Monster Hunter Rise Review (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One)

Initial release date: March 26, 2021

Developer: Capcom

Series: Monster Hunter

Genres: Shooter game, Fighting game, Action role-playing game, Action-adventure game

Nominations: The Game Award for Best Multiplayer Game, The Game Award for Best Role Playing Game

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Publishers: Capcom, Capcom U.S.A., Inc.

"Review Copy Provided By Capcom"

As a fan of the Monster Hunter series, I was excited to learn that the next big entry, Monster Hunter Rise, was being released on the PS5, even though it originally started life on the Nintendo Switch. However, after playing the game, I can confidently say that it is every bit as good as its predecessor, Monster Hunter: World. The work that Capcom put into the PS5 port has improved the game's graphics and frame rate, making the gameplay even more enjoyable. Rise offers the same seamless and expansive environments as World, and also includes new features that make tracking down the game's titans even more fun. I had the opportunity to review the PS5 port of the game, thanks to an early-access review code provided by Capcom. I primarily play the game on PC, so the footage I will be showing is from the early parts of the PS5 version. Overall, I'm excited to see how the gameplay will be refined in the full version of the game.

Monster Hunter Rise is a mission-based game where players are assigned to hunt a specific monster within a given time limit. The missions take place in various environments with diverse ecosystems and multiple elevations that players must navigate to find their prey. Players can collect materials on the map to craft potions and traps, and also gather small creatures called endemic life to boost their stats. Additionally, players have access to animal companions such as the Wirebug, Palamute and Palico that aid them during the hunt. The Wirebug allows players to swing through the air and climb mountains, the Palamute is a large dog-like creature that players can ride for faster travel, and the Palico is a humanoid cat that assist players in battle with traps and gadgets.

The main objective in Monster Hunter Rise is to hunt and defeat monsters in order to prepare for a catastrophic event known as "The Rampage." This event occurs every 50 years, where monsters band together and go on a destructive rampage, destroying everything in their path. The player's home village, Kamura, was almost destroyed by this phenomenon 50 years ago, and it is now showing signs of happening again. As a hunter appointed by Kamura, the player must defend the village and uncover the cause of the monsters' behavior in order to end "The Rampage." The plot of the game is a typical monster-hunting story, with the main focus being on hunting and defeating unique monsters based on Japanese mythology, rather than a complex narrative with extensive character development.

In Monster Hunter Rise, players have the choice of 14 different weapon types, each with its own distinct set of moves, strengths and weaknesses. The Wirebug, a giant insect that produces ironsilk, can be used to perform aerial attacks and execute powerful moves called "Silkbind Attacks" in combat. Additionally, the Wyvern Riding mechanic allows players to temporarily take control of a monster by using the Wirebug's ironsilk, allowing them to attack other monsters or make them crash into walls. This allows players to use the monsters as a tool during fights and make the combat more dynamic.

After successfully hunting or capturing a monster, players collect their body parts as a reward, which can be taken back to Kamura Village's smithy to be used to forge powerful weapons and armor. This forms the core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter Rise, and it is just as enjoyable as it was on the Nintendo Switch. The game is incredibly satisfying as players learn to read the monster's attack patterns, dodge and counter them with the new Silkbind Attacks. Players are motivated to hunt the monsters multiple times to collect their body parts to create new weapons and armor with unique designs, similar to Monster Hunter 4 and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate.

One of the standout features of the PC, PS4/5, and Xbox version of Monster Hunter Rise is that it includes all the free post-launch updates that the Nintendo Switch version received up until Ver. 3.6.1 (the November 2021 update). This includes the conclusion of the High-Rank quest storyline, new monsters to hunt, and Event Quests that offer new weapons, armor, poses, emotes, stickers, and more. This means that PS5 players will have immediate access to all the content available in the game, without having to wait for the PS5 port's content to catch up to the console version, as happened with the PC port of Monster Hunter World.

Unfortunately, there is currently no crossplay feature available in any version of Monster Hunter Rise. This means that players on different platforms, such as PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X, cannot play with or against each other in multiplayer mode. This is a significant missed opportunity for Capcom as crossplay allows players from different platforms to play together and expand the pool of players to play with. It also increase player retention and satisfaction as the player can play with friends regardless of the platform they are on.

In addition to the standard hunting quests, Monster Hunter Rise also features Rampage Quests, which are tower-defense-like missions where players must defend Kamura Village from waves of attacking monsters during "The Rampage". In these quests, players have access to various tools such as defense turrets, environmental traps, and NPC allies to help fend off the monsters. They also have the ability to use gongs that grant a massive damage boost to players and teammates when rung. To complete Rampage Quests, players must protect the gates of Kamura Village until the timer runs out or defeat the leader of the attacking horde, which can be a Major Threat, an enlarged version of a regular monster, or an Apex monster, a highly mutated and immune variant with powerful new attacks. The Rampage Quests are particularly enjoyable when played in multiplayer, as players can coordinate to take down the Apex monster while another player blasts it with cannons. The rewards for successfully completing these quests are also worth the planning and effort.

The graphical enhancements of the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Monster Hunter Rise are one of the biggest selling points of the game. Compared to the Nintendo Switch version's frame rate of 30 FPS and resolution of 780p, the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions offer a significant upgrade with a frame rate of 120 FPS and resolution of 1080p or 4K, along with a variable refresh rate. Additionally, this version also includes other graphical upgrades such as high-resolution textures, motion blur, depth of field, anti-aliasing, and detailed shadows, making for a more visually stunning experience. On the Nintendo Switch version, players often found the input commands to be unresponsive, causing attacks to fail and forcing them to rely on button-mashing. With the higher frame rates in the PS5 and next-gen versions, this issue is no longer present and the combat system is smoother and more enjoyable, particularly during the hectic Rampage Quests.

Furthermore, the improved resolution makes the monster hunting experience more immersive. The monsters appear more detailed and attractive with better textured scales and fur, and the special effects of attacks have also been visually enhanced. The anti-aliasing smoothens out the edges and the improved visual effects enable players to better see what's happening on-screen, making the battles more engaging to watch.

Overall, the PS5 version of Monster Hunter Rise is a superior experience compared to the Nintendo Switch version due to the enhancements made for the PS5. The game offers some of the best combat mechanics in the series, the new monsters are a joy to hunt, and the improved frame rate and resolution enhance the hunting experience. While there are some minor drawbacks, they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. If you're searching for a fun and engaging multiplayer game on PS5, then Monster Hunter Rise is a must-try when it releases in January 2023. It's an excellent way to start off the new year.