Monster Hunter Rise (Nintendo Switch)

I spent a bit of time with MHW, but I couldn't really get into it too deeply. The core mechanics were amazing, but the game itself felt a bit impenetrable even to someone like myself who is well versed in complex games, MMOs, etc...Rise makes for a perfect introduction to the series. Whereas before I felt overwhelmed, with Rise I was immediately drawn in and the combat clicked almost immediately. Of course, there is still that learning curve, it just isn't as steep. This is mostly due to the Wire Bug which absolutely does make the game al tittle easier (especially the Wirefall mechanic), but it is such a joy to use and adds so much utility and mobility to allow you to string even more complex moves together that it still remains just as compelling.I've read form series vets that a few other aspects make the game feel a little less challenging. Item boxes in missions are one thing I have read says takes a bit of the tension away. Wyvern Riding being a hard to ignore DPS gain but it being a little awkward to use is another thing I've read as complaint.Apparently end game is a little lacking right now, the game actually doesn't have a proper ending. this is coming in a soon to be released free update. I'm sure the lockdown situation added to this, and I personally am taking my time to work through every mission and learn all the systems, but if you're a series vet who will blazer through the content and expect there to be a meaty end game, you might find it a bit disappointing right now. Saying this, from what I have read, even those who have found this have said they really enjoyed their time with the game (usually dozens of hours) and that the lack of end game is not a deal breaker at all.Some also seem to think the level design being less intersecting and detailed is a downside, but personally I find that the more open areas and the added open verticality - along with the Wire Bugs and Palamute riding - are more enjoyable to explore. And, honestly, this is some of the best open world style exploration I have ever played. Very fun to navigate the maps, lots of meaningful rewards.I chose Great Sword as my main weapon, and while it is not really a newbie friendly choice it has forced me to really pay attention to positioning, timing, and all the fundamentals of the hunt. The game has seriously clicked for me, and I find myself reaching for my Switch far more than I thought I would when I ordered the game.It looks amazing, even with the visual concessions for it being on a less powerful console. Such is the power of a strong, well executed art style. I think the monsters, weapons, armour are all a pretty big step up in design here from World, too. Colourful, vibrant, interesting and easy to read designs really help too.The game runs very well as long as you don't mind 30fps. I am a 60fps PC gamer at heart, and often I find 30fps jarring and off-putting, but here it really feels just fine especial when playing in handheld (my preferred way to play).There is so much more I could write here... the excellent music, the responsive controls and engaging and deep mechanics, the massive variety of weapons that really change the way the game feels to play, the improved (but still not perfect) online systems...If, like me, you were someone who has tried and failed to get into this series before, Rise could be the game that makes it happen. I am really looking forward to learning more, advancing further, trying more weapons, creating end game builds... and, when I'm done, heading back to MHW with my new found skills and understanding with a whole new game to explore anew.Amazing game, highly recommended!

good game, new monsters new missions and new play modes

I don't know if it's the novelty and convenience of being able to play monster hunter on the go or in the bath, or the slightly faster feeling gameplay and loop of rise compared to world, but this is the game that finally made me 'get' monster hunter, and what a gloriously addictive gameplay and grinding loop it is.The gyro controls however, put a bit of a dampener on the experience for me, in docked mode they're great, work just as you'd expect, in handheld mode though, the main way I play my switch, they're just awkward.Every other form of gyro aiming I've seen on the switch while handheld has you tilt it, think aiming a bow in botw or totk for example, in monster hunter rise that doesn't do anything, instead you have to rotate the switch like it's a steering wheel.It's just so unnecessary, what about this game required such a different implementation of gyro aiming compared to everything else? At first I figured maybe it's just unfamiliar, it'll make sense once I used to it,But no, I've spent ages practicing with the light bowgun and even though I'm more used to it now, it's still just awkward and unnatural. Made even more so by the fact the game itself has two different versions of gyro aiming you have to switch between depending on where you're playing it.It's a great game that I'd wholeheartedly recommend, but keep my review in mind if you like ranged gameplay and use handheld a lot.

Great Monster Hunter game for Nintendo Switch. Fun to play. Challenging and rewarding in the sense that you hunt, kill monsters and make new armour and weapons from them.. online is great. Hunt with others .

Monster Hunter is my favorite franchise. So bias may be unavoidable on my part when reviewing this installment. After Monster Hunter World, the next game was always going to have big shoes to fill and the move back to a handheld console would most certainly mean some sort of graphical downgrade. While this is true, the switch handles it extremely well, running at 30fps for the most part. The graphics have been adjusted to suit the technology but each monster still looks beautiful and surprisingly similar to their World counterparts. The game is chock full of colour and there is a lot of detail in there if you look closely.The levels are not as dense as in world and seem sparse in comparison but they are all well designed with secrets to find if you go out of your way. Which you will be doing as the game is designed around verticality, hence the name. With the addition of the wirebug (essentially a grapple hook) you will be zipping around the map like Spider-Man. The game also introduces a new companion type called a Palamute (don't worry you can still take your Palico!) which is a trusty canine that will allow you to ride around the map. These additions greatly speed up hunts which makes sense when gaming in handheld mode where your time may be limited.The game plays largely the same as every other entry. Hunt monsters, gather their parts and then craft new weapons and armor to help you take on even deadlier monsters. There is a new mode in this game called the Rampage. This is best played in a group and it is a tower defense hunt. You have to stop waves of monsters breaking through a barrier protecting the village. Each wave of monsters gets progressively harder and there is a boss monster at the end. An Apex version of something you have already faced. The mode is interesting and can net you a lot of resources but you're either going to love it or hate it. The expansion for the game basically ignores Rampage altogether which probably gives you the clue that it wasn't particularly well received.The main problem here is that the base game of Rise is too easy, and once you hit the end game there really isn't much to do at all. The expansion addresses this and I would highly recommend that you get the game with that bundled in. Sunbreak has a much better end game with more armor sets to work towards. The addition of 4 slot decorations also expands the options you have when creating your builds. Capcom also included an armor set to get you caught up if you want to blast through the base game quickly. It's easy mode for sure but if you have friends you want to play with who are already in the end game you can catch them up.I'd say this version of Monster Hunter is probably the most accessible to new players yet. Monsters are shown on the map at the start of a quest, no more flex animation when potting, you can pot while running or riding your dog, pick axes no longer break and one swing loots the node, you can travel from one end of a mad to another really quickly and along with fixed camp fast travel points you can assign buddies to single use recon points (per hunt) to travel to them instantly. you can get loads of useful items from the motley mix at the canteen and each time you order one you get vouchers that boost food effects. You can even take two buddies on a hunt which can be a mix of Palico or Palamute. If you find the game hard try taking two Palico that compliment each other, a healer and a trapper?These games do require that players actually play the game. This isn't your run of the mill Ubisoft game. You will need to learn how your chosen weapon works (of which there are 14 to master) and you will have to learn the attack patterns of the monsters as each one is different . The game will punish you if you just run in swinging wildly. Take your time, go to the training dummy and practice your combos, engage with monsters and watch what they do. Stand back and study their attacks. Monster Hunter isn't a game you ever really master (with the exception of Team Darkside of course. Google them) as there always seem to be new techniques to learn.Monster Hunter isn't really a game, it's a way of life. If you've never tried it before please give it a go. Rise is certainly the best one for new players and you will always find other hunters out there to willing help you. It's an experience like no other, just remember to get it with the expansion!