Cloud gaming is quickly becoming a popular way to play video games, and it’s easy to see why. As stated in my previous review, for co-op video games in particular, cloud gaming can provide several benefits that can enhance the overall experience for players. From increased accessibility to seamless cross-platform play, reduced latency, and easier matchmaking. Cloud gaming can help make co-op games more accessible, seamless, and enjoyable. That’s also the case in today’s review: Monster Hunter Rise.
Developed and published by Capcom, Monster Hunter Rise is an action RPG game. Released originally for the Nintendo Switch in 2021, it is the latest installment in the popular Monster Hunter franchise. Ever since its launch, Monster Hunter Rise has been praised for its gameplay, visuals, and performance. After its initial launch on the Nintendo Switch, Monster Hunter Rise has been ported to PC and different consoles. In early 2023, the game made its way to Xbox systems, Game Pass and even Xbox Cloud Gaming. Alongside these releases, the game was also recently made available on GeForce NOW.
Hunters, rise up!
Monster Hunter Rise is divided into several different modes, including the main story mode, secondary quests, multiplayer hunts, and arena challenges. The main story mode follows the player character, a hunter tasked with protecting the village of Kamura from a looming threat of powerful monsters. The story mode is broken up into many different quests, each with their own objectives and challenges. Completing quests will unlock new monsters, areas, and items for the player to use.
In addition to the main story mode, there are also optional quests that players can undertake. These quests are typically focused on gathering materials, hunting specific monsters, or completing challenges. Completing optional quests can reward players with valuable items and weapons.
One of the key features of Monster Hunter Rise is the upgrade system. Players can upgrade their weapons and armor by gathering materials from defeated monsters and using them to craft new items. As players progress through the game, they will encounter more powerful monsters that drop rare materials needed for higher-level upgrades. Additionally, players can also upgrade their weapons and armor by using points earned through completing quests and challenges.
Exploring the world
Monster Hunter Rise features a hub city known as Kamura Village. The village serves as the main hub for players to interact with NPCs, craft items, and receive quests. Players can also upgrade their equipment and purchase items from various vendors around the village. Kamura Village is also home to several key NPCs that offer guidance and advice to the player throughout the game.
One of the most notable features of Monster Hunter Rise is the vast open world that players can explore. The world is filled with a variety of monsters that players can hunt, each with unique behaviors and abilities. The game also features a new traversal system called the Wirebug, which allows players to quickly navigate the environment and engage in aerial combat. The game requires players to carefully study each monster’s patterns and weaknesses. Players get rewarded for strategic thinking and experimentation with different weapons and armor sets. The game also includes a robust crafting system that allows players to create useful items and their own weapons and armor.
In Monster Hunter Rise, players can choose to have either a Palamute or Palico as their companion. Palamutes are dog-like creatures that can be ridden and used in combat. Meanwhile, Palicoes are cat-like creatures that provide support during battles. Both companions can be customized with different equipment and abilities. Players can have up to two companions with them at a time. Palamutes and Palicoes add a unique layer to the gameplay experience, providing additional support and companionship during the challenging battles in Monster Hunter Rise.
Protecting Kamura Village
The game’s main story revolves around the player character, a hunter who has arrived in the village of Kamura to help protect it from a looming threat of Rampages, a massive attack by a swarm of powerful monsters.
Monster Hunter Rise begins with the player character arriving in Kamura, a village that is known for its skilled hunters and strong defense against monsters. The village is preparing for a festival known as the Kamura Village Festival, which celebrates the village’s history and traditions. However, during the festival, a Rampage occurs. The player, along with the help of other hunters in the village, must defend Kamura from the Rampage and investigate the cause of the attacks.
As the player progresses through the story, they will encounter new monsters and challenges, uncover secrets about the Rampage, and ultimately face a final boss that poses a significant threat to the village. Throughout the story mode, we will interact with various NPCs, including the village elder Fugen, the local blacksmith Hamon, and other hunters. These interactions provide context for the story and help the player to better understand the history and culture of Kamura.
The definitive coop experience
The online experience in Monster Hunter Rise is fantastic and adds a layer of depth and excitement to the game. Players can team up with up to three other players to hunt monsters together, and the cooperative gameplay is engaging and rewarding. The game features a robust online lobby system, which allows players to connect with others and search for specific quests or monsters to hunt. The lobby system is easy to use, and players can quickly find other players to team up with.
Players can communicate with each other using the game’s built-in text chat system, which is efficient and straightforward to use. The game also features voice chat capabilities, even though players may prefer to use Discord or similar apps. The cooperative gameplay in Monster Hunter Rise is challenging and rewarding. Players must work together to take down monsters efficiently. Each player’s unique weapon type and play style add to the overall strategy of the hunt. Of course, successful cooperation requires communication, coordination, and teamwork.
Movement and Combat
The control scheme in Monster Hunter Rise is intuitive and easy to learn, especially for players who are familiar with previous Monster Hunter games. The game features an auto-targeting system that helps players to lock onto monsters and focus their attacks. The player’s character has a variety of actions and moves at their disposal, depending on the weapon type they choose. The game’s attention to detail and focus on player comfort and convenience make it an enjoyable experience for both new and experienced players.
Combat in the game is fast-paced and requires skill and strategy. Players must learn the unique attack patterns and weaknesses of each monster to succeed in battle. The game’s controls allow players to dodge and evade attacks, block with a shield, or use various weapon-based moves and combos to deal damage to the monster. The game also features a variety of quality-of-life improvements to the control scheme, such as quick access to items and weapons, streamlined crafting and upgrading systems, and easy navigation of menus and options.
Presentation over Fidelity
The graphics in Monster Hunter Rise are impressive, especially considering that the game was developed for the Nintendo Switch in mind. The game features detailed character and monster models, vibrant colors, and stunning environmental designs. The art style is inspired by Japanese culture and folklore, and this is reflected in the game’s aesthetics. With various areas and monsters taking on a distinctly Japanese look and feel.
When compared to Monster Hunter World, which was developed for more powerful consoles and PC, Monster Hunter Rise’s graphics may not seem quite as impressive in terms of technical fidelity. However, the game’s art direction and overall presentation make up for this difference, and many players consider Monster Hunter Rise to be visually much more appealing. In terms of performance, Monster Hunter Rise is highly optimized, with smooth frame rates and minimal performance issues. It also includes various graphics options that allow players to adjust the visual quality to better suit their preferences.
A musical delight
The music in Monster Hunter Rise is composed by Satoshi Hori. The game’s soundtrack is a blend of traditional Japanese music and epic orchestral arrangements, which creates a sense of grandeur and excitement during battles with monsters. The game’s sound effects are also impressive, with each monster having unique and distinct sounds that add to their overall feel. The sound effects for weapons and attacks are also well-done, with each weapon type having a distinct sound that matches its style and power.
One of the standout features of the game’s audio is the voice acting. Unlike most Monster Hunter games before, Monster Hunter Rise features fully voiced dialogue for all the game’s NPCs, including the player character. The voice acting is well done and adds an extra layer of immersion to the game’s story and dialogue. Additionally, those who prefer the classic gibberish sounds, can also enable that option.
Conclusion
Monster Hunter Rise is an impressive addition to the long-running Monster Hunter franchise. The game builds upon the solid foundations set by previous games in the series and introduces several new features, such as the Wirebug and Rampage battles, that add a fresh new layer of gameplay. The visuals and audio are great, and the game runs smoothly on cloud gaming platforms. With its engaging gameplay, exciting multiplayer options, and a wealth of content to explore. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding co-op experience, Monster Hunter Rise is an excellent choice.
Monster Hunter Rise
Summary
Monster Hunter Rise is an impressive addition to the action-adventure genre, featuring stunning graphics, engaging gameplay, and challenging combat. The cooperative gameplay and fantastic online experience make it a must-play for fans of the franchise and action games alike.
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