Monster Hunter Stories is a role-playing game developed by Capcom and Marvelous and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. It is a spinoff title in the Monster Hunter series that features a drastically different gameplay focus from the mainline games. Unlike the traditional action-oriented hunting games, Monster Hunter Stories lets players take on the role of a Rider, who befriends and battles alongside monsters using a turn-based combat system.

The game was released in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, with a high-definition mobile version following in 2018. The game also supports Amiibo figures and has an anime adaptation and a sequel for the Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows.

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.

The player will be able to explore different environments and dungeons to find monster dens, and bring back the eggs they find to hatch new Monsties. The game features over 60 different monster species to collect and customize, each with their own unique abilities and appearance.

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. These attacks form a rock-paper-scissors system, where Power beats Technical, Technical beats Speed, and Speed beats Power. The player can also use items, skills, and switch between Monsties during battles.

When the player and their Monstie use the same type of attack and win against the enemy, they will perform a Double Attack, which deals extra damage and fills up the Kinship Gauge. When the Kinship Gauge is full, the player can ride their Monstie and unleash powerful Kinship Skills that can turn the tide of battle.

The story begins in a forest near the village of Riders. Three young friends—the hero, Lilia, and Cheval—stumble upon a shining egg. The trio perform a playful imitation of the Rite of Kinship, only to be shocked when it actually succeeds! The egg hatches, revealing a baby Rathalos, a flying wyvern also known as “the King of the Skies.” The trio affectionately name him “Ratha,” and take him back to the village.

Days later, without warning, the village is beset upon by a monster infected by “the Black Blight.” They manage to drive it away, but not before it devastates the town—and leaves indelible scars in the hearts of Cheval and Lilia. A year passes… The hero receives a Kinship Stone from the Village Chief and officially becomes a Rider. Cheval and Lilia both leave the village, each on their own path. The hero, though separated now from childhood friends, partners up with the cheerful Navirou, and embarks upon a new adventure into the world of hunters.

A story of friendship and triumph await you—ride on into the world of Monster Hunter Stories!