Monster Hunter: World similar games & best alternatives

Monster Hunter: World

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One • 2018

Should you play it?

Welcome to a new world! In Monster Hunter: World, the latest installment in the series, you can enjoy the ultimate hunting experience, using everything at your disposal to hunt monsters in a new world teeming with surprises and excitement.

What works
  • Addictive and rewarding gameplay loop
  • Large variety of weapons and builds
  • Beautiful and immersive world design
  • Strong cooperative multiplayer community
  • Extensive content and replayability
Things to keep in mind
  • Story considered mediocre and cringey
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Some grind required for progression
  • Ui can be confusing or small
  • Some monsters or fights frustrating

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

  • MONSTER HUNTER RISE

  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon

  • Heretic + Hexen

  • Granblue Fantasy: Relink

  • Darksiders Genesis

  • Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

  • Grounded

  • Dungeon Defenders
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Lenna's Inception

  • Perennial Order

  • CounterAttack: Uprising
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Cobalt
  • Continuation

    The Perfect Tower II
  • Escapism

    *NEW* SCUFFED EPIC BHOP SIMULATOR 2023 (POG CHAMP)

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: World: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. 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, Violence.

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

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, vehicles, crafting, and tactics with many customization options."

    Capsule for Worms W.M.D Worms W.M.D

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, builds, and playstyles; many customization options and personal strategies."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with complex combat mechanics, timing, and movement mastery; players receive feedback and can improve through practice."

    Capsule for Cobalt Cobalt

    "High skill ceiling with complex combat mechanics; players learn monster patterns and weapon mastery; rewarding progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    1

    "Some multiplayer interaction and chasing with others, but no strong emphasis on ranked competition or leaderboards."

    Capsule for OUTBRK OUTBRK

    "Some multiplayer and co-op play with randoms or friends, but no strong emphasis on ranked competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Highly addictive with very long playtimes reported; players invest hundreds to thousands of hours and habitual play is common."

    Capsule for The Perfect Tower II The Perfect Tower II

    "Very long playtime with addictive gameplay loop; players invest hundreds to thousands of hours; strong habitual engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Multiplayer co-op hunting emphasized; players enjoy teaming up with friends to defeat monsters."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo

    "Co-op multiplayer with SOS flares and group hunts; community praised for helpfulness; teamwork important in hunts."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Customization of team members, weapons, and skill builds allows creative experimentation with playstyles."

    Capsule for Yet Another Zombie Survivors Yet Another Zombie Survivors

    "Customization of armor, weapons, and Palicos; room decorating and build experimentation encourage creativity."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Community described as friendly and cooperative; no strong evidence of dominance or toxic behavior."

    Capsule for VERSUS SQUAD VERSUS SQUAD

    "Community described as friendly and cooperative; no strong evidence of dominance or toxic behavior emphasized."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Many players report using the game to escape depression, stress, and real-life problems; strong emotional and immersive impact."

    Capsule for *NEW* SCUFFED EPIC BHOP SIMULATOR 2023 (POG CHAMP) *NEW* SCUFFED EPIC BHOP SIMULATOR 2023 (POG CHAMP)

    "Players report using game as stress relief and escape from real life; immersive world and engaging gameplay."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Blade and Sorcery Blade and Sorcery

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players try different builds, weapons, and skills; game encourages exploration of mechanics and combat tactics."

    Capsule for Legendary Tales Legendary Tales

    "Players try different weapons, builds, and strategies; game encourages learning and experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Game features diverse, large maps with secrets and encourages discovery and world traversal."

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

    "Large, detailed maps with secrets and diverse environments; players enjoy exploring and tracking monsters."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    4

    "Extensive character customization and dressing room features allow self-expression."

    Capsule for SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal

    "Character and Palico customization, armor layering for fashion, and room decoration support self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strong fantasy setting with magic, mythical creatures, and imaginative lore central to the experience."

    Capsule for Age of Wonders 4 Age of Wonders 4

    "Imaginative world with fantastical monsters and lore; strong fantasy elements central to the experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Strong community presence, multiplayer cooperation, and shared interest foster social connection."

    Capsule for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

    "Strong sense of community and shared interest; cooperative multiplayer fosters social connection."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Players experience continuous learning, skill acquisition, and personal development through complex mechanics."

    Capsule for Idle Wizard Idle Wizard

    "Continuous learning of mechanics, weapon mastery, and monster behaviors; personal skill development emphasized."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay; no physical activity or health-related features noted."

    Capsule for Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay; no physical activity or health-related features noted."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement; not suited for background or idle play."

    Capsule for Spin Rhythm XD Spin Rhythm XD

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement; not suited for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Some social interaction and friendships formed through community and multiplayer, but limited evidence of deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for Synth Riders Synth Riders

    "Some social interaction and friendships formed through multiplayer; limited evidence of deep emotional connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    1

    "Some players may lead in multiplayer groups, but mostly cooperative with shared decision-making."

    Capsule for Craftopia Craftopia

    "Some players lead groups or guide others, but mostly cooperative and shared decision-making."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong focus on collecting, leveling up characters, acquiring items, and upgrading equipment."

    Capsule for Onmyoji Onmyoji

    "Strong focus on collecting materials, crafting better gear, and upgrading weapons and armor."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Despite challenge, players find the game relaxing and enjoyable, with flow and catharsis reported."

    Capsule for Burger Shop 3 Burger Shop 3

    "Gameplay can be relaxing and satisfying; some tension during hunts but overall flow and catharsis reported."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Dynamic visuals, intense soundtracks, and explosive combat provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for Project Wingman Project Wingman

    "Enjoyable visuals, soundtracks, and intense combat provide sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition within community and multiplayer, but not a major focus."

    Capsule for Planet S Planet S

    "Some recognition within community and multiplayer, but not a major focus of the game."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Story is present but straightforward and not deeply engaging; gameplay is the main focus."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas

    "Story present but considered mediocre or secondary; gameplay is the main focus."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning builds, learning boss patterns, and tactical combat decisions."

    Capsule for Valdis Story: Abyssal City Valdis Story: Abyssal City

    "Requires planning, learning monster patterns, and tactical combat decisions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Challenge and risk of failure create tension and excitement during gameplay."

    Capsule for Cube Runner Cube Runner

    "Excitement from challenging hunts and risk of failure; tension and relief cycles during gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for content volume, replayability, and price, offering excellent value for money."

    Capsule for Monster Train 2 Monster Train 2

    "Highly praised for content volume and replayability; considered worth the price and good investment."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves combat, killing monsters, and destruction."

    Capsule for The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing

    "Core gameplay involves combat and defeating monsters; combat is a central enjoyable element."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage health, stamina, and resources to survive monster attacks; survival elements present."

    Capsule for Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo

    "Players manage health, stamina, and resources to survive monster encounters; threat avoidance important."

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Last update: 01/06/2026