While many monster collectors are happily playing the new Pokémon, you can snag one of the best alternatives on discount on Steam. The best part: There are numerous monsters and especially playtime.
What game is it? Normally, as a player, you fight against the big creatures in the world of Monster Hunter, but with the Stories series, Capcom created a spin-off that is especially suitable for Pokémon fans. In the turn-based RPG, you collect the well-known monsters and fight alongside them.
The latest installment in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 2, was released in 2021, but if you don’t have a Switch for the latest Pokémon, you can currently find a good offer on Steam. RPG fans should also check out the game.
Instead of hunting them, you use the monsters for yourself
What kind of game is Monster Hunter Stories 2? At its core, you follow the story of a Rider in the RPG. This time, you are not a hunter; you try to find a balance between monsters and humans. However, you cannot prevent fights, which is why you rely not only on your own weapons but also on friendly monsters.
You don’t catch them like in a Pokémon game; instead, you sneak into monster dens and have to find a nest. There, you steal an egg, and if you make it out of the den unscathed, you can hatch it in stables. As a fan of the Monster Hunter games, you will encounter familiar faces, but due to the strong designs, even newcomers can enjoy it.
If you enjoy breeding in such games to create the perfect partner, you can spend an incredible amount of time hatching and inheriting in Stories 2. You can pass on various abilities and then create builds with individual monsters to highlight their strengths. For the story, this is not essential, but in the post-game, there are plenty of opportunities to use such strong monsters.
Since it’s a Monster Hunter, crafting weapons and equipment is also essential. When you defeat monsters with your team, you receive monster parts that you can use to craft armor or a great sword, for example. The choice of your weapon can change your tactics. Instead of focusing on strength, you can use a hunting horn to boost your monsters, among other things.
For your team, you can use nearly 100 different monsters, and according to How Long to Beat, it’s stated that you need about 40 hours for the main story. However, if you really want to hatch and craft everything in the game, you can invest up to 140 hours.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 offers something that even the new Pokémon does not have
How important are the monsters outside of combat? In the world of Monster Hunter Stories 2, you can explore various areas that also have hidden paths. The monsters are useful because, depending on their type, they have abilities that allow you to swim or climb vines.
But riding is also possible, which sets the game apart from the latest Pokémon Legends Z-A.
Additionally, you can complete coop quests or compete against friends.
How is the game received on Steam? Of the over 16,000 reviews on Steam, 82% are positive. Players praise the improvements over the predecessor in terms of graphics, combat, or the post-game. The story is also positively highlighted in many reviews.
How much does Monster Hunter Stories 2 currently cost on Steam? Until November 11, 2025, you can get the game on Steam with a 50% discount for 20 €. If you also want the remaster of the first part, it will cost you about 30 € for both games. However, you can start easily with part 2. From a story perspective, you won’t miss anything.
If you are unsure, you can also try a demo on Steam. However, you should definitely take a look, as in 2026 the third part of Capcom’s RPG series is set to be released: Nintendo announces release of new Monster Hunter game, players say: This is the real competitor to Pokémon on the Switch
