Monster Hunter Rise stands out as an action role-playing game where you step into the boots of a hunter facing off against massive beasts in a vibrant world inspired by Japanese folklore.
Gameplay
In Monster Hunter Rise, the core experience revolves around tracking and battling large monsters across seamless, vertically designed maps. You select from 14 distinct weapon types, each with its own combat style, such as the heavy-hitting Great Sword or the precise Bow for ranged attacks. The Wirebug mechanic adds mobility, letting you grapple to heights, traverse gaps, and execute special moves tied to your weapon. Wyvern Riding allows temporary control over monsters to turn them against others in fights.
Crafting forms a key loop: after hunts, you gather materials from defeated creatures to forge or upgrade armor and weapons, preparing for tougher challenges. Companions like the rideable Palamute, a dog-like ally for quick map navigation and combat support, join the returning Palico cats that assist in battles. Quests scale in difficulty, and environmental elements, such as traps or terrain, play into strategies during encounters.
Game Modes
The game features solo quests centered on the storyline in Kamura Village, where you defend against threats like the Rampage, a tower defense-style mode involving hordes of monsters assaulting the settlement. In Rampage, you set up siege weapons, direct villagers, and fight directly to protect the village gates.
Multiplayer occurs through the Hunter Hub, supporting up to four players online or locally for cooperative hunts. These quests adjust difficulty based on group size, ensuring balanced play whether alone or in a team. Single-player mode allows two companions, while multiplayer limits it to one per hunter.
Updates and Current State
Since its PC launch in 2022, Monster Hunter Rise has received free title updates adding new monsters, quests, and gear. The Sunbreak expansion, released in 2022, introduced Master Rank hunts, additional areas, and mechanics like Switch Skills Swap for mid-hunt adjustments. As of 2023, the base game sold over 13 million units, with Sunbreak exceeding 6 million.
In 2026, the game remains active with online features, though matchmaking can be less populated outside peak ranks. Cross-play exists between certain platforms, like PlayStation versions or Xbox and Windows Store editions, aiding connectivity.
Is It Worth Playing?
Monster Hunter Rise earns praise for its refined mechanics, accessibility to newcomers, and engaging hunts, with critics highlighting the Wirebug's impact on movement and combat flow. It holds generally favorable reviews on Metacritic, and OpenCritic reports 96% of critics recommend it. Some note technical hiccups like frame rate issues, but the depth in progression and cooperative elements shine through.
If you enjoy strategic combat, gear progression, and team-based challenges in an action role-playing setting, this title delivers lasting appeal. With ongoing community support and a solid foundation, it suits both solo players building skills and groups seeking coordinated monster takedowns, making it a strong pick even years after release.
