Monster Hunter Rise (PC) review: Slays the Switch original

Our Verdict

Monster Hunter Ascent shines on PC, thank you to updated graphics and higher frame rates. It is the definitive edition of an already-fantastic title.

For

Thrilling monster-hunting action
Loads of character customization
Expansive environments to explore
Improved visuals and functioning

Confronting

Single-player and multiplayer modes are segragated
No cross-save transfer between Switch and PC

Tom's Guide Verdict

Monster Hunter Rise shines on PC, thanks to updated graphics and higher frame rates. It is the definitive edition of an already-fantastic title.

Pros

+
Thrilling monster-hunting activity
+
Loads of graphic symbol customization
+
Expansive environments to explore
+
Improved visuals and performance

Cons

-
Single-role player and multiplayer modes are segragated
-
No cross-salve transfer between Switch and PC

Monster Hunter Rise specs

Platforms: PC (reviewed), Switch
Toll: $threescore
Release Appointment: Jan. 12, 2022
Genre: Action/RPG

Monster Hunter Ascension came out in 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, and critics and gamers alike generally enjoyed it. Less than a year later, Capcom'due south animate being-slaying hitting arrives on PC via Steam. Though it has the usual upgrades and updates expected of a PC port, Monster Hunter Rise is very much the same engaging game it was on Nintendo's handheld hybrid. As such, it is one of the all-time PC games you can buy correct now.

I was a huge fan of Monster Hunter World on PS4, so I take been anticipating this title since it originally came out. Yes, I could have tried it final year. Merely after playing Monster Hunter Earth and a salubrious dose of PS5 games, I couldn't play a game that ran on the Switch'south weaker hardware. The wait was worth it, considering Monster Hunter Rising truly comes to life on PC. Sure, it's not Monster Hunter Earth 2 (the game I really desire), but it gives me enough to chew on until that game eventually comes out.

For this Monster Hunter Rise review, I'll give you an overview of the game and what I recollect of information technology compared to Monster Hunter World. However, I'll refrain from getting deep in the weeds, since this is a port of an older title. The long and short of it is that Monster Hunter Ascension is a heck of a lot of fun, and a game I highly recommend to folks who want to run across what Capcom's popular franchise is all well-nigh.

Monster Hunter Rise - Hunter — (Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter Rise review: Story

Monster Hunter games aren't known for telling captivating stories, and Rise is no different. Your player-created character is a hunter based out of Kamura village, the game'due south key hub area. Hordes of monsters are descending on Kamura because of a phenomenon known as the "Rampage." As a new hunter, y'all must defend the village from incursions and figure out how to stop the Rampage at its source. That's most as deep every bit the narrative gets. This isn't a bad thing, since yous're non here for a gripping tale. You're here for some sugariness monster-hunting action. And in that, this game excels.

Monster Hunter Rise review: Gameplay

Monster Hunter Rise has the same core gameplay loop equally its predecessors. Y'all hunt down monsters in order to arts and crafts amend armor, so that yous can take on more than powerful beasts. Rinse and echo. That sounds trite, but the manner that hunts play out is what keeps them from e'er becoming boring. No two monsters behave the same fashion, and their ever-changing patterns and reactions during battles serve to keep yous on your proverbial toes. Monsters become more aggressive and employ new tactics when you team up with a group of player-controlled hunters, making hunts even more thrilling and dangerous. Grinding for parts and materials is actually enjoyable in this game.

Hunts play out much faster than in Monster Hunter Earth or other previous installments. Ane of the master reasons why is that you get to traverse the environment while riding on a big dog chosen a Palamute. Your furry pal brings you directly to a monster's location (conveniently shown in the UI's mini-map), and even fights alongside y'all. When a monster runs abroad, you can merely hop on your trusty canine steed and give chase. Monster Hunter World introduced rideable mini-monsters in its Iceborne expansion, so it'southward great to see that feature appear in Rise from the outset.

Monster Hunter Rise - Riding a Palamute — (Image credit: Capcom)

Another great improver is the Wirebug mechanic. This grappling claw serves many functions, both in and out of gainsay. As an exploration tool, you can apply Wirebugs to reach what would otherwise be inaccessible areas. These often comprise useful items used for crafting gear and hunting tools. Precise apply of the Wirebug can have you lot darting around stages like a superhero. During combat, the Wirebug allows you to land on your feet if a monster swats you lot abroad, or lets you get to safety if you're overwhelmed. You tin can as well apply the hook to get to a more advantageous position to set upward an attack.

Ensnaring monsters with the Wirebug is my favorite utilize of the tool. Subsequently knocking a monster off its feet, you can tie it to the ground and land free hits. You can also hop on the backs of trapped beasts and ride them head-offset into natural and human-fabricated structures to deal huge impairment. If the monster you're hunting knocks over some other monster, you can utilise the felled creature to set on your prey. Controlling a monster similar a boob is more than fun than it should be.

Monster Hunter Rise - Wirebug — (Image credit: Capcom)

The same Rampage introduces a tower defense force-fashion mini-game during the course of the story. You lot accept to defend and fortify the walls of Kamura against continuous waves of beasts. There are ballistae and other automated missile launchers that keep monsters back. You tin commandeer 1 of these weapons and shoot encroaching beasties, which is actually quite fun. If the need arises, you're complimentary to fight monsters directly, as y'all would during a chase. You can likewise participate in Rampages outside of the story, and use earned items to upgrade your defenses and purchase powerful weapons. Though some Rampages final longer than they should, they serve equally a pleasant diversion from the standard monster hunts.

Monster Hunter World incorporated its multiplayer component into the main narrative. By contrast, Rise has split modes for single-player and multiplayer, as did the older Monster Hunters. I'grand not a fan of this arroyo, equally playing the entire story with friends (or even random players) was one of Monster Hunter World's nigh highly-seasoned aspects. Yes, making friends wait for you to stop watching a cutscene before they could join was frustrating, but it was a small toll to pay. Thankfully, all items earned in Rise's multiplayer are available to use in single-player. Still, I'm bummed that I have to play the entire story by myself.

If you sank hundreds of hours into the Switch version of Monster Hunter Rise, y'all'll exist disappointed to know that you cannot carry your save file over to the PC port. I didn't play the original Rise beyond its demo, then starting the game from the beginning wasn't an issue for me. But I sympathise with Switch players who accept to start over from scratch. I faced a similar situation when playing Monster Hunter World on PC after spending and then much fourth dimension on the PS4 version. Cantankerous-saves would accept been a great feature, either way.

Monster Hunter Rise review: Visuals and audio

I can't say that Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best-looking games out at that place. It's certainly not ugly. Just it's clear that, underneath the 4K textures and post-processing effects, you're playing a game originally developed to run on a less powerful platform (the Switch, in this case). The environments, though vast, are generally empty and featureless, while the main homo village feels tiny and constrained. A smaller hamlet makes it piece of cake to visit the various vendors lining the street, only it does contribute to Ascension's overall lack of telescopic. The game doesn't feel as expansive as Monster Hunter World.

Monster Hunter Rise - vs Great Izuchi — (Image credit: Capcom)

With that said, Monter Hunter Ascent on PC is graphically superior to its Switch counterpart. While Ascent looked proficient for a Switch game, the PC version improves the overall visual presentation with features that include HDR back up, unlocked frame rates, as well every bit adaptable options such as anti-aliasing, ambience occlusion, texture filtering and more than. All of these serve to brand the stylized graphics wait better than e'er.

The game'south music complements its Japanese-inspired aesthetic. The soundtrack makes liberal utilise of classical Japanese instruments (or rather, excellent samples) to bring the score to life. The themes, heard during monster hunts, rest the aforementioned classical sounds with a more than cinematic Western score, creating an interesting soundscape. While the soundtrack isn't as robust as that of Monster Hunter Earth, it'due south even so catchy in its own fashion.

Monster Hunter Rise review: Verdict

If you're new to the series, Monster Hunter Rising is an excellent jumping-on point that deftly teaches you the game's admittedly complex mechanics. Fans of Monster Hunter World may not discover this title equally ambitious, but they'll beloved features like the Wirebug and the overall faster stride of hunts. This game should also tide them over until Capcom announces Monster Hunter World 2. Switch players may desire to opt out of this port, since they cannot transfer their existing saves.

Shortcomings bated, Monster Hunter Rising shines on PC thanks to updated graphics and higher frame rates. That it contains all previously released post-launch content is also a boon, because how sparse the Switch version felt at launch. But when yous strip away all the PC bonuses, information technology's but an addictive title, featuring a ton of customization and some of the wildest gainsay found in a video game. The fact that I'm eager to end this review then I tin can go back to playing it tells you all you need to know. Monster Hunter Rise is a heck of a good time.

Tony is a computing writer at Tom's Guide roofing laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attention Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such equally Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.