Monster Hunter Stories

The story of Monster Hunter Stories is widely praised for its heartwarming and engaging narrative, with many critics highlighting its focus on the bond between riders and their monsters. GameCritics and RPGamer emphasize the protagonist’s journey to become a Rider and combat the Black Blight, noting the emotional depth and well-developed relationships that enhance the experience. Gamers’ Temple and GGRecon commend the unique character personalities and the game’s take on classic RPG elements, while GamingBolt and ZTGD appreciate its charm and accessibility, calling it a "Saturday morning anime" vibe that resonates with younger audiences. The narrative’s emphasis on themes like friendship, family, and balance is frequently lauded, with Nintendo Life and NintendoWorldReport describing it as a "simplified yet touching" story that aligns with the game’s monster-collecting appeal. Additionally, the inclusion of voice acting and lighthearted tones, as noted by CGMagazine and Nintendo Insider, adds a layer of immersion and charm, making the story feel more approachable and dynamic compared to the mainline Monster Hunter series. However, several critics point out the story’s predictability and lack of originality, with Hey Poor Player and RPG Fan criticizing its generic threats and formulaic structure. MeuPlayStation and Push Square mention narrative pacing issues and convenient plot devices, while But Why Tho? and RPG Fan argue that the story’s simplicity and reliance on JRPG tropes dilute its impact. The game’s focus on a younger demographic, as noted by God is a Geek and ZTGD, is seen as both a strength and a limitation, with some feeling it sacrifices depth for accessibility. Critics like Vandal and COGconnected acknowledge the clichéd elements but still find memorable character connections and moments of emotional resonance. The story’s reliance on familiar archetypes—such as a mysterious threat, a quest for a legendary item, or a tragic event—often leaves it feeling derivative, with Impulsegamer and Multiplayer.it noting that the stakes, while high for a children’s game, don’t fully translate to a compelling or mature narrative. These critiques suggest that while the story is enjoyable, it struggles to break free from established conventions. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among critics is that Monster Hunter Stories delivers a solid, if not groundbreaking, narrative that successfully reimagines the Monster Hunter universe through a more character-driven lens. The game’s emphasis on friendship, adventure, and the emotional connection between riders and monsters is seen as a refreshing departure from the series’ traditional focus on survival and combat, with many reviewers like Cubed3 and Eurogamer Portugal appreciating its cozy, slower-paced storytelling. While some, such as MeuPlayStation and But Why Tho?, point to its shortcomings in originality and depth, the majority agree that the story is engaging and well-suited to its target audience, blending lightheartedness with mature themes like loss and vengeance. The game’s ability to balance these elements, as highlighted by GameGrin and RPG Site, and its accessibility through voice acting and simplified structure, as noted by Nintendo Life and ZTGD, contribute to a narrative that, while not revolutionary, feels cohesive and satisfying for fans of the genre. Ultimately, the story is viewed as a strong, if somewhat conventional, entry that elevates the Monster Hunter franchise with a new perspective.

The gameplay of Monster Hunter Stories is widely praised for its accessible, strategic turn-based combat and engaging monster collection mechanics. Critics highlight the rock-paper-scissors (RPS) system as a core strength, with Gamers’ Temple and GGRecon noting its simplicity and depth, allowing players to counter enemies and execute team-up moves. IGN Spain and RPGamer commend the blend of Pokémon-like monster training with Monster Hunter’s tactical elements, emphasizing the importance of exploiting weaknesses and building friendship for powerful attacks. GAMES.CH and GameCritics praise the reduced grinding and focus on customization, while Noisy Pixel and ZTGD appreciate the gene pool system and monster acquisition as sources of depth. The game’s approachable nature, as noted by Noisy Pixel and RPG Site, makes it appealing to both casual and strategic players, with RPG Fan calling it “dynamic and engaging” due to its mix of exploration, combat, and collection. However, several critics point to repetitive and dated aspects of the gameplay. GamingBolt and Vandal criticize the limited exploration and monotonous side activities, while Noisy Pixel and ZTGD argue that the low difficulty and repetitive encounters can make battles feel dull. NintendoWorldReport and Nintendo Life note that the RPS mechanic, while functional, feels outdated compared to modern titles, and RPGamer mentions that AI-controlled monsters can prolong fights unnecessarily. IGN France and MeuPlayStation also highlight the game’s age, with IGN France calling it “dated and simplistic” relative to its sequel. These critiques suggest that while the core systems are solid, the lack of innovation and repetitive design elements may frustrate some players over time. Overall, critics agree that Monster Hunter Stories offers a unique and enjoyable gameplay experience, particularly for fans of turn-based RPGs and monster collection. The RPS combat and customization mechanics are consistently praised, with GameCritics, Gamers’ Temple, and RPG Site emphasizing their strategic appeal. However, the consensus leans toward the game feeling somewhat dated, with GamingBolt, NintendoWorldReport, and IGN France pointing to repetition and limited innovation as drawbacks. Despite these issues, the game’s charm, accessibility, and blend of Monster Hunter and Pokémon elements keep it engaging, as noted by RPG Fan and Player 2, who highlight its enduring appeal even after years. The mixed reception reflects a balance between its strengths in strategy and collection and its shortcomings in originality and variety.

The reviews of Monster Hunter Stories highlight several positive aspects of its graphics and visual design, particularly its faithful remastering and charming art style. Critics like GGRecon and RPGamer praise the game for its "cartoonish and colorful visuals" and "eye-catching" environments, emphasizing that the remastered version retains the original’s vibrant palette while offering sharper textures and more detailed character models, as noted by GAMES.CH. COGconnected and Cubed3 commend the "crisper colors" and "gorgeous brighter views," while But Why Tho? and Impulsegamer appreciate the "slick cartoony art style" and "exaggerated monster designs," which align with the game’s kid-friendly tone. IGN Spain acknowledges near-outstanding character models and high-resolution images, and Pure Nintendo highlights smoother animations and "beautiful settings," suggesting the visuals effectively enhance the game’s fantasy appeal despite their origins. However, several critics point to notable shortcomings, particularly the game’s dated presentation and technical limitations. GamingBolt criticizes the "flat and muddy graphics" and the chibi art style as unappealing to some, while Hey Poor Player notes that the graphics "still fall short of PS4 standards" and the art style fails to satisfy fans of "cute or interesting monster designs." MeuPlayStation and PlayStation Universe mention "lacking in-game textures" and "barren world" with pop-up issues, respectively, while Push Square and Nintenduo highlight the lingering "limitations from its 3DS origins" and "sparse open world areas." IGN France and RPG Site observe that the visuals "show their age" and lack the detail or polish of later titles, with RPG Site specifically criticizing outdated cutscenes and camera controls. These critiques suggest the game’s aesthetic, while nostalgic, struggles to meet modern expectations for graphical fidelity. Overall, the consensus leans toward a balanced view, recognizing the remaster’s improvements while acknowledging its compromises. Most critics agree that the game’s cel-shaded, anime-inspired art style is its defining strength, offering charm and accessibility, but also note that it retains the 3DS-era limitations in terms of texture quality, environmental detail, and performance. GameCritics and Nintendo Life point to "lo-fi elements" and "noticeable limitations," while ZTGD and CGMagazine acknowledge the "vibrant art style" as a compensating factor for its visual shortcomings. Despite mixed reactions, the majority of reviewers—such as RPGamer and Cubed3—agree that the game’s unique aesthetic and improved resolution make it visually appealing, even if it doesn’t fully leverage the power of modern hardware. The divide often centers on whether the stylized approach is a virtue or a drawback, with many viewing it as a nostalgic but imperfect translation of the original’s charm.

The overall reception of Monster Hunter Stories’ sound design and music is overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its immersive atmosphere and enhanced localization. Many highlight the heroic battle music, adventurous exploration tracks, and retro-sounding effects that enrich the game’s world, as noted by GAMES.CH and God is a Geek. The inclusion of full English and Japanese voice acting is frequently lauded for elevating character interactions and storytelling, with IGN Spain calling it a “significant improvement” and RPG Site noting it as a departure from the franchise’s traditional language approach. Critics like MeuPlayStation and Nintendo Life acknowledge the lively, environment-appropriate town music, while others, such as RPGamer and Cubed3, appreciate the soundtrack’s upbeat tone that complements gameplay. The remaster’s additions, including new monsters and a museum mode with concept art and music, further enhance the auditory experience, as highlighted by NintendoWorldReport and COGconnected. Despite the praise, some critics point to specific shortcomings. MeuPlayStation criticizes the “empty and silent” wilderness areas, which detract from immersion, while RPGamer finds the music “good but not particularly memorable.” CGMagazine notes that audio quality can feel “flattened 3DS-like” at times, with repetitive or stilted sound effects, and Nintendo Life mentions that voice acting “can be over-the-top and occasionally grating.” Additionally, RPG Fan points to inconsistent audio mixing, which occasionally disrupts the experience. These critiques suggest that while the sound design is generally strong, certain elements lack polish or fail to maintain consistency across different environments or scenarios. The consensus among critics is that Monster Hunter Stories delivers a robust and immersive audio experience, with voice acting and music serving as key strengths. While there are minor criticisms about consistency and specific design choices, the majority of reviews emphasize the positive impact of the remaster’s enhancements. Critics like IGN Spain and God is a Geek highlight the “immersive” and “awesome” qualities of the soundtrack and voice work, while even those with reservations, such as RPGamer and MeuPlayStation, acknowledge the overall contribution to the game’s atmosphere. The combination of familiar Monster Hunter sound elements, new musical compositions, and fully voiced dialogue has been widely praised as a successful evolution of the franchise’s audio identity.

The majority of critics highlight the voice acting in Monster Hunter Stories as a significant positive enhancement, emphasizing its role in enriching the game’s storytelling and character engagement. GAMES.CH specifically praises the standout performance of Felyyn-Begleiter Navirou, while GamingBolt notes that the remaster’s newly recorded voice acting "effectively brings the characters to life," with most performances being "well done." GGRecon and IGN Spain both commend the inclusion of English and Japanese voice tracks for deepening players’ connections to the narrative, and RPGamer and RPG Site describe the addition of voice-over as a "positive aspect" and a departure from the original’s invented language, respectively. CGMagazine and Nintendo World Report highlight the immersive qualities of full voice acting, with the former linking it to the game’s "charm and heart," and the latter emphasizing player choice in language preferences. Critics like Noisy Pixel and Player 2 also appreciate the consistency and emotional weight of the voice acting, which "makes players care about the story more" and "conveys the emotional depth of scenarios effectively." These reviews collectively underscore the voice acting as a cohesive and impactful upgrade that aligns with the game’s narrative ambitions. While the overall reception is favorable, a few critics point to minor drawbacks. RPG Fan notes that "some instances of poorly mixed audio impact the delivery of lines," suggesting technical inconsistencies that could detract from the experience. Nintendo Life acknowledges that the voice acting "can be overly dramatic at times," which might not resonate with all players. These critiques are relatively isolated, with most reviewers focusing on the strengths of the voice acting rather than its flaws. The concerns raised are not widespread enough to overshadow the general praise, and they often come with caveats that the positives still outweigh the negatives. For example, RPG Fan still highlights standout performances like Navirou’s, and Nintendo Life’s comment about dramatic delivery is framed as a minor quibble rather than a major issue. The overall consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Monster Hunter Stories is a commendable addition that elevates the game’s narrative and immersion. Most reviews, including those from GamingBolt, GGRecon, and RPGamer, frame it as a key improvement over the original, with the inclusion of English and Japanese tracks offering broader accessibility and emotional resonance. While a few critiques about audio mixing and tonal overreach exist, they are overshadowed by the widespread appreciation for the performances and their contribution to the game’s charm. Critics like Vandal and ZTGD emphasize that the remaster’s voice acting is a "notable improvement" and a "significant improvement," respectively, while IGN France and Impulsegamer praise its atmospheric and cohesive qualities. The majority view the voice acting as a successful integration that enhances the game’s appeal, particularly for returning fans and newcomers alike, solidifying it as a standout feature of the remaster.

The technical performance of Monster Hunter Stories receives generally positive feedback across platforms, with critics highlighting its stability and improvements. On the PlayStation 4, reviewers like Vandal and GGRecon praise its smooth 60fps performance and reduced loading times, while Player 2 notes quality-of-life upgrades and framerate enhancements that elevate the experience compared to the original. For the Nintendo Switch, CGMagazine and COGconnected emphasize smoother performance than its predecessor, Wings of Ruin, with Multiplayer.it and NintendoWorldReport acknowledging consistent fluidity and minimal input lag despite its aging 3D engine. The PC version, as reviewed by Impulsegamer and TierraGamer, is lauded for running without bugs or crashes, offering a stable and optimized experience. These platforms collectively benefit from the remaster’s technical refinements, though some critics acknowledge lingering limitations tied to the game’s original design. However, technical shortcomings are evident across all platforms. On PS4, GameCritics and GamingBolt point to graphical issues and environments that lack detail, while MeuPlayStation criticizes the console’s performance constraints. The Switch version faces challenges with load times, as noted by Eurogamer Portugal and Nintenduo, and Nintendo Life highlights performance dips and bugs in later areas. RPG Site also criticizes slow traversal and outdated camera controls, while Nintenduo and RPG Site stress the game’s 3DS-era visuals. The PC version, though stable, struggles with control issues, as But Why Tho? points out, citing awkward menu navigation and inconsistent inputs. These critiques reveal that while the game functions well technically, its core design and graphical fidelity remain areas of concern, particularly on older hardware. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Monster Hunter Stories delivers a technically sound experience, with platform-specific strengths and weaknesses. The PS4 and Switch versions benefit from smoother performance and optimized visuals, though both retain the game’s original technical constraints. GAMES.CH and COGconnected underscore the remaster’s improvements, while RPG Site and Nintenduo highlight its dated aesthetics. The PC port, while stable, faces usability issues that detract from its appeal. Despite these critiques, most reviewers agree that the game’s technical foundation is solid, with Vandal and TierraGamer emphasizing its reliability. The mixed reception reflects a balance between the game’s nostalgic charm and its inability to fully leverage modern hardware capabilities, leaving room for improvement in future iterations.

The overall sentiment among critics regarding the replay value of Monster Hunter Stories is largely positive, with many highlighting its diverse content and customization options as key drivers for multiple playthroughs. GameCritics and RPGamer emphasize that DLC expansions, character and monster customization, and post-game challenges provide players with opportunities to experiment with strategies and team compositions, extending the game’s longevity. IGN Spain and RPG Site note that the immersive world and engaging gameplay mechanics, combined with the ability to revisit story battles or tackle new Riders from the anime, create a compelling reason to return. Additionally, the game’s focus on monster collection and training, as mentioned by God is a Geek and Impulsegamer, appeals to fans of the franchise, while the sheer volume of content—such as over 200 hours of gameplay (Vandal) or 40-45 hours for the main story (Nintenduo)—suggests a robust foundation for replayability. Critics like Cubed3 and COGconnected also praise the side quests, post-game challenges, and the need to upgrade monsties, which encourage players to explore the game’s world repeatedly. However, some critics express concerns about the game’s limitations, which may reduce its appeal for long-term engagement. GamingBolt and Noisy Pixel point out that the game’s straightforward, linear design and middling narrative could make it feel repetitive or less challenging over time, potentially diminishing its replay value. MeuPlayStation and NintendoWorldReport critique the multiplayer mode as uninteresting or less impactful, while PLAY! Zine notes that the game’s origins on the 3DS contribute to a sense of being "limited" despite its charm. The battle system, as mentioned by NintendoWorldReport, is seen as a potential barrier to sustained interest, and the lack of significant new content in the base game (per IGN Spain) might leave some players feeling it doesn’t offer enough to justify multiple playthroughs. These critiques suggest that while the game has strong elements, its design and depth may not satisfy all players looking for a more complex or varied experience. Despite these reservations, the majority of critics agree that Monster Hunter Stories delivers a solid replay value, particularly for fans of the series and JRPGs. While some platforms (like the Switch) highlight online multiplayer and collection mechanics, others (such as PC and PS4) focus on the game’s exploration, side quests, and customization. The consensus leans toward acknowledging that the game’s charm, accessibility, and focus on monster training make it enjoyable for younger audiences or those seeking a more lighthearted experience (ZTGD, God is a Geek). However, the game’s replayability is often framed as conditional—dependent on player interest in its specific features, such as the "beefy campaign" (God is a Geek) or the "strong gameplay loop" (Nintendo Insider). While not universally lauded, the critical reception suggests that Monster Hunter Stories succeeds in offering a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, replay value for its target demographic, with some noting that its sequel may refine these elements further.