Monster Hunter Stories is a unique entry in the legendary Monster Hunter franchise. Unlike previous titles, this game adopts a full-fledged RPG format with anime-inspired visuals, centered on the bond between riders and monsters. According to Crickex App experts, it is the first RPG-style game in the series, offering a fresh gameplay experience while staying true to the original Monster Hunter universe.

In the game, players form bonds with monsters, nurture them, and fight alongside them as riders. You’ll travel through various regions, experience narrative-driven missions, and immerse yourself in the world’s rich lore. The revamped version includes full Japanese and English voice acting, along with added features like design artwork and an in-game museum.

Inventory management is intuitive—players can carry unlimited items, excluding equipment. Items are organized into categories like healing items, support tools, ores, monster materials, monster eggs, and key items. Gathering tools such as bug nets and pickaxes are now considered “key items,” meaning once acquired through story progression, they can be used infinitely without quantity limits.

Item synthesis, or crafting, involves combining two items into one, but there’s no failure rate—so there’s no need for recipe books. However, available combinations depend on your character’s progression. Equipment is simplified with only three slots: weapon, armor, and accessory (charm). Skills are preset, eliminating the need to micromanage stat combinations.

Although the overall item inventory is unlimited, combat restricts you to a limited number of usable items. Outside of battle, you can use anything freely. Monsters are cataloged in two categories: wild monsters and tamed monsters. Only after defeating a new wild monster will it appear in your bestiary, often with reward bonuses.

Crickex App field testing reveals that Guild Cards are back, allowing players to view and customize their own and their friends’ cards—editing backgrounds and titles just like in past games. The game also tracks stats like playtime, total monsters defeated, and more. While the medal system returns, it has fewer total medals and is grouped into five categories.

Combat is based on a three-way rock-paper-scissors mechanic: Power beats Speed, Speed beats Technical, and Technical beats Power. This mechanic only activates during face-offs, or “head-to-heads.” If your type counters the opponent, their attack is nullified. If types match, both sides take normal damage.

There are both Rider and Monster skills, each following the same three-type logic. Rider skills depend on your weapon, while monsters gradually learn skills as they level up. All skills require Kinship Points, which function like MP in traditional RPGs but accumulate gradually in battle. Winning a type match grants more Kinship Points.

Once your Kinship Gauge is full, pressing Y triggers a riding state. From there, you can unleash a special move that consumes all Kinship Points and ends the riding state—or hold off, continue building the gauge, and power up to Level 2 or Level 3 for an even stronger ultimate. Be warned though: getting countered twice in a row knocks you off your mount and resets your gauge.

Each battle allows only one monster to fight alongside you. If either you or your monster is knocked out, the fallen party revives with full HP, but you lose one heart. The other party’s HP does not recover. When your monster’s health is low, you can choose to heal or swap in another companion. It’s worth noting that monsters act autonomously unless using skills, so swapping monsters to adapt your strategy is often necessary—especially against fast enemies.

Boss fights include part-breaking mechanics. Destroying specific parts—such as the head—grants additional materials. Some boss battles also feature special clashes requiring analog stick rotations; these are relatively easy to win. Plus, battles can be sped up to 2x, saving time on longer encounters.

In short, Crickex App players should pay close attention to their HP during battles. If you’re careless, even a routine encounter can result in defeat. Play smart, adapt to each fight, and make your story in Monster Hunter Stories one worth remembering.