Is Monster Hunter Rise the Best in the Series?
Initial reviews are out for the Nintendo Switch exclusive, Monster Hunter Rise, and so far — they’re looking great. The game is currently sitting at a Metacritic score of 87 across 61 critic reviews and is ranked as the second-highest Nintendo Switch game so far this year, right behind the 1st party title, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury which has an 89.
In order to give you a bit of an idea of what people who already got their hands on the game are thinking, we put together a little round-up of what some of the reviewers think of the latest Monster Hunter release.
IGN Japan: 100 – Hiroaki Mabuchi
“While the essential component of repeatedly hunting monsters remains the same, the action elements have been refined with the introduction of the Wirebug and Switch Skill systems, and even monsters from previous games offer a fresh hunting challenge. The new Rampage mode, where the player must battle multiple large monsters at once, offers a stunning balance of difficulty and variety.”
Switch Player: 100 –Â Nathan Ellingsworth
“Monster Hunter Rise is a success built on years of gradual improvements, but it also takes some giant Wirebug leaps forward to deliver an unforgettable and endlessly thrilling adventure. This is a new contender for the best game on Switch.”
TheGamer: 90 – Sergio Solórzano
“It’s a great entry point thanks to the Village Quests and helpful dog companion. If you’re a fan who already pre-ordered and want to know if it’s good, rest assured. You might actually like Rise better than World, as it brings back some of the strategic variety while building on more recent quality-of-life updates. It’s a shame that the Switch holds the game back in small ways, but this is a contender for best in the series. If post-launch support is as good as it was for World, this game could easily rise above the rest.”
TheSixthAxis: 90 – Dominic L
“Monster Hunter Rise is an incredible game. While it may not feel quite as ground-breaking for the series as World did, it boasts a stronger and distinctly Japanese identity, and the changes and streamlined gameplay simply focus on the franchise’s true stars – the monsters. Rise is easily one of the best games for the Nintendo Switch, and one of the finest Monster Hunters ever.”
Easy Allies: 90 –Â Ben Moore
“Even with a few complaints, Monster Hunter Rise is an excellent addition to a series that carries high expectations. Rather than just follow what’s been successful in the past, Rise goes out of its way to experiment with bold new ideas that make it a more captivating game, whether it’s your first Monster Hunter or you’ve cooked thousands of well-done steaks before. The modest power of the Switch does little to diminish the thrill of the hunt, considering how great the game looks and runs. Without a doubt, Rise isn’t just a worthwhile Monster Hunter entry, but an essential game for anyone who owns Nintendo’s hybrid console.”
Nintendo Life: 90 –Â Sayem Ahmed
“New mechanics, monsters and a gorgeous setting make Monster Hunter Rise a new high-water mark for the franchise. The Wirebug, Switch Skills, Palamute and carefully thought-out monsters shake things up enough to make the game feel fresh for hunters who have previously spent thousands of hours with the series, and while the package could be slightly intimidating for newcomers, it’s arguably the ideal place to get started if you’re serious about getting into the franchise. And, with a peerless four-player multiplayer experience, the new Rampage quests are a blast. After spending some serious time with the game, it’s very easy to say that Monster Hunter Rise is one of the strongest entries into the franchise to date, and another stone-cold classic for the Nintendo Switch.”
So, what do you think? Will you be picking up Monster Hunter Rise later this week? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.