A top-notch RPG with a challenging battle system and varied world. Once I started playing, I couldn't put it down as it continued to capture my imagination with its enjoyable exploration and heart-warming story.

Even if you're not the biggest Monster Hunter fan in the world, I think you'll find the unique monster gathering mechanic to be quite addictive, making this a hard game to put down.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a mixed bag. Hatching and maxing out your Monsties is a lot of fun, but the battle system in which you spend most of your time eventually wears out its welcome. While the story becomes interesting in the late game, it takes a long time to get there, with extended periods spent wandering from quest point to quest point on autopilot. There are a lot of systems at play here, but they don't always gel into a compelling game.

The central story is good, but it's the loot loop and party building that really draws you in. It may not represent a huge leap forward from the original game, but this is a fantastic title for fans of either the main Monster Hunter series or JRPGs in general.