A world full of small villages, colorful characters and wondrous monsters await. Monster Hunter Stories is the first game in the entire MH franchise that allows the player to raise monsters and battle alongside them. Collecting eggs, searching for poogies (little pigs in cute costumes) and exploring a wide world alongside monsters are all pieces that make Stories such a refreshing treat for long time monster hunters. From the art style, full story, character design, battle system and ability to ride monsters, this new game features an incredible experience that stands out from the entire franchise.
Riders are those born with a gift to bond with monsters and partner with them. Starting out in a peaceful and colorful village, you create an avatar that will be your link to the wide world of monsters. As you progress in the story, you will be tasked with various quests that lead you to new areas and villages. Colorful NPCs will ask the player to complete tasks from collecting types of plants or other materials to battling a monster that is causing problems. An enormous improvement in Stories is the ability to take on several quests at once. Up to 30 sub-quests may be registered at any time allowing more flexibility in completing quests while exploring. Instead of choosing a single quest to complete, taking on as many sub quests that are activated leads to a smoother progression.
While exploring lands outside your home village, riders come across caves called Monster Dens. These Dens hold monsters, items and occasionally treasure. Inside the Den, after traveling through the entire cave, you will come across the egg nest. You will have a few chances to pick up an egg and your little felyne friend Navirou – will tell if the monster inside smells boring or not. The pattern on the egg shell lets the player know the type of Monstie (Monsters that become your Besties) that is inside. Collecting eggs whenever possible is the best way to build up your monster collection. You may have up to 200 monsters in the stables but only six in your party. Every monster and monster hybrid has their own unique talents that arise from their genes. Collecting egg shell pieces and reassembling an entire egg will grant the rider a Monstie that contains various skills not naturally born to them. It’s a fun extra that makes searching through each den well worth the time.
The Kinship Stone is what gives a person ability to bond with a monster, also known as a Monstie, and work along side them. While in a battle, the stone will level up and allow your avatar to “Ride-On” and use a Kinship Skill to deal large amount of damage. This is the best part of the battle system. The animation gives a sense of true companionship between the avatar and the monster. Every monster you fight against have their own type of moves. It is up to you to determine a move for your rider to fight with on your turn. Power, Speed and Technical are options that allow your character to fight. Instead, you may opt to use items to heal or buff your next move. Your Monstie attacks on their own will yet riders may offer them a special item or after raising the Kinship level, give them a command.
DLC for the MH franchise has been full of free goodies for the Nintendo 3DS releases. Game /anime collaboration quests and special MH quests are always fun to download and try out. For the latest North American released 3DS game, Capcom is still offering fun new quests and helpful item packs as long as players download them from the main menu or through a helpful felyne from town. Unfortunately, the Online Mode feels lonesome compared to previous MH games. Players are limited to stickers as a means for communication. Although the stickers you start out with and eventually earn are adorable, the lack of ability to communicate about monsters, armor, quests etc makes the mode a bit sad. One of the best parts of MH games is to speak with fellow players and learn more about the game. The likely reason communication is limited to pre-set stickers is because Stories is meant for players of all ages to enjoy in a peaceful internet environment.
Teens and adults shouldn’t shy away from this title though. There is so much to enjoy from the adorable art style to the exploration of areas. Just having the ability to take on several quests and complete them in one outing is a wonderful relief. The cute anime characters perfectly work with this new way of battling in turn-based style. Plus, there are more close-ups of your character in the cutscenes featuring their armor making the overall story experience personable. Seasoned monster hunters and new riders should all feel encouraged to join in Monster Hunter Stories. It is a dream to finally play a MH game that allows players to train and battle alongside Monsties.
A code was provided by Nintendo for the purpose of this review.