are a high point, especially Navirou, your Felyne companion, who brings humor and charm to the adventure.”
    • “Love the animations and the sense of humor for sure.”
    • “The funny thing about this is that the achievement popped already for me, so I have the achievement but the quest isn't turned in.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is highlighted through expressive and memorable character designs that enhance the gameplay and story. The richly detailed environments further complement the characters, contributing to a visually engaging experience. Overall, the combination of fluid animations and diverse settings enriches the character development aspect of the game.

    • “The character designs are adorable and memorable.”
    • “Gameplay, story, character design, and visual effects are all intricately woven together to enhance the overall experience.”
    • “The environments are richly detailed and varied, from lush forests to arid deserts and icy plains, complemented by fluid animations and expressive character designs.”
  • 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.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant and colorful world populated with beloved monsters, complemented by an engaging soundtrack that enhances the experience. The simple mechanics contribute to a seamless immersion without becoming tedious.

    • “The game features many beloved monsters, a vibrant world filled with color and life, and a great soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, all complemented by simple mechanics that never overstay their welcome.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world that feels alive and full of detail.”
    • “Every element of the game, from the visuals to the sound design, contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
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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