Capcom had two major announcements during the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase. Monster Hunter Rise is launching March 26, 2021, while Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a sequel to the 2017 3DS spin-off, Monster Hunter Stories.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruins (trailer above) is a direct sequel to the 3DS spin-off. Instead of battling monsters directly, you’ll be playing a Monster Rider who befriends monsters to battle each other, Pokémon style. Riders level up their monsters, unlocking new abilities and deepening their bonds while embarking on an epic adventure.
Monster Hunter Rise is the next chapter in the main Monster Hunter series. Players create a custom hunter, craft and equip weapons and armor, and hunt large and powerful beasts. Rise introduces the Spider-Man-like grappling hook to quickly soar through the air, and to gain an aerial advantage in combat.
New monsters include the shape-shifting Aknosom, the amphibious Tetranadon, and the cover monster and ultimate threat, Magnamalo. Hunters will journey through a world without load times and explore new regions, like the ancient Shrine Ruins.
Rise will support up to four player cooperative online play, or you can adventure solo with felyne Palicoes and new ridable Canynes.
Monster Hunter Rise will release on Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021. A digital deluxe edition is also available for pre-order, which includes a DLC pack voucher for several in-game goodies, such as the Kamurai layered armor set. A physical collector’s edition also features an amiibo figure of Magnamalo.
A release date has not yet been announced for Monster Hunter Stories 2. In addition, the Monster Hunter series is currently on sale on the Nintendo eShop including 3DS games and the previous Switch release, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. The sale ends October 1.
