If you’ve slain everything the Monster Hunter series has to offer, check out these games like Monster Hunter to keep the hunt going!
Since its debut on March 11, 2004, the Monster Hunter series has grown into a global phenomenon, challenging players with its deadly hunts and deep gameplay systems. Each installment since has built upon its predecessors, refining core mechanics and introducing new monsters, weapons, and features, fostering a dedicated community of hunters who eagerly anticipate each new release.
While the concept of monster hunting may seem straightforward, few games truly capture the essence of the Monster Hunter experience.
This ONE Esports article explores three games like Monster Hunter that blend monster hunting, weapon crafting, and engaging gameplay.
3 games like Monster Hunter
Wild Hearts
If you’re a Monster Hunter fan, Wild Hearts is basically the closest thing you’ll find on this list. It’s got all the good stuff.
It features colossal endemic monsters called “Kemono” who inhabit the game’s stunning ecosystems, a wide array of weapons (some familiar and some completely new), and the iconic Monster Hunter crafting system that utilizes monster parts for weapon crafting and upgrades.
The game can be played both solo and in multiplayer, offering flexibility for players who prefer a solitary hunt or the camaraderie of cooperative play.
Though both games share a lot of similarities, Wild Hearts introduces several innovative features that distinguish it from the Monster Hunter series. Its most iconic feature being the Karakuri system, which allows players to construct various tools and structures in real-time during combat. These range from simple platforms and traps to complex contraptions that can be used to manipulate the environment and gain an advantage in battle.
Wild Hearts is available on Steam, Epic Games, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Dauntless
Hunters who enjoy the Monster Hunter series can explore an online free-to-play alternative with Dauntless.
Dauntless is a co-op monster hunting game that features thrilling hunts against massive beasts called “Behemoths”, where players gather materials to craft powerful weapons and armor. The game boasts a diverse arsenal of weapons with distinct playstyles, encouraging strategic combat and the exploitation of monster weaknesses.
While Monster Hunter offers offline play, Dauntless is a live service game, requiring a constant internet connection. However, this online model allows for frequent updates, introducing new monsters, challenges, and content to keep the hunt fresh and exciting.
The biggest difference between the two games however is the hunting style. Dauntless is much faster and more action-packed. Dodging attacks is much easier, allowing players to adopt a more aggressive and gung-ho playstyle. Dauntless is all about constant movement and exciting clashes whereas Monster Hunter encourages more careful and intentional hunts.
Dauntless is available on Steam, Epic Games, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
God Eater 3
The God Eater series offers a stylish and challenging hunt for Monster Hunter fans who enjoy a more hack-and-slash anime game.
God Eater 3 is an action role-playing game where you play as a “God Eater”, a human enhanced with special abilities to combat monstrous creatures known as “Aragami”. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a corrosive substance called Ash, you’ll embark on missions to hunt Aragami, gather materials from their remains, and craft powerful weapons and armor.
God Eater 3 and Monster Hunter, while both featuring monster hunting, also offer distinct gameplay experiences. God Eater 3 prioritizes fast-paced, anime-inspired combat with a focus on stylish combos and fluid movement. Its weapon system emphasizes versatility, allowing players to seamlessly switch between melee and ranged attacks.
While both games involve crafting powerful gear from monster materials, God Eater 3 generally presents a more streamlined approach compared to Monster Hunter’s intricate crafting system. If you’re down to just hunt a bunch of big terrifying monsters, God Eater 3 will be a fun game to jump into from time to time.
God Eater 3 is available on Steam, Playstation 4, and the Nintendo Switch.
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