Two New Monster Hunter Games are Coming to the Nintendo Switch
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With the final update for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne fast approaching, players are already hungry for news about the next entry in the series. Nintendo jumps in with a mini Direct dedicated to announcing not one, but two new Monster Hunter games that will be coming to the Nintendo Switch next year.
Following the improvements that Monster Hunter World brought to the series, Monster Hunter Rise is a completely new game that takes those improvements and expands upon them. Truly gone are the days of zones and loading screens in-between zones. Rise will feature seamless open maps similar to those from World. These new locales look to feature more verticality as hunters now possess the ability to up and along walls and rock faces.
Along with these mobility options comes a new grapple mechanic that involves creatures called Wirebugs. The wirebugs allow hunters to get to hard to reach areas as well as general maneuverability making movement very versatile, especially in combat. Speaking of combat, the wirebugs can also be used in conjunction with attacks and look to have unique attack animations with different weapons.
The new Japan-inspired hub town is called Kamura village. We also get a glimpse of one of the new areas named Shrine Ruins. Like its namesake, the area is characterized by scattered ruins of an ancient shrine.
As for companions, a new canyne buddy called Palamute has been added to the hunter's arsenal. You can ride Palamutes without worry of losing stamina and certain actions such as consuming items can be performed while riding. Palamutes also acts as an attack buddy, helping you dish out damage to your target. Felyne Palicos are still selectable as a support buddy. And when playing in single-player modes, you can bring up to two buddies with you on hunts in any combination you choose. Be it a pair of Palamutes, a pair of Palicos, or one of each.
A few new monsters were also teased during the Direct. The flagship monster is a fanged wyvern called Magnamalo. A new bird wyvern called Aknosom was also shown. Aknosom attacks with its crest that expands and folds like a fan type weapon. The Great Izuchi is another bird wyvern that attacks in groups with smaller Izuchis that attack together or in succession with their tail claws. The amphibian Tetranadon swallows up gravel to expand its body before charging at hunters. Its attack pattern also changes depending on the size of its expansion. Like in World, monsters can engage in fights with other monsters roaming around the map leading to crazy and sometimes welcome chaos.
We're definitely looking forward to more news about this game. Monster Hunter Rise will be available on March 26, 2021 in a variety of releases. You can purchase the Standard Edition or the Deluxe Edition that comes bundled with layered armor DLC. Those who pre-order will receive bonus layered armor for their Palamute and Palico. Three new amiibos will also be available on the game’s launch. Using them will unlock special layered armor sets in the game.
The second Monster Hunter game coming to the Switch is a sequel to the JRPG Monster Hunter Stories that originally came out on the Nintendo 3DS and mobile. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin continues the RPG series with a less chibi art style and a vastly more cinematic story and presentation. No gameplay was shown but we instead get a pretty substantial story trailer. Monster Hunter Stories 2 will also have compatibility features with Monster Hunter Rise. No further details about this were mentioned but it is a welcome addition. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is slated for release in the summer of 2021. More details for both games will be shown on TGS 2020 Online later this month on the 25th and on Capcom's TGS Live panel on the 26th.
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