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What Is Monster Hunter Rise And Should You Play It? (Nintendo Switch)

Today, I will be explaining what Monster Hunter Rise is and its core components so you can decide if it is right for you. Read now!

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Purple Magnamalo with a monster in its mouth
Purple Magnamalo with a monster in its mouth

Today, I’ll be explaining what Monster Hunter Rise is along with its core components.

Monster Hunter Rise is an action game about hunting monsters and crafting weapons and equipment from monster parts in order to hunt even tougher (and larger) monsters. This game is ideal for those who enjoy intense boss fights, repeating missions, and improving one’s skills among other things.

Now, let’s go into detail about each part that makes Monster Hunter Rise enjoyable to millions of players.


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What is Monster Hunter Rise?

A woman next to a red wooden fence, motioning to the Monster Hunter Rise logo (title screen)

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Monster Hunter Rise (Rise for short) is an exciting action game set in a 3D fantasy world with a third person camera: the character is always on screen as you play.

Rise is the first new Monster Hunter title designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch.

At the time of publication, it’s the latest title in the long running Capcom series known as Monster Hunter that debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2004.

Monster Hunter Rise launched for Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021.


How Monster Hunter Rise Begins

Woman's face next to a list of skin and hairstyles

Players begin Monster Hunter Rise by customizing and creating a hunter, cat companion, and dog companion.

Many character features can be tweaked including

  • colors
  • facial characteristics
  • make-up
  • scars
  • skin tone
  • gender
  • voices
  • character names
  • and much more

Story elements will begin once character creation is finished.

A host of feature such as quests, shops, training areas, and more become available shortly after that.


Monster Hunter Rise Core Tenants

A hunter in a hot location with a monster in the distance

There are 4 main components to Monster Hunter Rise:

  1. it’s an action game
  2. it’s a single player experience
  3. it’s a multiplayer experience
  4. it’s an online title

Let’s take a look at each component.


1) Action game

Rise requires consistent, second-to-second button presses along with quick reflexes.

  • This is due to the game primarily focusing around hunting large monsters no matter how you play.

Rise also includes single player, multiplayer, and online features to heighten the action.


2) Single player

Rise can be played from beginning to end by oneself without ever needing to connect online.

Getting through the game alone is a great accomplishment and a feat to be respected.


3) Multiplayer

Certain parts of the game can be played with other hunters.

Dozens of challenging quests can be played with up to 4 total players

  • online
  • or locally with other Nintendo Switch owners

NOTE: Multiplayer tailored quests can also be played solo (see definition).


4) Online

Rise includes a suite of online feature that make the game more robust and enjoyable to experience.

The game includes online features such as

  • multiplayer hunting sessions
  • free content patches
  • extra content
  • downloadable quests, items, and music
  • and more

Content patches are the only required online content for Rise and you’ll never be forced to buy additional cosmetics or in-game currency.

This is because Rise is a traditional, single player offline experience with online features and multiplayer modes.


What is the point of Monster Hunter Rise?

A large dragon spreading its wings

What is the point of Rise?

To battle monsters and gather items to create stronger gear and weapons in order to take on larger and more challenging monsters.

The reason for hunting is a three-part process:

  1. Monsters provide materials once defeated
  2. Monster materials are used to craft gear
  3. Gameplay focuses on repeating hunts and collecting monster materials

Monster parts, however, each have a certain percentage chance of being rewarded to you at the end of a hunt.

EXAMPLE:

Let’s say “monster part A” has a 25% chance of being rewarded after a hunt.

This means on average you will receive one “monster part A” in every four hunts against that monster.

Expect to spend hours upon hours hunting a certain monster. Thankfully, hunting never becomes dull due to Rise’s fun and engaging gameplay.


What is Monster Hunter Rise’s core gameplay?

A hunter knocking over a monster constrained by wires

Rise’s core gameplay revolves around performing combat mechanics in open 3D environments against monsters.

Common Rise Gameplay Flow

  • Select a quest
  • adventure through a large environment
  • hunt monster(s)
  • spend 10-50 minutes fighting
  • use button combinations to defeat monster(s)
  • reap rewards

NOTE: Health rejuvenating items and other support items can also be used during a hunt. Items can also be found and added to the inventory during a quest.


The Goal Of Hunting

The aim is to deplete a monster’s health before it depletes yours.

  • your health is visible as the green bar at the top of the screen
  • the monster’s health is invisible

An icon will appear when the monster is close to defeat.


Select A Weapon

Hunters equip weapons before a hunt to fight monsters.

  • there are over a dozen weapon types
  • each weapon type has its own unique style

Each weapon has an assortment of maneuvers that can be used during a quest.

Become proficient with a weapon over time and defeat monsters before they defeat you.


Defense Tactics

Hunters also have defensive maneuvers that can be used such as

  • rolling
  • leaping
  • dodging
  • and utilizing cat/dog companions

Fighting large beasts with awesome weapons is what Monster Hunter Rise is all about.


What is the actual flow of the game?

A man holding a bird with a quest complete logo to the right

Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll actually be doing when you play Rise.

Gameplay can be divided into 3 parts:

  1. Before
  2. During
  3. After

What you do before, during, and after a hunt makes up the entire gameplay cycle.

I created 3 in-depth guides to help you understand what you will need to do in each segment.


1) What To Do Before A Monster Hunter Rise Hunt

A happy cat holding food next to a smiling cat and girl

Before a hunt is all about prep work, managing items, selecting the correct equipment, picking a weapon, and so forth.

Read the entire article here.


2) What To Do During A Monster Hunter Rise Hunt

A hunter running at a monster with a yellow arrow pointing at the monster

During a hunt is focused on collecting items, creating a hunting strategy, and battling the monster (and completing the quest objective).

Read the entire article here.


3) What To Do After A Monster Hunter Rise Hunt

A cat with cooking pots behind it with a list of options to hte left of the screen

After a hunt deals with post-hunt cleanup and pre-hunt preparation such as upgrading gear and weapons.

Read the entire article here.


Is Monster Hunter Rise Right For You?

A hunter sitting, eating a meal with a cat, dog, and girl standing next to him

Monster Hunter Rise is a game for those interested in action gameplay with a wealth of play styles and boss-like monsters to battle.

Story is included yet it definitely takes a backseat to gameplay. The world, however, is detailed and thematically linked and provides life to each environment.

Dozens (if not hundreds) of hours can be spent learning and improving one’s skills while becoming proficient with the various gameplay features.

For those interested in the above, I highly suggest Monster Hunter Rise. It’s a quality game with a high production value and ample gameplay to enjoy.


Read More Great Articles

Now you know what Monster Hunter Rise is, its core gameplay, and what you will be doing in this action game.

Bookmark this site to stay up to date with even more Monster Hunter guides, information, and more.

Check out all Monster Hunter articles on Bucket List Games.


(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)

SOURCE: Official Capcom Monster Hunter Rise art and video capture

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Wally GX

Writer, creator Bucket List Games

Bucket List Games