Monster Hunter Stories - Nintendo 3DS

After playing this game for countless hours, I can easily confirm that this has to be one of the best titles that I've ever played on my 3ds. I'm not exaggerating when I say this, some of the ingame cutscenes literally just took my breath away, and left me completely speechless. That's how beautiful and well animated they were. The open world is massive, and the entire game can be played fully in 3D. But do keep in mind the "3D feature" on the 3ds eats away at battery life, but I suppose that's applicable to any 3ds game with 3D functionality. Although it may not be an actual pokemon game, if I were to describe some of the gameplay features, I would say they bare the most similarities to the "Pokemon Ranger" franchise. That being that in order to progress through story mode, or to even access different areas, you'll need to employ the use of various monsters to help you achieve your objective. You battle alongside monsters, or as the game nicknames them "monsties" in a "Rock-Paper-Scissors-esque" battle format. Various monsties have both strengths and weaknesses depending on what element they're being hit by. And your hunter's armor will also share a monstie's same elemental type advantage. Although only a handful of weapons are available in this version of Monster hunter, compared to the more traditional games, they all look extremely varied and unique. And each weapon possesses it's own skills that can be activated through battle.However, no game is perfect (unless it's Okami...) and this game is no exception to that rule. As amazing as this game is, there is one major gripe that I have when it comes to assessing more content in this game. And it has to do with your monsties. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE the egg hatching feature, and love how exhilarating it feels to narrowly avoid battling a monster, while running away with an egg in hand, but the fact that some monsties simply cannot even be played with or even placed in your party until your "Kinship Stone's" level increases is one of the most frustrating features of the game. To put it into more simple terms, imagine playing a pokemon game, and finally catching either a shiny, or legendary pokemon. Naturally, you'd be ecstatic, but as soon as you get to the pokemon center and access your PC, the game tells you: "You will not be able to use this pokemon until after you beat the elite four..." That's basically how this monsties feature works, and it's infuriating. I hatched a pink rathian egg, and I literally (not exaggerating) had to play another 3 1/2 to 4 hours straight of storymode gameplay (with no sidequest) just to unlock her, and be able to use her in my party. Now I understand that you don't want someone to start off the game with an overpowerd fatalis, or elder dragon, or something of that nature, but the fact that I can't even use some of the monsties even from my amiibo, is absurd.For that reason, I would take a whole point away from this game and give it say, a 9/10. However, that's not how amazon's rating system is scaled, so since I can't give it a 4.5/ 5 I'll just give it a 5 since this game is still amazing despite it's flaws. And some helpful tips regarding the game: doing sub quest is essential if you want to obtain more money ingame/ Be sure to equip various helpful items to your "battle pouch"/ and lastly, a certain shady looking Melynx in a fortified town that shall not be named, for fear of tipping off the authorities will purchase felvine (or in other words catnip) off of you for a premium. Your welcome.

Instead of reading salty reviews for not receiving a dlc code (literally came in a few hours to a day) paitence is key. Plus the dlc is not even usable at the start of the game because the monsters are high rarity. So it will be a while before you can use them which in that time they can wait for the dlc. The dlc did not break or make the game by all means. Those monsters are still obtainable in the game.Anyway, back to the actual review. It is a great spin-off. I know lots of people compare it to pokemon but honestly the only similarity is that you get to collect and battle with monsters. The mechanics are very different! If you like the idea of having your favorite monster as your companion then MHS is a great start for you. The mechanics is a turn based rpg in the form of rock, paper, scissors. Players that have played or watched videos would understand, but what I mean by rock, paper, scissors is that you literally have to guess what style/color to attack the monster with to figure out its weakness, move set and pattern, which I quite enjoy. Its different then some games I played. They also added a small mini game animation where you have to assist your monster by tapping A repeatedly, or L R repeatedly, and/or spin the circle pad repeatedly to help win the surprise attack against the opponent. Overall the mechanics feel familiar but add a nice new varition and I am pretty much in love with it.The story is also nice. The story can kind of start off a little typical where you are from a small town and will later get the approval to travel and save the world. Not going to spoil anything but I do like where the story is going. You do not only get the story of your character traveling but know the story of your companion Navirou (you will meet early in the game) as well. So it makes you connect with your companions which I also like.As for the difficulty I think it is just right. The game is not super difficult, but difficult enough to have some challenges. I believe since this game has a more trial and error aspect to figure out the monster's attack pattern it can sometimes be a little discouraging for some. My friend and I play the same games and have pretty much the same experience. MHS is on the easier side for me whereas for my friend it proves to be a bit diffcult. So the game can bring a nice surprising challenge if you are looking for it. Honestly I think once you figure out a monsters attack pattern you are pretty much set for the rest of the battle.Overall, great purchase. I do not once regret it and thankfully I gave it a chance regarding the late dlc. The game itself was worth it more than a few monsters I could get in the game later. It is a game I have not been able to put down for the past week. Unfortunately, I have yet to battle anyone online, but I feel like that will become a greater challenge of guessing what attack pattern they go for. I say if you like turn base rpg and is looking for something new yet familiar with mechanics I definitey recommend this game. I also recommend it for the VERY adorable monsters if that is a winning point for you (:

After playing the free demo (on the Nintendo 3DS E-shop) I knew this was a day 1 purchase. I'm already hoping MHS becomes a franchise! You have the option to continue from the demo or start fresh once you get the game.It is similar to Pokemon but, I don't know how to explain, it feels less "weird" in the art style of your monster companions. These are more like dragons and other more mature fantasy creatures than a floating chandelier or an oozing pile of garbage, for example, that are in Pokemon. It's those strange Pokemon design choices that continue to keep me away from playing Pokemon. MHS has more of a fantasy dragon monster design.The game story is solid if nothing particularly innovative. Combat is fun and challenging, especially pulling off dual attacks or your "Ride On" ability to finish off a particularly challenging monster. The game features some 200 monsters you can find and collect all with different abilities, traits, and talents. There is resource collecting for crafting, numerous side quests, etc. You can unlock PvP from a side quest to battle locally or online. I like the PvP system in this game over Pokemon.The game really does feel like a "gateway" into the Monster Hunter series if you want to go there, it's made me more curious to want to try out a "core" MH game. From watching reviews and gameplay of core Monster Hunter, they have carried over many of the mechanics and even the monsters to MHS except this one is turn based while regular MH is not.Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and look forward to many hours playing this game. If anyone already has a DS console, download the free demo, I think you'll be glad you did.