Monster Hunter

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

A fantasy action-RPG franchise that places players in the role of a Hunter, slaying or trapping large monsters across vast landscapes to craft new equipment.

Official Website

Jump to:Story·Impact·Characters·FAQ

IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Monster Hunter

Also Known As

MonHun, MH

Format

Video Game Franchise

Release Year

2004

Current Status

Active

Country of Origin

Japan

Region

Japan

Creator

Kaname Fujioka, Ryozo Tsujimoto

Publisher

Capcom

Original Work

Game

Genre

Action RPG, Hack and Slash, Adventure

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Monster Hunter.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

In a world where colossal monsters rule the ecosystem, players take on the role of a Hunter working for the Hunter's Guild. The Guild's mission is not just to kill, but to maintain the delicate balance of nature and protect human settlements from rampaging beasts (Elder Dragons). Hunters track prey across vast, untamed wildernesses, studying their behaviors and weaknesses. By slaying or capturing monsters, they harvest materials to craft weapons and armor, allowing them to face even greater threats in a continuous loop of mastery and progression.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

A lush, prehistoric-fantasy world teeming with life. The setting is defined by its diverse, seamless ecosystems—from the dense Ancient Forest and the arid Wildspire Waste to the freezing Hoarfrost Reach. It is a world where nature is the dominant force, and humanity lives in small, fortified hubs like Astera or Kamura Village, relying on harmony with the land to survive.

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Harmony with Nature (The Circle of Life); Mastery through Observation and Preparation; Cooperation (Hunting in packs); The awe and terror of the natural world; Adaptation and Survival.

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Monster Hunter's global influence.

2004

Series debut on PlayStation 2.

2008

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite popularizes the series on PSP.

2018

Monster Hunter: World becomes Capcom's best-selling game ever.

2021

Monster Hunter Rise launches with new Wirebug mechanics.

2025

Monster Hunter Wilds announced as the next evolution.

Sales

Over 100 million units sold worldwide

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Monster Hunter.

The Hunter

The player character, a skilled warrior who tracks and hunts massive monsters to protect the ecosystem and craft equipment.

Palicoes

Reliable Felyne comrades who support hunters on quests with healing, traps, and offensive abilities.

The Handler

A Guild receptionist who manages quests, cooks meals, and provides logistical support for the Hunter in the New World.

Rathalos

The flagship monster of the series, a Flying Wyvern known as the 'King of the Skies' that attacks with fireballs and poisonous claws.

Explore all Monster Hunter characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter?▼

The core loop of Monster Hunter is 'Hunt, Carve, Craft.' Players accept quests to hunt specific monsters, defeat them in battles that can last 15-50 minutes, and carve materials (scales, shells, bones) from their bodies. These materials are then used to craft and upgrade weapons and armor, which allows the player to challenge even stronger monsters. There is no character leveling system; progression is entirely gear-based.

How many weapon types are there?▼

There are 14 distinct weapon types in the mainline series, each playing like a completely different game. These include melee weapons like the Great Sword (slow, heavy hits), Dual Blades (fast, fluid combos), and Insect Glaive (aerial combat), as well as ranged weapons like the Bow, Light Bowgun, and Heavy Bowgun. Mastering a weapon is a key part of the experience.

Can you play Monster Hunter solo?▼

Yes, every quest in Monster Hunter can be completed solo. The game dynamically scales monster health based on the number of players (1, 2, or 4). While the series is famous for its 4-player co-op multiplayer, many veterans prefer playing solo to learn monster patterns more effectively. Your Palico (cat companion) also assists you in solo play.

What is the difference between Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise?▼

Monster Hunter: World (2018) focuses on immersion, high-fidelity graphics, and tracking monsters through dense, complex environments. It is slower-paced and more grounded. Monster Hunter Rise (2021) is faster-paced, focusing on verticality and mobility with the 'Wirebug' mechanic and 'Palamute' riding. Rise was originally designed for the Nintendo Switch (portable), while World was built for consoles/PC.

What are Palicoes and Palamutes?▼

Palicoes are Felynes (cat-like creatures) that serve as support companions, healing the hunter, setting traps, and attacking monsters. Palamutes (introduced in Rise) are Canynes (dog-like creatures) that players can ride to traverse the map quickly and who also fight alongside the hunter. In solo play, you can usually bring two companions; in multiplayer, you can bring one.

Who are the flagship monsters?▼

Each game features a 'flagship' monster that is central to the story and marketing. The most iconic is the Rathalos (King of the Skies), who appears in every game. Other famous flagships include Tigrex, Nargacuga, Zinogre, Brachydios, Nergigante (World), and Magnamalo (Rise). Defeating the flagship is usually a major milestone in the campaign.

Is Monster Hunter an open-world game?▼

Not traditionally. Older games had segmented maps with loading screens between zones. Monster Hunter: World introduced seamless maps where zones are connected without loading screens, but the game is still divided into distinct locales (Forest, Desert, Coral Highlands, etc.) rather than one massive continuous open world. The upcoming 'Monster Hunter Wilds' is expected to push further towards open-world design.

How do armor skills work?▼

Armor pieces provide 'Skills' that enhance your hunter's abilities. These range from offensive boosts (Attack Boost, Critical Eye) to defensive utility (Earplugs to block roars, Evade Window to increase dodge invincibility). Mixing and matching armor pieces to build a specific set of skills is the 'meta' game of Monster Hunter. In modern games, you can also slot 'Decorations' (gems) into armor to add specific skills.

Is there a story in Monster Hunter?▼

While there is always a narrative reason for your hunts (e.g., investigating a new continent, stopping a rampage), the story has traditionally been secondary to the gameplay. However, recent entries like World and Rise have put more emphasis on cinematic storytelling, characters, and lore, although the primary focus remains on the ecosystem and the monsters themselves.

What is 'High Rank' and 'Master Rank'?▼

The game is divided into difficulty tiers. 'Low Rank' acts as the tutorial/story mode. 'High Rank' introduces harder versions of monsters with new moves and better materials for crafting stronger gear. 'Master Rank' (formerly G-Rank) is the highest difficulty tier, usually added in an expansion (like Iceborne or Sunbreak), featuring the toughest challenges and the most powerful equipment.