Is Monster Hunter Rise Worth It For New Players? A Beginner‘s Guide

As a newcomer looking to get into Capcom‘s immersive monster hunting action series, you may be wondering if the latest entry Monster Hunter Rise is a good starting point. In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at why Rise is the most accessible Monster Hunter yet. You‘ll learn about the key features that improve the gameplay experience for new players, tips to get started, and what to expect from the monster hunting loop. Let‘s dive in!

What Makes Monster Hunter Rise Newcomer-Friendly?

With over 8 million units sold, Monster Hunter Rise has quickly become one of the best-selling entries in the franchise. Much of this mainstream success can be attributed to Rise‘s focus on providing a welcoming experience for those new to the series.

Numerous quality of life improvements dial back the repetitive grind and clunkiness of older titles. Intuitive tutorials ease you into the core systems, while hunting companions offer assistance to reduce frustration. The monster roster begins relatively small, giving you time to learn movesets. Even veteran Monster Hunter players have praised Rise as the most beginner-friendly game.

According to a Capcom survey, a record 70% of Rise players are newcomers to the franchise. Of those surveyed, over 90% said the tutorials helped them adequately understand the gameplay. This demonstrates that Capcom succeeded in lowering the notoriously high learning curve. Reviewers across gaming publications like IGN and GameSpot agree that Rise is the ideal entry point.

Breaking Down The Key Features

So what specific features help onboard new hunters? Let‘s take a closer look at some of Rise‘s biggest additions:

Wirebugs

One of the most transformative changes is the addition of Wirebugs. These large grappling beetles allow you to latch onto surfaces and swiftly zip around the environment. When used mid-combo, Wirebugs can send you quickly evading out of harm‘s way. You can also use them to launch aerial attacks from walls and mount monsters quicker. This improved mobility makes hunting faster and more fluid.

Palamutes

Monster Hunter Rise introduces canine hunting companions called Palamutes which join the returning Palicoes. You can ride Palamutes to swiftly traverse maps and avoid monster attacks. In battle, they directly engage enemies with attacks, status effects, and heals. Having an additional partner along reduces the pressure and makes solo hunts more manageable.

Switch Skills

The 14 unique weapon types now have customizable Switch Skills that allow you to modify your moveset. For example, the Sword & Shield can swap between a lunging thrust or advancing slash combo finisher. This adds depth to the weapons and allows you to better match your playstyle.

Streamlined Progression

Compared to previous titles, Rise‘s progression system has been streamlined to cut down on grindy tedium. High-rank gear can be upgraded straight from low-rank gear, saving you from starting gear sets from scratch. Talismans and decorations have been condensed for simpler boosting. These quality of life tweaks help you spend more time on exciting hunts.

4 Beginner Tips To Get You Started

Here are some key tips to help you make the most out of your introduction to the world of monster hunting:

1. Start with the Village quests

The 1-5 star Village quests ease you into most of the core mechanics with solo-friendly monster difficulties. Completing them unlocks additional helpful NPC traders and upgrades. Use these as a extended tutorial before tackling the Hub.

2. Experiment with all weapon types

Each of the 14 weapons – like Sword & Shield, Dual Blades, Hammer, Hunting Horn – have unique playstyles. Try them all out in the Training Area to get a feel for what suits you. This helps you better understand monster attack cues.

3. Prioritize learning monster behaviors

Monster Hunter is just as much about observing monster attack patterns as raw combat. Study their movements and tells. With patience and practice, you‘ll know when opportunities to strike safely arise. This knowledge is vital to succeed.

4. Make use of endemic life

As you explore the maps, keep an eye out for birds, bugs, and other creatures. You can collect or even throw these at monsters to trigger beneficial effects like healing extracts or temporary paralysis. Use endemic life to give you an extra advantage.

What Is The Core Monster Hunting Gameplay Loop?

Now that you have a firm grasp on Rise‘s new player-friendly features, let‘s look at the satisfying core gameplay loop:

1. Accept a hunting quest – Based on your current progression, choose a quest with suitable monster prey.

2. Prepare for your hunt – Eat a pre-hunt meal to gain buffs. Craft potions, traps, and ammo.

3. Track your target – Use scoutflies and environmental clues to locate the monster.

4. Engage the monster – Observe behavior patterns. Wait for openings to strike safely. Use wirebugs to evade.

5. Trap and capture – When weakened, use traps to capture the monster for bonus rewards.

6. Carve materials – Harvest bones, hides, and organs from monsters to use for crafting weapons and armor.

7. Return and complete the quest

8. Craft new gear – Use your newly acquired monster materials to craft stronger equipment.

9. Repeat and hunt stronger monsters – Take on tougher quests and improve your hunter rank.

This core loop creates a steady drip feed of rewards. As you improve your abilities and gear, you can gradually overcome more difficult hunts. This compelling sense of progression will have you chasing the next milestone.

How Much Content Does Rise Offer?

With 92 diverse monsters to hunt, Monster Hunter Rise provides hundreds of hours of content out of the box. After finishing the 8-star village quests, you‘ll gain access to the true High Rank endgame. This opens up upgraded gear, tougher variants of monsters, and the new Afflicted monsters which offer endgame challenges.

Adding to the replay value is the depth of Rise‘s 14 unique weapon types. Mastering the intricacies and advanced combos of even one weapon could take dozens of hours. Multiplayer also bolsters longevity, with cross-play supported between Nintendo Switch and PC.

Looking ahead, Capcom has an extensive roadmap of free Title Updates planned over the next year that will expand the roster with additional monsters, quests, cosmetics, and events. A massive paid expansion called Sunbreak is also launching in summer 2022, which will include a whole new story chapter and Master Rank. There will be no shortage of content to chew through.

Should You Buy Monster Hunter Rise As A Newcomer?

If you enjoy challenging combat, deep RPG systems, and cooperative multiplayer, then Monster Hunter Rise is an absolute buy. Rise retains the methodical and rewarding monster hunting loop that defines the franchise, while making much needed quality of life improvements.

The early game does an admirable job of easing new players in and preparing you for the deeper challenges ahead. Each weapon type provides tons of combat variety. The expanded movement and traversal options create extremely dynamic hunts.

With excellent post-launch support from Capcom, engaging co-op, and nearly infinite gameplay possibilities through build-crafting, Monster Hunter Rise has something for all appetites. For new hunters ready to dive into the most accessible Monster Hunter experience yet, Rise is the perfect entry point. I hope this beginner‘s guide helps you get prepared for your hunting journey! The lush forests of Kamura village eagerly await. Happy hunting!