Monster Hunter Stories

 3DS
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 110
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 110
  3. Negative: 8 out of 110
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  1. DatPata
    Sep 25, 2017
    9
    I don't know why, but this game was the reason for me to create an account here. I'm seeing med - good reviews, but most people who judged so early about this games aren't 20h+- into this game and enjoyed it like i did. Yes, it's not like the other monster hunter games. It's a mix between pokemon, mh and paper-stone-scissors. I'll rate this game a solid 9 / 10

    Graphics: 9, beautiful    I don't know why, but this game was the reason for me to create an account here. I'm seeing med - good reviews, but most people who judged so early about this games aren't 20h+- into this game and enjoyed it like i did. Yes, it's not like the other monster hunter games. It's a mix between pokemon, mh and paper-stone-scissors. I'll rate this game a solid 9 / 10

    Graphics: 9, beautiful design
    Gameplay: 9 Something new and that in a good way, didn't play the online mode against other players right now but it's kinda funny and sometimes you need a good tactic / setup.
    Sound: 10, Unique but still the same monster hunter effects / sounds ingame
    Content: Many Monsters, armors and weapons like always, good breeding system, IMPORTANT: Try to NOT be spoiled by others. Saw some Monsters and other stuff while looking up the game, would have been better to experience it by myself.
    Story: Good until now.

    This review isn't fully completed. Gonna continue it in the next days.

    I'd recommend to buy it as a monster hunter fan since the first one.

    SPOIL:

    You can even fly your own rathalos :D    … Expand
  2. Halfmad
    Sep 10, 2017
    8
    My 7 year old daughter loves this and the story. It's the first game I've seen her really engage with the story and she's happily sitting reading EVERY dialog and watching the cut scenes. The game plays very well on a 3DS XL (no idea what the other reviewer is complaining about) and the story, monsters etc are all suitable for kids 7+ easily.

    There is a pretty lengthy demo available on    My 7 year old daughter loves this and the story. It's the first game I've seen her really engage with the story and she's happily sitting reading EVERY dialog and watching the cut scenes. The game plays very well on a 3DS XL (no idea what the other reviewer is complaining about) and the story, monsters etc are all suitable for kids 7+ easily.

    There is a pretty lengthy demo available on the Nintendo store directly on the 3DS, suggest giving it a try first.    … Expand
  3. kiwijinxter
    Oct 12, 2017
    10
    Gotta HATCH 'em all!

    As a die-hard Monster Hunter (MH) player who has spent 100s of hours (each!) in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Monster Hunter: Generations, I was already heavily invested in the MH world and all its monsters, so I bought Monster Hunter Stories on the first day it was released without second thought. And I've never regretted it. Traditional    Gotta HATCH 'em all!

    As a die-hard Monster Hunter (MH) player who has spent 100s of hours (each!) in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Monster Hunter: Generations, I was already heavily invested in the MH world and all its monsters, so I bought Monster Hunter Stories on the first day it was released without second thought. And I've never regretted it. Traditional MH veterans should find many subject matters familiar (monsters, weapons, armour). In fact, my affinity to the monsters is what made me buy this game. The difference is you're not a Hunter in Monster Hunter Stories (MHS), you're a rider! That means that instead of slaying monsters, you breed and befriend them so they can be your allies! Together with your monster party, you go hunting other monsters. It's truly refreshing, and of course, much less tense compared to traditional MH gameplay.

    While MHS offers a totally different gameplay and mechanics from the usual highly addictive cycle of working with 3 online friends to strategise, prepare and kill desired monsters to obtain parts to create better weapons and armour, Monster Hunter Stories has it's own addictive nature and it comes in the form of "gotta hatch 'em all" and forming the best monster party you can command! What really surprised me was how equally addictive Monster Hunter Stories (MHS) is, in a whole different way. Let me explain.

    Firstly, there's the "gotta hatch 'em all" aspect to it. You go around randomly-generated monster dens stealing their eggs and hope to hatch all sorts of monsters with unique gene pools - yes, even the same species of monster can have multiple combinations of genes (active skills, passive skills). "Gotta hatch 'em all" gives a familiar ring to another similar game, Pokemon (gotta catch 'em all). If you've played Pokemon, you immediately understand why MHS can be so addictive - you just want to get that next egg which could reveal a Red Khezu, or Pink Rathian, or Shrouded Nerscylla with good genes.

    Secondly, there's the customisation aspect to the game. Even with the monster genes described above, you are (several hours into the game) able to do genes transfusion so some monsters can adopt certain genes from other species! Talk about a recipe for those with Obssessive Compulsive Disorders! Of course, you've got your usual upgrade of weapons and armour, but it's mechanics is a lot simpler in that you don't have to grind a particular monster 20 times to get the super rare drops or body parts. Because the monster fights are much shorter than traditional MH fare, it's not anywhere as onerous. That said, it's no easy task to simply upgrade your weapons or armour, as they often require specific amounts of specific materials. In that respect, there is some similarity to traditional Monster Hunter gameplay. Other similarities to traditional MH games include simplified versions of combining items (e.g. into Potions, Paintball, etc.), villages to visit which includes your house, etc.

    Thirdly, the combat, while simplified, isn't a cakewalk. In Pokemon, you could almost sail through every battle without really "dying" because a lot of the mechanics are predictable. MHS on the other hand - while it has the same rock-paper-scissors mechanic to winning battles - there is a certain element of unpredictability because some craftier monsters don't necessary follow a pattern, so you can't simply predict (and easily win) battles. For example, Speed trumps Power, but the monster could use Power first, then decides to switch to Tactics instead, so you can't blindly spam a single move. Combat also gives a sense of camaraderie with your monster where you build up kinship as you successfully win a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors (Power-Speed-Tactics). Once built up, you can jump on your monster and unleash a more powerful attack. Traditional MH veterans will be familiar also with the fact that many monsters have specialty elements that work better (or worse) against monsters with other elements.

    I've played a couple of Pokemon games in the past including HeartGold/SoulSilver, X/Y etc. but if you asked me to compare Monster Hunter Stories with Pokemon games, I'd pick MHS anytime as Pokemon tends to bore me, but MHS feels much more organic and substantial - I feel more of an affinity to my monsters in MHS than my pokemons in Pokemon.

    Whether you're a MH veteran or you've never played MH before, I highly recommend Monster Hunter Stories, not least because it's so charming, but for a MH veteran, you'll be immediately familiar with a lot of things, yet be pleasantly surprised by the entirely new gameplay mechanics; for a non traditional MH player, this is a substantially new world to explore without much of the grind and difficulty you hear about traditional MH games. Super, highly recommended!    … Expand
  4. RepentantSky
    Dec 19, 2017
    10
    Absolutely the best 3DS game of 2017, without a doubt in my mind. The story might be simple, but to be honest most of the best 3DS games are, but everything else about it makes it stand out like no other. The visuals, the gameplay, the characters, and that rare cut-scene where the game looks like a current generation home console title are all great, highly memorable and make the gameAbsolutely the best 3DS game of 2017, without a doubt in my mind. The story might be simple, but to be honest most of the best 3DS games are, but everything else about it makes it stand out like no other. The visuals, the gameplay, the characters, and that rare cut-scene where the game looks like a current generation home console title are all great, highly memorable and make the game worth playing until you see all it has to offer, and thankfully there's a lot there. Monster Hunter Stories is my most played game on my 3DS this year, and without a doubt, the best handheld experience you can have as well.… Expand
  5. Izzytehpwnr
    Oct 2, 2017
    10
    absolutely the best 3ds title to come out so far on the 3ds this year (2017)

    the game is jam packed with content... Exploration/raising strength/bonding with creatures and a light hearted story about becoming a faithful rider of monsties. If you are a fan of turnbased combat, building a created hero, and raising creatures to their potential strength, then this is the game you have been    absolutely the best 3ds title to come out so far on the 3ds this year (2017)

    the game is jam packed with content... Exploration/raising strength/bonding with creatures and a light hearted story about becoming a faithful rider of monsties. If you are a fan of turnbased combat, building a created hero, and raising creatures to their potential strength, then this is the game you have been looking for.    … Expand
  6. Wadeplay
    Sep 9, 2017
    9
    good game with colorful graphic i really love it especially MC expression laugh,sad,mad maybe one of the best graphic that push 3DS hardware more than ever for battle system isn't to hard just like playing rock-paper-scissors what i really love about this game is that you can freely hunting your own monster which is very nice. for me the story not so mediocre for everyone that love MHgood game with colorful graphic i really love it especially MC expression laugh,sad,mad maybe one of the best graphic that push 3DS hardware more than ever for battle system isn't to hard just like playing rock-paper-scissors what i really love about this game is that you can freely hunting your own monster which is very nice. for me the story not so mediocre for everyone that love MH should play this and give this game a chance for me MH veteran this game is really fresh new looking MH… Expand
  7. Crow4510
    Sep 26, 2017
    9
    no soy fan de monster hunter pero este juego me causo curiosidad ademas de ser entretenido jugablemente bueno la historia es atrapante y la capacidad de personalización en muy bien pulida
  8. ThatsNotPros
    Oct 6, 2017
    9
    I love it, this game becomes 20x more enjoyable if you pretend you're a power ranger and your monster is a zord though. But that's off topic, it's an RPG with monster hunter fueling it, and they fuel it right. It's interesting and unique, stands out as its own thing even if it is tied to a series entirely. I say get it, though I should warn you that if you want the game to enter into theI love it, this game becomes 20x more enjoyable if you pretend you're a power ranger and your monster is a zord though. But that's off topic, it's an RPG with monster hunter fueling it, and they fuel it right. It's interesting and unique, stands out as its own thing even if it is tied to a series entirely. I say get it, though I should warn you that if you want the game to enter into the monster hunter series with, it isn't this. This is a fun little thing to chill with.… Expand
  9. WingmakerPrime
    Oct 27, 2017
    7
    No. No es un MH tradicional y no vas a tener batallas épicas con tus amigos en contra de bestias y dragones majestuosos...

    Es un juego chibi y colorido el cual carece de lo que para mi debe ser un MH ¡¡¡PERO!!!.. Tiene sus cosas buenas. Al cambiar toda la fórmula de lo que es un MH nos traen una faceta nueva, el punto de vista de los Raiders. Ginetes de dragón al mas puro estilo de    No. No es un MH tradicional y no vas a tener batallas épicas con tus amigos en contra de bestias y dragones majestuosos...

    Es un juego chibi y colorido el cual carece de lo que para mi debe ser un MH ¡¡¡PERO!!!.. Tiene sus cosas buenas.

    Al cambiar toda la fórmula de lo que es un MH nos traen una faceta nueva, el punto de vista de los Raiders. Ginetes de dragón al mas puro estilo de como entrenar a tu dragon de Pixar.

    La historia nones la octava maravilla pero cumple su propósito. Las mecanicas de juego y el gameplay en general cumplen y son entretenidos.
    Gráficamente se ve muy bien sin contar que veras muchos personajes tranformarse de seres grises a "personas" y alguno que otro lag por ahí.

    Mi queja es el gato que te acompaña en la aventura. Un simple estorbo que termina siendo muy molesto y repetitivo.
    Personajes muy de relleno y otros carismáticos, que te harán dar unas buenas carcajadas.
    En general es un buen juego que cumple su objetivo.
    Entretenerte mientras sale el MH World.    … Expand
  10. YellowKoala
    Aug 18, 2018
    6
    The game is pretty fun, it's a mix of Pokemon and Monster Hunter. Unfortunately, the NA version was left way behind the JP version. I bought the game after watching a trailer for the JP version only to find out we'll likely never get all the content that the JP version has (namely the elder dragons). I've been waiting for a nearly half a year hoping it would arrive, but it doesn't lookThe game is pretty fun, it's a mix of Pokemon and Monster Hunter. Unfortunately, the NA version was left way behind the JP version. I bought the game after watching a trailer for the JP version only to find out we'll likely never get all the content that the JP version has (namely the elder dragons). I've been waiting for a nearly half a year hoping it would arrive, but it doesn't look like we will ever get it. From what I've read on forums, Capcom and Nintendo will say its up to the other company to decide if the NA version will get the same updates as the JP version. It's a bit of a let down by both companies so from now on I'll hold off buying Capcom games on the Nintendo unless it's been fully updated already.… Expand
  11. masterx1234
    Dec 9, 2017
    10
    Where do i even start, this is perhaps one of the best spin-off games iv'e ever played. The game gets so many things right without making it feel too much different from the traditional MH titles. The same sounds and the voices are there, and so are the monsters. Monster Hunter stories features a long rich and invigorating story. The game is a lot easier then other MH games but don't letWhere do i even start, this is perhaps one of the best spin-off games iv'e ever played. The game gets so many things right without making it feel too much different from the traditional MH titles. The same sounds and the voices are there, and so are the monsters. Monster Hunter stories features a long rich and invigorating story. The game is a lot easier then other MH games but don't let that discourage you from picking it up. The turn by turn combat might turn some people off but the system they put into place feels really solid and really exciting. It plays a lot like a Pokemon game in some ways and people have even compared it to Pokemon. The combat system does have strategy to it as you will need to read your enemies attacks in order to take an advantage and do more damage. Overall the story and gameplay are superb and this is a must have title if you are a 3DS/2DS owner!… Expand
  12. KenyaFerrand
    Sep 19, 2019
    9
    Super fun! And for everyone. I just hope we get a sequel for home systems one day
  13. roy130390
    Dec 24, 2017
    10
    Best RPG about monster/character collecting. The world actually feels alive, with beautiful, colorful art style that makes it the most beautifful 3DS game I've seen. The game is a sandbox full of detail, large scenarios, monsters everywhere and towns full of life.

    The gameplay appears as a simple rock-papers-scisors system, but A.I. behaviour tendencies, elements, status effects,    Best RPG about monster/character collecting. The world actually feels alive, with beautiful, colorful art style that makes it the most beautifful 3DS game I've seen. The game is a sandbox full of detail, large scenarios, monsters everywhere and towns full of life.

    The gameplay appears as a simple rock-papers-scisors system, but A.I. behaviour tendencies, elements, status effects, kinship gauge (which allows special attacks and specific commands at certain moments) and active and passive skills make the battle system much more complex than it initially seems. ome may find frustration in the A.I., but personally, that was what made the strategy more difficult and it gave "real life" to the monster since it doesn't do what you always want. Sometimes, they even saved me from bad decisions. Keeping energy in your kinship gauge will help you have control of these situations. The battles are longer than pokemon games, and personally more enjoyable since it allow you to display your full power because unlike those games, getting a monster doesn't depend of battles, but of stealing eggs from nests. About stealing eggs, personally I really enjoyed that there were many different nest designs so exploration was always interesting and
    even fast if you know what to do.

    The game is always giving you prizes with missions, collecting materials, combat, interacting with npcs and more. The gratification is amazing.

    The story is lighthearted and easy to predict, but also interesting, full of likeable characters, and has an actual display of genuine bond between you and your monster. It may be super cretaive, but it's well executed and heartwarming.

    The soundtrack is great, composed by orchestral themes that fit every battle and part of the story perfectly.

    I really enjoy Pokemon games, but personally Monster Hunter Stories, LBX and Dragon Ball Fusions offered different, creative approaches to the genre that manage to compete against a fomula that has been polished for more than 20 years, and they all accomplished it in their first try.

    People complain about having little changes with each Pokemon entry, but when they actually receive a fresh idea they discard it as a "pokemon clone" despite having different gameplay, instead of allowing themselves to experience something new and also allowing competition at the same time, wich would make Gamefreak to step up their game. Also, I've seen some MH fans hating on this game for being different, as if it would change the franchise because of it's existence. It's just a spin-off that instead of affecting negatively and changing the whole franchise, it would just offer something different to people and win more fans for the franchise. In other words, it would affect in a positive way.

    Sorry for the rant. This game was my favourite game of the year and I seriously ask for everyone interested, even by a little bit, to give the demo a try just to experience the basics of the game. Maybe you'll end up feeling the same way as me and if you do, you'll have an amazing experience with tons of replay value.    … Expand
  14. JustTooSalty
    May 1, 2018
    8
    Got me hooked within the first 10 minutes.

    This game switched up the Monster Hunter formula and got it near perfect. The gameplay is essentially rock-paper-scissors with extra flare. The art style is anime/cartoon style but still manages to capture the feeling of Monster Hunter. Whilst the game looks child-like and fun. It has a decent story and fairly difficult gameplay that keep it    Got me hooked within the first 10 minutes.

    This game switched up the Monster Hunter formula and got it near perfect. The gameplay is essentially rock-paper-scissors with extra flare. The art style is anime/cartoon style but still manages to capture the feeling of Monster Hunter.

    Whilst the game looks child-like and fun. It has a decent story and fairly difficult gameplay that keep it from being a breeze for older players. The game has plenty of content and enjoyable mechanics that kept me playing for hours. Couple that with the free DLC updates that unlock new monsters and missions, the game is a pure delight.

    The amiibos that you can purchase are some of the best looking to date. They are extremely detailed and make great desk decorations. The anime that was released with this game is also great and fun if any of the readers wanted to check it out.    … Expand
  15. Agotonta
    May 23, 2020
    10
    I've enjoyed it a Lot, maybe it's not a 10 game but it have surprised a mi alto it's quality, gráficamente es genial creo que lo mejor que hay en 3DS, súuuper recomendable
  16. SadMax
    Sep 6, 2019
    10
    Possibly one of the best handheld games ever. The battle system is intuitive and sleek. The story is a little cheesy, but I personally loved it. The game is challenging, but not cheap in it's difficulty, highly recommended
  17. s1eely
    Sep 2, 2019
    9
    flemme de faire un vrai commentaire lol.
    Merci d'avoir lue c'était s1eely out.
  18. Poochingus
    Nov 14, 2019
    9
    As a diehard pokemon fan, it almost feels wrong to say, but this is the best monster collecting RPG on the 3DS.

    Combat is fun, using a rock paper scissors system that rolls into a system to use powerful combos with your monsters. I realized as someone who knew nothing about monster hunter games that now when people talk about the actual monster hunter games, I know EXACTLY what they    As a diehard pokemon fan, it almost feels wrong to say, but this is the best monster collecting RPG on the 3DS.

    Combat is fun, using a rock paper scissors system that rolls into a system to use powerful combos with your monsters.

    I realized as someone who knew nothing about monster hunter games that now when people talk about the actual monster hunter games, I know EXACTLY what they mean when they talk about things. The weapons, items and monsters are all pretty much the same. It is amazing, I could now easily start playing any monster hunter game, which is genius from a marketing stand point.

    What I like here that it beats pokemon on soundly is story and emotion. There are actual stakes the feel real in this game, your rival is actually a rival and someone to be weary of instead of your happy little friend who rolls over for you to beat up. And best of all the characters actually emote and are animated, instead of being stiff and lifeless. A nice aspect as well is the ability to make a monster more powerful using the DNA tic tac toe system. Taking otherwise useless monsters you catch and...er swapping them for one of their tiles to make another monster more powerful. It is a great way to get through some tough patches of the game when leveling just isn't enough.

    I'm usually not a fan of upgrading items, but the way it is done here doesn't leave you endlessly grinding for something or looking for the rarest resource on earth. In addition to side fetch quests are not at all bad, and actually quite often have very desirable rewards.

    Additionally finding poogies is just really satisfying and the reward for finding them all is actually worth it. They are cute to boot.

    Strangely this game has a ton of amiibo that I highly suggest you try to get at least one of which gives you a good(but not overpowered) monster, plus they are some of the coolest amiibo, and the riders on top are removeable too.

    While the story is a bit campy and childish, it doesn't ever make you feel like a braindead baby as you might find elsewhere, though I do think the dialogue is lacking.

    In the end, everything pays off though, and the final area is actually quite a challenege as is the final battle, one which you work up to the whole game.

    This is a must have for any 3DS player.    … Expand
  19. tukumalu
    Sep 17, 2021
    8
    Capcom wanted to fuse two popular series about hunting monsters and somewhat succeeded. The franchise faithful will probably still feel at home here, but others may need to decide if they can stomach the guesswork combat system or rote mission structure before committing to this game.
  20. Gramscci
    Oct 31, 2021
    5
    Un gran juego, súper recomendable! Combates e historia sumamente entretenidos.
  21. yujideluca
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    Amazing graphics, amazing game mechanics and the artwork is sublime. The egg hatching system, the expedition system, the crafting system and all the battle mechanics are on point! If you like horizon zero down and pokemon, this is like playing the best of both at the same time. I wish it was the main monster hunter series, to be really honest.
  22. Tiziown
    May 22, 2021
    10
    One of the best collectible monsters game ever made, not inferior to Pokémon or Dragon Quest Monsters.
  23. Andbrian
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    I'm glad I didn't sleep on this game. I've logged 50 hours so far and it's still holding my interest. In short, I would say this game is a better version of Pokemon. You traverse the world full 3D, the battles are deep, there's more customization, and there's full-blown cutscenes. My only complaint was the main game was too easy, I barely looked into the game mechanics because I didn'tI'm glad I didn't sleep on this game. I've logged 50 hours so far and it's still holding my interest. In short, I would say this game is a better version of Pokemon. You traverse the world full 3D, the battles are deep, there's more customization, and there's full-blown cutscenes. My only complaint was the main game was too easy, I barely looked into the game mechanics because I didn't have to, but the challenge hits hard in the post-game (I'm just now realizing this is true for all MH games). But to counter negative reviews I've read: it's far more than simple rock-paper-scissors. Knowing monsters well results in more successful turns, which boosts Kinship, which enables you to pull off better moves. The system works great. I also read complaints that it's turn-based (they must have not looked at any gameplay videos before buying). All in all, one of my favorite games ever. Now, on to the sequel!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best 3DS Game of 2017
8
#8 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
14
#14 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. RPGamer
    Jan 8, 2018
    70
    There are a lot of odds and ends one discovers over the course of the game, for better or worse. The game is packed with content, quite a bit of it extending beyond the main campaign's runtime. Capcom and Marvelous wanted to turn over a new leaf, and Monster Hunter Stories certainly is that, a departure from what has come before, it just wasn't enough of a departure for my taste. The franchise faithful will probably still feel at home here, but others may need to decide if they can stomach the guesswork combat system or rote mission structure before committing to this game.
    Read full review
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Jan 7, 2018
    85
    I fully recommend it as a first step into Monster Hunter. [Issue #31 – January/February 2018, p. 26E]
  3. CD-Action
    Dec 19, 2017
    70
    Capcom wanted to fuse two popular series about hunting monsters and somewhat succeeded. In terms of technicalities the game is far ahead of Pokémon Sun/Moon, but lacks even a fraction of its depth. [12/2017, p.45]
See all critic reviews »