Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

About Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Capcom released Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on July 8, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. This title shifts gears from the studio's usual action-hunting formula to a turn-based role-playing adventure. You play as a young Monster Rider who bonds with creatures called Monsties instead of slaying them. The story kicks off when you meet Ena, a Wyverian girl guarding an egg that could hatch into a legendary Rathalos. The plot follows the grandson of Red, a famous legend, as he travels to uncover ancient truths while preventing destruction. This game brings the beloved monster designs into a narrative-driven experience focused on companionship and exploration across various platforms.

Gameplay

You navigate the world in real-time before triggering turn-based battles against other monsters. Combat relies on a rock-paper-scissors system where you choose between Attack, Strength, or Speed moves to gain an advantage. Your character commands a Monstie directly during these fights, using special kinship attacks that deal heavy damage when timing is perfect. Outside of combat, you explore villages and fields to gather resources, hatch eggs from nests, and complete quests for villagers. The game features single-player campaigns alongside multiplayer options where you can trade monsters or visit friends' dens. Each session involves managing your party's inventory, upgrading skills, and preparing your team before heading out into new zones to find rare loot or face tougher opponents in dynamic encounters.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile rate this game highly with an average score of 82 from Metacritic critics. The community data shows a solid 78% completion rate among those who finished the main story. Average playtime sits around 35 hours for a standard run, though dedicated hunters spend closer to 60 hours collecting all achievements. Review snippets highlight the emotional weight of the Monstie bond and the depth of the turn-based strategy. Community moods lean heavily toward positive, with users frequently mentioning the charming character designs as a standout feature. Only about 15% of players dropped off before reaching the final boss. The achievement system offers 48 total trophies, and many users note that the co-op modes add significant replay value to an already lengthy campaign.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best for fans who prefer strategic turn-based combat over action-heavy sequences. The price point is attractive at $14.79 during sales on IndieGala, making it a low-risk purchase. You will spend time hunting eggs and managing your roster to unlock all 48 achievements, which adds substantial length to the experience. Critics praise the story, but some players find the exploration segments slow compared to the original Monster Hunter games. If you want a long adventure with deep monster bonding mechanics rather than frantic combat, this is worth your time. Skip it if you hate waiting for turn counters or prefer fast-paced action over narrative pacing.

Storyline

A new adventure awaits you in this second installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story. You play as the grandson of Red, a legendary Rider. The story begins with a fateful encounter with Ena, a Wyverian girl who has been entrusted with an egg with the potential to hatch into a legendary Rathalos which could wreak havoc if awakened to its destructive power. Embark on a journey which will test the bonds of friendship in a changing world, and discover the truth behind the legends of old.