Monster Hunter Games With The Best Stories

by

In essence, what makes Monster Hunter games popular isn’t primarily their narrative. Instead, it’s the thrill of hunting monsters, dissecting them, using their remains to craft equipment, and then continuing the cycle of hunting even more monsters. For many players, the additional elements are often considered as bonus features.

To put it simply, as the series progresses, it has become increasingly focused on narrative development, and over its 20-year span, there have been several compelling tales woven within it. In this discussion, we will examine some of the Monster Hunter series games that boast the strongest narratives.

7.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

In Monster Hunter World, a fresh chapter of the Monster Hunter saga unfolded, with an increased focus on narrative elements showcased through cutscenes and, for the first time, voice-acted characters. Nevertheless, the core game didn’t stand out remarkably when compared to other installments in the series.

The additional content for the game, dubbed Iceborne, ventured a little more, and surprisingly turned out to be fairly good, offering intriguing story elements and engaging cutscenes. In essence, both World and Iceborne might not top the best Monster Hunter narratives of all time, but they certainly surpass many other entries in the series, deservingly making it onto this list.

6.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

In Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, you’re immersed in an exemplary tale of Monster Hunter lore. You find yourself in a troubled village, where monsters run rampant. Your mission is to probe the issue, and as you explore, you uncover the root cause of the chaos. After vanquishing it, you proceed on your thrilling hunt once more.

In contrast to other Monster Hunter games, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate stands out particularly in its storytelling, focusing on its ambiance and Original Soundtrack (OST). The integration of these elements, along with the portrayal of animal biology in a semi-realistic manner as the source of the village’s problems, contributes to establishing an immersive world for the hunter character.

5.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

In Monster Hunter Rise, you assume the role of a hunter residing in the village of Kamura, a place frequently struck by Rampages. During these events, monsters get enraged and start indiscriminate attacks. Much like World and Iceborne, the fundamental storyline in Rise is somewhat standard for the series. However, Sunbreak significantly enhances it to an unprecedented degree.

The folklore associated with the fallen Citadel, Malzeno, and its ultimate boss, Gaismagorm, is so intriguing that it elevates the story from “acceptable” to “quite impressive”. Unlike the creatures in the original game, which are based on Japanese Yokai, the Three Lords in Sunbreak draw inspiration from traditional Western horror figures such as vampires and werewolves.

4.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Over an extended period, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate was often regarded as having the best narrative among the main series, although this wasn’t immediately apparent to many. In essence, the game’s storyline is quite conventional, and the absence of voice acting and cutscenes in the pre-World setting undeniably weakens its overall delivery.

What makes 4 Ultimate’s narrative stand out is its integration of hunts into the storyline. For instance, the tale unfolds as you hunt particular monsters for their distinctive materials, which are crucial in repairing the airship. Moreover, the Frenzy and Gore Magala, two captivating additions to the game, have left a lasting impact on the series’ lore, continuing to resonate in subsequent games.

3.

Monster Hunter Stories

Understandably, given the ‘Stories’ in its name, one might anticipate that Monster Hunter Stories offers an engaging narrative, and it truly does! This spin-off game invites you to develop relationships with monsters, acting as a Rider, and joining forces with them in turn-based combat, bearing a resemblance to the Pokemon series.

The adventure commences as an enemy known as Nargacuga, suffering from a baffling sickness called the Black Blight, strikes your settlement. Your quest is to unravel the origins of this disease, encountering fellow Riders and Hunters during your travels.

2.

Monster Hunter Wilds

In the most recent installment of Monster Hunter Wilds, you might be pleasantly surprised by its well-crafted narrative, given its gradual beginning. For the first time, the protagonist character now has voiceovers, making appearances during key scenes. This addition significantly enhances the player’s sense of immersion and engagement in the storyline.

In the game Wilds, you’ll find some fantastic cutscenes that are packed with exciting moments. However, it should be noted that the game starts off slowly and relies heavily on sections where you have to walk without much action, which might seem inconsistent with Monster Hunter’s main objective. But if you’re willing to overlook this, you’ll discover one of the more engaging stories within the series.

1.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin

In simpler terms, Monster Hunter Stories 2 continues the tale from the initial game, focusing on a fresh adventurer embarking on their own adventure. At the outset of this new adventure, you’ll encounter a young Wyverian girl named Ena. She entrusts you with an egg belonging to Rathalos, the companion of the Rider from the first game’s story.

In both the initial and sequel games within the Stories series, the narrative quality is remarkably strong, which might surprise you given that they belong to the larger Monster Hunter franchise, not typically renowned for its exceptional storytelling. However, it’s Story 2 that truly stands out due to its occasionally somber mood and captivating characters, making it one of the most engaging games in the series when it comes to its narrative.

Read More

2025-03-09 00:34