Monster Hunter has always been a franchise that hasn’t interested me that much but that was until I played Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.
I’ve tried the mainline games and they just didn’t click for me. I tend to prefer more narrative-driven games so that might have played a part in the series not clicking.
Then I played Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin and my stance has softened. I think part of the softening has come from some of the gameplay elements that carry over to the mainline series.
For one, the eponymous hunting that I needed to do in MHS2 in order to upgrade my equipment. I enjoyed tracking down the different monsters and figuring out different strategies to defeat them.
Of course, MHS2 uses a turn-based combat rather than action-oriented battles. There are going to be other difference between the mainline and spinoffs and that is to be expected.
Still, I saw Monster Hunter Stories 2 as a gateway into the franchise. Something meant to be different enough to attract those who aren’t typically players but similar enough to give a brief experience of what you can expect.
I know that getting into Monster Hunter will be different than playing MHS2. I’m still not convinced the franchise will click for me.
All that said, I think I will give it another shot. That was something I wasn’t willing to do prior to playing Monster Hunter Stories 2.
I’ve written previously that franchises should try to the “stories” approach in more spinoffs. I think I would go a step further and say franchises should try genres outside of their base.
Obviously, this would have to be well done and not an obvious cash grab. I’m talking about games that are thought out and can introduce players to the franchise in a way that meets them where they are at.
If a developer can do this properly, they can expand their audience. I mean, look at Mario. There are your mainline platforming games but the franchise has expanded to RPGs, tactics, sports games, and party games.
Sure, that works easily in a franchise as robust as Mario so others would need to think out how they will do this approach. It can be as little or as big as possible but it should be done with care.
I return to Monster Hunter Stories 2. This was a game that took a lot of the elements from the mainline series and crafted them into a fun RPG.
It’s unique approach has made me reconsider my stance on the series, which I think Capcom would count as a win. I love seeing risk-taking in gaming so more franchises following suit would be a welcome sight.
What about you? Did you have a spinoff game that changed your opinion of a gaming franchise? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Capcom (via Digital Trends)
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