The Monster Hunter series has been on a roll in these past few months, releasing an exclusive for the Switch and returning for the all-new spin-off sequel Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Focusing on taming the series’ beasts rather than slaying them, the side adventure takes a wild approach to mainstay conventions, offering a colorful visual style as well as a turn-based combat system not unlike the Pokémon games. The story itself centers on the player’s quest to explore the mysterious disappearance of Rathalos’ as well as the descending apocalypse.

Offering a unique spin on the series and packing a hefty post-launch roadmap, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is certainly shaping up to be a bright addition to the franchise. With all that said, how is the title actually faring with critics? Well, according to emerging reviews, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an approachably fun entry point for lapsed fans and newcomers, presenting lovely visuals and a surprising amount of depth to the gameplay. However, it’s noted that the title may not fully take off for those hunting for something a bit deeper.

• IGN – 80/100

“Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a beautifully presented JRPG with a plethora of fun things to do and deep systems I happily got lost in – but a few issues leave it short of being flawless.”

• PC Gamer – 80/100

“Monster Hunter Stories 2 may look cute, but it still retains the huge amount of depth the series is known for. No, it’s not as expansive or as fast-paced as the likes of Monster Hunter World but that works in its favour. Stories 2 is the approachable series entry point I’ve been waiting for and has inspired me to return to other games in the series to test out my skills again.”

• Screen Rant – 70/100

“If Monster Hunter Stories 2 allowed the player full control over the party and made it more about customizing a team, then the overall experience would make it an excellent entry in the franchise. Even without, it’s a very good turn-based monster collector with broad appeal that’s worth a look for fans of the genre.”

• Siliconera – 90/100

“Monster Hunter Stories 2 is not only a friendly way to ease into an otherwise imposing series. It’s also an example of a developer improving upon every flaw from the original game. The result is a game that is one of the best I’ve played so far in 2021.”

• Wccftech – 80/100

“Geared towards a younger or perhaps less experienced player base, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin carves off a big piece of hunting joy while trimming away the fat.”

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin will release for PC and Nintendo Switch on July 9th. What do you think? Are you looking forward to picking up your own copy, or are you waiting for the next mainline Monster Hunter sequel? 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!

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