Nintendo Direct Spotlight | Monster Hunter Stories

Monster Hunter Stories is an RPG series that takes the world of Monster Hunter and expands upon it in new and exciting ways! No longer are you hunting monsters, but raising them as part of a deep story, featuring heroes known as Monster Riders, who live alongside monsters and form lifelong bonds with them.

The first installment of the Monster Hunter Stories series returns, fully voiced in Japanese and English, with additional features such as a new museum mode where you can listen to music and view concept art, allowing you to dive even deeper into the world of Monster Hunter Stories.

Story: The story begins in a forest near a village of Riders. Three young friends—the hero, Lilia, and Cheval—stumble upon a shining egg. The trio perform a playful imitation of the Rite of Kinship, only to be shocked when it actually succeeds!

－ Rathalos, the King of the Skies －

The egg hatches, revealing a baby Rathalos, a flying wyvern also known as “the King of the Skies.” The trio affectionately name him “Ratha,” and take him back to their village.

Days later, without warning, the village is beset by a monster infected by “the Black Blight.” The villagers manage to drive the monster away, but not before it devastates the village—and leaves indelible scars in the hearts of our three young friends.

A year passes…

The hero receives a Kinship Stone from the Village Chief and officially becomes a Rider. Cheval and Lilia both leave the village, each on their own path. The hero, now separated from their childhood friends, partners up with the cheerful Navirou, and embarks upon a new adventure into the world of Hunters.

In this world, there are Hunters who hunt monsters for a living and Riders who raise monsters for a living. Although their lifestyles are vastly different, the hero must learn to live and work together with Hunters, and in turn, bring the world of Hunters and Riders ever closer.

Things take a dark turn as the Black Blight appears once again, this time affecting the entire world and changing peaceful lives that were taken for granted… both Riders and Hunters alike will be put to the test in order to challenge this threat.

The keys to saving the world are the Kinship Stone and its hidden power, along with the truth of the “Legend of Redan,” which describes the long-kept secret of the Riders’ origins!

The hero, Navirou, and their Monsties will discover the true meaning of Kinship, which grows forever as they continue on their exciting journey!

A story of friendship and triumph await you—ride on into the world of Monster Hunter Stories!