Monster Hunter Games Ranked From Worst To Best

Monster Hunter Rise launched on PC final week, turning into the second mainline Monster Hunter sport obtainable on the platform (within the West, anyway). Rise is the newest installment within the franchise since Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne growth lastly took the sequence from a distinct segment Japanese action-RPG to a worldwide hit. Longtime followers of the sequence undoubtedly have a gentle spot for each Monster Hunter sport, however we have determined to rank the mainline sequence from worst to greatest.For many gamers, Monster Hunter is one now a “forever game” akin to Pokémon, Destiny, or Final Fantasy XIV. The type of sport you could possibly simply put hundreds–even thousands–of hours into (talking from private expertise) and boasting a vibrant group of die-hard followers all around the world. Monster Hunter has been round since 2004, however since most gamers outdoors Japan jumped on at World, there are seemingly many followers curious concerning the Monster Hunter video games that got here earlier than it.In celebration of Rise’s arrival on PC, let’s make a journey again to revisit a few of the extra area of interest entries within the mainline sequence. Spoiler: The greatest Monster Hunter sport might be the one you assume it’s. Keep in thoughts that we’re solely that includes mainline video games that launched in North America and Europe, and we have excluded spin-offs reminiscent of Monster Hunter Stories. Also, it is a good time to dive into Monster Hunter Rise on PC or Switch forward of the large Sunbreak growth that releases this summer season.8. Monster HunterMonster HunterThe unique Monster Hunter on PlayStation 2 launched gamers to the sequence’ loot-driven, beast-slaying gameplay… however folks simply didn’t perceive it on the time. In some ways, the unique Monster Hunter performs similar to every other sport in the principle sequence: You tackle looking quests from a village hub, head out into giant arena-like maps the place you bag and tag your prey, then head again to city to improve your gear with the bits and bob carved from the monster’s conceal. Repeat till you beat the sport.This gameplay loop was paying homage to different widespread sequence like Diablo and Phantasy Star Online, however Capcom’s first try was riddled with points. Part of the difficulty was viewers expectations; gamers and critics struggled with the sluggish fight that emphasised lengthy fights in opposition to single giant enemies relatively than hordes of baddies, tedious useful resource administration, and grindy crafting system. While these parts at the moment are seen as hallmarks of the sequence, they merely weren’t absolutely realized but. If you performed Monster Hunter at present, it’d be troublesome to inform what elements of the cumbersome gameplay had been intentional, and which had been janky mishaps. Yet regardless of these setbacks, many gamers caught with the primary Monster hunter lengthy sufficient for the addictive gameplay loop to click on, and the sport bought effectively sufficient to warrant a number of sequels that refined the sequence into the worldwide success it’s at present.See our Monster Hunter assessment.7. Monster Hunter FreedomMonster Hunter FreedomMonster Hunter Freedom (aka Monster Hunter Portable in Japan) is technically a PSP port of the primary sport with some minor updates, nevertheless it’s price giving this title its personal entry due to what it did for the franchise.In quick, Capcom’s gamble to take Monster Hunter’s from residence consoles to moveable units was a masterstroke–in Japan, anyway. Monster Hunter Portable sparked the sequence’ long-lasting recognition in Japan due to the PSP’s ad-hoc wi-fi multiplayer characteristic. Monster Hunter Freedom, nevertheless, didn’t catch on the identical manner within the west, the place most gamers needed to slog by the sport’s grind solo. The handheld gameplay additionally got here with tradeoffs that made Freedom much more troublesome to play than the PS2 model in some ways–the infamous “Monster Hunter claw” management scheme and lengthy load occasions, particularly. It was nonetheless potential to play and luxuriate in Monster Hunter Freedom by your self (I definitely did once I was a teen), however the sport’s flaws had been a lot simpler to miss if you happen to had been fortunate sufficient to expertise the excessive of multiplayer looking… or had been cussed sufficient to power your well past the sluggish opening hours.See our Monster Hunter Freedom assessment.6. Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and Freedom UniteMonster Hunter Freedom UnitePersevering with the components that Monster Hunter Freedom began, Freedom 2 was the PSP port of the Japan-exclusive PS2 sport, Monster Hunter 2 (pronounced Monster Hunter “Dos”), and the one model of Monster Hunter 2 launched within the West.Freedom 2 refined the primary moveable outing’s gameplay and launched new monsters that may develop into sequence staples just like the Tigrex, in addition to mainstay weapons just like the Long Sword, Hunting Horn, Gunlance, and Bow. But whereas Freedom 2 was merely a transportable remake of Monster Hunter 2, the sport’s rapid follow-up, Freedom Unite, was the larger innovation.Freedom Unite was an expanded model of Freedom 2, introducing super-difficult “G Rank” quests (now often called “Master Rank”), and much more new content–you may simply spend a number of hundred hours battling large monsters and crafting ornate armor. Not solely was Freedom Unite an even bigger Monster Hunter sport than ever, it was additionally a extra pleasing expertise typically due to quicker load occasions than earlier Freedom titles, and the addition of the Palico sidekick, making the sport friendlier for solo gamers even with “old Monster Hunter” quirks and infamous problem nonetheless intact.However, Freedom Unite can be the place Capcom began the annoying custom of releasing a relatively restricted base Monster Hunter sport, then following up with an expanded “G-Rank” or “Master Rank” model of the identical sport just some months later. So whereas it’s one of the crucial necessary releases within the sequence, it’s additionally arguably one of the crucial infamous as effectively.See our Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite critiques.5. Monster Hunter Tri and Monster Hunter 3 UltimateMonster Hunter 3 UltimateThe third Monster Hunter technology was a significant change for the sequence in a number of methods. Most notably, the sequence pivoted from Sony’s consoles to Nintendo’s {hardware}, with Monster Hunter Tri releasing for Wii, and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U and 3DS, making these the primary Monster Hunter video games to launch on residence consoles outdoors of Japan for the reason that unique on PS2.Content-wise, Monster Hunter Tri felt like a step backward, lacking most of the monsters and weapons launched in Freedom Unite–though Tri is notable as the primary sport to incorporate the Switch Axe weapon kind. It wasn’t Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate that Monster Hunter’s third technology felt full. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate mixed all of the content material from Tri and the Japan-only Monster Hunter Portable Third, and added tons of additional quests and new gameplay techniques, together with a cross-save between 3DS and Wii U variations of the sport, and wi-fi on-line multiplayer for Wii U (however not 3DS, a lot to the frustration of gamers).The technology three video games noticed the primary cases of necessary gameplay options, reminiscent of a novel map the place gamers can freely hunt randomly showing monsters outdoors of quests, gen three can be infamous for its divisive underwater fight. This new combating fashion gave us fan-favorite monsters like Lagiacrus, however there’s a motive underwater hunts by no means made a comeback: it was horrible. The on-land gameplay was the perfect within the sequence but, fortunately, and the brand new lock-in digital camera setting in 3 Ultimate made taking part in on 3DS extra comfy than on PSP, however the old-school Monster Hunter jank was nonetheless a steep barrier for brand spanking new gamers to beat.See our Monster Hunter Tri and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate critiques.4. Monster Hunter Generations and Generations UltimateMonster Hunter Generations UltimateCapping off Monster Hunter’s fourth technology of video games, Monster Hunter Generations on 3DS and Generations Ultimate on Nintendo Switch are mainly the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate of the Monster Hunter franchise. These video games packed extra content material than ever earlier than. Generations Ultimate consists of 93 new and returning monsters from throughout the sequence. It additionally let gamers revisit the village hubs from the earlier numbered Monster Hunter video games, and added new skills and moveset variations to every of the 14 obtainable weapon varieties by the brand new “hunting style” mechanic.While the abundance of quests and gameplay choices are thrilling for long-time followers, leaping in with Generations or Generations Ultimate as a first-timer might be overwhelming. In equity, the core gameplay was simply essentially the most accessible for the sequence on the time due to sensible quality-of-life adjustments that made gathering gadgets and organizing multiplayer simpler, however Generations Ultimate continues to be firmly rooted within the “old Monster Hunter” fashion that later video games like World and Rise would shake up (and largely for the higher).See our Monster Hunter Generations and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate critiques.3. Monster Hunter RiseMonster Hunter RiseThe newest entry within the sequence, Monster Hunter Rise is by far the fastest-paced Monster Hunter up to now. Hunts really feel shorter (in a great way), and shifting across the environments or performing necessary actions like gathering supplies and executing particular assaults has by no means been simpler. The greatest of those adjustments are the brand new traversal choices: the grapple hook-like wirebugs, and the brand new companion mount, the Palamute. These additions make traversal a breeze, and provides a better sense of verticality to Rise’s open environments.Other adjustments are a bit extra controversial amongst long-time gamers, together with main shakeups to every weapon’s movesets (for higher and for worse). Rise additionally ditches the “hunting” part of earlier video games, and monsters at the moment are instantly seen on the minimap whenever you begin a quest. So as a substitute of monitoring down your mark, the early minutes of every hunt is spent attending to the monster as shortly and effectively as potential. And when you’re in fight, the brand new Silkbind assaults make it simpler to immobilize monsters. The result’s an general faster tempo for hunts, which is nice for handheld play or quick classes, nevertheless it does really feel like an necessary a part of the basic Monster Hunter gameplay loop is lacking. On the opposite hand, Rise brings again a few of the shade and allure of “classic MonHun” that was misplaced in World and Iceborne, nevertheless it additionally appears like a streamlined spinoff in comparison with World’s maximalist design, relatively than a correct observe up.Those preferring Rise’s faster tempo and streamlined design might rank this increased, however there are different points which might be more durable to disregard, such because the underwhelming rampage quests and the lackluster end-game, that maintain Rise again from the highest of our rankings. But if the upcoming Sunbreak beefs up the wonderful base sport as a lot as different Monster Hunter expansions have, this may increasingly turn into the perfect Monster Hunter expertise but.See our Monster Hunter Rise assessment.2. Monster Hunter 4 UltimateMonster Hunter 4 UltimateMonster Hunter 4 Ultimate for 3DS is without doubt one of the few video games within the sequence that launched in its good kind, at the least within the west. Monster Hunter’s fourth-gen base sport (Monster Hunter 4 in Japan) by no means noticed a worldwide launch. Instead, gamers in North America and Europe obtained to skip straight to the improved G-Rank model, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate added extra verticality to its maps and added extra motion choices and assault combos for gamers (and monsters) to reap the benefits of. The end result was extra dynamic hunts with higher controls, and extra various maps that had been extra fascinating to navigate and discover. These concepts would go on to affect the bigger scale maps and environmental interactivity seen in World and Rise. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate additionally launched the brand new “Guild Quests,” which supplied a extra story-driven expertise for gamers to get pleasure from, and its quite a few bonus DLC quests and costumes are among the many greatest within the sequence, that includes crossovers with main Nintendo franchises like Zelda and Metroid.The most necessary characteristic 4 Ultimate included was wi-fi on-line multiplayer on a transportable. Online multiplayer was beforehand obtainable on the Wii U model of 3 Ultimate (the primary time for the reason that unique Monster Hunter on PS2), however the sequence was vastly extra widespread on 3DS, so together with on-line multiplayer in 4 Ultimate was a a lot greater deal. For many, this was their first expertise taking part in Monster Hunter with others–which is arguably the way in which these video games are supposed to be played–and the principle motive why 4 Ultimate is so beloved by western followers.See our Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate assessment.1. Monster Hunter World: IceborneMonster Hunter World: IceborneIt’s nearly been 4 years since its preliminary launch, and but Monster Hunter World mixed with its huge Iceborne DLC continues to be the perfect Monster Hunter expertise obtainable proper now. For starters, it’s the perfect trying and smoothest taking part in Monster Hunter but, particularly if you happen to can play on PC or a 4K-enabled console. World additionally options seamless open environments, relatively than the sectioned-off maps riddled with loading screens like in each prior sport within the sequence. World’s maps are additionally rather more detailed, brimming with endemic life and interactive parts like vines to swing on or boulders to drop on a monster’s head.Monster Hunter World’s gameplay is extra various and, typically, extra accessible than ever.. Capcom doubled down on the “Hunting” features of the sequence, so as a substitute of meandering a map aimlessly making an attempt to identify and tag your goal, gamers may now search out footprints and different indicators of life that enable you to observe your goal. World additionally made the “boring” elements of earlier Monster Hunter video games a lot much less of a hassle–namely harvesting supplies and crafting help gadgets like potions and traps. Combat is extra thrilling, too, with new strikes obtainable for every of the weapons, and a brand new management scheme that makes pulling off necessary counter assaults and combos simpler.That’s to not say Monster Hunter World is flawless. World initially launched with a slim monster checklist and even slimmer end-game content material, and whereas post-launch DLC and the Iceborne growth boosted the roster considerably, added much more new mechanics (just like the clutch claw) and gave gamers tons to do, different video games within the sequence nonetheless eclipse World and Iceborne by way of sheer content material. And if you happen to ask round sure circles of the die-hard MonHun group, opinions range on whether or not all of the fight adjustments had been actually for the higher, and plenty of lament the extra “realistic” aesthetic of World and Iceborne in comparison with the extra fantastical tone of its predecessors. Nonetheless, the success of Monster Hunter World and Iceborne speaks for itself. World has gone one to develop into Capcom’s all-time bestselling sport, and solidified the franchise’s presence within the West. And sure, it’s nonetheless price going again to if you happen to haven’t performed in a while–or you run out of stuff to do in Rise earlier than Sunbreak comes out later this yr.See our Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne critiques.