Despite releasing exclusively on the Nintendo Switch at first,Monster Hunter Risewas extremely well received by critics and fans alike. Though some may have thought it was a technical downgrade from its predecessor,Monster Hunter World, many fans and critics enjoyed the gameplay mechanics it brought to the series, such as the immensely enjoyableWirebug grappling hook.
WhileMonster Hunter Risehad a fairly lengthy campaign, most players have rolled credits by now, and many are looking for their nextMonster Hunterfix. Thankfully, they won’t have to wait too long, withMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreakreleasing on June 30. A huge new expansion,Sunbreakbrings new locales, weapons, armors, monsters and more toMonster Hunter Rise.
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Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak’s New Environments
One of the biggest selling points ofSunbreak’s marketing so far is its new environments. Upon starting upSunbreak, players will notice that their base of operations have shifted locations, moving fromKamura Village to Elgado Outpost.Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreakis wearing its Western influences on its sleeve, and that includes its locations, with Elgado Outpost using more wooden and brick structures.
Sunbreak’s main open-world environment is called The Citadel. Split into distinct biomes,The Citadel’s flora and faunarange quite dramatically. Players will travel through dense wooded areas, hillside plains filled with stone ruins, and ice-covered mountains, with each having their own unique set of creatures and monsters.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak’s New and Returning Monsters
Of course, aMonster Hunterexpansion would be nothing without its titular beasts, andMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreakis set to have potentially some of the best in the entire franchise. Recently, a few new monsters have been teased: Called the Three Lords, these monsters are heavily inspired byWestern horror classics.
Garangolm, for instance, is a hulking ape with a large stone helmet. The slight green hue of this helmet, and the monster’s larger size, are likely references to thehorror classicFrankenstein. Garangolm will use its size and brute strength to its advantage, along with water and fire-based powers that can be launched from its hands.
Lunagaron is another ofthe Three Lords, a fanged wyvern that appears pretty similar to a stereotypical werewolf. To further the likeness, Lunagaron reaches its full power when it basks in the full moon’s beams, growing lethal spikes out of its back, head, and legs. Players will need to dodge and weave Lunagaron’s slashing attacks and deadly rolls to achieve victory of the monster.
The Elder Dragon Malzeno is the last of the Three Lords, and is the big bad ofMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, appearing on all the promotional material. Malzeno’s life-drain powers, along with his dark red wings forming a cape-like shroud around him, point towardsMalzeno being influenced by Western portrayals of vampires. Players will undoubetdly need to use everything at their disposal, including the yet-unconfirmed new gameplay mechanics, upgrades, weapons and armor to defeat the big boss.
A whole slew of classicMonster Hunterbeasts are also headed toSunbreak, with Astalos being one of the only confirmed monsters so far. There are sure to be many more new and returning monsters for players to battle with in the upcoming DLC.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak’s Tie-In Amiibos
Releasing the same day as the expansion, a whole range ofMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak-themed Amiibosare heading to store shelves on June 30. When scanned into the game, each of these Amiibos will grant the player a unique piece of Layered Armor, one for the player, one for their Palico, and one for their Palamute, all based on Malzeno’s red and black color scheme.
There are threeMonster Hunter Rise: SunbreakAmiibos in total. AMalzeno Amiibo, a figure of the Elder Dragon himself, a Canyne Malzeno Palamute Amiibo, which is a figure of the game’s dog-like pets, and a Felyne Malzeno Palico Amiibo, which represents an adorable little armored cat.
Monster Hunter Riseis available now for PC and Switch, andSunbreakwill release on June 30.
