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Best Monster Hunter Spin Off Games

Oct 22, 2026
Featured game screenshot
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Featured game screenshot

Welcome to our guide on the best Monster Hunter spin off games! If you've played all the mainline entries in the franchise, or if your just looking for something a little different, we've got you covered in our ranked list where each game is scored against a unique set of metrics tailored to the genre!

At A Glance

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
#1
4.5
Progression
4.0
Graphics
4.5
World Design
4.5
Combat
4.5
Story
5.0

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
#2
4.0
Progression
4.5
Graphics
4.0
World Design
3.5
Combat
4.0
Story
4.0

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Now
#3
3.4
Progression
3.5
Graphics
4.0
World Design
3.0
Combat
4.0
Story
2.5

Monster Hunter Now

Monster Hunter Stories (Remaster)
#4
3.2
Progression
3.5
Graphics
3.0
World Design
3.0
Combat
3.5
Story
3.0

Monster Hunter Stories (Remaster)

Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Palico Village DX
#5
3.2
Progression
4.0
Graphics
4.0
World Design
3.5
Combat
2.0
Story
2.5

Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Palico Village DX

Best Monster Hunter Spin Off Games Frequently Asked Questions

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection ranks first on this list with an overall score of 4.5/5.

No, none of the games on this list are free to play.

Yes, Monster Hunter Now support cross-platform play, though not every game on this list does.

Between them, these games are available on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS.

Every game is scored against a defined rubric built from real player feedback on Steam, Reddit, and gaming forums, not press reviews. Each metric is scored out of 5, and games are ranked by their combined score for this specific list.

Detailed Breakdown

#1
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Action RPG
Turn-based
4.5
Mar 2026
Progression
Graphics
World Design
Combat
Story

The Good

  • Strategic combat that rewards planning and team composition
  • Visually polished art style with expressive monster animations
  • Exploration feels rewarding with hidden dens and rare monsters

The Bad

  • No multiplayer or co-op features
  • High frequency of crashes particularly for players using AMD GPUs (as of March 2026)
  • Removal of the flying mechanic after beating the game
  • Cannot remove Rathalos from your party, limiting customization for those who wanted a full team of other Monsties

Final Verdict

"Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection builds on the formula with a stronger narrative, refined combat and excellent presentation. The progression and monster systems remain engaging throughout, even if pacing dips slightly in the mid game. The lack of multiplayer may disappoint some, but as a single player RPG it delivers a polished and enjoyable experience."

#2
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Action RPG
multiplayer
4.0
Jul 2021
Progression
Graphics
World Design
Combat
Story

The Good

  • Gene stacking allows for some surprisingly creative and overpowered builds late game
  • Story has more emotional focus than most Monster Hunter titles
  • Royal Monsters add early high risk high reward encounters in the overworld
  • Postgame deviants and elder dragons give long term goals beyond the main story

The Bad

  • Limited voice acting reduces impact of key story moments
  • UI and menu navigation can feel slow when managing large monster collections
  • Lack of fast traversal early on makes backtracking more noticeable
  • Online co-op requires progression before it fully opens up

Final Verdict

"Monster Hunter Stories 2 earns its score through a genuinely addictive progression loop and one of the strongest monster collection systems in the genre. The gene system and steady unlocks keep the experience engaging well beyond the main story, even if combat repetition and simpler world design hold it back from feeling truly top tier. While co-op adds some extra longevity, this is ultimately a single player focused RPG that delivers where it matters most."

#3
Monster Hunter Now

Monster Hunter Now

Action RPG
mobile
3.4
Sep 2023
Progression
Graphics
World Design
Combat
Story

The Good

  • Encourages real world exploration with meaningful rewards
  • Short hunt structure makes it ideal for quick sessions
  • Regular events and monster rotations keep content feeling active
  • Strong sense of community during local group hunts

The Bad

  • Heavily dependent on location and population density
  • Potion and resource limits can restrict playtime
  • Limited depth compared to mainline Monster Hunter titles
  • Progression pacing can feel gated without daily play

Final Verdict

"Monster Hunter Now delivers a streamlined version of the series that works well for mobile, with strong multiplayer and satisfying short session gameplay. The real world design and regular updates keep it engaging, even if progression pacing and repetition hold it back long term. It stands out as a polished location based game, but it is best suited for casual play rather than deep progression."

#4
Monster Hunter Stories (Remaster)

Monster Hunter Stories (Remaster)

Action RPG
Turn-based
3.2
Jun 2024
Progression
Graphics
World Design
Combat
Story

The Good

  • The addition of a complete voice cast adds much-needed emotional weight to the cinematic cutscenes
  • The ability to speed up combat animations significantly reduces the friction of the early-game grind
  • The only entry where you can change a monster’s element by infusing enough specific genes, resulting in rare visual color shifts
  • Scanning original 3DS or Stories 2 amiibo unlocks unique skins and items

The Bad

  • No Second Rider Support
  • With only four weapon types available, combat customization feels thin compared to the sequels
  • Long treks through the various zones can feel strangely quiet without an atmospheric soundtrack
  • The world design still feels boxy and empty, a clear leftover from its 3DS hardware origins

Final Verdict

"Monster Hunter Stories delivers a cozy and engaging entry point into the franchise, successfully bridging the gap between traditional JRPGs and the complex world of Monster Hunter. The remaster handles the transition to modern hardware well, offering enough quality-of-life improvements and visual polish to satisfy both returning veterans and newcomers. While the simple world design and occasionally repetitive dialogue show its age, the core Hunt, Hatch, Repeat loop remains a standout experience in the genre."

#5
Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Palico Village DX

Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Palico Village DX

Action RPG
3.2
Sep 2015
Progression
Graphics
World Design
Combat
Story

The Good

  • Costume / event style crossovers with Animal Crossing and Super Mario Bros
  • Players can ride Poogies around the village and participate in surprisingly competitive Poogie races
  • Over 100 Felyne villagers to recruit and interact with
  • Seeing monsters like Tigrex and Zinogre reimagined as cute, manageable neighbors is a charming highlight

The Bad

  • Lack of English Localization, making a high level of Japanese proficiency (or a fan translation) essential to navigate the text-heavy menus
  • The automated questing system lacks any real depth, often feeling like a repetitive chore rather than an engaging tactical challenge
  • Moving between the different village facilities can be sluggish with frequent loading screens

Final Verdict

"Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Palico Village DX is a delightful, low-stress departure from the series' usual intensity that prioritizes charm and community over combat. While the management systems are addictive and the visual style is undeniably cute, the simplistic gameplay and lack of localization make it a niche title for die-hard Felyne fans. It’s the perfect vibe game for players who want to see a softer side of the Monster Hunter world, but those looking for strategic depth or action will find the field quests significantly lacking."

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