Games Like Monster Hunter on PS4
The Monster Hunter series is brilliant, and between Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise there’s hundreds of hours of fun to be had with it on PS4. Both have been out for quite a while now though, and if you’ve been playing them both since launch you might be possibly growing tired of them. Thankfully we have good news: there are other games available on PS4 that offer a similar experience to Monster Hunter but are also fun in their own way.
We’ve put together a short list of games that should appeal to you if you love Monster Hunter. Some of them are directly inspired by Capcom’s much-loved series, while others just share gameplay elements. Either way, they’re a hell of a lot of fun to play.
This list was first published in January 2020. It has been periodically updated with new titles and information since.
1. Toukiden 2
If you love Monster Hunter, you’ll definitely love Toukiden 2. It has the same gameplay loop of battling gargantuan monsters, breaking their parts, and then using the materials you’ve gathered to upgrade your equipment. The monsters are more fantastical in Toukiden 2, though, allowing for more outlandish designs.
The thing that really lets Toukiden 2 down, like its predecessor, is that its story mode has to be played in single player. If you want to play the game in co-op, you’ll be stuck completing a range of missions that won’t advance you through the game. Still, it’s worth playing if that’s not an issue for you. Toukiden: Kiwami, an enhanced version of the original game, is also available on PS4 if find yourself wanting more.
2. Freedom Wars Remastered
Originally made for PlayStation Vita, Freedom Wars has been remastered for modern consoles and PC, which means you can now enjoy it on PS4. Set in a future where resources are scare and simply existing is a sin unless you have something positive to contribute to humanity, it starts with you being given a 1,000,000-year sentence due to suffering from amnesia. The only way to reduce your sentence and possibly regain your freedom is to put your life on the line and fight for your Panopticon, and that includes going up against large adversaries known as Abductors.
The combat in Freedom Wars is somewhat similar to that of Monster Hunter, with many weapon types for you to choose from and master. It’s also important to target body parts, either to farm materials or simply stop your enemy from using certain attacks. You even have access to a grappling hook that makes doing so a cinch. The premise of Freedom Wars might differ wildly from that of Monster Hunter, then, but it’s very much worth giving a try if you want something with a familiar format.
Read more about Freedom Wars Remastered
3. God Eater 3
If you like your monster slaying to be a little more anime-inspired, give God Eater 3 a try. Once again, God Eater 3 is a game all about defeating gargantuan beasts and then using the materials you’ve acquired to develop your character. Power yourself up and you’ll be able to partake in even more challenging battles.
God Eater 3 has full co-op support, so you can play it online with a friend if you like. It’s also very enjoyable solo, so if no-one is willing to play it with you don’t let it put you off. It’s a sizeable game, too, so it will keep you occupied for quite a while. And if you like it, the original God Eater and its sequel are also available on PS4.
Read our review of God Eater 3
4. Horizon Zero Dawn
Fancy taking on robotic beasts instead of creatures made from flesh and blood? Horizon Zero Dawn is the game for you. Unlike the Monster Hunter series, Horizon Zero Dawn lets you loose in an open world rather than sending you on missions accepted from a hub. That means that it’s single-player only, with you following the story of Aloy as she tries to learn more about herself while also protecting the people she loves.
The reason why Horizon Zero Dawn is on this list is because of the mechanical foes that Aloy faces off against. Often resembling dinosaurs, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you have to be strategic when taking them down. Targeting weakpoints and learning their attack patterns is highly beneficial, and you’re able to scavenge parts of the adversaries you’ve overcome in order to craft new items that will further aid you in your adventures. So, it’s not exactly like Monster Hunter, but chances are fans of the series will have a lot of fun with it. They can then move onto the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.
Read our review of Horizon Zero Dawn
5. Dark Souls: Remastered
The core gameplay of Monster Hunter has a lot in common with Dark Souls. While the Monster Hunter games surely aren’t as hard as the Dark Souls series, their fights have similar mechanics: observe the enemy, spot openings, and then move in to cause some damage. Factor in elements and status ailments, and it’s not hard to see that those who like the challenge that the Monster Hunter games provide will also probably love Dark Souls if they haven’t already given it a chance.
Get stuck on a boss in Dark Souls Remastered and you can invite someone in to help you if you like. PvP is also a possibility. And once you’re done with Dark Souls Remastered why not pick up Dark Souls 2 or 3 if you enjoyed it? Also consider giving Bloodborne or Elden Ring a try, and Code Vein. They’re not all that different from Monster Hunter really.
Read our review of Dark Souls Remastered
6. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Is it that surprising that a game developed by Capcom has many similarities to another game developed by Capcom? Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is like an open world Monster Hunter game really. You get to go around completing quests, and while the majority of the enemies you face will be human or small in stature, every once in a while you face off a monstrous creature that requires more effort to take down.
While Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a single player game, the pawn system means you can have backup if you need it, which you probably will. Definitely consider picking it up if you’re a fan of Monster Hunter and want to sink your teeth into an epic action RPG.
Read our review of Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
7. Devil May Cry V
Devil May Cry V is an all-out action game. But again, developed by Capcom, like Monster Hunter, it’ll probably appeal to fans of the monster-slaying series.
Featuring truly epic boss fights, Devil May Cry V has all the action of a Monster Hunter game without any of the downtime. It’s challenging and fun, keeping you entertained and on your toes, and when playing as Nero you’ll find that his arm operates similarly to the clutch claw added to Monster Hunter World via its Iceborne expansion. It’s surely the game most distant from Monster Hunter on this list, be we think it’ll definitely still appeal thanks to its slick gameplay.
Read our review of Devil May Cry V
8. Dauntless
Developed by Phoenix Labs, Dauntless takes the Monster Hunter format and streamlines it somewhat. Thanks to its smaller environments you’ll spend less time foraging and more time actually in combat, keeping you entertained as you battle a wide variety of monstrous creatures.
Free-to-play, Dauntless is a great game to play with friends. Just download it, sign in with your Epic account and off you go. Of course, there are lots of things you can spend money on if you like, but you don’t have to buy anything to have a good time. Is it the best game like Monster Hunter out there? Not really. But it’s definitely worth giving a try given that it’s free, just to see how you get on with it.
