Monster Hunter fans are undoubtedly very excited for the arrival of Monster Hunter Stories to the great Nintendo Switch, a game that many of us remember fondly, since many of us played it on one of the 3DS and 2DS family consoles.
Monster Hunter Stories returns to thrill fans of the franchise
When CAPCOM released in 2021 the game Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on Nintendo Switch, many players who were just entering the world of Monster Hunter surely wondered “Wait, there was a first game?”. Thanks to that question they researched and realized that this was a sequel to a game for one of Nintendo’s best consoles, we are talking about the 3DS and 2DS family.
On the part of the fans it was certainly something they did not expect, but they thought it would happen someday, since it also happened with the great Monster Hunter Generations which was also a game that came from the same family of consoles where it was originally released and that after the arrival of a new Nintendo console, the Nintendo Switch, had its version for that console, they had hopes that it would happen with Monster Hunter Stories, and their prayers were heard by CAPCOM.
History of Monster Hunter Stories
The story of Monster Hunter Stories begins when the player and his two friends go out looking for monster eggs in hopes of becoming Riders. By chance, they find an egg and hatch a baby Rathalos without properly performing the ritual that Riders do to form bonds with their Monster, which they call Monsties. The three take the Rathalos, whom they call Ratha, back to their village, unaware that the terrible black plague is spreading around them.
Once back in the village, a blighted Nargacuga attacks, destroying much of the village and killing the mother of the player’s friend Cheval. This sets the three on different but parallel paths, each hoping to stop the plague in their own way. It’s a genuinely engaging story that balances a lighthearted tone with the darker themes of loss and revenge. The playful tone is furthered by the debut of Navirou, one of the grandiose kittens who joins the player’s party.
A classic yet modern Monter Hunter
One thing to make clear is that this is not a remastering that makes you say that this is a new game, as is the case with the RESIDENT EVIL games, but it is a reinvention of the 3DS/2DS title that presents us with a new voice acting, which is extremely amazing, since you can select whether you want the voices in English or Japanese, personally we chose Japanese, thanks to the fact that it is a game that does not ask for too much power, CAPCOM decided to give it a more modern touch, showing us this great title in an incredible crisp HD both in portable mode and docked to the Nintendo Switch dock.
Many fans of the graphics will undoubtedly complain that it looks the same as on the 3DS/2DS, but that is less, since now everyone who wants to play this line of Monster Hunter games can do it on a single console, we no longer have to buy a 3DS/2DS necessarily to play the first title in this line. Since nowadays getting one of these consoles in good condition and at a good price is not an easy task.
Naturalmente, para los que no han jugado a la versión de 3DS/2DS, la jugabilidad es similar a Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, pero un poco más simplista. Los jugadores viajan a través de una vasta tierra, resolviendo problemas relacionados con monstruos y recolectando huevos para incubar y montar nuevos Monsties, involucrando a Monstruos e incluso a otros Jinetes en batallas por turnos que combinan elementos de Monster Hunter con una estrategia de piedra, papel y tijera.
Naturally, for those who haven’t played the 3DS/2DS version, the gameplay is similar to Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, but a bit more simplistic. Players travel across a vast land, solving monster-related problems and collecting eggs to hatch and ride new Monsties, engaging Monsters and even other Riders in turn-based battles that combine elements of Monster Hunter with a rock-paper-scissors strategy.
Conclusion
Monster Hunter Stories is effectively the same game it was in 2017, only now with a coat of HD paint and full voice acting for all dialogues. In a way we can understand that many will complain that this is a rehash, but we must also applaud CAPCOM’s work for wanting to add the game to Nintendo’s catalog, something other companies have been unwilling to do with their franchises.
Besides its price is not high like some remasters that have come to Nintendo Switch. So if you are thinking about whether to purchase the title or not, the truth is that we recommend it 100%, besides if you have Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in your catalog of games, it could be an addition to complete that collection.