The Thrilling Evolution of the Monster Hunter Series

The Monster Hunter series has entered another lull after the release of its final major update, which introduced the Primordial Malzeno as the ultimate monster. The recent generation of Monster Hunter, including Monster Hunter Rise and the Sunbreak expansion, has been incredibly successful, although it hasn't quite reached the same level of fame as Monster Hunter World, which propelled the franchise to worldwide recognition.

However, this success also brings about a problem. With the development of Monster Hunter Rise now complete, fans were eagerly anticipating news about what would come next. The final update seemed like the perfect opportunity to pass the baton to the Summer Game Fest, but disappointingly, there were no appearances by Monster Hunter during any of the festival's events. Even the upcoming mobile title, Monster Hunter Now, only made a brief appearance and was predominantly showcased at the physical Niantic booth. The future of the franchise remains uncertain, leaving fans unsure of how long they will have to wait before new developments are revealed.

Another Monster Hunter World Could Be Enough

A potential direction for the next Monster Hunter installment could be Monster Hunter World 2. Given the success and recognition of the original World game, it would be wise to continue its legacy in the upcoming title. While Monster Hunter Rise experimented with new features like monster riding and the Wirebug movement system, World brought the series back to its roots with a modern touch. It served as a true reset point, introducing the franchise to mainstream audiences on platforms such as the PS4 and Xbox One. Monster Hunter World set a new standard for the series, and it would be a safe bet to expand on that success.

Although the specifics of what Monster Hunter World 2 could bring are uncertain, it has the potential to once again raise the bar for the franchise. Like its predecessor, the game could make the leap to the next generation of consoles, including the PS5 and Xbox Series. It could also take players to a new location within the game's universe, introducing a variety of new monsters. One advantage that Monster Hunter World 2 would have is the ability to leverage the assets and content from previous games and expansions, allowing for a diverse selection of monsters right from the start. Additionally, the game could incorporate the best mechanics and abilities from both Monster Hunter World and Rise, integrating them seamlessly into the core gameplay experience. Furthermore, there could be room for introducing something entirely new or revitalizing a beloved feature from past games, such as the swimming mechanic from Monster Hunter Tri.

The Monster Hunter Franchise Could Go In Many Directions

In addition to the potential for a new mainline Monster Hunter game with features like cross-play, cross-progression, and an expansive open-world map, there is also room for a spin-off to provide extra development time for the next traditional MH installment. The Monster Hunter Stories subseries has already achieved surprising success as a Pokemon-like game, and a third entry could establish itself as a prominent JRPG, exploring the ordinary lives in a world without active monster hunters.

Furthermore, other projects could be pursued, such as another attempt at a Monster Hunter movie or a smaller spin-off title. Given the popularity of the canteen cutscenes, a cooking game featuring the beloved Meowscular Chef and the Palicoes would be a welcomed addition. Remastering old Monster Hunter titles in a collection, particularly with updated online systems, would also be highly appreciated. While fans may have to wait until the 2023 Game Awards or 2024's Summer Game Fest for any announcements, it is an opportune time to revisit existing Monster Hunter games and expansions in preparation for the franchise's next chapter.