Parents' Guide to Monster Hunter Rise (PEGI 12)
Monster Hunter Rise is the latest in a long-standing series of role-play fighting games where you take on huge monsters to earn better weapons. The core loop involves taking on missions to defeat giant creatures, earn materials and money for improved items, that enable you to take on bigger enemies.
The series has been available on different platforms. Monster Hunter Worlds was a more accessible version on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. The most recent release, Monster Hunter Rise, is available on Nintendo Switch.
Multiplayer
One of the best aspects of the game for families is that you can team up with other players to go on quests together. You can create three characters for a game, each with its own save slot. You will each need a copy of the game and a console to play at the same time though.
Rating
It is rated PEGI 12 for "depictions of non-realistic violence towards human-like and animal-like characters, as well as depictions of realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters".
This is a similar level of combat depiction to games like Fortnite. As states by the VSC Game Rating Board, it "contains frequent depictions of realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters. When creatures are struck, blood appears and they let out grunts of pain. In some cases, parts of their bodies, such as tails, can be removed, although there are no gore effects. When a significant amount of damage has been inflicted, the creatures begin to limp. When defeated, they fall to the floor where their body remains."
Spending
As signified by the In-Game Purchase descriptor, Monster Hunter Rise offers players the opportunity to purchase in-game items, in the form of consumable items, weapons and cosmetic upgrades, which some parents or carers may want to be aware of.
As highlighted by the VSC Rating Board, "it should be noted that the game can still be played without the need to purchase such items". You can also control any spending via the system settings on the console.
Communication
You can type to other players via the on-screen keyboard, or by using preset shoutouts. There are also present ping shouts in certain circumstances. You can register up to three custom groups of preset shoutouts for easy access during a quest.
You can only communicate with players who are on your Nintendo Switch friends list and whom you have exchanged codes with, in the real world.
Parental Controls
In addition to the controls on the Switch system itself that enable you to control spending, play duration and age rating limits, you can also use settings in Monster Hunter Rise to turn off blood.
Alternatives
There are other monster fighting games that off a good alternative to Monster Hunter Rise for younger players, or those looking for a different style of play:
- Oceanhorn (PEGI 7)
- The Legend of Skyfish (PEGI 7)
- Dauntless (PEGI 12)
- Shadow of the Colossus (PEGI 12)
