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Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

CAPCOM Co., Ltd. · released Jul 8, 2021

AdventureRPG

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.

78
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “BLACK FRIDAY DEALS” (1y ago)

72%
At launch
83%
Steam all-time
81%
Press
81%
Player sentiment
85%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)8177
Creator reviews (4 tracked)913
All-time Steam reviews83%761000
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)85%791300
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 28, 2024) · 299 reviews sampled · 1300 total reviews in window · weighted 199.3 up / 42 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (127)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 75
    trust 79Jul 30, 2021

    For being such a drastic shift from the series norm, Stories 2 is a surprisingly fleshed-out experience. Fun combat, tons of customization, great graphics/music, it’s just an all-around good JRPG

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 78Aug 28, 2021

    "In grandfather's footsteps."

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 78Jul 23, 2021

    Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin have one of the most in-depth and exciting monster breeding system ever made, but sadly it comes with rather archaic narrative and boring combat encounters.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76Jul 7, 2021

    Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin deserves to find a sizable audience. It's full of charm and boasts depth that can immerse the committed or be dabbled with by those eager to simply experience the story. As a blend of Monster Hunter with a traditional RPG approach it's an accomplished effort, and offers the sort of meaty experience that'll keep most players busy for weeks. Switch owners will need to tolerate some disappointing performance, unfortunately, but the overall experience shines nonetheless. It's a game of bright colours and wholehearted optimism, which is very welcome indeed.Oh, and you can name your Monsties; trust us, you're gonna love these companions.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 74Jul 3, 2024

    While the story won’t wow anyone, it is sincere in its approach that it’s hard to be disappointed in it. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is great for monster-taming fans, and those who don’t mind a slow-paced game in a gorgeous and inviting world.

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    trust 72Jul 9, 2021

    Wings of Ruin is awesome, and you should play it. No, really. The first Stories game kind of flew under the radar for me. I had heard of it but never got around to playing it. This game practically called out to me and begged me to play it, and it delivered. This game is not just Monster Hunter fan service, as it might look on the surface. It is a legitimately good RPG with really fun gameplay, tons of polish, and it simply offers an all around good experience.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 71Aug 8, 2021

    Proof that the franchise has great potential for growth outside the bounds of its traditional mechanics.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 70May 15, 2025

    Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin features a deceptively complex combat system with nigh endless monster customisation options. Players can craft powerful monsters by acquiring genes through gameplay, and this system encourages players to continuously battle and collect monster eggs. The story is standard for a JRPG but is elevated by elements from the Monster Hunter universe and high-quality cutscenes. The voice acting and writing is well done, except for the character of Navirou who is a constant irritant. Overall, Monster Hunter Stories 2 offers deep gameplay for those that enjoy complex character building. The PlayStation 4 conversion is dazzling, and anyone who already played it on Nintendo Switch should consider this updated port for its improved fidelity.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 70Jul 26, 2021

    Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin runs fine on the Nintendo Switch - the monsters are a highlight, and the rest of the game is okay. That’s the real problem. That’s the real shame. That’s the real missed opportunity.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 70Jun 13, 2024

    Monster Hunter Stories 2 is the perfect cozy game for any Monster Hunter fan, or any cozy game fan, for that matter. It is wholesome, simple, and fun. An incredible story would have made this game even better, but it is still an excellent experience regardless.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 69Jul 7, 2021

    While it can get repetitive and you don't have as much control over combat as I'd like, this is undoubtedly a very strong entry in the series on its own merits. If the idea of raising a horde of monsters and having them knock the crap out of others sounds good to you, I can't imagine you won't find anything to enjoy here.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 69Jun 13, 2024

    While the overall structure of the game hasn't changed, the formula worked and didn't need any major shifts. But when compared to the first Stories, which already holds up really well, the small and large enhancements to every facet of the experience make this sequel a must-play RPG for any fan of the genre, or the Monster Hunter series.

    read full review ↗

…and 115 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Patch: Ver.1.6.1
    Nov 26, 2025
  2. BLACK FRIDAY DEALS
    Nov 28, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  3. Patch: Ver.1.6.0
    Nov 28, 2024
  4. Patch: Ver.1.5.5
    Jun 13, 2024
  5. Patch: Ver.1.5.3
    Jul 4, 2022
  6. Title Update (Ver.1.5.2) Release Notification
    Nov 8, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  7. Title Update (Ver.1.5.1) Release Notification
    Oct 27, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  8. Title Update (Ver.1.5.0) Release Notification
    Oct 20, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  9. Title Update (Ver.1.4.1) Release Notification
    Oct 6, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  10. Title Update (Ver.1.4.0) Release Notification: Free Title Update #4
    Sep 28, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  11. Title Update (Ver.1.3.1) Release Notification
    Sep 15, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  12. Title Update (Ver.1.3.0) Release Notification: Free Title Update #3
    Aug 31, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  13. Title Update (Ver.1.2.1) Release Notification
    Aug 18, 2021significant · resets scoring window