Coming off the success of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion, many wondered what Capcom would do with the Monster Hunter series next. The answer, it turns out, involves a lot of Nintendo Switch exclusive content. 2021 will see the release of Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. While both games look exciting, Monster Hunter Rise is the more tantalizing of the pair, considering that Stories 2 is a spin-off, whereas Rise is the next proper Monster Hunter title.
Like its predecessors, Monster Hunter Rise is a methodical action game with RPG elements, all about slaying gigantic beasts. It's an engaging formula that appeals to both newcomers and veterans alike. Monster Hunter is a gameplay experience that thrives on the grind. Defeating monsters to get rewards that strengthen your hunter and allow you to hunt bigger monsters is the core of the game's addictive loop. It's a strategic experience too. Simply mashing combos won't kill the biggest monsters. Careful planning, proper gear, and deliberate attacks are necessary. All of these skills will be put to the test as the player protects Kamura Village.
The Plot of Monster Hunter Rise
Currently, Capcom is being fairly secretive about Monster Hunter Rise's story. However, we do have a top-level idea as to what will take place. The player arrives in Kamura Village, Rise's hub area. Full of services that will be essential for hunters, the town is also full of engaging characters who will progress the narrative. Fugen, the village Elder, seems to be most important to the plot based on the trailers. He talks about The Rampage, a mysterious phenomenon in which hordes of monsters assault Kamura. With rumors of another Rampage on the way, it's up to the player's hunter and other Kamura residents to protect the village once again.
Trailer & New Gameplay Elements
To keep the town safe, the player will have to make good use of the new features being added to Monster Hunter Rise. These are demonstrated in the game's initial trailer. The first is the Wirebug, a small creature that hunters carry. It's essentially a versatile grappling hook, allowing for a level of vertical traversal and movement fluidity that the series hasn't seen before. This is central to the game's design philosophy as the title Monster Hunter Rise was chosen in part as a reference to the verticality and freedom found in the level design. It seems like Capcom took a page out of Breath of the Wild's book with the Wirebug. The Wirebug has more functionality than just traversal, though, as it can be used in combat, acting differently depending on which of the 14 weapons the player is using.
In addition to allowing for traversal and combat options, the Wirebug also allows the player to temporarily control the monsters they're going up against. This is accomplished through the new Wyvern Riding feature. By damaging a monster enough through particular attacks or by taking advantage of environmental factors, the player can use their Wirebug to essentially put reigns on the creature and ride its back. When doing this, hunters have many options, including the ability to force the monster to attack others in the field, or force it to charge into a wall to hurt itself. The Wyvern Riding mechanic is certainly going to open up new tactical possibilities.
The second major addition is the Palamute, a new companion type being added to Monster Hunter Rise. This new canine mount complements the Palico, the feline companion that long-time Monster Hunter fans will be familiar with. The Palamute can be ridden by the player. While riding, the player doesn't lose any stamina and can use various items. The Palamute will also assist in combat, making it a great buddy on a hunt. However, the player has the choice of bringing any two companions on a solo hunt, whether that's two Palamutes, two Palicos or one of each.
Release, Demo, and DLC Information
Luckily, players don't have to wait much longer for Monster Hunter Rise. The game launches on March 26th, 2021 for Nintendo Switch. Three amiibo: Palamute, Palico, and the game's flagship monster, the Magnamalo, will also release on March 26th. These will unlock special armor sets in-game. While they can be bought separately, the Magnamalo amiibo also comes with the Monster Hunter Rise Collector's Edition. This is the most premium version of the game, beyond the Deluxe and Standard editions. The Deluxe features a series of digital bonuses, including various armor sets and customization options. The Collector's Edition includes these bonuses, as well as the Magnamalo amiibo, a sticker pack, and a Kamura Mark pin. That isn't all, as Nintendo and Capcom have revealed an exclusive Monster Hunter-themed Switch console and Pro Controller that will launch on March 26th as well.
Even though the game is only three weeks away, Monster Hunter Rise's limited-time demo from earlier this year is coming back. It first ran from January 7th until February 1st, and it offered four quests and all 14 of the game's weapons to try. Capcom has decided to revive the demo beginning on March 11th while adding a new quest. The four quests from last time return, alongside an advanced difficulty hunt where the player faces off with Magnamalo. Like the full game, these hunts can be taken on solo, or with friends either locally or online. This is a great way to get a feel for Rise prior to release.
For those who enjoy Rise's demo and its full launch, Capcom has also pledged support for the game post-release. DLC plans for the title have been outlined, with the first update coming in late April. It will include several features such as new monsters to hunt like the Chameleos. More updates are planned past that, however no dates have been provided. Beyond DLC plans, Capcom has also confirmed that Monster Hunter Rise will come to PC in early 2022, but details surrounding that version are nebulous. Clearly, the imminent Switch release as well as the new DLC roadmap are the short term priorities for Capcom.