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

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

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

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Engaging turn-based combat
  • Deep monster customization
  • Charming art style and animations
  • Long story and post-game content
  • Accessible for new and returning players
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • MONSTER HUNTER RISE

  • PixARK

  • Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

  • Guild Wars 2®

  • Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition

  • Persona 5 Royal

  • Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

  • Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition

  • Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Doom & Destiny Advanced

  • Lenna's Inception

  • A House of Many Doors
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin: 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.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

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    "Players have extensive control over character creation, party composition, and tactical formations, allowing personal freedom in gameplay decisions."

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves strategic rock-paper-scissors mechanics requiring skill and pattern recognition; some grinding and optimization needed especially in post-game."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories Monster Hunter Stories

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

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    "Includes PVP battles and leaderboards but multiplayer is limited and not the main focus; mostly personal progression."

    Capsule for The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt

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

  • Continuation

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    "Strong grind and post-game content encourage long play sessions and habitual engagement."

    Capsule for Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Supports local co-op play and collaborative level creation, though online multiplayer is not present."

    Capsule for Levelhead Levelhead

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive customization of monsters via gene swapping and habitat restoration allows creative team building."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Wizard with a Gun Wizard with a Gun

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

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

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

  • Experimenting

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    "Game encourages trying new builds, skill combinations, and strategies to optimize progression."

    Capsule for Grim Clicker Grim Clicker

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

  • Exploration

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    "Players explore multiple dungeons and overworld maps with some discovery, though some mention of repetitive environments."

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

  • Expression

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    "Character customization, skins, and color filters allow personal expression and aesthetic choices."

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

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    "Strong fantasy setting with imaginative monsters, heroic narrative, and turn-based RPG mechanics."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories Monster Hunter Stories

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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    "Community aspects exist through multiplayer and shared experiences, though solo play is common."

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

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    "Players develop skills in combat and creature building, learning enemy patterns and optimization."

    Capsule for Strange Seed Strange Seed

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

  • Health

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    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

    Capsule for Halo: The Master Chief Collection Halo: The Master Chief Collection

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Temtem Temtem

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

  • Intimacy

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    "Some social interaction in multiplayer, but limited emotional connection described."

    Capsule for The Witcher Adventure Game The Witcher Adventure Game

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

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    "Players lead their party of monsters and make strategic decisions, though no multiplayer leadership roles."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Stories Monster Hunter Stories

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring and upgrading gear, and unlocking new abilities."

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

  • Relaxation

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    "Turn-based combat and exploration provide a relaxing experience, though grind and paywalls add tension."

    Capsule for Vampire's Fall 2 Vampire's Fall 2

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Colorful visuals, satisfying sound effects, and engaging animations provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Dungeonmans Dungeonmans

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

  • Status

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

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Engaging narrative with cutscenes and character development adds depth and immersion to gameplay."

    Capsule for GIGA WRECKER GIGA WRECKER

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Combat and team building require planning, timing, and tactical decision making."

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

  • Thrill

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    "Some suspense and challenge in difficult missions and boss fights, but overall casual tone."

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

  • Value

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    "Offers extensive content, replayability, and quality gameplay, considered worth the price by players."

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

  • Violence

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    "Combat involves defeating monsters but is low-violence and cartoonish in style."

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

  • Survival

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

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026