Digital Event Trailer:
This week on Friday the 26th, Monster Hunter Rise launches on the Nintendo Switch. While I'm not sure how many of us on Ushi play Monster Hunter, this title is going to be one of the Switch's big hits in 2021, if not the biggest. The series used to be fairly niche in the West (very not so much in Japan - it's very popular over there), insomuch Capcom went through a phase of not localizing main entries in the series, until Nintendo bought it's exclusivity on 3DS and we received three mainline entries + one expanded version on Switch. With the most recent title, Monster Hunter World, being on PS4, XBOX ONE, and PC, it boosted the series into the mainstream becoming the best selling game in the series (over 16.8 million copies sold) and Capcom's best selling game ever in their history.
Now, if you've watched trailers and it's not your thing but you're wondering why this series is so appealing to so many (or if you're tentatively interested and not sure how to approach this series), it can be boiled down to two main things; rewarding gameplay and fun customization. Monster Hunter is very much a series where you are hunting wild beasts with your weapons and your wits. While each beast does have it's combat patterns, there is so much that factors into each fight that keeps it fresh. There are 14 different weapon types to choose from, all completely different from each other and all completely versatile in any fight. Combat is stylish and tight, and once you get used to it, you keep getting better and more skilled, preparing yourself for the next big foe.
As for customization, you will be creating your own character, and all of your stats are connected to your armor, which is made via the drops and carves you get from killing monsters. Armor sets can be anywhere from hilariously awful looking, to amazingly fantastical. They're upgradeable, dyeable, and you can transmog/glam them (basically making your current set look like another) so you can look as silly or as fashionista as you like while taking down a giant dragon. You companions are also completely customizable to their abilities and their appearances. Palicoes and Palimutes (cats and dogs, respectively) are your party members when playing solo and they are both adorable and equally sharing your zeal for hunting and fashion.
Multiplayer is also very, very big, but not required. The stories in Monster Hunter games are very 'big monster is going to destroy something, so go kill it before it does' or 'something is making the monsters act weird, so figure out what's going on', so most people don't play it for a riveting narrative. Making a hunting party and taking down monsters with friends is a fun pastime, especially since you're ranked for how much/well you hunt, making it easier to find people on your wavelength. Monster Hunter Stories 2, releasing on July 9th this year, is a traditional turn based JRPG in the Monster Hunter universe, and that maybe be more your speed if nothing I said here piques your interest. I'll be sure to make a thread for it when the time comes as well.
I am (obviously) very excited for this title. I've been playing the series since Monster Hunter Unite on PSP and I've played every localized entry since then. At first I hated it not being my standard JRPG fare, but grew to love it. It also connected me with the love of my life and many friends as well, so it has a special place in my heart. I'd also like to say that while I did dunk on the weak story of the series, the games are still very beautiful, have fun characters, and are very lore rich, so there is more there for those who are looking for a little bit more than the gameplay loop.
Anywho, enough from me! Happy Hunting!