Monster Hunter Stories Remaster Arrives on Nintendo Switch: A Fresh Take on the Monster Collecting RPG Classic

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Published on: May 20, 2024

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Monster Hunter Stories Remaster Arrives on Nintendo Switch: A Fresh Take on the Monster Collecting RPG Classic Monster Hunter Stories, Capcom’s acclaimed monster-collecting RPG spin-off, is making its highly anticipated return in 2024 with a remastered edition for Nintendo Switch.

Originally debuting on Nintendo 3DS in 2016 in Japan (2017 internationally), Monster Hunter Stories offered a unique narrative-driven experience within the Monster Hunter universe, diverging from the mainline series’ action gameplay in favor of turn-based battles and deep monster bonding mechanics.

Now, a polished remaster is set to launch digitally via the Nintendo eShop worldwide on June 14, 2024, bringing new players and series veterans alike a revitalized adventure on modern hardware. Capcom's Commitment to Monster Hunter Fans The remaster’s development builds upon the updated Apple Arcade and mobile port of Monster Hunter Stories.

Fans can look forward to several quality-of-life improvements, including a robust new English voice-over that brings the game's extensive dialogue to life.

Capcom has carefully updated character models and textures while retaining the charm and visual style of the original 3DS release.

While the remaster is not a full remake on the scale of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, players can expect a faithfully preserved experience with enhancements that leverage the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch. A Seamless Experience for Series Newcomers and Veterans For those who discovered the Monster Hunter Stories series through its well-received sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, this remaster is a welcome opportunity to explore the roots of the franchise.

The revamped English voice acting provides an engaging entry point, and Capcom’s localization efforts have been widely praised.

Players begin their journey by creating a character and are soon introduced to Pondry Hills, a sprawling area poised for exploration and questing.

While the map design still reflects the 3DS origins, its straightforward layouts and ambient soundscape contribute to a nostalgic yet contemporary experience. Monster Riding and Exploration Expand Possibilities One of Monster Hunter Stories’ standout mechanics is its monster riding system, which directly affects world traversal.

Each monster companion, known as a 'Monstie', possesses unique traversal abilities—such as swimming or leaping across chasms—that open new paths within each zone.

This feature, a highlight among fans, enhances the core monster-collecting gameplay loop and injects a sense of discovery into every expedition. Performance and Presentation on Switch On the technical side, the Nintendo Switch version of Monster Hunter Stories targets a stable 60 FPS, maintaining consistent frame rates in most environments.

Occasional dips have been observed in densely populated or large open areas, particularly in the starting village, but the overall performance is praised as acceptable for portable and docked play.

Enhanced textures, improved draw distances, and crisp resolutions round out the presentation, ensuring the remaster does justice to the original’s art direction while making it visually appealing on today’s hardware.

Capcom is expected to further polish performance in potential post-launch updates. Refined Combat and Time-Tested RPG Design Monster Hunter Stories retains its rock-paper-scissors inspired, turn-based combat system, a foundation later used to build its sequel.

Every battle requires players to strategize by considering the attack preferences of both their Monsties and adversaries.

This tactical layer, combined with the variety of Monster Hunter’s iconic creatures, delivers a combat experience that is both approachable for newcomers and nuanced for veterans. A Welcome Revival for the Monster Hunter Community Monster Hunter Stories’ remaster arrives at a time when players are eager to revisit classic entries or experience them anew on Nintendo Switch.

The upgraded presentation paired with accessible turn-based gameplay ensures it stands out among 2024’s game releases.

As Capcom continues to celebrate its legacy of innovation and storytelling, this revived RPG offers the perfect blend of nostalgia and modernization for the Monster Hunter community. Monster Hunter Stories releases globally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch on June 14, 2024.

Stay tuned for our in-depth review at launch.

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