Summary
Monster Hunter Storiestakes a massive left turn for the franchise, which is all about tracking down monsters, fighting them, and getting resources from their bodies to forge powerful weaponry. The game swaps the formula for something just a bit more colorful, and friendlier, but containing all the familiar monsters that give the franchise its unique identity.
So what changes can you expect in this entry? Is it any different from its sequel? Whether you’re a Monster Hunter veteran or just looking for a good entry game into the franchise, here are ten things we wish we knew before starting Monster Hunter Stories.
10How Is Monster Hunter Stories Different?
A Rider Not A Hunter
If it’s your first time exploring the Monster Hunter Stories spinoffs, then it is pretty obvious that it looks very different fromthe mainline titles. The art style is more colorful and the main focus of the game has shifted from hunting monsters to collecting them instead.
You are no longer a Monster Hunter, this time you are a Monster Rider. After finding a monster egg, you hatch it and must fight alongside it as you watch the story unravel, so it’s more akin to games like Pokémon.
9How To Collect Monsties
Gotta Catch Them All
Collecting monsters or Monsties as they are known, requires you to go on a variety of missions across many different biomes to search for them. Each location has its own set of eggs that can be retrieved if you’re brave enough.
Once you manage to get an egg in your clutches, the fight is not over yet, as you still need to escape the nest intact. Only then will you be allowed to take the egg back with you and hatch it later?
8How To Fight Using Monsters
Rathalos, I Choose You!
Fighting with Monsties is as simple as playing rock, paper, scissors, and every Monstie has their own set of moves ranging from power, speed, and technical moves. Each one has an advantage over the other with power beating technical, technical beating speed, and speed beating power.
During a battle, you will need to predict which move the enemy will use and select the right counter for it. Depending on the enemies you will be facing, you will also have to select the right Monstie to send out.
7Where To Find Monstie Eggs
Enter The Monster Dens
So where can you find Monstie eggs? Each area has its own unique monsters to fight, but that doesn’t always mean you will find their respective eggs. Luckily, each area has multiple dens where you can find eggs, so you can also grind for egg fragments.
If you want to find Monstie eggs, you will need to locate various colored dens scattered around the area, and the color of the den will identify the quality of the eggs within. Eggs will usually sit inside a nest, which is where you can search for an egg to steal, so choose wisely.
6How To Tell If Eggs Are Good
Stinky Eggs Are Great
In Monster Hunter Stories you will come across plenty of eggs that contain their own unique monsters. If you want the best Monstie eggs, look for the stinkiest or heaviest eggs, and your Palico guide will let you know what the egg ratings are when examining them.
Stinkier and heavier eggs will have superior genes. This means they will be more powerful in the long run, allowing you to unlock more of their abilities.
5What Are Gene Slots?
The Ultimate Monster
The better the eggs you collect, the more Gene Slots your Monstie will have when it hatches. Gene Slots are modifications that each Monstie can have that can alter the kind of abilities it has.
This can mean anything from dealing additional elemental damage, gaining a specific resistance or even having an increased max HP. Genes also have different rarities, so one fire resistance could be more potent than another depending on the colors; just like you experiment with Monsties, experiment with genes to raise a powerful new ally.
4How To Get The Eggs You Want
Increase The Odds
There are many types of monsters to collect, but you won’t always be able to tell what eggs will end up in a den. Luckily, there are ways to identify monsters, such as looking at the egg’s patterns while digging through dens.
Defeat a monster and sometimes, they will run back towards a den. When this happens, that monster will take a nap on the eggs and the chances of finding a monster egg of that species will increase, so higher-difficulty dens will yield superior eggs.
3What Is The Rite of Channeling?
The Power Of The Elements
The Rite of Channeling is a powerful game mechanic that lets you upgrade your existing Monsties. Genes allow Monsties to inherit powerful abilities that can give them a statistical boost or resistance to other elements, but sometimes, you want those abilities in other monsties.
This is where you’re able to use the Rite of Channeling to have one Monstie become a recipient of another Monstie’s genes. As long as the gene slots correspond with each other, you can use this feature to craft your perfect Monstie for any situation.
2Differences Between Original And Remastered
Technical And Visual Changes
The original game gets a fresh repaint for the remastered version, and one of the most obvious changes is the update in resolution and remastered graphics.For Nintendo 3DS enjoyers, there is also the absence of the bottom screen and touch mechanics; luckily, these are mostly replaced with button tapping.
You will also notice that some characters and sequences are voice-acted while the original versions of the scenes don’t have any. This offers a much more dynamic experience than the original release and is a welcome addition to the game.
1Differences Between Monster Hunters Stories 1 And 2
Is The Original Better?
If you missed out on the original title and started with Monster Hunter Stories 2, then you should know that the game is visibly smaller in scale than its sequel. This is because the first game was originallya spin-off titleon Nintendo 3DS, so the spaces are tighter and the scale of the environment feels a bit smaller.
While Monster Hunter Stories 2 is superior in many technical aspects, Monster Hunter Stories 1 has a more robust gene splicing mechanic that allows even greater customization of the Monsties. This can be enough for some players to favor the first game over the second.
