Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin - Review

Monster Hunter Stories 2 is Pokemon's toughest competition yet

Inverse Review Score: 8/10

Hunting monsters is hard, but becoming a fan of Monster Hunter might be even harder.

Booting up Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter: World for the first time, you're either impressed by the intricate and satisfying combat -- or put off by the text-heavy, confusing tutorials and overall difficulty.

Capcom's new turn-based RPG Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a stellar point of entry for gamers who have never been able to get into the action games, blending Monster Hunter's DNA with a robust RPG experience in a way that will appeal to fans of series like Pokémon or Xenoblade Chronicles.
Ruination or Salvation?

While regular Monster Hunter games do have stories, they are often a means to an end so the player can endlessly hunt monsters and craft new gear. Inversely, Monster Hunter Stories 2: WIngs of Ruin puts as much emphasis on its narrative as an intense JRPG. There are hours of cutscenes and side quests to experience.

You are the descendant of Red, a famous Monster Rider who showed the world how humans, the elvish race of Wyverians, and monsters could work together. Players step into the role of a novice Monster Rider in a small village. That means they make connections and work with Monsties to keep the land peaceful.

The game always refers to its creatures as "Monsties," which is a bit too playful and never really sits well. Just call them monsters! Outside of that, the writing and plotting of the adventure are well done.

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Monster Hunter Stories 2 distinguishes itself from games like Pokemon Sword and Shield and Xenoblade Chronicles by leaning into what makes the average Monster Hunter game so appealing: tons of weapon and armor customization, intense enemy encounters, and multiplayer.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 finds a surprisingly fruitful middle ground between extremely tough action games and accessible JRPGs. It's a fantastic starting point for the whole series for that reason.

It features deep systems that will please any hardcore RPG fans and that's only enhanced by its cute aesthetic, awesome monsters designs, and engaging story that will appeal to causal players. Monster Hunter Stories 2 might just make you a fan of Monster Hunter.

Score: 8/10