Monster Hunter Stories is a colorful, turn-based monster-collecting RPG spin-off: you play as a Rider, bond with friendly monsters called Monsties, and fight alongside them. Reviews point to an approachable premise and customization, but also note that the games can feel repetitive and their combat or storytelling may be simple. The strongest quantified review snapshot in the available evidence is for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, which Metacritic rated “Generally Favorable.”
What is Monster Hunter Stories?
Unlike the main Monster Hunter games’ action-focused hunts, Monster Hunter Stories is a role-playing spin-off built around raising and bonding with monsters. Nintendo’s listing reproduces Capcom’s publisher description: “Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story.” That premise makes the series a natural fit for players who want a more character-driven, turn-based take on the Monster Hunter world.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Monster Hunter Stories - For Nintendo Switch | $27.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - Nintendo Switch 2 | $55.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Monster Hunter Stories Collection - Nintendo Switch | $37.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin - Nintendo Switch | $37.71 | Buy on Amazon |
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What do reviews say about the games?
Monster Hunter Stories and its remaster
Metacritic’s collected review excerpts for the original game and remaster show a divided set of reactions rather than a single verdict. Some reviewers welcomed the remaster as a way to experience the game on more platforms and praised its presentation and customization. Others criticized repetitive structure, simple combat, or shortcomings in the story. These are individual reviewers’ assessments, not a guarantee of how every player will respond.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
In a Metacritic snapshot inspected on October 8, 2026, Wings of Ruin had a Metascore of 81 from 89 critic reviews, labeled “Generally Favorable.” Metacritic classified 73 reviews as positive, 16 as mixed, and none as negative. Its user score was 8.1 from 233 ratings. Scores and review counts can change, and these figures represent Metacritic’s listed sample, not every publication or player.
#1 Best Overall
- Engaging Storyline: Embark on a thrilling adventure as a Rider, forging bonds with iconic monsters from the Monster Hunter universe.
- Turn-Based Battles: Experience a new take on Monster Hunter with strategic, turn-based combat where every choice matters.
- Hatch and Raise Monsters: Collect eggs, hatch Monsties, and build a powerful team to battle alongside you.
- Expansive World: Explore vibrant landscapes, uncover hidden secrets, and complete exciting quests across a beautifully designed world.
- Multiplayer Mode: Team up with friends in co-op mode to take on challenging monsters and explore together.
Is Monster Hunter Stories worth playing?
The reviews suggest it is worth considering if you like turn-based RPGs, collecting and customizing creatures, and a lighter spin on the Monster Hunter setting. The Rider-and-Monstie relationship is the distinctive hook. If you need complex combat or tightly paced storytelling, the criticisms of simplicity, repetition, and uneven story execution are worth weighing before you buy.
Capcom reported that Wings of Ruin had surpassed 2 million units sold ahead of its third anniversary. That sales milestone indicates broad commercial reach, but it is not itself a measure of review quality or a promise that the game will suit you.
Rank #2
- Raise Your Team: Build and raise a team of Monsties, forming kinships with iconic Monsters from the Monster Hunter series like Chatacabra and Rey Dau.
- Battle in Turn-Based Combat: Experience the strategic turn-based battles using the popular rock-paper-scissor system of Power, Speed, and Technical.
- Explore an Enhanced World: Enjoy new stylized 3D graphics that bring the Monster Hunter Stories series to life.
- Pre-order Bonus: Layered armor for Eleanor
Which Monster Hunter Stories game should you play first?
If you want to begin with the series’ original premise and follow its release order, start with Monster Hunter Stories or its remaster, then move to Wings of Ruin. If the sequel’s more favorable Metacritic snapshot is your main consideration, start with Wings of Ruin. The available review material does not establish that one entry is definitively better for every player.
Recommended Free Tools
| Game | Release and platforms established here | Review evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Hunter Stories | Its first game reached current-generation consoles on June 14, 2024, according to Capcom’s release document; PlayStation lists a PS4 release on that date. | Metacritic excerpts include praise for availability and customization as well as criticism of repetition, simple combat, and story limitations. No comparable score snapshot is established here. |
| Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | Launched on Nintendo Switch and PC on July 9, 2021; its PS4 release followed on June 14, 2024. | Metacritic snapshot inspected October 8, 2026: 81 from 89 critic reviews and 8.1 from 233 user ratings. |
Where can you play the games?
Capcom lists Wings of Ruin for Nintendo Switch and PC at its July 9, 2021 launch, with a PS4 release on June 14, 2024. Nintendo’s US store listing says its Switch edition behaves consistently on Nintendo Switch 2. PlayStation’s listing for the first game gives a PS4 release date of June 14, 2024, and lists English and Japanese voice options. These sources establish platform availability, not technical superiority between versions.
Rank #3
- Refined Graphics: Originally released in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS, players can now experience riding Monsties in stunning detail on larger screens, enhanced with improved modeling, textures, and lighting in high definition.
- Now Fully Voiced: Immerse yourself in the adventure with full Japanese and English voiceovers.
- Additional Language Support: Monster Hunter Stories will have additional language support, newly featuring Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and Arabic.
- Museum mode: Delve deeper into the world of Monster Hunter Stories through the newly added Museum mode, featuring the game’s background music and developer sketches.
- Included Title Updates (TU): Previously only available in Japan, players can now enjoy title updates, unlocking content from TU 1.20 and TU 1.30.
Check your regional storefront for the current edition, price, and availability; listings and stock can vary by region and change over time. Nintendo’s listing for Wings of Ruin also presents DLC, so check what is included in the edition you are considering.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about Monster Hunter Stories 3?
An Xbox Wire report dated October 7, 2026 identifies Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection as available on Xbox Series X|S. The report announced a separate Free Play Days window for the first two games from October 22 through October 25, 2026; that offer is time-limited and should not be treated as current outside those dates. The available review evidence does not provide a comparable score snapshot for the third game.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Team up with familiar creatures from the Monster Hunter universe and a charming Crew of companions for an emotional and expansive journey.
- Make use of Assorted monster Hunter weapons to target monsters' Weak points, employ powerful skills to control the flow of battle, and unleash devastating kinship attacks with your monstie.
- Create your own unique character, and use the power of your kinship Stone to live in Harmony with the monsters others fear.
- Collect and hatch Eggs to build a party of monsters with specific abilities and strengths, train them to become unique and powerful companions, and craft new weapons and armor
- Join up with friends for tag-team multiplayer battles and exploration.
Sources
- Metacritic: Monster Hunter Stories
- Metacritic: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
- Capcom: 2024 release announcement
- Nintendo: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
- PlayStation: Monster Hunter Stories
- Xbox Wire: October 7, 2026 report
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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