Coming off the monstrous success of Monster Hunter World, Capcom has decidedly kept the beast battles coming with another new entry in Monster Hunter Rise. Releasing exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, the all-new game has largely kept with the sprawling behemoth-slaying premise most fans are familiar with while sprinkling in new features such as the Wirebug grappling tool, a very pooch-esque Palamute companion, as well as Wyvern Riding, a maneuver allowing players to fly aboard a wild dragon.

Considering the series’ consistent popularity these days, there’s certainly quite a bit of anticipation currently swirling Monster Hunter Rise in the lead-up to its release. However, how is the creature battling RPG faring with critics? Well, according to emerging reviews, ‘Rise’ appears to be rising to the occasion with multiple outlets lauding the game’s fast-paced and colorful approach to the Monster Hunter formula. However, the game’s emphasis on post-launch online modes may not prove to be as fulfilling for some.

Eurogamer – “Essential”

“With smart additions that move the series forward, this is the most accessible, deepest and simply very best Monster Hunter to date.”

Game Informer – 78/100

“Beyond mounting monsters and using the wirebug to wall-run in spectacular fashion, not much else distinguishes Monster Hunter Rise from the installments that came before. It has enough endgame content to keep you occupied long after the credits roll (if you don’t mind copious amounts of grinding) and multiplayer is still the optimal way to play, but the excitement of my early hunts waned before long. Monster Hunter Rise is far from being the next definitive chapter in the series. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a polished-but-conventional adventure with a few small-scale nuances, then you’ll be right at home in Kamura Village.”

GamesRadar+ – 80/100

“Monster Hunter Rise is a great adventure, providing fascinating new tools like the Wirebug and walking a fine line between arcade and fast-paced HD gameplay. The Rampages are a neat new addition when used sparingly, but a reliance on online hunts to finish Rise’s story is a puzzling step.”

IGN – 80/100

“Monster Hunter Rise mixes classic Monster Hunter ideas with some of World’s best improvements and a whole bunch of clever new mechanics of its own. Not all of them are slam dunks, but they are all fun – and the introduction of Wirebugs and the mobility they bring to every fight is so great I never want to give them up. The post-launch updates Capcom is already teasing can’t come soon enough, but Monster Hunter Rise is still a thrilling step forward in the series’ evolution toward the new normal World so boldly introduced.”

Nintendo Life – 90/100

“New mechanics, monsters and a gorgeous setting make Monster Hunter Rise a new high-water mark for the franchise. The Wirebug, Switch Skills, Palamute and carefully thought-out monsters shake things up enough to make the game feel fresh for hunters who have previously spent thousands of hours with the series, and while the package could be slightly intimidating for newcomers, it’s arguably the ideal place to get started if you’re serious about getting into the franchise. And, with a peerless four-player multiplayer experience, the new Rampage quests are a blast. After spending some serious time with the game, it’s very easy to say that Monster Hunter Rise is one of the strongest entries into the franchise to date, and another stone-cold classic for the Nintendo Switch.”

Monster Hunter Rise releases for Nintendo Switch on March 26th, with a PC port set to release in 2022. ​What do you think? Are you glad to see ‘Rise’ get such good reviews, or are you just wondering how worthwhile the game’s post-launch is going to be? ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!

If you enjoy this writer’s work, please consider supporting them by tossing a Ko-fi their way! Every little bit helps and aims to keep DFTG independent and free of bias. Thank you so much for your support! Eric Hall @ Ko-fi