Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a unique game. Releasing on the Nintendo Switch and PC, Monster Hunter Stories 2 combines the expansive monster lore and designs of the Monster Hunter series with top-notch JRPG gameplay. Adding monster collecting and charming characters to that, Monster Hunter Stories 2 makes for a great sequel that appeals to old-time fans as well as people who aren't into mainline Monster Hunter titles.
RELATED: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin Review – Ride Or Die
If you're considering jumping into Monster Hunter Stories 2, you might have some questions that need answering or just some context about what this spinoff series exactly is and what you can expect from it. Here are some things you should know about the game to have a better idea of what it's about and what to expect.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 Isn't A Direct Sequel
The first Monster Hunter Stories game was released a few years ago for the Nintendo 3DS. It offered pretty much all of the same gameplay mechanics as Monster Hunter Stories 2, though the sequel has some enhancements that we'll get into later.
Although the games are related in the sense that Stories 2 is a sequel, the storyline in Monster Hunter Stories 2 doesn't require you to know what happened in the first game. That said, if you have access to the console and game, it's not a bad idea to start with the first game so you can fully appreciate the second.
There's A Demo If You're On The Fence
If you're not sure what to expect from Monster Hunter Stories 2, that's okay. Capcom has released a demo version on both PC and Switch, so you can take the game for a spin however you like and decide which system you want it on and if it's something you'll enjoy.
One of the great things about the Monster Hunter Stories 2 demo, as well as demos in general, is that they offer an opening slice of the game to let you experience real first impressions and let you transfer your save data to the full game. If you decide to go ahead with your purchase, you won't need to play through the opening segment again.
The Game Offers Turn-Based Combat
The mainline Monster Hunter series is known for its engaging and complex combat, offering a multitude of different weapon types for every type of player to use in combat. In Monster Hunter games, timing and positioning matter and are part of the skill. Monster Hunter Stories, however, is different.
The combat in the Monster Hunter Stories series is turn-based, like your classic JRPG, in a great way. Instead of timing your attacks and movement on the fly, in Stories, you need to think out your attacks and plan ahead as you hunt.
You Play As A Rider, Not A Hunter
In traditional Monster Hunter games, you play as a hunter, hence the game's name. You hunt monsters and use their parts to build new armor, and that's how the gameplay cycle continues. In Monster Hunter Stories, you instead play as a Rider, a group of people that learned to bond with monsters.
Playing as a Rider is what allows you to get a new perspective in the Monster Hunter world. The Riders aren't associated with the Hunter's Guild, the group which oversees the activities of the Hunters, so Riders take on quests directly from people in their village.
The Game Offers Two Multiplayer Experiences
The mainline Monster Hunter games offer multiplayer in the form of co-op, where players team up to take down the game's many powerful and fearsome monsters. In Monster Hunter Stories 2, co-op still exists, but it offers two different experiences.
RELATED: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Multiplayer And Co-Op Play Guide
There's a co-op mode in Monster Hunter Stories 2, where players can head out on expeditions together, searching for monster eggs and fighting monsters. Another multiplayer mode is the versus mode, where up to four players can fight against each other with their monster team.
Players Can Customize Their Appearance
One of the great things about the Monster Hunter series is the extensive character creation options that the games offer. Past titles offered character creation tools that let you change eye shapes, eye colors, hairstyles, hair colors, face shapes, and plenty more, all down to nose length and jaw length.
If you're a fan of customizing your character in games, then you can look forward to doing that in Monster Hunter Stories 2. You can create the Rider of your dreams, and you can even use some armour sets that don't affect your stats, instead offering purely aesthetic value.
Combat Uses A Rock Paper Scissors Mechanic
If you're a fan of the Fire Emblem series, you may be familiar with the weapon triangle system. Triangle combat systems are common in other RPGs, and they're also present in Monster Hunter Stories 2.
RELATED: The Best Item Combinations In Monster Hunter Stores 2 And Where To Get Them
Monster Hunter Stories 2 offers three different attack types: Power, Speed, and Technical. Power beats Technical, Technical beats Speed, and Speed beats Power. You can predict the sort of moves that your enemy will use on you and prepare accordingly to put your team on the winning side of the triangle. This system keeps combat fresh, exciting, and streamlined.
Collecting Monsters Involves Hatching Eggs
In a process familiar to fans of the Pokemon series, Monster Hunter Stories involves collecting monster eggs and hatching them so you can bond to the monsters and bring them with you into battle. However, there's a lot more to it than just gathering and hatching eggs.
The game features a deep customization system that lets you build monsters however you want. By altering their "genes," you can play around with your monsters' stats, specialties, and skills. Genes can be exchanged between monsters and by aligning genes of certain groups in patterns, you can unlock extra bonuses.
There Are Returning Characters From The First Games
In Monster Hunter Stories 2, it's possible to jump right in without having played the first game. While the game is a sequel to the original Monster Hunter Stories, there's nothing that would prevent you from understanding the story of the second game if you haven't played the first game.
That said, returning players will find that there are references to the first game in Monster Hunter Stories 2. Events and subjects are mentioned, and there are also quite a few returning characters in the second game.
The Game Encourages Exploration
Monster Hunter Stories 2 features a sprawling world with lots of different locales. Each area offers different types of terrain, wildlife, and monsters to find. The game highly encourages you to explore each area to the fullest and to sniff out every hidden corner.
The game hides goodies in every nook and cranny, making exploration incredibly rewarding. Exploring the area and familiarizing yourself with it is part of the gameplay, because collecting the resources each environment offers lets you craft items that you'll need for your journey, including restorative items such as potions.
NEXT: Monster Hunter Stories 2 Complete Guide And Walkthrough
