Let’s be honest. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is the game modern Pokémon wishes it was.
Game Freak often relies on an old formula. Capcom took a different approach. They injected the genre with the living ecosystem of Monster Hunter Stories. The result is exceptional. It is charming, deep, and one of the best modern RPGs available.
The game isn’t perfect, though. Some legacy JRPG issues remain. The save system is particularly frustrating. But there is so much here to love. Grab your Kinship Stone. Let’s dive in.
The Creature Collector We Needed
Are you tired of the stagnant “catch ’em all” loop? Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a breath of fresh air. You aren’t just a trainer on the sidelines, you’re are a Rider. Fighting alongside your Monstie.
The immersion is massive. You craft armour from defeated monsters, wield Greatswords and Hammers. You ride your Zinogre through open biomes that feel alive. This is the Monster Hunter Stories experience fans deserve.
The depth comes from how you build your team. It goes far beyond simple levelling.
Genetics: Building the Ultimate Beast
Forget the daycare centre. Monster Hunter Stories 2 uses the Rite of Channelling, it’s addictively deep.
The loop starts with Egg Hunting. You explore Monster Dens to find a nest. You rummage through eggs for the best smells or weight. These indicate better stats or rare genes. It is a great risk/reward mechanic. Do you take the egg? Or do you risk waking the mother?
Hatching is just the start. You splice DNA using the Bingo Board system. Every monster has a gene grid. You transfer genes between monsters to build power.
Match three genes of the same colour or type for a Bingo bonus. This boosts damage significantly. You can make a Lagiacrus that shoots fire or customize a Nargacuga for brute strength. Engineering a better predator.
A Story with Heart
This game separates itself from peers with its narrative. It isn’t just a trip from Gym A to Gym B. It is a high-stakes JRPG story.
You play as the grandchild of the legendary Rider Red. You are entrusted with a dangerous Rathalos egg. The plot explores the Rider vs. Hunter dynamic. This is fascinating for Monster Hunter Stories players and main series fans.
You see the world differently here. You question the philosophy of hunting everything. The lore is treated with reverence. Monsters are characters, not just loot.
It hits classic JRPG beats too. You will find friendship, betrayal, and prophecy. The cutscenes are high quality. Characters like Kyle and Ena actually grow. It is very Anime, but in the best way.
Looks good
The art direction is a massive departure for the series. Monster Hunter Stories 2 ditches the gritty realism of World or Rise. Instead, it embraces a gorgeous cel-shaded style.
It looks like a playable Saturday morning cartoon. The colours are vibrant and saturated. The character models are expressive. It fits the lighter, adventure-focused tone perfectly.
The monsters are the highlight. They are stylized but instantly recognizable. A Rathian still looks dangerous, but it has a unique charm here. The animations are fluid. The Kinship Skills are visual spectacles that rival top-tier anime fights. It is simply a beautiful game to look at.
Sounds good
Capcom did not cut corners on the sound design. The audio experience is premium.
The soundtrack is fully orchestral. It is sweeping, epic, and emotional. It captures the sense of grand adventure perfectly. The battle themes get your blood pumping. The quiet village tracks are relaxing.
Sound effects remain faithful to the franchise. You hear the classic item collection ping. The meat cooking music is there. The monster roars are authentic and terrifying.
Voice acting is also a strong point. You can choose between English and Japanese. Both casts deliver solid performances. It helps sell the emotional beats of the story.
Combat
The combat system is the star. It starts with a simple Rock-Paper-Scissors triangle. Power beats Technical. Technical beats Speed. Speed beats Power.
It quickly evolves into a tactical dance. Monster Hunter Stories 2 lets you equip three weapons at once. You typically carry Slash, Blunt, and Pierce types. You swap these freely mid-battle.
Monsters have breakable parts weak to specific weapons. You might switch to a Hammer to smash a head. Then you swap to a Bow for the wings. It keeps you engaged constantly.
The best feeling is the Double Attack. You and your Monstie attack with the correct counter-type. This synchronizes your strike. It cancels the enemy’s turn completely. You take zero damage.
Fill your gauge to use the Ride On command. You hop onto your monster’s back. This heals you and removes status effects. You can then unleash a Kinship Skill. These are massive, beautiful attacks. Every battle feels like a puzzle.
The not-so-good
Monster Hunter Stories 2 does commit one sin. The save system is outdated.
Modern games usually let you save anywhere. This game clings to old habits. You cannot simply save via the menu before a fight. You must trek to your bedroom. Or you must find Catavan Stands on the map.
It is a real pain.
Imagine failing a tough battle, but you couldn’t find a save point on the way there, so your progress is from ages ago. It breaks the flow of exploration and feels like a restriction from the PlayStation 2 era. It adds inconvenience, not difficulty.
Steam Deck Performance
Do you own a Steam Deck? This is an essential install. It actually solves the save system problem, in a fashion, too.
The Deck has a Suspend/Resume feature. The lack of “save anywhere” becomes less painful. Put the Deck to sleep mid-dungeon. Just grab it later. No need to sprint for a Catavan Stand.
The game runs beautifully on Valve’s handheld. You can lock Monster Hunter Stories 2 to 60fps. The art looks crisp and vibrant. It is incredibly fluid on the small screen.
Battery life is decent. Expect around 2 to 2.5 hours on standard settings. Cap it at 40fps for more time. It feels great for a turn-based RPG. This game feels destined for portable play.
Overall
Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a fantastic RPG. It outclasses the competition in visuals and combat. The narrative stakes are high. It treats the player with respect.
It isn’t perfect. The save mechanics are archaic. Some dungeons get repetitive. Generally speaking, the good outweighs the bad, significantly.
Highly recommended!
