Summer Game Fest Hands-On Preview: Monster Hunter Stories Remaster

Monster Hunter Stories first released on Nintendo 3DS back in 2017. The game launched to positive reviews from fans and critics alike, but as time has marched along, the 3DS family of systems have become a relic of the past and, thus, it’s harder to get ahold of Monster Hunter Stories and give it a play. Luckily, Capcom announced in March of this year that Monster Hunter Stories would be remastered and enhanced for release on Nintendo Switch starting June 14, 2024. That’s just a few days away and luckily we were able to sample this rerelease during Summer Game Fest and are ready to give you all the deets before you pick it up on Friday.

First off, as one might expect, it’s apparent from the outset that this was originally a Nintendo 3DS game. Visually, it’s not at the same level as its excellent sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. That said, the game still looks really good, with better textures, sharpened up character models, and an overall level of polish that simply wasn’t possible on Nintendo’s little handheld. What fans will be seeing in this remaster is the best version of the game they could ever hope for without a complete remake.

I realize that might make it sound like Monster Hunter Stories doesn’t impress from a graphics standpoint, but it really does look good despite having been born on weaker hardware. The art direction was a standout when the original version launched, and even now the beautiful aesthetic remains. The characters in particular are very well realized, and with the inclusion of English and Japanese voiceovers for the game, it’s easier than ever to get sucked into the experience.

This iteration of Monster Hunter Stories also brings with it the full suite of updates that the original game received over time. This includes content that was released exclusively in Japan. Expect to find monsters Teostra, Kushala Daora, and Rajang, available from the outset. There will also be post-game content like the Tower of Illusion, and even themed parts to customize your character with. Diehards will especially enjoy the grindy nature of the Tower of Illusion; it should give them plenty to sink their teeth into.

Museum Mode is another fresh addition to Monster Hunter Stories, carried over from its sequel. Those who decide to peruse this part of the game will find over 200 pieces of original design art to look at. There will also be a bunch of background music tracks to sit and listen to. What’s more, the designers of the game have even provided commentary on the work within the museum, offering a delightful insight into their thought processes while working on the game. It’s a most welcome inclusion that I wish more games had.

One thing that will be lacking in this rerelease is amiibo compatibility. Specifically, the amiibo that were launched in Japan alongside the original Monster Hunter Stories. While it was possible to import those figures and use them in the US release of the game, for this iteration of Monster Hunter Stories the compatibility has been removed. Players can, however, still use the Monster Hunter Stories 2 amiibo that launched with that game in the new Stories.

If you’ve pre-ordered the game (and there’s still some time left to do so) you’ll get the following for each version of Monster Hunter Stories:

You might have noticed that there’s a combo pack coming out as well called Monster Hunter Stories Collection. It includes both Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunters Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on purchasing the sequel, now you can get both it and the rerelease of Monster Hunters Stories at the same time. It’ll cost you an MSRP of $59.99.

After playing today’s demo, I certainly am excited to see the game make a return on Nintendo Switch. Will you be checking out Monster Hunter Stories this Friday? Share with us below and on social media!