Monster Hunter Rise is finally here! First revealed in September 2020, Rise is the sixth instalment in the Monster Hunter franchise.
However, for many Monster Hunter fans, this will be the second Monster Hunter game they played after the release of Monster Hunter: World in 2018. World was a huge success for Capcom, selling over 16 million units and receiving three nominations at The Game Awards 2018.
As a result of this success, it's no wonder that Rise has kept many of the new gameplay elements first introduced in World. There are some crucial differences, though. So let's check them out.
Monster Hunter graphical differences
The main, and most pesky difference for Monster Hunter fans is the availability of the two games. Monster Hunter: World was first released on the PS4 and Xbox One, before coming to PC a few months later. Rise has launched exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, with a PC version expected in early 2022.
Could the Nintendo Switch run Monster Hunter: World? Probably not. For Monster Hunter Rise to run on the Switch, some aesthetic sacrifices had to be made. The overall scenery of World remains the more impressive of the two - especially with lighting - but only just. Rise still looks beautiful, and when considering it was developed for a much less powerful console, still needs to be appreciated.
You can also expect to see smother-than-anticipated gameplay in Monster Hunter Rise. The game is capped to 30FPS, allowing for a stable gameplay experience with little frame drops, especially when compared to Monster Hunter: World.
You can see a comparison of the two below:
Monster Hunter gameplay similarities
Many of the core gameplay elements between World and Rise remain the same - and that's a good thing. The basic gameplay loop of monster hunting and gathering is as excellent as it was in World.
The vast, open battlefield of World has been translated into Rise, replicating the awe-inspiring gameplay that made Monster Hunter World such a success. Indeed, players don't have to suffer through long loading screens between areas of the maps, despite its size.
That's not to say it iss exactly the same, however...
Monster Hunter gameplay differences
One of the key differences in gameplay stems from Rise's verticality. Through the introduction of a Wirebug - essentially a grappling hook - players can further utilise the high grounds during battles, adding to the fluidity of gameplay.
Alongside this, Rise has added the new Wyvern Riding mechanic. This allows players to jump on a weakened monster and ride into battle against the more deadly creatures.
Rise also includes a new tower defence battle mode known as Rampages. Here, players will defend the Kamura Village's gate using a variety of weapons, tools, and traps as monsters attempt to tear down the gates.
Which Monster Hunter game should I buy?
If you're lucky enough to have access to enough consoles to play both Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise, then we'd certainly recommend both these games for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the Monster Hunter series.
However, if you want a starting point, we'd actually recommend Monster Hunter Rise, simply because it's the more accessible of the two games. Many diehard Monster Hunter: World fans will talk of sinking hundreds of hours into the game, because that's the type of game it is. For those wanting to dip their toe in the water first, or who don't have that time to spare, Rise's streamlined gameplay, story, and grind (or lack thereof) makes a perfect choice.
This isn't to disparage Monster Hunter: World, though. There's a reason it sold 16.8m copies. If you've already played World, the chances are you'll probably appreciate Rise, too.
READ MORE:How Monster Hunter Rise will look better on PC than Nintendo Switch