Last week, Capcom released a demo for Monster Hunter Rise on the eShop and we got the chance to see how the game plays for ourselves. After spending some time with the demo of the game, I had some thoughts I wanted to share, based on my playtime with the game. I want to note that these are just initial impressions and should not be mistaken for a full breakdown review.
The game demo allows you to check out quests in single or multiplayer, with online play available for now. There are also tutorial quests available to help explain how the game works and those new to Monster Hunter should try it out, as well as those who want to see what the new mechanics in Rise are like. The quests are easy to get into, and the mechanics are easy to learn, but what makes Rise so exciting is how differently the quests feel if you do them solo or with others. Communicating with others feels easy in the game, and I had a blast teaming up to take on monsters and defeat them. The game made everything flow perfectly, and the online worked amazing.
Monster Hunter Rise feels more in line with Monster Hunter World, as expected by many, but also elements of the older games while adding in its own ideas. This may sound like a hodgepodge that will not mix well, but Monster Hunter Rise manages to blend very well. The new grapple hook mechanics add a neat twist to the gameplay and the use of the mounts really does open things up in terms of movement and exploration. More importantly though, Monster Hunter Rise manages to feel like it’s innovating on both the classic and World style and add refreshing elements. Learning things feels natural, and the grappling hook mechanics works like a charm, with the increased agility giving Rise its own unique feel compared to the other games.
The game areas seen in the demo look amazing both in handheld mode and on the TV, and I am eager to see how other areas look in actual gameplay on my TV and Switch in handheld mode. This feels like an achievement in game design on Switch, and I love that the controls all feel natural. Learning some of the commands may take a few minutes but that is the only control issue that may hold you back at first. Once you get the hang of things though, it all feels so right. Playing the game in single-player mode is also something I will recommend by the way, as it gives you a chance to play at your own leisure.
The quests give you great areas to explore and the game does not hold you back in terms of how you explore them, with the game actually urging you to experiment in seeing everything. This feels like a game that will know its limits and try to push them at the same time. I am eager to see the full game, as the demo is a truly excellent look into the game.