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Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin similar games & best alternatives

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2021

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Adventure, Role-playing (RPG)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging turn-based combat
    • Deep monster customization
    • Charming art style and animations
    • Long story and post-game content
    • Accessible for new and returning players

    Cons

    • Repetitive dungeon layouts
    • Region-locked and sparse multiplayer
    • Some story and character elements are simplistic
    • Slow battle animations without speed-up
    • Grind-heavy endgame progression

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status, Competition, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have significant control over team composition, gene customization, and battle tactics, allowing personal freedom in gameplay decisions."

    • Competence
      3

      "Combat involves strategic rock-paper-scissors mechanics and monster pattern recognition, providing skill challenges and rewarding mastery."

    • Competition
      1

      "Includes PvP and leaderboards but multiplayer is limited and often inactive; most play focuses on single-player progression."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Long story and post-game content with grinding and monster collection encourage extended play sessions and habitual engagement."

    • Cooperation
      2

      "Supports co-op multiplayer quests and AI partners, but online play is region-locked and not widely populated."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Extensive gene swapping and monster customization enable creative team building and strategic experimentation."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions emphasize cooperation and shared progression rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a relaxing, immersive fantasy escape with charming world and monster collecting."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encourages trying new monster builds, gene combinations, and battle strategies to optimize performance."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Features multiple regions and monster dens to discover, though some map reuse and repetitive dungeons limit novelty."

    • Expression
      3

      "Character and armor customization with color options and layered armor allow personal aesthetic expression."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative monsters, turn-based combat, and narrative-driven adventure."

    • Fellowship
      2

      "Community aspects exist through multiplayer and shared interests, but much play is solo with limited social interaction."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills in combat strategy and monster team building, with learning encouraged by game mechanics."

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during battles and exploration; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited emotional connection beyond gameplay cooperation."

    • Leadership
      2

      "Players lead their own monster teams and can guide multiplayer groups, though leadership roles are informal."

    • Progression
      5

      "Strong emphasis on collecting, upgrading gear, leveling monsters, and unlocking new abilities."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Turn-based combat and exploration provide a balanced challenge with opportunities for flow and stress relief."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Colorful visuals, detailed animations, and sound design provide engaging sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through multiplayer rankings and achievements, but mostly individual-focused gameplay."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative is simple but engaging with character development and cutscenes enhancing immersion."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Combat and team building require logical planning, pattern recognition, and tactical decision-making."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense in challenging battles and boss fights, though overall tone is more relaxed and casual."

    • Value
      4

      "Offers extensive content, replayability, and quality gameplay for the price, especially on sale."

    • Violence
      1

      "Combat involves defeating monsters but with a tame, cartoonish style and emphasis on bonding rather than destruction."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must manage resources and avoid defeat in battles, though difficulty is moderate and adjustable."

    Where to buy

    Last update: 29/04/2026