Name: It's aight. Not great and not bad.
Item: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Rating: 7.5
Author: Philip Tauschek

So, before we begin. I just want to take something out of my chest.
I remembered starting a discussion in this site.

I stated that, Monster Hunter Now was a bad move from Capcom and a horrible addition to the MH genre. It was bound to fail.

Was I right?

Yes. Absolutely. The game is riddled with P2W. It failed.

So, what about this one? Monster Hunter Stories 2.

This game is a "different" take to the Monster Hunter series.

Is it bad? My hopes were right.

It's pretty fun. But it has some flaws.

This game should not be seen or viewed as a traditional Monster Hunter game.

You play as a rider. Not a hunter. A rider.

Riders seek to understand monsters and gain a trust and bond with them.

Hunters simply kill and skin them if they become a danger to nearby settlements.

So, it is extremely different, lore wise, from the main titles.

Let's start with the Pros.

1. The monster collecting in this game can be quite addictive. Coming across a rare monster den is so enticing and makes you want to get a monster with the best traits.
2.  Some monsters have different exploration abilities. So, for example, a Pukei-Pukei can let out a scream to scare away monsters, a Royal Ludroth can swim and a Arzuros can break rocks to open new areas.
3. If you have played previous Monster Hunter titles, looting and crafting is second nature. 
4. Taming and riding a Rajang never gets old.
5. Navirou. nuff said.  Go nuts! Donuts!
6. Story is decent. Not bad. But mediocre and can be forgettable.
7. The combat system plays just like rocks, papers and scissors. Power loses to Speed, Speed loses to Technique, and Technique loses to Power. Keep this in mind and the game turns to easy mode.
8. Each weapon has a different gameplay or approach in combat. Examples are the hammer. The hammer focuses on breaking parts and has skills that deal more damage if the enemy is asleep or has certain blights. Another examples if the gunlance (my fave). The gunlance deals more damage if you win a head-to-head action. So, if you use a Power skill against a Technique skill, then your damage will skyrocket.

Now for the cons.

1. Dialogue can be boring.
2. The combat system can get old and feel like a chore. A plus side is, if you face a low level enemy, can just insta-win with a push of the button. 
3. The graphics can be kinda dull. 
4. The open world feels and lacks imagination.
5. PC controls is kinda wonky.

So there ya go.

Should you get this game? Yes.

If you are a fan of the MH series or simply a fan of the turn-based RPGs, then it is a must play.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

It's aight. Not great and not bad.

Player Score

Philip Tauschek