Capcom’s expansiveMonster HunterIP recently saw the impressive launch ofMonster Hunter Riseon the Nintendo Switch, already with over six million copies sold. Next up for the series is a spin-off in the form ofMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.The firstMonster Hunter Storiesreleased on the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, introducing turn-based combat to the series for the first time, plus the ability to ride and hatch monsters.Monster Hunter Stories 2, which releases next month, continues that same spin-off momentum.
The newest installment in the spin-off series focuses on a young Monster Rider that comes into contact with a newly-hatched Rathalos. Players will have to unravel the mystery of a prophecy concerning the titular Wings of Ruin in this newMonster HunterRPG adventure.Monster Hunter Stories 2might share similarities withPokemonin its turn-based battles and monster capturing, but the game also seems to be drawing some inspiration fromThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
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Breath of the Wild’s Exploration May Have Influenced Monster Hunter Stories
There’s no doubt that Nintendo’sThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildhas had a lasting impact on the gaming world, and RPGs in general. Various games have either copied different gameplay elements from the game, or been heavily inspired by them. The general atmosphere ofBreath of the Wild’s open-world gameplay has also been a major source of inspiration for many new games. It seems like this could also be the case forMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Capcom has craftedMonster Hunter Stories 2to be open-world to a degree, allowing players to more deeply explore the different locations around the game world.
From the icy region of Loloska to the picturesque Pomore Garden area, players are presented with a variety of environments that they can really take in. InBreath of the Wild, players are often able to scale any rockface and explore any part of the map, which has been a huge reason the game is so beloved. While Capcom’s game may not have a map as expansive asBreath of the Wild,Monsties inMonster Hunter Stories 2will definitely open up new opportunities for exploration.
Certain Monsties can let the player jump over gaps, climb rocky walls, and travel over map terrain in unique ways. Giving players the ability to really explore environments is something Capcom seems to have invested in withMonster Hunter Stories 2.
Of course, theBreath of the Wildinspiration doesn’t necessarily stop there. Even the game’s Monster Dens, where players will be able to getMonstie eggs inMonster Hunter Stories 2, are somewhat similar toBreath of the Wild’s shrines in a way. WhileMonster Hunter Stories' Monster Dens randomly appear on the map, these are mini-areas that players will enter to retrieve a beneficial item (in this case, Monstie eggs), after besting the opponents within.
In the end,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildobviously doesn’t hold a monopoly on every gameplay element within its scope. It does, however, seem to be a blueprint for a bunch of new adventure games releasing these days. The player desire for deeply explorable worlds, and environments filled with life and excitement, is something that will never go away.
In any case, whileBreath of the Wild’s influence might be seen in a bit ofMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, Capcom’s newest entry in their franchise will surely stand on its own.July looks to be a busy month for Nintendo, withMonster Hunter Stories 2helping to boost up the Switch’s sales potential. Fans of theMonster Hunterseries won’t have to wait too much longer to experience this newest entry, either. Players will soon be able to explore all thatMonster Hunter Stories 2has to offer, and will be able to see for themselves if it feels anything likeBreath of the Wild.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruinwill release on Jul 30, 2025 for PC and Nintendo Switch.
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