11 Best Games Like Monster Hunter: Top Alternatives in 2026

If you’re a like-minded gamer who loves thrilling hunts, stunning visuals, and action RPG combat that gets your blood pumping, I’ve put together ten of the best games like Monster Hunter. I fell in love with the series back in 2010 – the huge monster roster, the gear you could craft, and those tough, dance-like boss fights hooked me immediately. 

The sheer freedom and massive amount of content kept me playing for years. Naturally, I began searching for similar experiences, and the titles below are the best I’ve found. If you want that same excitement, you’re in the right place, and these games won’t disappoint.

Our Top Picks for Games Like Monster Hunter

A no-nonsense, “only the best” kind of gamer, are you? Take a look at our team’s top picks for the titles we  think you’ll enjoy out of all the Monster Hunter-like games out there:

1. Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) – arguably the closest game to Monster Hunter in terms of gameplay loop, innovative monster designs, and just how stunning and diverse its vast open world is.
2. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (2012) – has a sizable variety of monsters for you to hunt and features combat mechanics that share some similarities with Monster Hunter’s, such as monster climbing and a body part-based weakness system.
3. Wild Hearts (2023) – a direct competitor to Monster Hunter and rocks the same hunt-craft-repeat style of play, but also does its own thing in several areas. 

Didn’t like any of our picks? Well, I wouldn’t worry just yet, as I’ve prepared seven more games that are just as fun and highly recommended for Monster Hunter fans to look at below.

11 Games Like Monster Hunter That Let You Slay Epic Beasts

Here are the ten best games to play if you like Monster Hunter’s patented gameplay loop, combat system, monster variety, and general immersiveness. Hot take much? Scroll down and see why I put each game on this list, and why you should play them next!

1. Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition [Best Monster-Hunting Open-World Alternative]

When it comes to giant monsters that require skill, patience, and preparation to take down, very few monster-hunting RPGs can compete with Horizon Zero Dawn’s beautifully designed, machine-fauna hybrids. 

Here, you’ll get to hunt BIG monsters and bring them down by targeting their most vulnerable body parts, demanding precise aim and strategic use of your arsenal. Its combat is more ranged-centric than in Monster Hunter, yet it’s every bit as expansive, considering this game’s diverse weapon selection.

Unlike most Monster Hunter titles, Horizon Zero Dawn is also a true open-world game where you can explore a massive, interconnected map seamlessly. It’s also backed by a great story, beautiful graphics, and a relatively simple yet engaging crafting system. The game depth is pushed even further in The Frozen Wilds DLC (included in the Complete Edition), which introduces a new icy region filled with more aggressive machine threats and high-tier gear to master.

My verdict: This is one of the closest experiences to Monster Hunter in terms of scale, atmosphere, and tactical combat. If you enjoy huge, multi-phase battles and exploring massive worlds, Horizon Zero Dawn is absolutely worth your time.

2. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen [Best Classic Action RPG for Monster Hunter Fans]

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen lets you adventure your own way by giving you nine different classes (i.e., Vocations) you’re free to switch between mid-playthrough, as well as fully customizable companions that you can tweak according to the needs of your party. 

Whether you’re into grabbing NPCs and throwing them over ledges for fun or slaughtering every monster on your way to the final boss, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is one of the most thrilling RPG games I’d recommend to any Monster Hunter veteran.

You’ll encounter lots of epic hunts and colossal monsters here, as well as memorable NPCs (some of which you can even romance) that make this game’s well-written narrative all the more engrossing. 

My verdict: Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen delivers unique action RPG systems and epic monster encounters that scratch a similar itch to Monster Hunter. Its replayability and freedom in combat make it a standout experience even today.

3. Wild Hearts [Best Modern Monster-Hunting Competitor]

After playing Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, Wild Hearts came just at the right time and gave me countless hours of fun while I was “patiently” waiting for Monster Hunter Wilds’ release date. 

It’s a refreshing take on the monster-hunting genre that offers the same gameplay loop, strategic combat, and co-op online multiplayer experience that MH games have, but it certainly wasn’t afraid to deviate from the formula. Fans of intense, skill-based combat may also enjoy browsing some of the best action RPG games, which share similar fast-paced gameplay elements.

I particularly liked the implementation of the Karakuri System here, which allowed for more in-depth crafting than most other Monster Hunter games. With it, you can build your very own base of operations from the ground up and craft all sorts of tools, traps, and fancy gadgets that’ll help you on your hunts and make map traversal easier.

It supports crossplay (PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5), too, which makes it a great MH alternative if you like playing with your friends via co-op.

My verdict: Wild Hearts is the closest modern competitor to Monster Hunter, offering fast, creative hunts with its own identity. If you want something familiar yet refreshingly different, this is an easy recommendation.

4. God Eater 3 [Best Anime-Style Monster-Hunting Experience]

God Eater 3 will rock your world if you’re into ARPGs with exciting combat mechanics, tough bosses, and a solid story with darker themes. I’ve played one of its oldest predecessors, Gods Eater Burst, quite extensively on the PSP alongside Monster Hunter Freedom Unite way back then. 

As someone who leans more towards single-player games with heavier narrative focus, I actually preferred GEB over MHFU (sacrilege, I know). Years later, I was glad to see that God Eater 3 still had the same charms, only now it has more gorgeous anime visuals, smoother combat, and streamlined crafting mechanics. 

While I have more love for modern Monster Hunter games these days, getting to wield a God Arc that gets progressively stronger the more Aragami I hunt will always be a blast.

My verdict: God Eater 3 is perfect for players who enjoy quick, stylish, anime-flavored combat rather than slower, heavier battles. It’s a great alternative if you want monster-hunting gameplay that’s energetic and character-driven.

5. Toukiden 2 [Best Mythology-Inspired Monster-Slaying RPG]

Speaking of awesome-looking, powerful weapons you can upgrade, Toukiden 2′s vast arsenal of 11 different weapon types, each with their unique movesets, will surely blow you away. 

Aside from its impressive weapon variety and focus on intense, melee combat, Toukiden 2 also boasts some of the best boss fights you’ll ever encounter in any monster-hunting RPG. Players who enjoy exploring large, immersive environments may also appreciate some of the best open-world games, which offer similarly expansive adventures. 

Sure, even the tougher hunts here aren’t exactly Monster Hunter-level in terms of difficulty, but this actually works in its favor due to the way the story presents your main character. 

It’s a solo-friendly game with less-gruelling, yet hype-inducing combat and – more importantly – a badass self-insert protagonist. Nuff said!

My verdict:Toukiden 2 brings intense melee combat, memorable boss fights, and mythology-inspired monsters to the forefront. It’s an excellent choice for players who love crafting, slaying, and exploring at their own pace.

6. Final Fantasy Explorers [Best Handheld Monster-Hunting Adventure]

Now that you’ve heard about all the great games that run on multiple platforms, how about one that’s console-exclusive, but is just too good to leave out despite its limited accessibility? 

In Final Fantasy Explorers, not only can you hunt down some of the IP’s most iconic monsters, but your customizable main character can also transform into well-loved Final Fantasy characters such as Cloud, Squall, and Tidus through the game’s Trance Mode. You can also explore more of the franchise’s standout titles in our list of the best Final Fantasy games.

I’ve always wondered how a Squenix-style Monster Hunter game would turn out. While titles like Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII do have good monster-hunting content, Final Fantasy Explorers is still, by far, the closest Final Fantasy title to ever come close to Monster Hunter in terms of core gameplay.

My verdict: Final Fantasy Explorers blends charming FF nostalgia with monster-hunting mechanics that work beautifully on handheld. If you love Final Fantasy and co-op-friendly hunts, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

7. Elden Ring [Best Soulslike Option for Monster Hunter Fans]

If you’re looking for a different, yet still largely familiar kind of challenge as a Monster Hunter fan, then look no further than Dark Souls games – specifically, Elden Ring. It features next-gen graphics, polished combat mechanics, and a large interconnected map with different biomes that are inarguably more dreary and hostile than what you’ll generally see in Monster Hunter games.

Simply put, you’ll find the very same formula of “epic battles + tough monsters + buildsmaxxing = tons of fun” here, except Elden Ring implements magic and other fantasy-based elements in both its combat and lore, and has more mature themes consistently present in its storytelling.  

My verdict: Elden Ring captures the same sense of danger, reward, and mastery found in Monster Hunter’s toughest battles. If you thrive on methodical combat and colossal bosses, this game will hook you instantly.

8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt [Best Story-Driven Monster-Hunting Experience]

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands proudly among the best single-player games of all time. Its monster-centric elements closely resemble Monster Hunter’s, down to all the pre-hunting preps you need to make for certain bosses, to the contract-based monster hunts you can take via subquests. 

This game left such an impact on me that I recommend you play its previous installments, too, as all three games have a phenomenal story, great monster variety, and tons of content for you to explore. 

Still, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is undoubtedly the best title in the series, and offers one of the best narratives any Monster Hunter fan is sure to enjoy. It’s the perfect game for all you hunters who like playing solo.

My verdict: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t a traditional monster-hunting game, but its contract system provides some of the genre’s most memorable encounters. Story-driven players who still crave tactical preparation will love it.

9. Monster Hunter Stories & Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin [Best Story-Focused Monster Hunter Spinoffs]

Both Monster Hunter Stories & Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin are MH spinoffs that breathed new life into the series. They have vastly different core mechanics compared to the mainline titles, yet they’re the best alternatives to play if you want to delve deeper into the Monster Hunter lore. For a closer look at how the series continues to evolve, the Monster Hunter Stories 3 game review offers a clear perspective.

In these games, you don’t actively seek to hunt monsters, but instead to become one with nature and its creations as a Monstie Rider. They’re also a great bridge into the best Monster Hunter games if you plan to explore the main series afterward.

You still get to fight monsters and collect their parts for gear crafting, of course, albeit via less intense, Pokémon-style turn-based battles. You’re also allowed to capture defeated monsters, add them to your roster, and use them for fighting and map traversal.

My verdict: Monster Hunter Stories and Stories 2 offer a lighter, story-rich spin on the franchise while keeping the spirit of discovery alive. They’re ideal for players who want MH-inspired adventures without the intensity of real-time hunts.

10. The Axis Unseen [Best Indie Monster-Tracking Experience]

Any Elder Scrolls title from Bethesda Game Studios would’ve been a great addition to this list due to their excellent monster roster and classic RPG mechanics, but what about a standout monster-hunting RPG from a one-man software publisher who used to work on some of Bethesda’s most iconic titles?

The Axis Unseen is an absolute must-have for Monster Hunter fans who are also into fantastic indie games made with passion for the genre and pure artistic vision. Here, you get to track down folklore-inspired monsters and hunt them as you explore a massive, atmospheric open world. 

Watch out, though, as this one’s also categorized as a heavy metal horror game, meaning you might find the monsters here a bit more…unsettling than what you’re probably used to.

My verdict: The Axis Unseen mixes atmospheric exploration with tense monster tracking, creating a fresh experience for fans seeking something different. Its eerie tone and unique design make it a standout indie pick.

11. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers [Best Dark Souls-Inspired Monster-Hunting Alternative]

If you enjoy Monster Hunter’s mix of precision combat and atmospheric exploration, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a fantastic addition to your hunt-heavy lineup. Set in a dark, plague-ridden world inspired by late Ming Dynasty China, this action RPG places you against grotesque, monstrous foes transformed by a mysterious feather disease. Each fight demands patience, timing, and strategic resource management – very much in line with Monster Hunter’s tactical, boss-centric design.

What truly sets Wuchang apart is its Soulslike influence, giving battles a weightier, more punishing feel while still rewarding aggressive play and weapon experimentation. The world is dense and eerie, filled with secrets, upgrades, and visually striking environments that heighten the sense of discovery. Fans who love Monster Hunter’s intensity but want a darker, more narrative-driven twist will feel right at home here.

My verdict: Wuchang: Fallen Feathers blends Soulslike difficulty with monstrous foes in a grim, atmospheric world. Monster Hunter fans who enjoy deliberate, high-stakes combat will find plenty to love here.

My Overall Verdict on Games Like Monster Hunter

Finding the best games like Monster Hunter comes down to understanding what kind of hunter you are. If you crave massive beasts, deep combat systems, rich storytelling, or pure challenge, each game on this list captures a different piece of what makes Monster Hunter so unforgettable. Here’s how to choose your next great hunt.

For open-world adventurers: Horizon Zero Dawn offers massive creatures, strategic targeting, and the same sense of scale that makes Monster Hunter battles unforgettable.

For action RPG loyalists: Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen and Wild Hearts both offer strategic combat, varied enemy encounters, and plenty of room to experiment with different weapons and playstyles.

For story-driven players: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Monster Hunter Stories 2 provide rich narratives and monster-focused quests perfect for fans who want more worldbuilding and lore.

For challenge seekers: Elden Ring and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers bring deliberate, high-stakes combat against brutal enemies, echoing the intensity of Monster Hunter’s toughest hunts.

Each of these games captures a different part of what makes Monster Hunter special – no matter if it’s the thrill of the fight, the satisfaction of crafting, or the joy of exploring dangerous worlds. No single game replaces the series, but best games like Lethal Company offer similar excitement and together, they provide countless new hunts worth embarking on.

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