Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Review

Progression is one of the strongest aspects of the game, built around collecting, hatching and upgrading Monsties through the gene system. New monsters and abilities are introduced at a steady pace, keeping the gameplay loop engaging across the full campaign. The gene transfer system allows for meaningful customisation, encouraging experimentation with different builds and team compositions. While some grinding is required to optimise builds, it rarely feels excessive until the later stages of the game. Overall progression feels rewarding and is a major reason to continue into the postgame.

The game features a bright and stylised art direction that works well on both Switch and PC. Environments are colourful and readable, though they lack the detail and density seen in more graphically advanced titles. Monster designs are a highlight, with expressive animations that bring personality to each creature. On PC, higher resolutions and improved performance make the visuals noticeably cleaner. While not pushing technical boundaries, the presentation is polished and consistent.

World design focuses on large zones connected through a hub structure rather than a fully seamless world. Each area has its own theme, but exploration can feel limited due to relatively simple layouts and repeated environmental elements. Monster dens provide some incentive to explore, especially when searching for rare eggs and materials. However, compared to mainline Monster Hunter titles, the environments feel less alive and interactive. This results in a world that is functional but not particularly immersive.

Combat is built around a rock paper scissors system that is easy to understand but still offers strategic depth. Managing weapon types, Monstie abilities and kinship attacks adds layers to each encounter. The system works especially well in tougher battles where planning and prediction are more important. However, standard encounters can become repetitive once the core patterns are learned. Despite this, combat remains engaging enough to carry the experience across the full campaign.

The narrative in Wings of Ruin is a massive step up from the original, successfully blending the series' trademark sense of wonder with a more cinematic, emotional core. the story follows the grandson of a legendary Rider as they protect a Rathalos egg prophesied to bring ruin to the world. While the story is definitely a charming love letter to the Monster Hunter universe, with high-quality cutscenes and a memorable final boss, it misses a perfect score for due to a silent protagonist and the polarizing comic relief of Navirou.