Monster Hunter Stories 2 - Switch/PC - Free trial with save carry over

Monster Hunter Stories is a turn-based RPG spin-off from the main series where instead of hunting monsters you befriend them and fight alongside them as a "rider" - think Pokemon in the Monster Hunter universe. The first game released very late on the 3DS so was easily missed, becoming a bit of a hidden gem like the similarly fated Ever Oasis. Stories 2 is deliberately standalone then - it follows on a few years after the first game, so while there are references to the first and some returning characters it should be easily accessible to newcomers. From playing the trial version - the first several hours of the game, with save carry over to the main game on release - it does seem that way!

I played the trial over the weekend and beat it in just over 7 hours, so it's a very generous demo. You could probably run through it in 3 hours easily enough but I was happily exploring and ticking off side quests. If you've played the first game you'll be right at home (and it probably won't do anything to change your mind if you didn't like the first game), but it looks great on the Switch and some new monsters and tweaked mechanics are welcome additions. Like the first game it doesn't seem like it will be particularly challenging but the combat is engaging enough. The production values are where it shines, I think, with a lot of attention to detail and obviously a lot of care put in to making the game reflect and be a part of the wider series.

Anyone else played the demo yet? Planning on getting the game? And did anyone else here actually play the original? :lol:

Orange, I believe this thread is just a ruse for you to mention Ever Oasis! :lol:

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I do have the original Stories for 3DS but - surprise! - I haven't given it a go yet. I like the styling, though, and this sequel does look great. A seven hour demo?!? I shall download it later.

And, yeah, Ever Oasis I did play some of and it was very good

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Just entering this thread to clamour for Ever Oasis on Switch. :wub:

I do think this looks really pretty but I thought the original was a solid 5/10.

Yeah I don't think it will do anything to change your mind Balla. Personally I'm now eagerly awaiting the full game and it'll probably be one of my favourites of the year! Having a generous trial version is great though - anyone who isn't sure has plenty there to make their mind up on.

The demo is fantastic. Graphic, sound, gameplay and style are all winning me over. I've finished the demo and it ends at such an exciting moment. Really makes me wish the game was out today.

Ooh, didn't know the demo was out! I'll be giving that a try ASAP :toot:

Jenuall wrote:Ooh, didn't know the demo was out! I'll be giving that a try ASAP

Play Rise

But in all honesty I think some of the game's appeal requires a familiarity with the franchise. The monster designs for example are coming from a different genre of game where the design isn't just aesthetic but also functional which I think helps appreciate them more. I reckon people can have fun with it regardless but there is definitely more to notice in the details for Monster Hunter fans - all the repurposed items, for example, and the animations. Like how Age of Calamity assumes you've played Breath of the Wild.

I have played Rise, Mario Hunter Rise :datass:

But yeah I appreciate that series familiarity is going to be part of the appeal so I will have to bear that in mind. Rise is still on the to do list (now that I've got through Horizon ZD it may actually get a look in as well!) but I figured there would be no harm in giving the demo of Stories 2 a go in the meantime!

OrangeRKN wrote:But in all honesty I think some of the game's appeal requires a familiarity with the franchise. The monster designs for example are coming from a different genre of game where the design isn't just aesthetic but also functional which I think helps appreciate them more.

Definitely this. One of my big gripes about the original was how dull the monster designs were, and in particular how every other offering was a generic-looking lizard or dragon. Where MonHun fans saw unique attributes that often didn't fully express themselves in MHS' battles, I saw yet another scaly boy.

Of course, now I'm playing Rise and have several times on starting missions thought, 'Yet another scaly boy.' :slol:

When you play enough Monster Hunter you just start seeing the skeletons.

I hope not, my lad Zamtrios' belly needs to make the cut.

Actually my two favourite monsters from Stories (Zamtrios and Qurupeco) were both dropped for Rise. Meanwhile fecking Basarios made it in.

The gameplay during Treehouse more or less sold me and I really enjoyed the demo from the small amount I played. It seems like a pretty meaty game with some interesting depth. Just sucks it's releasing so close to other games. I'll have to hold off it for now.

Do you need to have played the first one of these? I have it on 3DS but not played it yet.

ITSMILNER wrote:Do you need to have played the first one of these? I have it on 3DS but not played it yet.

Nah you can just jump straight into 2 no problem it seems.

You do need to play Rise first apparently :roll:

Downloaded the demo for my son at the weekend; he loved it, finished it yesterday and wants the full game! Must give it a go myself.

8 hours in and a couple of little quests left to do before I enter the final area and save the game to continue with the full release.

I normally don't like turn based games but this works. Probably due to the animations, colour and over that top nature of it all.

twitter.com/Nintendeal/status/1411546627102298115

It looks looks like Capcom have cheaped out on the cart. If the required download space is "at least 15 Gb" then perhaps they're only using a 1 Gb cart?

Conscious that the packaging shown is American but it'd be a surprise if the UK/European one was any different.

Edit: Gaming news sites indicate that the download version is around 14 to 15 Gb... which suggests that there is virtually nothing on the cart!

The game has a Monster Hunter Rise style road map of free content which looks excellent.

Hopefully my copy arrives for launch day.

jawaX wrote:

twitter.com/Nintendeal/status/1411546627102298115

It looks looks like Capcom have cheaped out on the cart. If the required download space is "at least 15 Gb" then perhaps they're only using a 1 Gb cart?

Conscious that the packaging shown is American but it'd be a surprise if the UK/European one was any different.

Edit: Gaming news sites indicate that the download version is around 14 to 15 Gb... which suggests that there is virtually nothing on the cart!

This is ridiculous. I'd generally rather they just didn't release a physical version than release a not-really-physical version

15GB is big too. I don't tend to keep much installed on my Switch that's over 1GB.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 - Switch/PC - Free trial with save carry over

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