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Monster Hunter Stories similar games & best alternatives

Monster Hunter Stories

PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Nintendo 3DS, Android • 2024

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Quick resume

Monster Hunter Stories is an RPG that takes the world of Monster Hunter and expands upon it in new and exciting ways! No longer are you hunting monsters, but raising them! In this deep story featuring heroes known as Monster Riders, you will live alongside monsters and form lifelong bonds with them.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Charming monster collection and customization
    • Engaging turn-based combat with strategy
    • Colorful visuals and memorable music
    • Nostalgic and accessible for newcomers
    • Long playtime with post-game content

    Cons

    • Some grinding and rng elements
    • Story is simple and sometimes cheesy
    • Camera and controls can be awkward
    • Limited multiplayer and social features
    • Graphics show 3ds origins in some areas

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players can freely explore open-ish world, choose characters in party, and customize skill trees, but story progression is linear and some character control is forced."

      Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

      "Players have freedom to customize characters and monsties, choose battle strategies, and explore the world at their own pace, though the story progression is somewhat linear."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves strategic rock-paper-scissors mechanics and monster pattern recognition, providing skill challenges and rewarding mastery."

      Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

      "Combat involves strategic rock-paper-scissors mechanics requiring skill and pattern recognition; some grinding and optimization needed especially in post-game."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -2

      "Focus is mostly on personal progression and exploration; multiplayer is cooperative rather than competitive, with limited PvP."

      Capsule for Terraria Terraria

      "Focus is mainly on single player experience and personal progression; multiplayer and PvP exist but are minor aspects."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement; game encourages replayability and New Game+."

      Capsule for Persona® 5 Strikers Persona® 5 Strikers

      "Many players report long playtimes, replayability through monster collection, customization, and post-game content encourage habitual play."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay centers on individual player control of a party; limited multiplayer or cooperative features."

      Capsule for Disgaea PC Disgaea PC

      "Gameplay centers on individual player and their party of monsters; limited multiplayer or cooperative modes."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Extensive gene swapping and monster customization enable creative team building and strategic experimentation."

      Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

      "Extensive monster customization via gene channeling and element changes, plus character customization and build variety."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

      Capsule for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Assassin’s Creed Shadows

      "Interactions are generally balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as an immersive fantasy adventure to escape real life, enjoying exploration and story."

      Capsule for Stray Blade Stray Blade

      "Players use the game as a charming, immersive fantasy world to escape real life and enjoy a lighthearted adventure."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for RoboCop: Rogue City RoboCop: Rogue City

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players experiment with mechanics, crafting, talents, and combat tactics to discover effective strategies."

      Capsule for Rencounter Rencounter

      "Encouraged to experiment with monster elements, skills, and team compositions to find effective strategies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore diverse, colorful environments and revisit areas to find new monsters and secrets."

      Capsule for WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY® WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY®

      "Players explore varied colorful environments and monster dens, discovering new monsters and items."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Character customization and cosmetic options allow self-expression."

      Capsule for Once Human Once Human

      "Character customization and ability to alter monster appearances and elements support self-expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative monsters, turn-based combat, and narrative-driven adventure."

      Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

      "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative monsters, heroic narrative, and turn-based RPG mechanics."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -3

      "Primarily a solo experience with limited social or community features."

      Capsule for Home Behind Home Behind

      "Primarily a solo experience with limited social or community features."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills in monster breeding, team optimization, and strategic combat, with learning encouraged."

      Capsule for DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince

      "Players develop skills in combat strategy and monster management; progression through leveling and gene customization."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of turn-based RPGs; no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for Nexomon: Extinction Nexomon: Extinction

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of turn-based RPGs; no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during battles and exploration; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for Temtem Temtem

      "Requires focused attention during battles and exploration; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -3

      "Limited emotional or close social interactions; relationships mostly functional for gameplay purposes."

      Capsule for 觅长生 觅长生

      "Limited social interaction; relationships mostly with in-game characters and monsters rather than other players."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Players lead their party and make strategic decisions, though no multiplayer leadership roles exist."

      Capsule for Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

      "Players lead their party of monsters and make strategic decisions, though no multiplayer leadership roles."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on collecting, crafting, and upgrading gear to advance."

      Capsule for Spiral Knights Spiral Knights

      "Strong emphasis on collecting, upgrading, and customizing monsters and gear to advance."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Generally relaxing gameplay with light challenge; some tension in final sequences but overall balanced flow."

      Capsule for Voodoo Detective Voodoo Detective

      "Generally a relaxing and charming experience with balanced challenge; some tension in endgame content."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable colorful visuals, smooth animations, and pleasant music provide sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Shantae and the Seven Sirens Shantae and the Seven Sirens

      "Colorful visuals, memorable music, and expressive animations provide enjoyable sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -3

      "Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is not a primary motivator."

      Capsule for Rise of the Tomb Raider™ Rise of the Tomb Raider™

      "Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is not a primary motivator."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative is simple but emotionally engaging with character-driven plot and meaningful moments."

      Capsule for Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream

      "Narrative is simple but charming and engaging, with character development and emotional moments."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Turn-based combat requires tactical thinking, positioning, and team synergy."

      Capsule for Horizon Walker Horizon Walker

      "Turn-based combat requires tactical thinking, pattern recognition, and team composition planning."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some suspense in battles and boss strikes, but overall a casual and controlled experience."

      Capsule for Battle Nations Battle Nations

      "Some suspense in battles and boss fights, but overall a controlled and predictable experience."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive strong value due to nostalgia, depth, and replayability, especially with remaster improvements."

      Capsule for FINAL FANTASY VIII - REMASTERED FINAL FANTASY VIII - REMASTERED

      "Players find good value in content, replayability, and nostalgia; positive reception to remaster quality."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -2

      "Combat involves fighting monsters but is cartoonish and non-graphic; emphasis on playful battles rather than destruction."

      Capsule for Costume Quest Costume Quest

      "Combat is turn-based and stylized; focus on monster companionship rather than destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players manage health and resources to survive battles; some challenge in avoiding defeat."

      Capsule for Doom & Destiny Doom & Destiny

      "Battles involve managing health and resources to avoid defeat; some challenge in high-rank content."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression, Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026