Monster Hunter is a critically-acclaimed action role-playing game where you take on the role of a Hunter, embarking on various quests to hunt and slay monsters in a variety of environments. The thrill of the game is in its captivating blend of strategy and real-time action, as you have to learn, and adapt to the behaviors and vulnerabilities of these monsters. Monster Hunter predominantly encourages cooperative multiplayer gaming, so you can gather your friends to take down difficult monsters. Additionally, the crafting system is vast, allowing you to create an expansive range of weapons and armor from materials collected from hunted monsters. As a game store employee, I've seen firsthand how this game series has garnered a massive and loyal fan base, with its intricate game mechanics and immersive world.
With its unique iconography and gameplay, Monster Hunter has effectively carved out its own niche in the realm of action RPGs. Now, if you're a fan of Monster Hunter's rich gameplay and in-depth monster hunting mechanics, it's safe to say there are a plethora of similar games that would pique your interest. Games that combine an in-depth, engaging story, visceral combat, and detailed world-building. Each having its own unique spin on the established monster-hunting genre, ranging from the dark fantasy setting of Witcher 3 to the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon Zero Dawn. But that's beyond the tip of the iceberg...
25. Dauntless
For fans of Monster Hunter, Dauntless is a refreshing and engaging alternative. Both games share a core mechanic of hunting down massive and challenging monsters in a bid to collect resources for crafting. Just like Monster Hunter, Dauntless offers a variety of versatile weapon choices each with its unique playstyle. The cooperative team-centric gameplay of up to four players is another nod to the similarity. But Dauntless takes it a step further with its seamless cross-play functionality, allowing players across different platforms to join hands in battle.
The vibrant, eye-catching art style of Dauntless may remind you of Fortnite, but it's a game that also takes a page out of the Monster Hunter book of combative and immersive boss battles. The game's developer, Phoenix Labs, has incorporated meaningful progression systems that encourage you to engage in repeated battles, much like the grinding in Monster Hunter. In Dauntless, you are playing as a slayer, exploring the Shattered Isles and hunting down powerful Behemoths, but in a free-to-play model that still maintains rewarding gameplay.
Dauntless is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch, and maintains a free-to-play model across all platforms. While it does include microtransactions, they mainly revolve around cosmetics and quality of life improvements, none of which impact your actual proficiency at hunting Behemoths.
24. God Eater 3
God Eater 3 and Monster Hunter share many similarities that make them both top-notch action role-playing games. Just like in Monster Hunter, God Eater 3 puts you in the shoes of a hunter who has to face off against massive beasts. Instead of dinosaurs and dragons, in God Eater you are fighting Aragamis - biotechnological creatures that have overrun the earth. The core gameplay is about taking on missions, hunting these massive creatures, acquiring materials, and then crafting better gear — a cycle you are very familiar with if you've played Monster Hunter.
God Eater 3 also boasts its unique combat system similar to Monster Hunter but with its flavor. Missions are typically more streamlined, focused and shorter on duration. The player wields a unique weapon known as God Arc, a transforming weapon that can change between melee, gun, and a devour form to consume enemies, absorbing their powers. The pace of gameplay is faster, more arcade-like and flashy compared to Monster Hunter, distinguishing it from its counterpart while still providing that similar experience you are looking for. What's more, it has an intriguing story that drives the gameplay, providing a more narrative-driven experience than typically found in Monster Hunter.
God Eater 3 is available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, typically priced around $60 USD.
23. Soul Sacrifice
As a fan of Monster Hunter, you'll be pleased to find that Soul Sacrifice shares many parallels with the much-loved hunting game, but offers interesting and fresh mechanics that set it apart in a compelling way. The core gameplay loop in Soul Sacrifice is hair-raisingly similar to Monster Hunter; you'll find yourself on a variety of missions, fighting against gigantic monsters, using a diverse arsenal of items and weapons, and strategically playing to the weaknesses of monsters. The game will continuously urge you to hone your skills to outsmart, outmaneuver, and ultimately defeat increasingly challenging adversaries. Not to mention, Soul Sacrifice's multiplayer mode allows for seamless online cooperation where you can team up with friends to tackle formidable beasts, enhancing the exhilaration of the hunt.
What truly shines in Soul Sacrifice and pulls it into an arena of its own is the rich narrative and the powerful sacrifice mechanic. Inspired by the moral dilemmas faced by a warrior, the game introduces an innovative system where you can sacrifice body parts to unleash powerful attacks, constituting a trade-off between strength and sustainability. This adds a unique layer of strategy not seen in Monster Hunter and makes each battle a sheer test of tactical choices. And unlike Monster Hunter, Soul Sacrifice is also heavily steeped in narrative, offering an astoundingly deep story that branches off into multiple paths and endings, making your decisions carry significant weight. It's a great way to shake up the Monster Hunter formula you're familiar with while adding new depths of gameplay and story.
Soul Sacrifice is available on PlayStation Vita, typically priced around $20 USD.
22. Freedom Wars
Freedom Wars is a thrilling game that shares a lot of splendid similarities with Monster Hunter, which you would definitely love if you found Monster Hunter enjoyable. Like Monster Hunter, Freedom Wars is a cooperative action role-playing game where you team up with other players to take down gigantic enemies. Both games feature intense combat, rich character customization, and deep strategy elements, but Freedom Wars takes it up a notch with its unique post-apocalyptic setting, captivating story, and innovative premise of fighting for your freedom in a dystopian future.
In terms of gameplay specifics, Freedom Wars borrows a lot from Monster Hunter's book. The large-scale battles against colossal foes called Abductors in Freedom Wars are reminiscent of Monster Hunter's exhilarating boss fights, requiring teamwork, strategy, and careful usage of your weapons and abilities. There's also a similar grind for materials to upgrade your gear, enhancing the sense of progression and achievement. However, Freedom Wars introduces some fresh mechanics like the grappling 'thorn' mechanism that truly sets it apart and provides a distinct, yet familiar gameplay experience to fans of Monster Hunter.
Freedom Wars is available on PlayStation Vita, typically priced around $20 USD.
21. Toukiden 2
Toukiden 2, like Monster Hunter, is an action-packed game that involves hunting down and defeating colossal beasts in thrilling combat. You'll spend a lot of your time preparing for these encounters, crafting weapons and armor from materials gathered during your battles, and mastering the art of timing your dodges, attacks, and special abilities, much like you would in Monster Hunter. The game's environment is expansive, filled with various biomes, littered with collectibles, and home to hordes of beasts, offering vast exploration and combat opportunities just as the territories of Monster Hunter.
Moreover, teamwork is an essential component of both games. In Toukiden 2, you're part of a unit known as Slayers. Working together with your AI-controlled companions is key to taking down tougher enemies. Just like Monster Hunter, the fights can be long and strategic, demanding well-planned approaches and making each victory feel tremendously rewarding. Also, both games feature diverse monster designs, incredible visual effects, and engrossing lore, making the hunting experience not only challenging but also visually arresting and narratively compelling.
Toukiden 2 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Microsoft Windows, typically priced around $59.99 USD.
20. Bloodborne
If you are a big fan of Monster Hunter, you will likely enjoy the action role-playing game Bloodborne. Both games share the thrilling hunting and combat experience that makes your heart race. In Bloodborne as in Monster Hunter, your successful hunts often require the strategic timing of attacks and dodges, learning your enemy's weak spots, and carefully selecting the right weapon for the occasion. What makes it interesting is that the success of your hunt heavily depends on your skills, pre-battle preparation, and ability to adapt to your enemy's behavior mid-battle, creating a truly engaging and challenging game experience.
The beautifully crafted gothic aesthetics and storyline of Bloodborne add a depth of immersion that can appeal to Monster Hunter players. Just as Monster Hunter drops you into a vibrant, living ecosystem full of towering beasts, Bloodborne immerses you into a nightmarishly beautiful city of Yharnam, haunted with horrific beasts lurking around every corner. In both games, every step through the sprawling, intricate world feels like a trek into the unknown, creating both suspense and excitement. The excitement of discovery and exploration found in Monster Hunter is very much alive in the engrossing world of Bloodborne, providing a dark twist to your hunting experience.
Bloodborne is available on PlayStation 4, and it is typically priced around $20 USD.
19. Hunt: Showdown
Like Monster Hunter, Hunt: Showdown is another exciting game that reels you in with its spectacular monster hunting experience. It introduces the concept of bounty hunting, where you, as a player, are tasked to track down, fight, and kill gruesome monsters lurking in the shadows of the expansive 1895 Louisiana swamps. This gameplay mechanics mirrors Monster Hunter's thrill of tracking down and battling epic creatures. Moreover, the intriguing strategies, preparation, and tactics employed before engaging monsters, and the adrenaline-fueled battles that ensue, evoke the same satisfying challenge as in Monster Hunter.
Adding to that, Hunt: Showdown boasts a distinctive multi-dimensional gameplay where it incorporates Player-vs-Player (PVP) elements along with its central Player-vs-Environment (PVE) monster hunting. You'll find yourself hunting the beast while also being hunted by other player teams aiming for the same goal. This competitive aspect beautifully meshes with the exhilarating monster hunting experience to create an even more thrilling experience. The game's unique 'permadeath' system means that stakes are significantly high, just like in Monster Hunter where one wrong move can cost you dearly. The game's gorgeous yet terrifyingly atmospheric world, challenging enemies, and high risk-reward factor all resonate with the appealing features you loved in Monster Hunter.
Hunt: Showdown is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms, typically priced around $40 USD.
18. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, like Monster Hunter, pays significant attention to its battle mechanics. The foes you encounter in this game aren't typical enemies that can be easily combated; they require careful preparation, tactical approaches, and strategic use of your Witcher abilities. These abilities range from swordplay, magical signs, and alchemy - all of which can be upgraded as the game progresses. Just as you hunt and gather materials in Monster Hunter, you'll often find yourself on the hunt for specific monster parts or natural resources in the Witcher 3's vast open world to create better potions, armors, and weapons.
There's also a similar sense of character evolution and critical decision-making in The Witcher 3, akin to Monster Hunter. These decisions affect the storyline, your character development, and your relationships with NPCs - something that really drives up the immersion in the game world. Additionally, The Witcher 3 places a great emphasis on exploration. With an enormous open-world environment filled with unique landscapes, hidden treasures, and fearsome creatures - it'd satisfy the itch that most Monster Hunter players have for exploration and discovery.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms, typically priced around $40 USD.
17. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn shares plenty of gameplay mechanics with Monster Hunter which you would absolutely love. Both games primarily involve hunting gigantic monsters using a wide array of weapons and tactical strategies. In Horizon Zero Dawn, you play as Aloy, a skilled hunter in a world overrun by mechanical creatures. Like Monster Hunter, each creature in the game has distinct behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses that you need to understand in order to effectively hunt them. The combat is deeply satisfying and every confrontation with these fearsome creatures feels like an epic battle, much like the thrilling monster hunts that you enjoyed in Monster Hunter.
Another familiar aspect is the focus on resource gathering and crafting. Horizon Zero Dawn does it splendidly, encouraging exploration in its lush and intriguing open-world, teeming with resources you can use to upgrade your weapons, craft ammunition or create traps for your hunts. Similar to Monster Hunter, you’re also bestowed with a variety of tools and gear that assist in navigating the world, detecting enemies and gathering resources from your kills. Additionally, its captivating story, amazing characters, and stunning graphics just add to the immersive gaming experience. So if you're a fan of the hunting and crafting gameplay of Monster Hunter, Horizon Zero Dawn should be next on your list.
Horizon Zero Dawn is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and also on PC via Steam, typically priced around $20 USD.
16. Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV bears striking similarities to Monster Hunter in terms of gameplay mechanics and style. Much like in Monster Hunter, you're tasked with hunting down gigantic beasts, although in this case it's in a vast, dynamic, and immersive open-world environment teeming with life and opportunities. There's a comprehensive combat system where preparation is key. For example, you can research your target's weaknesses, locate them on the map, and utilize strategy to defeat them. The element of precise timing, attack patterns recognition, and coordinated team tactics in FFXV will feel very familiar to Monster Hunter players.
It absolutely nails the camaraderie aspect amalgamated into the narrative, reminiscent of Monster Hunter's cooperative play spirit. You forge a bond with your fellow compatriots, who aid you in battle. But it's not all serious business; you can also engage in fun side activities, like cooking and exploring, which directly affects your abilities in battle, much like the food buffs in Monster Hunter. In addition, the in-game universe is a splendid blend of fantasy and reality, filled with exotic landscapes, captivating storyline, and compelling character development, much like the breadth and depth of Monster Hunter's universe.
Final Fantasy XV is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Series S, and PC, typically priced around $20 to $35 USD, often varying depending on sales and discounts available.
15. Rage 2
Rage 2 distinctly resembles Monster Hunter in the perspective of the game's autonomy and player's freedom of exploration. Just as in Monster Hunter, you get to traverse through a vast open-world environment in Rage 2, discovering different realms and encountering a variety of creatures and enemies. The game offers a certain element of unpredictability as you never exactly know what kind of enemy you will encounter next, which might excite you as you enjoyed that aspect in Monster Hunter.
Another similarity is the immense focus on combat and character progression. Rage 2 places a significant emphasis on upgrading your weaponry and skills, just like in Monster Hunter where you gather materials to enhance your gear and abilities. Each victory carries great significance, not just for the satisfaction of defeating a powerful adversary but for the improvements it brings to your character as well. The combat system in both games does require tactical decisions making each encounter a thrilling challenge.
Rage 2 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, typically priced around $29 USD.
14. Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III and Monster Hunter share some similarities that make them shine in their respective genres. Like Monster Hunter, Dark Souls III offers a very rich, deep combat system where every move, dodge, and attack counts. Both games require strategic thinking, planning, and timing to defeat enemies, particularly bosses. In both games, you can collect various weapons, gear, and items to improve your character's abilities and adapt to different combat situations. Dark Souls III adds the unique mechanic of a Stamina bar, which forces you to manage your attacks and dodges carefully to avoid completely depleting your energy, giving an additional layer of strategy and making victory feel even more rewarding.
Both games also have incredibly immersive worlds that encourage exploration and discovery. Dark Souls III introduces an intricate, interconnected world where you can access different areas and make unpredictable progress the more you explore, similar to Monster Hunter’s vast maps. The narrative is also presented subtly through environmental storytelling, which allows you to piece together the lore and mysteries of the world at your own pace. The rich, atmospheric visuals and soundtrack of Dark Souls III make the game a truly immersive experience, much like the fantastic creature designs and landscapes in Monster Hunter.
Dark Souls III is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, typically priced around $60 USD.
13. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
The first parallel that Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen holds with Monster Hunter is the involved combat system that both games bolster. Like Monster Hunter, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen presents quite challenging battles, underpinned by careful character and equipment customization, as you engage behemoths and mythical beings that would put a shiver down any seasoned hunter's spine. Whether it's climbing up a ferocious griffin mid-flight, strategizing with your AI companions to take down a formidable ogre, or utilizing the environment to your advantage, every encounter feels expansive, tactical and rich in RPG depth, much like the experience Monster Hunter offers.
Another common ground between these two games is their focus on exploration. Similar to Monster Hunter, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is an open-world adventure that encourages you to delve into its fantasy setting, with an engrossing world teeming with dungeons to discover, secrets to unearth, and creatures to encounter. The added bonus of day and night cycles also brings a thrilling sense of unpredictability, making it akin to the ever-changing Monster Hunter environment, where preparation pays dividends to your survival. The pawn system, where you can share warriors and their experiences with other players online, presents an intriguing blend of cooperative multiplayer reminiscent of Monster Hunter's group hunting spirit.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC, typically priced around $30 USD.
12. Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus shares much in common with Monster Hunter, providing a compelling gameplay experience for those who've enjoyed the latter. The essence of both games revolves around hunting giant creatures, relying on tactical strategies, and exploiting their weaknesses to bring them down. Shadow of the Colossus takes this concept to the extreme, focusing each of its missions on a single, monumental boss fight. You're not dispatched on quests to grind smaller beasts but are directly challenged with enormous, awe-inspiring colossi that require careful planning and timely execution to defeat - an aspect I'm sure you'd appreciate as a Monster Hunter player.
In terms of the environment, both Monster Hunter and Shadow of the Colossus immerse players in expansive, detailed landscapes filled with exotic fauna and flora. Like Monster Hunter, Shadow of the Colossus has an open world for players to explore between battles, concealing cryptic secrets and stunning vistas. However, its tone is more atmospheric, almost melancholic, contrasting with the high energy and lively vibe of Monster Hunter. Mechanically, you'd find that weapons handling, approaching, climbing, and taking down these gigantic colossi in Shadow of the Colossus feels remarkably akin to hunting down large monsters in Monster Hunter.
Shadow of the Colossus is available on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, typically priced around $20 USD.
11. Lost Planet 2
Lost Planet 2 echoes Monster Hunter in numerous aspects, offering an enticing experience for fans of the latter. As Monster Hunter does, Lost Planet 2 pits you and your friends against mammoth-sized beasts in vast, interactive terrains. Interestingly, elements like needing to constantly move and tactically device plans while fighting these creatures mirror Monster Hunter's gameplay. The combat mechanics and multiplayer co-op module of Lost Planet 2 are also reminiscent of the Monster Hunter series, making for both an exhilarating and challenging gameplay experience.
Hunting large creatures, which forms the crux of Monster Hunter, is also tastefully implemented in Lost Planet 2. In this game, you'd literally be taking down skyscraper-sized beasts with a wide array of weapons and mechs. Additionally, the crafting system in Lost Planet 2 resembles that of Monster Hunter, where hunting and defeating enemies yield resources which can be used to upgrade weapons and equipment. Here, you're not just fighting monsters; you're strategizing, surviving and constantly scanning your environment to function efficiently - all elements that make the Monster Hunter series a hit among action RPG enthusiasts.
Lost Planet 2 is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows, typically priced around $20 USD.
10. Phantasy Star Online 2
Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) and Monster Hunter share considerable similarities that would surely pique your interest, as a Monster Hunter fan. Firstly, both games revolve around the same concept; battling fierce monsters in extensive and rich landscapes. In PSO2, just like Monster Hunter, you can create and customize your avatar, choose your class, and decide your combat style. The close-quarters combat in PSO2 is as intense and strategic as Monster Hunter, and being well-prepared before jumping into battles is a crucial tactic in both games.
Additionally, an integral part of both games involves the collection of resources to upgrade your weapons and armor for the integrity of the battles. PSO2's crafting system is akin to Monster Hunter's and is utilised to boost up your strength. Furthermore, both games have dense and thoroughly planned environments. The creatures are meticulously designed, adding a level of complexity and challenging the player's wit. In terms of the multiplayer feature, PSO2, like Monster Hunter, lets you cooperate with other players and combine strategies to defeat the big bosses, fostering the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie.
Phantasy Star Online 2 is available on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, typically priced around $0 USD as the game operates on a free-to-play model with in-game purchases and an optional subscription service.
9. Vindictus
If you're a fan of Monster Hunter, then I highly recommend trying out Vindictus. Much like Monster Hunter, Vindictus is rich with intense action, challenging battles and epic boss fights. It's significantly fast-paced, pushing players to strategize and master the movements of their enemies. Playing this game, you'll need to study your opponents, learn their attack patterns and take advantage of your surroundings in the same way you would in Monster Hunter. And just like in Monster Hunter, failures offer lessons for growth and progression, making the triumphs even more satisfying.
Moreover, Vindictus brings a Monster Hunter appeal with its deep crafting system. As a player, you collect loot and resources after a good hunt to craft and upgrade your armour and weapons - a core element in Monster Hunter. The ability to choose different characters, each with unique abilities and play-styles, adds a layer of personalisation that you would appreciate. An added bonus is the game's stunning graphics which immerses the player into intricate environments akin to the captivating aesthetics in Monster Hunter.
Vindictus is available on PCs, typically priced around $0 USD, as it runs on a free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases.
8. Monster Hunter Stories
Monster Hunter Stories shares the rich, diverse universe seen in Monster Hunter but it showcases a new perspective, focusing on building relationships with the beasts instead of battling them. However, don't be fooled, the beast battles are still there, but this time round, they are your allies. You'll scour the land in search for monster eggs, each containing a new potential companion for you to hatch, name, and nurture. The joy of discovering and befriending a rare or favored beast is deeply fulfilling, keeping that thrilling chase for more powerful creatures that Monster Hunter fans know and love.
The game still utilizes mechanics found in core Monster Hunter games, too. A variety of weapons and armor are at your disposal, which you can upgrade and improve using materials and resources you find in-game – in a similar way to crafting in Monster Hunter. Also, just as with any Monster Hunter game, preparing for your journey is as important as the journey itself. You will need to strategize and manage resources, making sure you're well equipped for whatever you might find. Just like the mainline games, Monster Hunter Stories encourages exploration, each new environment providing a new array of creatures, items, and challenges. Even the battle system embodies a turn-based structure that involves strategy and thinking ahead, retaining the tactical focus of the Monster Hunter series.
Monster Hunter Stories is available on Nintendo 3DS, iOS and Android, typically priced around $40 USD.
7. RuneScape
Runescape, much like Monster Hunter, carries a strong appeal to the adventurous spirit with its vast, open world teeming with all sorts of creatures for you to hunt and combat mechanics that provide a sense of satisfaction similar to the one you gain from finally slaying a monster in Monster Hunter. Various beasts and bosses that reside in Runescape’s diverse biomes carry their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, prompting you to adapt your battle strategy accordingly, effectively mimicking the thrill and excitement of Monster Hunter's hunts. The game offers a comprehensive loot system where every successful hunt is rewarded, boosting your equipment and skillsets gradually as you progress. Just like in Monster Hunter, the better you get, the bigger the beasts you can take down!
Runescape also offers a very player-driven economy where you can opt to forge, trade and upgrade weapons or other useful items, not unlike the crafting and forging system in Monster Hunter that lets you utilise materials gathered by slaying monsters to create a broad arsenal of weapons and armour sets. The whole experience of Runescape encourages you to master skills, be it combative or mundane, ultimately embarking on quests or battling hard-hitting bosses that ramp up the challenge and the excitement. The social aspect of the game, bringing players together to form clans, share tips or team up against difficult bosses, adds yet another dimension to the game that Monster Hunter fans would certainly appreciate.
Runescape is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS platforms, typically priced around Free-to-play with optional in-game purchases. So, if you're looking for a game experience reminiscent of Monster Hunter, Runescape is definitely worth diving into.
6. Terraria
If you're a die-hard fan of Monster Hunter and seeking something engaging and equally challenging, you'd love Terraria. It's an action-adventure sandbox game that, like Monster Hunter, is packed with a wide array of different enemies, items to collect, and challenging bosses. Similar to Monster Hunter's endless grind to create the ultimate gear set, Terraria also boasts countless resources to collect and combine to forge the most powerful tools and weapons. The game pushes you to be creative and strategic, enhancing your overall gaming experience and keeping you forever engaged.
Terraria will remind you of Monster Hunter, not only because of its intensive grinding but also because of its expansive gameplay. Terraria offers a vast world to explore, much similar to the varied terrains in Monster Hunter. There are several different environments, each with its unique set of monsters and treasures to collect. The game also contains multiplayer elements, like Monster Hunter, allowing you to team up with friends and take on greater bosses or challenges together. The game's combat system is robust and keeps you on the edge of your seat, just like the intense battles you'd experience in Monster Hunter.
Terraria is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox one, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, typically priced around $30 USD.
5. Evolve
If you love the thrill of teaming up with friends to hunt down ferocious beasts in Monster Hunter, then Evolve might be the next game you need to explore. Similar to Monster Hunter, Evolve focuses on co-op gameplay where you and your friends form a team to combat against gigantic creatures. Each player gets to take a unique role, similar to classes in Monster Hunter, bringing a whole different set of skills and abilities into the gameplay mix. The more you play, the more comfortable and skilled you become with your particular role, furthering the sense of progression and personal achievement notably reminiscent of Monster Hunter's systems.
Evolve takes the concept of hunting and applies it in a PvP format where one player gets to be the monster, while the rest form the hunting party. This asymmetric multiplayer design pushes teamwork to the fore, garnering another similarity with Monster Hunter where careful coordination and planning often lead to an exhilarating victory. The thrill of hunting as the monster brings an engaging twist to the popular hunting genre, especially when the roles reverse and you're the one being hunted, adding another layer to your Monster Hunter-like experiences.
Evolve is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, typically priced around $30 USD.
4. Skyrim
Both The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Monster Hunter share a strong emphasis on exploration in massive, immersive open-world environments. You'll feel that same rush of discovery in Skyrim as you traversed virgin territories in Monster Hunter, stumbling upon mysterious caves, enchanted forests, and long-abandoned ruins. Similarly to Monster Hunter, Skyrim is teeming with a variety of creatures to be vanquished. The ranging difficulty and power of these enemies offer a diverse combat experience that builds up tension and strategy just as each hunt does in Monster Hunter.
The role-playing aspect in Skyrim is another commonality it shares with Monster Hunter. You have the ability to customize and upgrade your character's skills, weapons, and armor, tailoring your playstyle to your preferences. This allows for a broad spectrum of combat styles, varying from close-quarters barbarian strength to stealthy archery or arcane wizardry. Add to this a robust crafting system akin to Monster Hunter where you gather various materials to improve weapons and armor or create powerful potions, and you have another layer of satisfying gameplay leaning into the RPG genre. Completion of rewarding side-quests can provide you essential resources, tight parallel with the side tasks in Monster Hunter.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game is typically priced around $40 USD.
3. Worms Armageddon
Worms Armageddon, like Monster Hunter, revolves around strategy, teamwork, and the use of different weapons and tools in taking down your enemies. The core mechanic in both games is to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents and take calculated steps for victory. This is cranked up a notch in Worms Armageddon, which relies heavily on the destruction of environments, making every battle almost like a puzzle to watch the movements and decisions of your opponents carefully to determine your course of action.
Additionally, the excitement of discovering new tools and weapons is a key aspect both the Monster Hunter and Worms Armageddon share. In Monster Hunter, you craft and test different armaments against various beasts and in Worms Armageddon, you unlock and utilize an array of comedy-inspired weapons like exploding sheep or killer grannies, introducing unique ways to strategize your attack. This sense of anticipation and progression is something that gives both games a high replayability factor and provides an endless source of amusement and fun.
Worms Armageddon is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, typically priced around $15 USD.
2. Trove
Trove shares some characteristics with Monster Hunter that you might find interesting. One primary aspect is the thrill of the hunt, tackling powerful bosses and raking in the rewards for your brave feats. Just like Monster Hunter, the strength you gain in Trove comes less from leveling up in the traditional sense, and more from finding better gear, which is dropped from your vanquished foes, so you're always motivated to keep fighting and exploring, constantly improving your equipment.
Moreover, Trove also offers a robust crafting system akin to that of Monster Hunter. Gathering materials throughout the world not only allows you to craft custom equipment but also helps in erecting personal buildings and structures, adding a component of sandbox terrain manipulation which is like the base customization feature in Monster Hunter. Dominantly, the sense of discovery and the joy of progression system in Trove are much like Monster Hunter; each new fight is an opportunity to grow stronger, regardless of whether that growth comes from gaining resources, seasoning your skills, or simply learning more about the way the world works.
Trove is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS, typically priced around $0 USD as it's a free-to-play game with in-game purchases.
1. Guild Wars 2
If you're a fan of Monster Hunter because of the thrilling boss fights and strategy that goes into each encounter, then Guild Wars 2 will certainly satisfy you. Just like Monster Hunter, Guild Wars 2 offers an assortment of large scale encounters requiring careful preparation and tactics to bring down fearsome creatures. In fact, you must figure out attack patterns of the monsters and choosing the right weapon after analyzing their weaknesses, much like in Monster Hunter. Cooperation plays a pivotal role and players often find themselves strategizing with others in order to take down these gargantuan creatures in larger group content.
Another parallel between the two games is the depth of customization. Guild Wars 2 offers deep character customization even allowing players to tailor their class skills. Your equipments can be upgraded and modified; hence, there is that same cycle of hunting down beasts to upgrade your gear. Moreover, both games offer a living, dynamic world, filled with immediate events. Similarly to Monster Hunter, these events can happen at any time and players in the vicinity can choose to participate, stimulating that sense of actual hunting parties dealing with sudden monster attacks.
Guild Wars 2 is available on Windows and macOS, typically priced around $30 USD.
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