Monster Hunter Stories is finally making its way to more platforms, and that means it’s a great chance to make sure you can get your creature-catching fill by playing other games in the genre too. While there aren’t many games that perfectly match the feel of Monster Hunter Stories – aside from the others in the series – it’s always fun to branch out and try new things, right?
We thought so, so we’ve made sure to compile a list of other games that’ll have you enjoying the wonders of different creatures and monsters for months to come. So, if you’re looking to change things up, or just want to make sure you’ve got plenty to play, then let us fill you in on some options.
Best Games Like Monster Hunter Stories
It’s worth noting that there are a lot of games in the creature-collecting genre. Games like Siralim Ultimate, Anode Heart, Coromon, and even Monster Sanctuary are all gems that don’t get enough attention. However, they lack the 3D punch of Monster Hunter Stories, so we’ve not included them in the final list. Do check them out though, because they’re excellent.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is quite possibly the best game in the long-running series. It breaks away from the standard formula to make you feel like the world itself is a threat to you, and that you have to live alongside it. You’re not so much asserting your will over a bunch of monsters, although you do that because it’s a Pokemon game, but you’re researching and discovering things. It’s a joy, and while it’s not perfect, it is a lot of fun and a worthy entry on this list.
Digimon Cyber Sleuth: Complete Editon
Digimon are indeed “the champions” because few games match the sheer volume of evolutions and devolutions you can go through than the two available here. That’s right, Digimon Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition has two games in it, and both are exquisite. They’re a little grind-heavy for some people, but if you like trying to create god-level monsters, then this game is it.
WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY™ COMPLETE EDITION
World of Final Fantasy is a seemingly cutesy take on the Final Fantasy series that blends all of the classic monsters into one adorable chibi world. You take control of Ryenn and Lann as they hunt down their past and find out what’s happened to them and their parents. To do so, they gain the power to capture monsters, ride them into battle and master the ability to stack monsters on top of one another to succeed. It’s an absurd concept, but a very well-executed one with a surprisingly dark story.
Palworld
If you expected this to be on the list – then congrats, you were correct. Palworld takes the concept of creature collectors and throws it into a survival game. While you can’t evolve your Pals, you can upgrade them and make themes stronger through battle and training. You also get to make the survival aspects much easier by getting them to farm materials for you, and even fight alongside you with machine guns. Look, we don’t make the games, we just list them.
Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch™ Remastered
If you want a heart-warming story that also just so happens to look like a Studio Ghibli film then you’ve probably played Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch before, but if you somehow haven’t’ then now is as good a time as any. The story follows a young boy called Oliver who’s forced into an adventure through some horrifying events but then finds friendship and immense strength on their journey. It’s cute, it’s fun, and it’s beautiful to behold – which makes it perfect for this list.
Monster Hunter Rise
Alright, so technically this isn’t really like Monster Hunter Stories, but it is a Monster Hunter game so gets a mention on that basis alone. We were torn between Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter World, but honestly, both are exceptional games, so you can’t really go wrong. So, if you’d rather carve up the monsters you’ve been befriending, then this is the way to do it. Whilst they may be fairly challenging action games they’re so intensely rewarding that we’re sure you will have a blast.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
The Dragon Quest Monsters series is amazing, and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is the latest entry in it. It follows a half-human half-demon prince as he tries to overcome a horrible curse that means he can’t avenge his mother. To do this, he learns to tame monsters, and the rest is history. Well, it’ll be history once you finish the game anyway. Rather than evolving monsters, you fuse them together in this, and the skill system is a lot of fun to master. Whilst you will have to pull out your Nintendo Switch to enjoy it, it’s definitely worth it!
