It ’s Monster Hunter , but cozy !
Monster Hunter Stories 2 : Wings of Ruin is the Pokemon secret plan I was begging for as a fry . It give you that classic ogre - hunting Pokemon experience , but with a gustation of that exemption that we were all shout out out for before Pokemon : Legends Arceus came out , with a more in - depth conflict organisation to sweeten the deal even more .
But while it is almost impossible not to guide analogue with Pokemon when it comes to this behemoth - collecting game , it is still very much a Monster Hunter experience . If you ’re worried about neglect your favourite monster or even the core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter here , do n’t be . Monster Hunter Stories 2 is still Monster Hunter through and through , just with a little Pokemon sprinkled in there . And how could that be a bad affair ?
Monster Hunter Revitalized
Monster Hunter Stories 2 is not a unexampled secret plan . It has been uncommitted since 2021 but has recently been remastered along with the first Monster Hunter Stories claim . And that fresh lick of blusher rightfully did wonder for the experience .
My former experience with Monster Hunter Stories 2 was unsmooth around the edges , to say the least . It was n’t a bad clock time , but there were noticeable frame rate shake off , peculiarly in densely populated domain like the towns and Village you visit throughout your escapade . Although to be brutally honest , that experience was on the Nintendo Switch , and I will not go as far as to say that that had nothing to do with it , I am glad to report that the PS4 remastered version of Monster Hunter Stories 2 ran like a dream .
It is , however , a remaster , not a remake . So , do n’t expect anything groundbreaking in term of graphics . The art style does take a more simplified and cartoonish feeler , which honestly suit the magic spell and vibration of the plot perfectly .
Screenshot by Prima Games
Clear Your Schedule for the Foreseeable Future!
We all know the most crucial part of a video biz is not how it looks . It ’s how it plays . Is Monster Hunter Stories 2 fun ? Absolutely . The core gameplay closed circuit is very reminiscent of mainline Monster Hunter biz . It goes like this : monsters are terrify people . You go and fight the monster and return to townspeople with just enough fourth dimension to craft a new kit with the teras bits you harvested before someone else is terrorize by another monster . You see where I ’m going with this .
“ The wide-eyed play that Monster Hunter Stories 2 provide will snarf you from the beginning . Hopefully , there is nothing too press in your stockpile , because it ’s not allow go . “
It ’s a simple gameplay loop , but it ’s heavily enjoyable , which is proficient , because Monster Hunter Stories is packed full of content that you’re able to easily pass over 100 or even 200 hours on . And will that be enough ? Probably not ! The bare fun that Monster Hunter Stories 2 furnish will crochet you from the beginning . Hopefully , there is nothing too contract in your reserve , because it ’s not letting go .
Screenshot by Prima Games
Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a cosy , sorcerous , and quaint Monster Hunter experience . Some may even describe it as Monster Hunter for kids . While they would n’t be wrong in saying that , and I have certainly never matte up quite as 31 as I did when I was asked to input my geezerhood at the starting time of my adventure , there is still plenty here to keep you entertained as an adult . Particularly when it comes to the conflict organisation and managing your lusus naturae .
The conflict system , much like the ease of the secret plan as a whole , is simple at first glance , but far more in - depth than you may initially give it credit for . The core mechanic of these bout - establish battles is a rock - paper - scissors type of raft . Monsters have three independent blast types : superpower , Technical , and speeding . Speed beats Power , Power beats Technical , and Technical beats Speed .
This is simple enough and may even set you up to believe that the plot is going to be an absolute breeze . But once you take into report thing like giant switching up flak patterns , elements , and weapon proficiencies , thing do become more thought-provoking . You might even die once or twice throughout your adventure , which is a good thing . You do n’t need to be able to play a biz with your eyes closed .
Screenshot by Prima Games
“ But that ’s all part of what keeps those conflict exciting for the 40 + hours it takes to fill out the account and beyond , because 40 hour is plainly not enough in Monster Hunter Stories 2 . “
The entirety of the battle is also not in your control . This is a JRPG adventure , but you do n’t get to overlook every role in your team . you could only ensure your own moves . So , while you may know the mystery to succeeder in any battle , you ca n’t report for your monster or companion , if you ’re traveling with one , not to make any stupid decisions that will impart you wishing someone put you in charge .
But that ’s all part of what keeps those battle exciting for the 40 + hours it study to finish the story and beyond , because 40 hour is simply not enough in Monster Hunter Stories 2 . If you do get tired of the battles , however , which you probably will ( as stunning as the animations are ) , there is a handy libertine - forward button that speeds through them and facilitate take the border off the insistent gameplay loop-the-loop .
Screenshot by Prima Games
We’re Not Kidnapping, We’re Monster Hunting!
If you ever get tired of exploring in Monster Hunter Stories 2 , there is a whole other side of the secret plan to embrace that mainline Monster Hunter game do n’t have – monstrosity assembling . Rather than confuse a Poke Ball at your desired victim , I mean … monstie … Monster Hunter Stories 2 goes for more of a straight - up kidnapping approach . You snarf into a freak den , contend the monster if it ’s there , or tippytoe around if it ’s asleep , pick out an egg , and skedaddle out of the nest , ideally before the monster wakes up and adjudicate to cease you for steal one of its future kid . And we ca n’t really blame them for that .
You then take your new monstie to a unchanging to hatch it and add it to your squad . This is my favorite part of the experience as a whole . There is something so wholesome ( kidnap aside ) about spring up your household of monsties , and I genuinely did get attached to all of them . As you progress , you will unlock even more automobile mechanic to spice things up , like cistron splice . And the best part is no one in the game will adjudicate you for any of these potentially shadowed natural process !
It’s In the Name…
I recognize I have been talking this plot up . And it does merit it , but I ca n’t continue avoiding the elephant in the room . Nothing in life is perfect , Monster Hunter Stories 2 included , and there is one glaringly obvious fault that was make sticky eye contact with me throughout my integral experience and the writing of this limited review .
It seems strange to say it , but the worst part about Monster Hunter Stories 2 is the narration . Monster Hunter has never been known for an in - depth and gut - sprain story . But that was supposed to be the level of this title . Monster Hunter , but with a write up . Right ?
But the story here is lustreless at best . It ’s fine , but it is very predictable . There are no plot turn of events to verbalize of , and my butt remained firmly yet well implant in the derriere of my lounge . But hey , at least you wo n’t have to go through an full box of tissue or damage your professorship by perching on the edge of them for over 100 hours .
Screenshot by Prima Games
While the story itself is nothing innovative , the sorcerous , cozy , and gratifying gameplay that Monster Hunter Stories 2 provides still did more than enough to keep me entertain for an ungodly amount of time of day .
Screenshot by Prima Games
