The Monster Hunter series has been a beloved staple in the gaming world for over a decade, and with the release of Monster Hunter World (MHW) and Monster Hunter Rise (Rise), Capcom has managed to breathe new life into the franchise. While both games share the same core DNA, they differ in many ways, leading to a heated debate among fans: is MHW better than Rise? In this article, we’ll delve into the details, comparing the two games to help you decide which one reigns supreme.
A Brief Overview Of MHW And Rise
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, it’s essential to understand the basics of each game.
Monster Hunter World, released in 2018, was a significant departure from the traditional Monster Hunter formula. It introduced a more open-world approach, stunning visuals, and a more accessible gameplay experience. The game’s storyline follows the Fifth Fleet, a group of hunters tasked with investigating the Elder Crossing, an event where the Elder Dragons migrate to the New World.
Monster Hunter Rise, released in 2021, builds upon the foundations laid by MHW. It offers a similar open-world experience, but with several key tweaks. Rise takes place in the Kamura Village, where the villagers live in harmony with the monsters. The game’s storyline revolves around the Rampage, a catastrophic event where monsters become more aggressive and start attacking the village.
Graphics And Performance
One of the most significant differences between MHW and Rise is the graphical fidelity. Monster Hunter World, even with its slightly outdated graphics, still offers a visually stunning experience. The game’s open world, beautifully crafted environments, and impressive monster designs make for a treat for the eyes.
Rise, on the other hand, takes a slight step back in terms of graphics. While the game still looks great, it’s clear that Capcom has optimized it for the Nintendo Switch, which means a slightly lower polygon count and less detailed textures. However, the game’s art style, which blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with a more vibrant color palette, helps to compensate for the graphical differences.
In terms of performance, both games run smoothly, but Rise has a slight edge. With the Switch’s portability, Rise offers a more seamless experience, with fewer frame rate drops and a more consistent 30 FPS. MHW, on the other hand, has some occasional frame rate dips, especially in more intense battles.
Is Rise’s Portability A Game-Changer?
One of the most significant advantages Rise has over MHW is its portability. Being a Switch exclusive, Rise can be played anywhere, anytime, without the need for a dedicated gaming PC or console. This aspect cannot be overstated, as it offers a level of convenience and flexibility that MHW simply can’t match.
Imagine playing Rise during your daily commute, or during breaks at work. You can join friends for cooperative play sessions or tackle challenging quests on the go. This portability opens up new opportunities for players, making it easier to fit gaming into their busy schedules.
Combat And Mechanics
Both MHW and Rise share the same core combat mechanics, but each game has its unique twists.
MHW introduced the Slinger, a versatile tool that allows hunters to grapple onto monsters, fire projectiles, and deploy useful items. The game’s combat is more nuanced, with a greater emphasis on strategy and precise timing.
Rise, on the other hand, introduces the Wirebug, a more agile and dynamic tool that allows for faster traversal and more fluid combat. The game’s combat is more fast-paced, with a greater focus on mobility and reaction time.
Rise’s combat is more forgiving, making it more accessible to new players, but veteran hunters may find it too easy. MHW’s combat, on the other hand, is more challenging, but offers a greater sense of accomplishment when you finally take down a tough monster.
What About The Monsties?
One of the most significant changes between MHW and Rise is the Palico system. In MHW, Palicos are fully-fledged hunting companions, with their own unique abilities and skills. They’re an integral part of the hunting experience, offering valuable support in battle.
Rise takes a different approach, introducing Palamutes, rideable companions that serve as both mounts and hunting partners. While they’re not as customizable as Palicos, they offer a new layer of depth to the hunting experience, allowing hunters to traverse the map more quickly and engage in combat with more mobility.
Cooperative Play And Online Features
Cooperative play is a staple of the Monster Hunter series, and both games deliver in this regard.
MHW offers a more comprehensive online feature set, with features like Squad Sessions, which allows players to join forces with friends and tackle challenging quests together. The game also has a more extensive list of multiplayer events and activities, making it easier to find other players to hunt with.
Rise, on the other hand, takes a more streamlined approach to cooperative play. While it lacks some of the features from MHW, it introduces a new “Pally” system, which allows players to recruit and command NPCs to aid them in battle. This feature adds a new layer of depth to cooperative play, making it easier to tackle challenging quests with a team.
What About Post-Launch Support?
Post-launch support is crucial for any game, especially in the Monster Hunter series, where new content and events can breathe new life into the game.
MHW has received extensive post-launch support, with new monsters, quests, and events added regularly. The game’s Iceborne expansion, released in 2019, added a massive amount of new content, including new storylines, quests, and mechanics.
Rise, being a newer game, has received more limited post-launch support, but Capcom has already announced several upcoming updates and events. The game’s Sunbreak expansion, set to release in 2022, promises to deliver new content, including new monsters, quests, and mechanics.
Conclusion: Is MHW Better Than Rise?
So, which game reigns supreme? The answer ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Monster Hunter World offers a more polished, visually stunning experience, with a more comprehensive online feature set and a greater emphasis on strategy and precision in combat. If you’re looking for a more challenging, rewarding experience, MHW might be the better choice.
Monster Hunter Rise, on the other hand, offers a more accessible, fast-paced experience, with a greater focus on mobility and reaction time in combat. The game’s portability and rideable Palamutes add a new layer of convenience and flexibility to the hunting experience. If you’re looking for a more laid-back, easy-to-pick-up experience, Rise might be the better choice.
In the end, both games are amazing in their own right, and fans of the series will find plenty to love in each one. So, which one is better? That’s up to you to decide.
What Are The Main Differences Between Monster Hunter: World And Monster Hunter Rise?
Monster Hunter: World (MHW) and Monster Hunter Rise (Rise) are two separate games in the Monster Hunter series, each with their unique features and gameplay experiences. The most notable difference between the two is the platform they were released on. MHW was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, while Rise is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch.
In terms of gameplay, MHW has a more action-oriented combat system, with an emphasis on high-damage dealing and flashy combos. Rise, on the other hand, has a more strategic approach, with a focus on mobility and evasion. The game mechanics, such as the Clutch Claw and Wirebug, are also unique to each game. Additionally, the games have different storylines, monster rosters, and multiplayer features, making them distinct experiences.
Which Game Has Better Graphics And Performance?
Monster Hunter: World has significantly better graphics and performance compared to Monster Hunter Rise. This is due to the fact that MHW was released on more powerful consoles and PC, allowing for more detailed textures, higher resolutions, and smoother frame rates. In contrast, Rise is limited by the Nintendo Switch’s hardware, resulting in lower graphics quality and some framerate issues.
That being said, Rise’s graphics are still impressive considering the Switch’s limitations. The game’s art style and character designs are vibrant and colorful, and the game runs relatively smoothly in handheld mode. However, when compared side-by-side with MHW, the difference in graphics quality is noticeable.
Is Monster Hunter: World More Challenging Than Monster Hunter Rise?
Monster Hunter: World is generally considered to be more challenging than Monster Hunter Rise, particularly at higher difficulty levels. MHW has a steeper learning curve, and its monsters are more aggressive and punishing. The game requires a high degree of skill and strategy to progress, especially in the latter stages.
Rise, on the other hand, has a more gradual learning curve and is more accessible to new players. While it’s still a challenging game, the difficulty is more evenly paced, and the game provides more tools and mechanics to help players overcome obstacles.
Which Game Has A Better Multiplayer Experience?
Monster Hunter: World has a more developed and feature-rich multiplayer experience compared to Monster Hunter Rise. MHW allows for seamless co-op play with up to four players, both online and locally. The game also has a more comprehensive matchmaking system, making it easier to find and join groups.
Rise’s multiplayer is more limited, with online co-op restricted to three players and local co-op limited to two players. While the game still allows for fun and challenging co-op play, it lacks the features and polish of MHW’s multiplayer.
Does Monster Hunter Rise Have A More Appealing Storyline?
Monster Hunter Rise has a more focused and cohesive storyline compared to Monster Hunter: World. Rise’s narrative is more personal and character-driven, with a stronger focus on the player’s character and their relationships with the game’s cast.
MHW’s storyline, while still engaging, is more fragmented and focuses on the larger world and its many characters. While it has its moments, the story can feel disjointed and hard to follow at times.
Which Game Has A More Extensive Monster Roster?
Monster Hunter: World has a significantly larger and more diverse monster roster compared to Monster Hunter Rise. MHW features over 30 large monsters, each with their unique characteristics and movesets.
Rise, on the other hand, has a smaller but still impressive roster of around 20 large monsters. While the game’s monster selection is more limited, the quality of the designs and the way they interact with the environment is still top-notch.
Is Monster Hunter Rise Worth Playing If I’ve Already Played Monster Hunter: World?
Yes, Monster Hunter Rise is still worth playing even if you’ve already played Monster Hunter: World. While the games share some similarities, Rise offers a fresh and unique experience that builds upon the foundation established by MHW.
The game’s new mechanics, such as the Wirebug and Switch Skill Swap, add a new layer of depth to the gameplay, and the new monster roster and environments provide a fresh challenge. Even if you’ve mastered MHW, Rise will still offer a fun and engaging experience that’s worth exploring.