A Relaxing Thrill Ride
Monster Hunter: Rise
Given the level of detail poured into its predecessor Monster Hunter: World, it’s honestly unsurprising that Rise’s aesthetics are one of its biggest draws. But while it’s predictable, it certainly never fails to amaze. Everything from the cinematics to the characters and fight sequences feature an energetic, vibrant vibe that highlights the fantastical nature of the game’s world and keeps you coming back for more.
I’ll even toss in a special mention about the character outfits - unlike many other games, Rise doesn’t leave the best looking things for the later stages of the game. Even the NPCs in Kamura Village, like Elder Fugen and the Quest/ Hub Maidens look absolutely fabulous.
As a general rule, playing Monster Hunter is quite like baking a cake. No amount of rushing will make the yeast rise any faster. Naturally, you will still want to pace yourself for quests with fixed timers, but for the more laid-back Expeditions, just take a chill pill and explore the stage at your own convenience. Heck, if you’re not fond of walking (and many of us aren’t!), just hop on your trusty Palamute companion and zoom over to your destination. Alternatively, some monsters can even be mounted
and used in combat via the new Wyvern Riding system.
Most, if not all the weapons in Rise are ones that we’ve seen before in previous MH games, from Bowguns to Charge Blades and Insect Glaives, but where Rise sets itself apart from its predecessors is in how easy it is to use them, as well as the new Switch Skills. For example, the skill cap for the notoriously difficult Hunting Horn has been dialled down several notches.
The increased accessibility has been spread across other aspects of the game too - many of the interfaces and mechanics are much less complex than they used to be in Monster Hunter: World, making it a great starting point for absolute rookies looking to get in on the action. Additionally, many veteran players have become quite fond of the new Wirebug mechanic. This is essentially a grappling hook that lets you wall-run and whizz about the map for combat or exploration purposes. I really like how it features different Silkbind Attacks for various weapon styles for example, swift, close-combat styles like Dual Swords will enjoy a huge boost to their agility and reach with moves like Shrouded Vault and Piercing Bind.
Rise gives you a lot of that flexibility right from the start and keeps it that way, which makes it even better for beginners who might not really know what they want from the outset. Want to switch over and try out another weapon? Just head back to your camp and switch out your gear any time. Need a bit more insight on how to enhance your play? Just skim through the Hunter’s Notes and take it for a spin in a quest.
There’s no need to go balls deep and save the world or defeat a terrifying villain
- it’s one of those games where you can really see success being more of a journey than a destination.
As for the co-op aspect, the game
doesn’t make it a must for you to dabble in, although I will mention that you’re missing out on a lot of experiences if you don’t. While you can beat big, fearsome monsters on your own if you play it right, there’s nothing quite like savouring a successful hunt with friends.
Frankly, I don’t think there’s much to really nitpick about the game and its flow, but what I will say is that its initial sequences do feel quite content-heavy. There’s a lot of text to read through, and while they do a good job of explaining which buttons do what, it can feel a little intimidating. And then there’s also the need to be aware of whether your weapon is sheathed or not - I think we’ve all been through the scenario where we downed a potion or two by mistake. I hate it when that happens, and the crappy part is that it still does.
Taking all of that into account, I’d say it’s actually a pretty solid Switch title in general, and if you haven’t had the chance to get acquainted with World or any of the previous games, then Monster Hunter: Rise is a particularly good place to start.
CONCLUSION
MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ROOKIES, WITH ENOUGH SKILL PROGRESSION TO KEEP VETERANS OCCUPIED.