Which Monster Hunter Game Should I Start With

‘Monster Hunter World’ is the best place to start your journey into the series.

So, you’re drawn to the thrill of the hunt, the challenge of giant beasts? Perhaps you’ve heard whispers of epic battles and crafting amazing gear. The question, “which monster hunter game should i start with” is a common one for newcomers.

The franchise has seen numerous entries, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. ‘Monster Hunter World’ offers a balance between accessibility and depth.

It’s a great starting point due to its more modern mechanics and user-friendly interface. This makes it easier to pick up compared to older titles.

Which Monster Hunter Game Should I Start With?

So, you’re curious about Monster Hunter? That’s awesome! It’s a super fun series where you get to hunt giant, amazing monsters. But, with so many games out there, it can feel a bit like trying to pick the biggest cookie from a huge jar – a little overwhelming! Don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out the best starting point for your monster-hunting journey. We’ll look at some popular choices and see what makes each one special. Let’s get hunting!

Understanding the Monster Hunter Series

Before diving into specific games, it’s good to know a little bit about what makes Monster Hunter, well, Monster Hunter. These games aren’t your typical hack-and-slash adventures. Instead, they focus on preparation, skill, and learning monster patterns. Think of it like a dance – you need to know the monster’s moves to avoid getting stomped!

Core Gameplay Loops

The core of Monster Hunter revolves around a few key actions:

• Preparing for the Hunt: Before heading out, you gather materials, craft weapons and armor, and eat a hearty meal for stat buffs.
• Tracking Monsters: Using clues, you’ll follow the monster’s trail, sometimes using environmental advantages.
• Engaging in Combat: This is where the action happens! You’ll use your weapon’s moveset to damage the monster while avoiding its attacks.
• Carving and Crafting: After defeating a monster, you’ll collect its parts, which are used to make better equipment for future hunts.

Why the Game is Different from Other Action Games

Monster Hunter stands out because of its unique blend of action and RPG elements. Unlike many action games where you can easily button-mash your way through, Monster Hunter encourages strategy and patience. Each monster is a unique puzzle that you have to learn. The combat feels weighty and requires good timing. The game is not about being the most powerful, it’s about mastering the hunting process, mastering the weapons and learning from each encounter.

Popular Starting Points

Now, let’s look at the games that are often recommended as good starting points. Each offers a slightly different experience and appeal to different types of players.

Monster Hunter World: The Modern Entry

Monster Hunter World is often the most recommended game for beginners, and for good reason. It brought the series to a new generation of consoles with significantly improved graphics and a more accessible game design. This game simplifies some complex systems to make it easier to pick up while retaining the core Monster Hunter experience.

Pros of Starting with Monster Hunter World

• Simplified Gameplay Mechanics: Things like resource gathering and crafting are much more accessible. You don’t need to worry too much about collecting items, because you can grow them on your farm.
• Beautiful Graphics and Immersive Environments: The world feels very alive and vibrant. The monsters look incredible, and the environments are detailed and interesting to explore.
• Vibrant Online Community: Finding people to hunt with online is very easy and straightforward. There are many experienced players who are willing to help new players with their quests.
• Regular Updates and Content: After the original game was released, a major expansion called Iceborne brought even more content to the game.

Cons of Starting with Monster Hunter World

• Less Customization: Some veterans say that the customization options are fewer than in other games of the series. The older games gave you more options of how your character looked.
• Can Feel a Bit Easy: Some experienced Monster Hunter players may find Monster Hunter World less challenging than the older games.

Monster Hunter Rise: The Fast-Paced Option

Monster Hunter Rise builds upon the foundation of World by adding new gameplay mechanics and focusing more on fast-paced action. It introduces the wirebug, a tool that allows you to quickly move around the map and unleash powerful attacks. It focuses on portable game play but is still on home consoles.

Pros of Starting with Monster Hunter Rise

• Wirebug Mechanics: The wirebug makes movement fluid and versatile, adding new tactical options for combat. It’s also just plain fun to swing around!
• Faster-Paced Gameplay: Battles feel more intense and quicker compared to other games in the series. If you enjoy action, this might be the one for you.
• Excellent Performance on Switch: The game runs very smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, making it an excellent portable option.
• Variety of Monsters: The game contains a large and varied roster of monsters to hunt, some of them being brand new to the series.

Cons of Starting with Monster Hunter Rise

• Can Feel Overwhelming: The wirebug can be a lot to take in at first. New players might feel overwhelmed by its added complexity.
• Story is Less Developed: Compared to World, the narrative is less of a focus and some new players can find it less gripping.
• Less Environmental Detail: Some say that Rise’s world isn’t as detailed as World’s. This might not be a problem, though, as the focus is on the faster paced action.

Older Titles: A Look at the Past

While World and Rise are the most accessible for new players, some veteran fans might recommend the older titles for a more traditional experience. These games can be very challenging but also have a rewarding feeling to them.

Why Consider Older Titles

While these games are older, they offer some things that the newer games do not.

• More Unique Game Play Mechanics: Some of these games feature unique mechanics that make them stand out from the others. Some games have underwater combat which is quite different.
• Greater Emphasis on Preperation: The older games were more strict about item management, needing you to plan your every move and bring what you may need on the hunt.
• A Harder Experience: The older games will make you learn the game through trail and error. You have to fight the monsters using the basic mechanics and weapons, they can be more unforgiving.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate: For a Retro Feel

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is a sort of “Greatest Hits” of the older games. It has many monsters from all throughout the series. It’s a good way to get a look into what the classic games were like but is not as polished as World or Rise.

• Huge Monster Roster: This has one of the biggest monster lists in the entire series.
• Hunter Styles: You can pick different fighting styles that change how you play the game.
• Content Overload: There is a HUGE amount of content in this game that will keep you playing for a long time.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate: a Challenging but Rewarding Option

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is a game that many consider a good middle ground between classic and modern styles. It introduced many of the series staple mechanics and still has a lot of fans today.

• Good Story: Many fans say this game has the best story in the entire series. It’s a game with a lot of heart and a lot of fun characters.
• Verticality in Maps: The maps in this game have a lot of different levels, adding to the gameplay.
• Challenging but Fun: This game will push you and require you to master your weapons and learn to predict monster attacks.

Which Game is Right For You?

Let’s break it down with some scenarios.

If You Want the Most Accessible Experience:

Go for Monster Hunter World. It’s the most player-friendly of the series. The simplified mechanics and great graphics will make your first steps into the series easy. If you want a smooth and modern experience, this is the right one for you.

If You Want Faster Action and Don’t Mind a Learning Curve:

Monster Hunter Rise is a fantastic choice. The wirebug makes the combat feel more dynamic. It can also be played on the go. If you love fast-paced action then you will enjoy this one.

If You’re Curious About Classic Monster Hunter and Want a Huge Challenge:

Check out Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate or Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. These will provide a taste of what the series was like in the past. They are also very content-rich and will take you many hours to complete.

A Quick Comparison

Here’s a quick table to help you compare the games:

Ultimately, the best starting point depends on your personal preferences. Do you want something modern and beginner-friendly? Are you okay with older graphics and more complex gameplay? No matter what you decide, you will have an amazing adventure, but choosing the right game to start with can make the experience more enjoyable.

Hopefully, this guide has made your decision a bit easier! Happy hunting!

Monster Hunter World vs Monster Hunter Rise

Final Thoughts

For newcomers, Monster Hunter World offers a great entry point with its modern gameplay. Rise provides a faster, more action-oriented experience with unique mechanics. Generations Ultimate is classic, with tons of content but a steeper learning curve.

Ultimately, which monster hunter game should i start with depends on your preference. World is the best starting point for most players due to its accessibility and features. The learning curve may be a factor. You might find other games fit your taste better.