Summary
Pokemonhas continued to be a massive influence on the gaming industry since its debut in 1996. To this day, many games include elements ofPokemon’s gameplay within their own, primarily when it comes to the creature-collecting side of things.Games likePalworldhave no shame in theirPokemoninfluences, as they make it very well-known what they were inspired by. Even so, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, asPokemonestablished a satisfying gameplay loop that games like it would be crazy not to imitate.Monster Hunter Storiesand its sequel,Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, are two of those games that proudly wear theirPokemoninfluences on their sleeves.
TheMonster Hunterfranchise is not known for its creature-collecting gameplay. As its name suggests,Monster Hunteris about hunting monsters, not capturing them — although it’s possible to capture monsters in games likeMonster Hunter: World, but only for the crafting materials. However,Monster Hunter Storiesand its sequel areMonster Hunterspin-offs and therefore don’t necessarily need to follow the traditionalMonster Hunterformula. Rather than implementing a regular gameplay loop of hunting monsters and crafting gear,Monster Hunter Storiesmakes its top priority the story, though there is still a fair bit of combat and crafting involved. Apart from its honed-in focus on the story, theMonster Hunter Storiesseries introduces plenty ofPokemon-like gameplay elements to keep players around for the long haul.
Monster Hunter Stories' Pokemon Influence Is Clear as Day
Monster Hunter Stories Sees Players Rescuing (not Hunting) Monsters
The story may be the main fuel of theMonster Hunter Storiesseries, but its gameplay comes down to hunting down monster eggs and then hatching them using the game’s Stables. Once a monster is born from an egg, it becomes the player’s “Monstie,” which is a term used to denote its bond with the player and differentiate it from a normal monster. All Monsties can be used in combat, and some can even be used as mounts. This is whereMonster Hunter Stories’Pokemoninfluencetruly shines, as thePokemonseries allows players to do the same with the various Pokemon they find.
Players' Monsties Partner With Them in Monster Hunter Stories' Combat
After players find a monster egg in theMonster Hunter Storiesseries and hatch it, their Monstie will be available to fight alongside them in combat against the dangerous monsters that roam the wilds. Apart from the collection side of things, this is one of the main appeals of capturing Pokemon in thePokemonseries, as fighting alongside Pokemon will make them more powerful. This then helps Pokemon defeat the various trainers and bosses in each game and weaken even stronger Pokemon to prepare them for capture.Monsties inMonster Hunter Storiesfunction similarly, except monsters can’t be captured, only hatched.
Monsties inMonster Hunter Storiesonly serve the purpose of assisting the player in defeating other monsters.
Monster Hunter Storiesalso includes an elemental affinity system for Monsties, much likePokemondoes. However, whereaseach Pokemon comes with a different elemental affinityin thePokemonseries, a Monstie’s elemental affinity and color can be changed inMonster Hunter Storiesusing the Rite of Channeling system. While the two series have different approaches to elemental affinity, they still essentially function the same way.
It’s far from a downside forMonster Hunter Storiesto include such explicitPokemoninfluencesin its gameplay, as that particular gameplay loop has proven over time to be thoroughly satisfying for many players. So,Monster Hunter Storieswearing itsPokemoninfluences on its sleeve is really just flattery and great game design. That being said,Monster Hunter Stories' unique twists on thePokemonformula make it feel less familiar and therefore like a fresh experience.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
WHERE TO PLAY
Will your special bond with these monsters bring hope or destruction? A new adventure awaits you in this second installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story.You play as the grandchild of Red, a legendary Rider. The story begins with a fateful encounter with Ena, a Wyverian girl who has been entrusted with an egg with the potential to hatch into a legendary Rathalos which could wreak havoc if awakened to its destructive power.Embark on a journey which will test the bonds of friendship in a changing world, and discover the truth behind the legends of old.
