If you own a Nintendo switch and are on the fence of whether or not you should buy, or replay Monster Hunter Rise, the short answer is yes you should. Though if you’re more reserved because of issues existing on launch, or just aren’t familiar with Monster Hunter, here’s a rundown of Rise from release day, to the present.

Since its release on March 26 of this year, Monster Hunter fans new and old have been making noise over the experience that is Monster Hunter Rise. Featuring new movement techniques with the wirebug, combat refreshers with silkbind moves, parkour, and the open world design from Monster Hunter World, there’s a lot to love in this game. With its 3.0 update released recently on May 27th, Monster Hunter fans will surely have a lot of Well-Done Steak meat to sink their teeth into, now that the game is “complete“.

THE ISSUES AT THE START

The game released with a healthy amount of content; boasting 14 weapons, each with 6 different interchangeable skills that alter the way each one performs in a hunt, a huge 34 monster roster which is bigger than what Monster Hunter World had on release, and layered armor (a form of transmog) available via DLC. Though Rise had a promising package on release, many veterans felt that it was still unfinished, with the game’s ending being too open and the lack of an endgame grind.

The game was plagued by RNG issues, with the melding table for charms being bugged causing players to get the same charms over and over again, no deterministic endgame loot, and the HR unlock, a key component to the endgame, missing from the game entirely. This left players who wouldn’t speedrun or constantly farm the final boss for charm materials with nothing to play.

REJUVENATING THE HUNTING SPIRIT

Come the 2.0 Title update late April, the game received a burst of life. The all-important HR unlock came, along with 6 new monsters and 10+ new rank 7 hub quests made available, as well as new decorations and transmog with armor as a reward you can grind for. Fan favorite monsters like Teostra and Kushala Daora returned. The option to fight the Apex variants of monsters outside of the rampage quests was also added, giving those seeking an extra challenge something to chase for.

2.0 allowed the community to share their creativity by mixing and matching layered armor options in the game. It gave them something to farm for, as well as a bunch of new challenges. Update 3.0 had big shoes to fill.

THE FUTURE IN STORE

And fill those shoes it did, where the 2.0 update had in quality, the 3.0 update had in sheer quality. 3.0 brought in the true final boss of the game, a new Apex variant, and a legendary Elder dragon in Valstrax. The quality of each fight, and the brand new quests that challenge the players to hunt their best, easily makes Rise a shoe-in for Capcom’s hall of fame. It’s only been one day and the fan feedback for the new monsters and content is astoundingly positive, and I’m sure that you would love to have your fingers in this pie after hearing that.

Even with the title updates finished, the capcom roadmap promised a future full of event quests where they’d collaborate with other capcom IPs starting with Monster Hunter Stories in June. The event quest featured there will give you a Palico costume from a special character in Monster Hunter Stories.

So what are you waiting for? Get strapped, get your greatsword, and get yourself in here. Monster Hunter Rise is currently available on the Nintendo Switch, and is coming to PC early next year! There’s no better time sink to sink your teeth into. Happy hunting, gamers!