The Monster Hunter series is getting an RPG spinoff in an upcoming new game called Monster Hunter Stories. The new game will be diverging from the usual entries in the series as it features riding monsters instead of hunting them. Monster Hunter Stories is expected to be released sometime in 2016 for Nintendo 3DS.
News about the spinoff surfaced during the event held by Capcom in Tokyo called Monster Hunter Fest '15 Finals. In the event, Capcom unveiled a cinematic trailer for Monster Hunter Stories wherein Palico was shown with his sidekick Felyne. The pair appears to have stolen an egg from a monster before being saved by yet another monster, Rathalos, which appears to be the main character's pet. Palico then mounted and rode the friendly-looking beast.
Monster Hunter Stories will be making riders out of players instead of the usual hunters. The game appear to be more colourful and cutesy with a whimsical art style much like an anime compared to the usual Monster Hunter games. The monsters seem to be miniature and friendly versions of the usual ones from the series.
Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto reveals that the spinoff in the Monster Hunter series began development five years ago as a new challenge in the series. The developers hoped to stay true to the world of Monster Hunter while delivering a story that can only be told through an RPG. Tsujimoto then said that the game is still in development and added that they are doing their best to offer a kind of fun and excitement that is different from the conventional series.
There are not many details revealed about Monster Hunter Stories as of now other than it being an RPG spin off featuring riders instead of hunters and its 2016 launch in Japan exclusively for Nintendo 3DS consoles. Although there is still no news about a Western release, the game is expected to extend beyond Japan considering the success of the previous entries in the Monster Hunter series when it released in the U.S.
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