Monster Hunter Stories

Last updated
Monster Hunter Stories
Monster hunter stories cover art.jpg
Japanese cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Nintendo 3DSAndroid, iOS, Switch, PS4, Windows
  • WW: Capcom
Director(s) Kenji Oguro
Producer(s)
  • Hironobu Takeshita
  • Hiroshi Ito
  • Natsuki Shiozawa
  • Akihito Kadowaki
Designer(s) Yugo Togawa
Programmer(s)
  • Toshihiko Honda
  • Masato Inamochi
Artist(s) Takahiro Kawano
Writer(s)
  • Kenji Oguro
  • Kaname Fujioka
  • Tomoyuki Hosokawa
  • Manami Oishi
Composer(s)
  • Marika Suzuki
  • Hiromitsu Maeba
Series Monster Hunter
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo 3DS
  • JP: October 8, 2016
  • EU: September 8, 2017
  • NA: September 8, 2017
  • AU: September 9, 2017
Android, iOS
  • JP: December 4, 2017
  • WW: September 25, 2018
Switch, PS4, Windows
  • WW: June 14, 2024
Genre(s) Role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Monster Hunter Stories [lower-alpha 1] is a role-playing video game developed by Capcom and Marvelous and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. [1] [2] It is a spinoff title in the Monster Hunter series and features a drastically different gameplay focus. [2] Unlike previous titles in the franchise, Monster Hunter Stories lets players take on the role of a Rider instead of a Hunter, and are able to take part in a traditional turn-based battle system. [3] [4] [5] Major changes and additions featured in this title include hatching eggs and befriending monsters, battling alongside them, executing special kinship techniques, and customizing monsters' abilities and appearance. [3] [6] [7] [8] The game was released in Japan on October 8, 2016, [9] [10] and in North America, Europe and Australia in September 2017. [11] [12] Later, a high-definition mobile version of the game was released on December 4, 2017 in Japan [13] and September 25, 2018 worldwide. [14] The Nintendo 3DS version includes support for Amiibo figures, [9] [3] with a first set launching alongside the game, [10] and a second set launching two months later. [15] An anime series Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On is a loose adaptation of this game, and the sequel Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin was released in 2021.

Contents

Gameplay

Monster Hunter Stories features a completely new gameplay structure compared to the previous titles in the series. The player assumes the role of a Rider who befriends monsters by stealing eggs and hatching them. The player then has the ability to name their companion monsters, or "Monsties", ride them around in the overworld, and have them join the player in battles. [7] [6] [3] The player will be able to explore different environments, encounter monsters in the field, battle them, collect items and steal eggs from monsters' nests.

Unlike most games in the franchise, Monster Hunter Stories features a more traditional turn-based battle system. During the player's turn, both the rider and their monsters will get to attack the enemy. Attacks for both the player and the enemy come in three types: Power, Speed, and Technical. Each category is stronger against one in particular in a rock-paper-scissors fashion: Power will win against Technical, Technical will win against Speed, and Speed will win against Power. When an enemy monster is targeting someone and that character attempts to attack them, a Head-to-Head will occur which pits their two attack types against each other, with the dominant attack type prevailing in the exchange. If the player and their monster both use the same attack type while the enemy is targeting someone and have the type advantage, they will unleash a Double Attack and prevent the enemy from retaliating altogether. Winning battles will award the player with experience points and item drops. Beyond the main story, the player can engage in sidequests, called subquests, which provide items and experience points upon completion.

The player only has a choice of four weapons from the core series to use in battle, those being the Great Sword, the Sword & Shield, the Hammer, and the Hunting Horn. The player will have access to different skills depending on the weapon and equipment they use, and the player will also be able to use items in battle. [3] [16] Companion monsters can be customized with the Rite of Channeling feature, in which the player can transfer Bond Genes into a monster's slots in order to unlock and awaken their stats and abilities. This allows for further customization and adjustment to the player's play style. [8] [3] The game features multiplayer battles via local or Internet connection. [17] [8] The Nintendo 3DS version is also compatible with Amiibo figures, with the figures from the Monster Hunter Stories line of Amiibo unlocking original and special monsters, among other bonuses. [3]

Plot

The game starts with the main character (whose gender can be selected by the player) and their friends, Cheval and Lilia, looking for a monster egg. They find a nest with one, and it hatches into a Rathalos that bonds with the Protagonist immediately. They nickname the creature Ratha. However, upon returning to Hakum Village, it is attacked by a rampaging Nargacuga controlled by a sickness called the Black Blight. Ratha tries to defend the village but is seemingly killed. Cheval's mother dies in the attack.

A year later, the village recovered, but the threat of the Black Blight still remains. The main character takes the Rite of Kinship and is gifted by the village chief with a piece of Kinship Ore, a crystal with the power to tame wild monsters almost instantaneously. They then gain the title of Rider, which is unique to their village. They also meet a strange-looking wild felyne who names himself Navirou and demands to accompany them. Traveling outside the village to tame monsters, they soon come across the Black Blight, which they are able to purify by using their Kinship Ore to resonate with a larger, natural formation of the mineral.

Lilia decides to join the Royal Scriveners, a group studying the Black Blight, while Cheval tames a Rathian and becomes fixated on slaying blighted monsters to get his revenge. Meanwhile, the Protagonist continues to purify the Blight. Eventually, they encounter Doctor Manelger, a mad scientist who is attempting to create artificial Kinship Ore and bend monsters to his will. The main character reunites with Ratha, who is revealed to have survived the attack, and flies to Manelger's laboratory, rescuing many kidnapped felyne slaves, as well as the Numbers, felyne test subjects of which Navirou was formerly a member.

To stop the Black Blight, the Protagonist decides to look for the egg of a legendary white dragon, Versa Pietru, that was once tamed by the very first Rider, who is called Redan. They find the egg, but it is stolen by Manelger. Manelger gives the egg to Cheval, who is wielding the artificial ore, and the creature hatches and immediately grows to an enormous size. However, after Cheval loses control of the creature, it is infected by blight, turning into Makili Pietru. Cheval finally realizes his foolishness, while the Protagonist rushes to defeat Makili Pietru before it can infect the entire world.

However, Ratha's Blight, given to him by a scar left by the Nargacuga, suddenly manifests and the player must defeat Ratha first. After Ratha comes to his senses, they face off against Makili Pietru.

After a long battle, the player and Ratha use Sky-High-Dive to try to finish off the Makili Pietru. During this time, Ratha is engulfed in a bright white light, then empowered by Naivoru to defeat the Makili Pietru, showing Ratha was really the White Dragon all along.

Development

Series executive producer Ryozo Tsujimoto stated that the idea for a role-playing video game in the Monster Hunter universe was a response to players' interests in the world's setting and livelihood of the monsters and that these concepts were thought of since 2010. The reasoning behind the switch from the Hunter role to a Rider one was to give the spotlight to the monsters, along with the idea of petting them and seeing things from their point of view. [3]

Release

Monster Hunter Stories was announced in Japan in April 2015 at the "Monster Hunter Fest '15 Finals" event by Capcom with a planned release in 2016. [5] A demo of the game was released digitally in Japan on September 20, 2016, via the Nintendo eShop. The demo features two game modes: "Quest Mode", which allows the player to play part of the story, and "Tournament Mode", which lets the player partake in Rider battles. [18] The game was subsequently released for Nintendo 3DS in Japan on October 8, 2016 [9] and internationally the following year.

The game was subsequently ported to iOS and Android devices with improved graphics, an updated user interface, and other features. The mobile version launched in Japan in late 2017 and reached Western markets by September 2018. [19] A remastered version of the title was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on June 14, 2024, alongside the PS4 port of its sequel, Wings of Ruin. [20] [21]

Similar to previous Monster Hunter games, the player can obtain armor, items, and clothing themed to other franchises through collaborations. Stories has items based on Puzzle & Dragons X, Chibi Maruko-chan , [22] Shōnen Jump , [23] and The Legend of Zelda , the last of which is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version. [24]

Reception

On its first week of launch, according to 4Gamer.net and Media Create, Monster Hunter Stories sold 140,603 copies, making it the top-selling title of the week of October 3 through October 9, 2016. [32] [33] [34] [35]

Accolades

The game was nominated for "Best Handheld Game" at The Game Awards 2017, [36] and for "Best 3DS Game" and "Best RPG" at IGN's Best of 2017 Awards. [37] [38] It was also nominated for "Handheld Game of the Year" at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. [39]

Sequel

A sequel for Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin , was announced during a Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase broadcast on September 17, 2020. This game features a new cast of characters and an original story. The game was released on July 9, 2021.

Notes

  1. Japanese: モンスターハンター ストーリーズ, Hepburn: Monsutā Hantā Sutōrīzu

Related Research Articles

<i>Animal Crossing</i> Video game series developed by Nintendo

Animal Crossing is a social simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. The series was conceptualized and created by Katsuya Eguchi and Hisashi Nogami. In Animal Crossing, the player character is a human who lives in a village inhabited by various anthropomorphic animals and can do various activities like fishing, insect catching, and fossil hunting. The series is notable for its open-ended gameplay and use of the video game console's internal clock and calendar to simulate real passage of time.

<i>Dragon Warrior Monsters</i> First video game in the Dragon Quest Monsters series

Dragon Quest Monsters, released in North America as Dragon Warrior Monsters, is the first video game in the Dragon Quest Monsters series. It was released in Japan by Enix on September 25, 1998, and co-published by Eidos Interactive in Europe and North America in 2000. It was the first Dragon Quest game to be released in Europe. The game cartridge is compatible with both the black-and-white Game Boy and the Game Boy Color; a second printing of the game was made after the Game Boy Color itself was released. The game was remade for the PlayStation in a compilation Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2 Hoshi Furi no Yūsha to Bokujō no Nakamatachi. A mobile phone incarnation titled Dragon Quest Monsters i was released in Japan on January 28, 2002.

<i>Dragon Warrior Monsters 2</i> 2001 video game

Dragon Warrior Monsters 2, known in Japan as Dragon Quest Monsters 2, is a role-playing video game published by Enix for the Game Boy Color. It is the second Dragon Warrior Monsters game for the Game Boy Color and features two different versions of the same game, Cobi's Journey and Tara's Adventure. Both games were remade in 2002 for the PlayStation in a compilation game called Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2 and released only in Japan. The Nintendo 3DS version combined both games into one and was released only in Japan in 2014 with the title Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru and Luca's Marvelous Mysterious Key. The 3DS version was later brought to iOS, Android on August 6, 2020, in Japan.

<i>Monster Hunter</i> Video game series and its franchise created by Capcom

Monster Hunter is a Japanese media franchise centered on a series of fantasy-themed action role-playing video games that started with the game Monster Hunter for the PlayStation 2, released in 2004. Titles have been released across a variety of platforms, including personal computers, home consoles, portable consoles, and mobile devices. The series is developed and published by Capcom.

<i>Animal Crossing: New Leaf</i> 2012 video game

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a 2012 social simulation game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. In the game, the player controls a human character who takes on the role of mayor in a town populated with anthropomorphic animals. As the fourth main title in the Animal Crossing series, it was released in Japan in November 2012, and in 2013 in international territories.

<i>Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS</i> and <i>Wii U</i> Pair of 2014 video games

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, both commonly referred to together as Super Smash Bros. 4 or Smash 4, are 2014 crossover platform fighter video games developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game consoles. It is the fourth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, succeeding Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Nintendo 3DS version was released in Japan on September 13, 2014, and in North America, Europe, and Australia the following month. The Wii U version was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in November 2014 and in Japan the following month.

<i>Fire Emblem Awakening</i> 2012 video game

Fire Emblem Awakening is a 2012 tactical role-playing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. It is an installment of the Fire Emblem series, and the first to be developed for the Nintendo 3DS. The gameplay, like previous Fire Emblem games, focuses on the tactical movement of characters across a grid-based battlefield and fighting enemy units. Other features include the ability to build and foster relationships between characters to improve their abilities and multiple camera perspectives in battle.

<i>Hyrule Warriors</i> 2014 video game

Hyrule Warriors is a 2014 hack and slash game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game is a collaboration between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, mixing settings and characters from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda with the gameplay of Koei's Dynasty Warriors series. Hyrule Warriors was released in Japan in August 2014, and worldwide the following month. It became one of the best-selling games on the Wii U. An updated port, Hyrule Warriors Legends, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in January 2016 and worldwide in March of the same year. A second enhanced port, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. A successor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in November 2020.

Amiibo is a toys-to-life platform by Nintendo, which was launched in November 2014. It consists of a wireless communications and storage protocol for connecting figurines to the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch video game consoles. These figurines are similar in form and functionality to that of the Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Lego Dimensions series of toys-to-life platforms. The Amiibo platform was preannounced to potentially accommodate any form of toy, specifically including general plans for future card games. Amiibo use near field communication (NFC) to interact with supported video game software, potentially allowing data to be transferred in and out of games and across multiple platforms.

<i>Splatoon</i> (video game) 2015 video game

Splatoon was a 2015 third-person shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game centers around Inklings—anthropomorphic cephalopodic lifeforms that can transform between humanoid and cephalopod forms and frequently engage in turf wars with each other and use a variety of weapons that produce and shoot colored ink while in humanoid form, or swim and hide in surfaces covered in their own colored ink while in their cephalopodic forms. Splatoon features several different game modes, including four-on-four online multiplayer and a single player campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Nintendo 3DS</span> Handheld game console

The New Nintendo 3DS is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo. It is the fourth system in the Nintendo 3DS family of handheld consoles, following the original Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS. The system was released in Japan on October 11, 2014, in Australia and New Zealand on November 21, 2014, on January 6, 2015 in Europe in a special Club Nintendo-exclusive "Ambassador Edition", and at retail in Europe on February 13, 2015. Like the original 3DS, the New Nintendo 3DS also has a larger variant, the New Nintendo 3DS XL, released in all three regions. In North America, the New Nintendo 3DS XL was released on February 13, 2015, while the standard-sized New Nintendo 3DS was released later on September 25, 2015.

<i>Metroid Prime: Federation Force</i> 2016 video game

Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a 2016 cooperative first-person shooter video game developed by Next Level Games and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. Taking place after the events of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007), players assume the role of Galactic Federation Marines attempting to thwart the continuing advances of the Space Pirates after Samus Aran eradicated the deadly Phazon mutagen. The gameplay places a greater emphasis on the shooting mechanics and multiplayer, similar to its handheld predecessor Metroid Prime Hunters, albeit with cooperation instead of competition. It also includes a competitive soccer-based game mode known as Metroid Prime: Blast Ball.

<i>Monster Hunter Generations</i> 2015 video game

Monster Hunter Generations is an action role-playing game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo 3DS. Announced in May 2015, the game was released in Japan as Monster Hunter X in November 2015 and internationally in July 2016. Like other titles in the Monster Hunter series, players undertake quests that involve hunting large dangerous creatures, either solo or in multiplayer. Major additions in this installment include special attacks, new combat styles, and the ability to play as Felynes who have traditionally only appeared as a companion to the player. Monster Hunter Generations is considered the fourth major portable title in the series, following Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. An expanded version of the game, titled Monster Hunter XX, was announced in October 2016, and was released exclusively in Japan in March 2017. An HD port of the expanded re-release for the Nintendo Switch, titled Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, was released in Japan in August 2017 followed by a worldwide release in August 2018. The game has sold more than 8 million units worldwide, as of September 2020.

<i>Dragon Quest XI</i> 2017 video game

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a role-playing video game by Square Enix. The eleventh entry in the long-running Dragon Quest video game series, it was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 4 in July 2017 and worldwide for the PlayStation 4 and Windows in September 2018. An enhanced version, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, was released for Nintendo Switch by Nintendo in September 2019; for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in December 2020; and for Stadia in March 2021. Taking place in a world called Erdrea, the game follows the hero's quest to save the world from an impending darkness. Throughout the game, he explores challenges related to his prophesied Luminary identity as he endures persecution from those who demonize him.

<i>Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3</i> 2016 video game

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 is a 2016 role-playing video game developed by Tose and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the sequel to Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (2010), and is the sixth game in the Dragon Quest Monsters series.

<i>Miitopia</i> 2016 video game

Miitopia is a 2016 role-playing video game by Nintendo originally released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, with a remastered version released for the Nintendo Switch in May 21, 2021. The game features customizable Mii characters in a turn-based battle system and follows the story of a group of heroes battling the Dark Lord, who is stealing the faces of Miitopia's inhabitants. The game received mixed reviews, with critics praising its creative life simulation elements and humor while criticizing its combat system and repetitiveness.

<i>Splatoon 2</i> 2017 video game

Splatoon 2 is a 2017 third-person shooter game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on July 21, 2017, as a direct sequel to Splatoon. As with the previous installment, Splatoon 2 consists of online multiplayer alongside a single-player campaign, all featuring combat based around ink. An expansion pack for the single-player mode titled Octo Expansion was subsequently released as downloadable content (DLC) on June 16, 2018.

<i>Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia</i> 2017 video game for the Nintendo 3DS

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS in 2017. It is the fifteenth installment in the Fire Emblem series and a remake of the 1992 Famicom game Fire Emblem Gaiden, the second entry in the series. It follows dual protagonists Alm and Celica as they aim to bring an end to the war through opposite methods, with Alm fighting to resolve the war through battle, while Celica attempts to find a peaceful end through guidance from the Goddess Mila. Fire Emblem Echoes carries over the core gameplay mechanics of the Fire Emblem series while incorporating mechanics from Gaiden, like dungeon crawling.

<i>Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin</i> 2021 role-playing game published by Capcom

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a role-playing video game developed by Capcom and Marvelous and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Switch and Windows. It is a spinoff title in the Monster Hunter series and a sequel to Monster Hunter Stories (2016). The game was released worldwide on July 9, 2021.

<i>Bomberman</i> (Nintendo 3DS game) Video game

Bomberman is the working title of a cancelled action-adventure video game that was in development by Hudson Soft and planned to be published by Konami for the Nintendo 3DS. Intended to be a unique entry in the Bomberman franchise, it was going to feature its own dedicated single-player campaign and multiplayer mode with support for up to four local players and eight players via online support.

References

  1. "Monster Hunter Stories Developed by Marvelous". Go Nintendo. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 Osborn, Alex (April 13, 2016). "Monster Hunter Stories Announced for Nintendo 3DS". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Capcom on Monster Hunter Stories – world, systems, game length, amiibo, and more". Nintendo Everything. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  4. Pereira, Chris (13 April 2015). "New Monster Hunter RPG for 3DS, Stories, Goes in a Different Direction". GameSpot. CBS Interactive.
  5. 1 2 "Monster Hunter Stories Announced For Nintendo 3DS". Siliconera. 11 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 "How You'll Get To Steal Eggs And Make Them Into Your Friends In Monster Hunter Stories". Siliconera. Curse. 4 October 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Learn More About Otomon Abilities In Monster Hunter Stories' Latest Video". Siliconera. Curse. 6 October 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Monster Hunter Stories' Details How To Awaken Abilities And Its Multiplayer Feature". Siliconera. Curse. 7 October 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 "Monster Hunter Stories Is Launching In Japan On October 8 With Amiibo Figures And More". Siliconera. Curse. 26 May 2016.
  10. 1 2 Porter, Matt (May 26, 2016). "Monster Hunter Stories Japanese Release Date, Amiibo Unveiled". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  11. Knezevic, Kevin (July 31, 2017). "3DS Monster Hunter RPG Release Date, Demo Announced". GameSpot . Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  12. Whitehead, Thomas (22 June 2017). "Monster Hunter Stories Will Roar Onto 3DS in Europe on 8th September". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  13. "Capcom Just Released Monster Hunter Stories on iOS and Android in Japan". TouchArcade. 4 December 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  14. Romano, Sal (25 September 2018). "Monster Hunter Stories for smartphones now available in the west". Gematsu. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  15. Copeland, Wesley (July 7, 2016). "3 More Amiibo Revealed for Monster Hunter Stories". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  16. "Monster Hunter Stories' Video On Battle System Basics, Equipment, And Items". Siliconera. Curse. 5 October 2016.
  17. Ward, Robert (1 June 2016). "Monster Hunter Stories: Origins, Monster Abilities, And Online Battles Revealed". Siliconera. Curse.
  18. Romano, Sal (18 September 2016). "Monster Hunter Stories demo launches September 20 in Japan". Gematsu.
  19. Green, Jake (25 September 2018). "Monster Hunter Stories for iOS and Android Now Available in the West". USGamer . Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  20. Romano, Sal (February 21, 2024). "Monster Hunter Stories remaster announced for PS4, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  21. Romano, Sal (March 11, 2024). "Monster Hunter Stories remaster launches June 14". Gematsu. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  22. "Monster Hunter Stories Announces Collaborations With Puzzle & Dragons X, Chibi Maruko-Chan". Siliconera. Curse. 16 September 2016.
  23. "Monster Hunter Stories' Jump Collaboration Brings The Pirate Outfit". Siliconera. Curse. 6 September 2016.
  24. Pereira, Chris (1 September 2016). "You Can Dress Up as Link and Ride Epona in Monster Hunter Stories". GameSpot. CBS Interactive.
  25. "Monster Hunter Stories for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  26. Carter, Chris (7 September 2017). "Review: Monster Hunter Stories". Destructoid . Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  27. Tack, Daniel (7 September 2017). "Monster Hunter Stories: A New Way To Hunt". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017.
  28. Defreitas, Casey (8 September 2017). "Monster Hunter Stories Review". IGN . Ziff Davis.
  29. Sleeper, Morgan (13 September 2017). "Review: Monster Hunter Stories". Nintendo Life . Gamer Network.
  30. Koopman, Daan (7 September 2017). "Monster Hunter Stories (3DS) Review". Nintendo World Report.
  31. Musgrave, Shaun (2 October 2018). "'Monster Hunter Stories' Review – Gotta Hatch 'Em All, PoogieMon!". TouchArcade . Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  32. Sato (13 October 2016). "This Week In Sales: Monster Hunter Has A New Story To Tell". Siliconera . Curse.
  33. Frye, Patrick (16 October 2016). "'Monster Hunter Stories' Video Game is Topping Sales Charts in Japan, 'Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On' Anime Not Getting Same Love [Video]". Inquisitr .
  34. Barder, Ollie (13 October 2016). "'Monster Hunter Stories' Has Topped The Japanese Charts In Its First Week". Forbes .
  35. Whitehead, Thomas (12 October 2016). "Monster Hunter Stories Takes Number One Spot in Japan, But Falls Well Short of Main Series Sales". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network.
  36. Makuch, Eddie (8 December 2017). "The Game Awards 2017 Winners Headlined By Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Game Of The Year". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  37. "Best of 2017 Awards: Best 3DS Game". IGN. Ziff Davis. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  38. "Best of 2017 Awards: Best RPG". IGN. Ziff Davis. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  39. Makuch, Eddie (14 January 2018). "Game Of The Year Nominees Announced For DICE Awards". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 January 2018.