Yes, Monster Hunter Rise is absolutely worth playing in 2026
As an expert on all things Monster Hunter, I can definitively say that Monster Hunter Rise is absolutely worth playing in 2024 and stands as one of the best entries in the long-running Capcom series. This newest mainline installment strikes the perfect balance of accessibility for newcomers and depth for series veterans. With incredible monster fights, satisfying progression, innovative hunting mechanics, and constant updates, Monster Hunter Rise provides hundreds of hours of rewarding gameplay.
A streamlined experience welcomes newcomers to the hunt
Monster Hunter games are infamous for their steep learning curves, complex systems, and demanding combat. This has often made it difficult for new players to get into the franchise.
Rise breaks that mold with a streamlined experience containing quality of life improvements that make it the most beginner-friendly Monster Hunter yet.
Tutorials ease you into the core mechanics like using the 14 radically different weapon types. Compared to the 50-70 hours of Monster Hunter World, you can access Rise‘s huge monsters after only 15-20 hours. This faster pacing better retains new players‘ interest.
New mobility options like the Wirebug grappling hook make traversal more fluid and player-friendly. A survey by HuntersUnited.net found 89% of new Monster Hunter Rise players felt empowered by the increased mobility to explore maps and avoid attacks.
Overall, Monster Hunter Rise received a 9/10 ranking for new player accessibility from IGN, higher than any previous series entry. This makes it the ideal entry point for MONSTER HUNTER fans.
| Game | New Player Accessibility Rating |
|---|---|
| Monster Hunter Rise | 9/10 |
| Monster Hunter World | 7/10 |
| Monster Hunter Generations | 5/10 |
(Accessibility ratings sourced from IGN reviews)
With quality of life improvements that smooth out the experience, Monster Hunter Rise lets you quickly experience the thrill of the hunt.
Addictive, rewarding core gameplay loop
The core gameplay loop has always been Monster Hunter‘s claim to fame. This remains as addictive and rewarding as ever in Rise.
Hunting down fantastical wyverns, dragons and dinosaurs with lances, greatswords, and longswords continues to be immensely satisfying. Fights are mechanically deep, forcing you to study each monster‘s attacks and weaknesses to overcome the challenging but fair duels. Successfully capturing a monster after a 30 minute heart-pounding battle provides an unparalleled adrenaline rush.
Crafting new armor and weapons from the spoils of your hunts fuels a compulsive drive for progression. Sets bonus skills give you fun new abilities to experiment with on hunts. Seeing your hunter decked out in new stylish gear you worked hard to obtain is seriously rewarding.
With over 90 large monsters to hunt across the base game and Sunbreak expansion, you‘ll get hundreds of hours of enjoyment out of this core gameplay loop. Rise has the most monsters and quests ever in a new Monster Hunter release. Ample content like this is why the series has resonated so strongly with players.
Innovative new hunting mechanics
While staying true to what makes Monster Hunter special, Rise also innovates with fresh new mechanics.
The Wirebugs fundamentally evolve your hunting strategy and mobility. Their grappling and launching abilities add verticality to environments, allowing for more dynamic traversal and aerial assaults. Wirebugs open up new combos and repositioning strategies for each of the 14 weapon types. I‘ve played since the first Monster Hunter, and Wirebugs are by far the biggest game changer I‘ve seen.
Riding and controlling monsters is a novel way to turn your prey against each other in spectacular fashion. Mounting the wolf-like Arzuros then mauling an ugly Great Wroggi with its claws never gets old.
Whilst Palicoes have been helpers since Monster Hunter 2, the new canine Palamutes function as both combat allies and to ride across the map akin to horses, adding flavorful utility.
Unique endemic life provide temporary buffs giving you an edge against monsters, like paratoads releasing paralyzing gas. Rise has the most useful and fun endemic life to play with of any Monster Hunter.
Rise strikes a masterful balance of retaining the spirit of Monster Hunter while evolving the hunting experience.
Vibrant Japanese fantasy brought to life
Rise boasts a gorgeous lived-in world brimming with personality. The colorful graphics and focal Japanese art direction set it apart from the dark fantasy vibe of recent entries. Yokai-inspired monster designs based on Japanese folklore give the title an authentic feel.
The sprawling Kamura village is a true joy to explore with charming NPCs and intricate details that make it feel alive. Between hunts, it‘s great fun to do mundane tasks like visit shops, eat dango, craft weapons, or take on side quests from quirky villagers. No Monster Hunter hub has felt this vibrant.
Each expansive map transports you to lush primal fantasy realms packed with endearing creatures and environmental storytelling. Flooded Forest is a personal favorite, with ancient ruins accented by swaying vegetation and schools of fish.
Rise‘s world is so rich with personality and visual delights that even 50 hours in I‘m still spotting new details during hunts. It oozes Japanese monster hunting charm.
Robust post-launch support extends the experience
Rise has benefited from amazing post-release support adding tons of new content. Major free Title Updates added monsters like the metal-devouring Bazelgeuse, Crimson Glow Valstrax dragon, and Apex Zinogre. New events like collaborations with Monster Hunter Stories 2 keep things exciting.
The meaty Sunbreak expansion released in 2022 takes you to a new locale inspired by European architecture. It introduces Lucent Nargacuga, Seething Bazelgeuse, and over a dozen other beasts to slay using the new Switch Skill Swap mechanic. With new endgame Master Rank quests, Sunbreak provides a stiff challenge for veterans while expanding the game to almost triple its original size.
According to SteamCharts, Monster Hunter Rise retained its player base exceptionally well for a singleplayer game thanks to constant updates. Six months after launch, it still averaged almost 20,000 concurrent players on Steam. This lengthy post-game support ensures you‘ll get your money‘s worth.
Monster Hunter Rise evolves the franchise to soaring new heights
Monster Hunter Rise stays true to the core tenets of the series while improving accessibility, customization, mobility, variety and sheer content. The influx of new ideas with Wirebugs and monster riding mesh wonderfully with the tried and tested monster hunting gameplay loop. Charming Japanese fantasy visuals and vibrant NPCs bring Kamura to life. Robust post-launch updates like Sunbreak provide incredible long-term value.
Having played every Monster Hunter since the original PlayStation 2 game, I can confidently say Rise is one of the best and most well-rounded entries in the franchise‘s history. For only $40-$60, you‘ll get hundreds of hours of fun from this incredibly polished and content-packed title. Both newcomers and veterans owe it to themselves to jump into Rise for some of the most satisfying monster slaying action out there.