Monster Hunter Rise Receives Digital Event, Demo

by Alex Fuller · Published January 7, 2021 · Updated January 10, 2021

Capcom held a digital event for the upcoming Monster Hunter Rise. The event featured a 20-minute presentation, beginning with a new trailer. It then introduced the new Frost Islands location as well as the monsters living in the region, including the new Goss Harag and the returning Barioth, Khezu, Great Baggi, Lagombi, and Tigrex. The presentation also revealed that Mizutsune is another returning monster, and featured a look at the game’s new flagship monster Magnamalo.

Monster Hunter Rise will feature two new gameplay features: the Wirebug and Wyvern Riding, the latter introduced for the first time during the event. The Wirebug is a tool primarily used to help players move vertically, such as climbing cliffs, but can also be used to attack and to bind monsters with Ironsilk. Players can ride bound monsters, using them to attack other monsters. Following the event, Capcom released two new videos explaining the Wirebug and Wyvern Riding, which can be viewed below alongside the full presentation, the new trailer, and some new screenshots.

Capcom also detailed some of Monster Hunter Rise’s characters. Fugen is the elder of Kamura Village, the game’s main hub town. He is deeply respected and a powerful long sword wielder. Minoto and Hinoa are the Village Quest and Hub Quest maidens. The twins are Wyverians and often uplift the village through their songs. Yomogi runs the local tea shop, Hojo is the village’s eldest resident and manages quests, Master Utsushi is the leader of the village’s hunters, Iori is the Buddy Handler, Kogarashi is the Felyne Chief, and Rondine is a trader from a faraway country.

The demo will be available to download from the Nintendo eShop from tomorrow until February 1, 2021. It features four quests — two tutorial missions and two full hunts — and both local and online multiplayer. Players will be able to play the hunts for Great Izuchi and Mizutsune a grand total of 30 times, after which all of the quests will no longer be available. All fourteen weapon types will be available to try out.

Monster Hunter Rise is a new mainline entry in the series. The game introduces new Canyne companions called Palamutes, which players can ride and which will also attack enemies, while Felyne Palico companions will also return as support-based allies. Monster Hunter Rise will release on Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2021.

Screenshots