Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin have one of the most in-depth and exciting monster breeding system ever made, but sadly it comes with rather archaic narrative and boring combat encounters.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin isn't for everyone. It's easy to recommend it for Monster Hunter fans, but its faults will be too noticeable for those who aren't lovers of the series or for those who simply can't understand Monster Hunter's appeal.

A game with a lot of positive qualities that never really reach the heights it could have.

Developers have put all efforts into making a game that will accompany the players during all summer and even after. Very solid and more profound than it seems, the combat system benefits of dynamic cut scenes during special attacks that make every battle enjoyable. Alas, the first half of the game might seem too bland and the egg searching and hatching concept quite tedious, but there's no doubt that many players will get fun out of it.

Overall, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is an enjoyable Monster Hunter spin-off and an all-around solid JRPG, particularly if you enjoy games like Pokemon. While the title retains some of the series' hallmark elements, its emphasis on monster collecting and its fun turn-based battle system make it a decidedly different experience than Monster Hunter Rise, one that even those who've struggled to get into the proper Monster Hunter series can enjoy.

Where the story engages, the characters feel believable, and the monsters look and act and behave as diverse as the world itself. When it all comes together, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin feels as epic and engaging as any other entry in the long-running series, albeit in turn-based RPG form.

A clever reinterpretation of classic Monster Hunter action in the form of a Japanese role-playing game. Although it can often seem a little too oversimplified compared to the mainline titles.

If Monster Hunter Stories 2 allowed the player full control over the party and made it more about customizing a team, then the overall experience would make it an excellent entry in the franchise. Even without, it's a very good turn-based monster collector with broad appeal that's worth a look for fans of the genre.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin will serve as a great game for welcoming series newcomers into this vast and vibrant universe, but it might not be your cup of tea if you're already invested in the mainline series.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is somewhat imperfect, but the flaws don’t quite eclipse its strengths. Despite the annoying party AI and grind, the combat has the right level of tactical depth I would expect from a turn-based Monster Hunter game. With its adorable Monsties and a wide-open world to explore, gamers looking for a new JRPG to dive into can certainly do a lot worse. As long as you are prepared for some irritating supporting cast members and a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop, fans of the monster-collecting genre will get a lot out of this game.

For fans of the RPG genre, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a mostly enjoyable experience. Sometimes the mission structure can drag, and some players are bound to find Navirou a bit irritating. However, the game's highlights definitely make up for the slower moments. This is a really solid RPG that gives the player freedom to go at their own pace. It also has a fun combat system, and charming story moments. For those that can look past its slight stumbles, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin should hold a lot of appeal, regardless of the player's familiarity with the franchise.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a mixed bag. Hatching and maxing out your Monsties is a lot of fun, but the battle system in which you spend most of your time eventually wears out its welcome.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruins has an old-school JRPG vibe and part of its gameplay will probably discourage many players. But if you don't mind and love the Monster Hunter franchise, it can become the ideal summer companion, fresh and fun, with solid content that'll keep you busy throughout its endgame.

Performance issues, some ugly world assets and the story's pacing issues undermine the entertaining combat. [Issue#361, p.104]