With Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection set to release early in 2026, there’s no better time to get Xbox owners up to speed with the series, as Capcom have just released Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on Microsoft’s console.
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These titles have been around for a while, of course. The first game launched in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS before making its way to several other platforms. Still, good things come to those who wait.
Storied Conversion
We’ll be reviewing both games, but we’re starting with the original Monster Hunter Stories. It’s an oddity in hindsight, as when it first released, Monster Hunter wasn’t the powerhouse it is today. At least in the West, the series didn’t gain mainstream appeal until 2018 with Monster Hunter: World.
Monster Hunter Stories is a spinoff that delivers a drastically different experience. Instead of playing as a Hunter, you take on the role of a Rider, and the shift to a traditional turn-based battle system is the biggest change.
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There’s also a stronger focus on story and characters than in the mainline games, where the narrative often takes a back seat to hunting big beasties.
The story begins with you as a young resident of Hakum Village, alongside your childhood friends Lilia and Cheval. They discover a Rathalos egg, hatch it, and name the baby monster Ratha. If you know anything about Monster Hunter, you’ll have a fair idea of where this is heading.
No Less Important
Peace is shattered when the village is attacked by a monster corrupted by the mysterious Black Blight. The devastation sets you on a journey to uncover the truth and stop the threat.
This pulls you into the world of Hunters, a culture very different from your own. Hunters kill monsters, while Riders capture and raise them. It raises a few interesting questions during its younger-skewing tale, but the game has real charm and a warm, heartfelt tone.
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It’s also worth noting that the game is fully voice-acted this time, unlike the original release. To be fair, this feels like a port of the PS4 remaster from a few years back.
Combat Victory
Combat uses a turn-based JRPG rock-paper-scissors system. You choose between Power, Speed or Technical attacks, each countering another. It’s simple but effective, and extra layers are added through double attacks and weapon variety.
It would have been nice to see some refinements from Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, but it’s understandable why they aren’t here.
The battle system remains fun as you grow your monsters and weapons, and facing series staples from a new perspective is a nice touch.
Outside combat, the game is pure JRPG comfort. You explore chunky open-world areas, visit towns and tackle side quests, though some are quite dull. Still, there’s a nostalgic feel reminiscent of older titles from my childhood.
Killer Style
Visually, the game is colourful and bright, but it does show its age. The chibi art style helps hold everything together across its runtime.
Monster Hunter Stories is over ten years old and originally built for a handheld, so yes, it shows its limitations.
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But it’s also a cracking wee JRPG you can happily get lost in, offering a fan-favourite formula in a very un-formula way.
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