I was one of those gamers that always preferred to play a certain franchise on handhelds more than the console version when it comes to Monster Hunter. Couldn't even tell you how many hours I've spent on both Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate; this is the first actual Monster Hunter game for the Nintendo Switch yes, we did get a 3DS port of Monster Hunter Generations back in 2018 which gave you the option to transfer your 3DS save to the Nintendo Switch version.
This is also the second Monster Hunter game to have the RE Engine since Monster Hunter World was the first to use it, but seeing it on the Nintendo Switch looks stunning to look at from the gameplay during your hunts to the animation on from the characters and monsters. Playing this on handheld is just amazing to look at there were even times where I could easily watch the animation for the Dango / Canteen Song before go on each hunt its too catchy to listen and seeing the animation is just flawless.
Like past games you'll be able to create your own character and what skills you would like to have included on what choice of weapon you would want to use; you can have your character wield a long sword, bow-gun, lance, sword and shield, or even use a great sword there are many types to choose from. You'll also get the option for creating your own Palico a cat which can help you heal, attack or give you defence boost if needed; a new feature and companion that joins your hunt is Palamute a dog-like creature which you can create your own but also aids you in your hunts and ride one to save you the running on stamina.
If you are new the series, this is a good place to start, especially for the Single-Player campaign as you go on each hunt you'll get a little video introduction on the monster you'll be facing and what to watch out for from its attacks and movements. As you've created your own character and companions you'll be starting your hunts and quests in Kamura Village and trying to find a way to stop the Rampages that keep happening in the village as more and more monster keep raiding. So it kind of related to the old traditional Japanese folklore tales where warriors would gather and defend their homes from various monsters and demons if you think about it as you progress through the single-player story.
Just like other games that give you the option to customise your own character you'll be able to upgrade and make new weapons and armour; each monster you kill or capture you'll gain something out of them on materials that you will need to make this certain item. There is also the option to gather any items as you travel across any region from the Temple Shrines to the Sandy Desert to the Lava Caverns for getting stuff like herbs, honey, iron ores or bugs which all can be used to craft new items. Amiibo support is added where you could use any Amiibo from Smash Brothers or even the Animal Crossing Amiibo cards all play like a lottery with Merchant in the village and Hunter's Gathering; basically you scan an Amiibo and enter a lottery to get free items.
The real fun is when you can play up to 4 players either locally or playing online you'll need to hunt a number of monsters, including an urgent one to get a higher Hunter's Rank or HR for short. The higher the rank, the more harder and challenging the monsters can be, all of this is very rewarding and satisfying at the end of it there were even times where I couldn't even put the game down because it was that addicting to play. A new feature is added to Monster Hunter Rise being a survival-defence called Rampage where you'll have to defend the base village from several attacking monsters; you'll have the option to set up traps, canons and crossbows to defend the base. It can feel a little pressuring if you are playing this alone when playing up to 4 players it can really be fun and working as a team to defend. You do have the option to jump into any quest as well when it comes to online if you were wanting to a particular hunt when it comes to getting the materials from that particular monster.
As I've already mentioned just like Monster Hunter World the graphics and visuals look stunning on the Nintendo Switch especially for handheld, seeing this on an HD TV is impressive as well since most Switch owners have got at least two choices in playing their games on Nintendo Switch. Monster Hunter Rise does feel like it's gone back to its original roots like Monster Hunter Generations or Monster Hunter Portable 3rd having a Japanese-style setting when it comes to Kamura Village and the locations as well when it comes to hunting you really do need to watch your surroundings especially on the monster's movements. The soundtrack is amazing to listen and also relaxing at the same time, the music gets more tense as you encounter a certain monster or rampage quest.
There will be future updates when it comes to Monster Hunter Rise and possible DLC content. Clearing the single-player campaign can take you at least a good 20 hours or more, but the real fun has been during online with other players just like past Monster Hunter games. If you are a fan of the series you can easily clear a number of the quests and hunts within 40 hours or more depending on your weapon of choice. For anyone that is new to the series or even a Nintendo Switch I would highly recommend Monster Hunter Rise at any price with a strong, addicting gameplay and can be very rewarding as you sink more and more hours into the game.