Monster Hunter Rise is the latest entry in the storied franchise, which takes the tried-and-true Monster Hunter formula and expertly transplants it onto Nintendo Switch (and later PC). All the core components of Monster Hunter are here, such as crafting, cooperative play, and huge boss fights, but several new mechanics make this the most approachable game in the series.

For one, Capcom has added Palamutes — mountable companions that let you quickly traverse its large environments. This allows you to speed after fleeing monsters and re-engage them in combat without much downtime. It also makes exploration more enticing, as you can cross most levels in just a few minutes. When you're not actively cruising around on them, Palamutes will assist in combat and can be outfitted with a variety of unlockable gear.

Then there's the Wirebug. This nifty gadget works a bit like a grappling hook, letting you propel yourself to heights unseen in previous Monster Hunter titles. Like Palamutes, Wirebugs keep the action moving forward and give you an added sense of verticality and mobility (both in and out of combat). Wirebugs can also be used to pin down your target and expose them to massive combos, giving you the upper hand during some of Rise's most challenging battles.

Monster Hunter Rise is an enormous game, offering dozens of beasts to slay, numerous weapons to unlock, and several expansive maps to explore. Once you've saved your village from the onslaught of monsters, however, there are plenty of similar titles that can replace it in your library.

Here are 10 games like Monster Hunter Rise to play next, listed by Metascore. 

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of sweeping open worlds
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CD Projekt Red may have stumbled with Cyberpunk 2077, but the studio knocked it out the park with its previous creation — The Witcher 3. The mature RPG follows witcher Geralt as he treks across the Continent and becomes embroiled in a variety of political and supernatural storylines. Combat plays out in tense third-person action sequences, with players given the option to use a variety of melee and magical abilities — both of which are upgradable. Its combination of visceral gameplay, stunning graphics, and meticulous storyline led to The Witcher 3's phenomenal Metascore, and the game continues to be cited as one of the best RPGs money can buy.

"Its shockingly cohesive world is as beautiful as it is demanding, and it's packed full of mature content that throws you from one emotional response to the next." — Push Square

Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of skyscraper-sized boss fights
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Originally launched on PS2 in 2005 and given a second life on PS4, Shadow of the Colossus is unique adventure game that tasks you with slaying a variety of monolithic monsters scattered throughout the land. Its protagonist is the mysterious Wander, a young adult that's attempting to revive the equally mysterious Mono — and the only way to do so is by harnessing the power of the Colossi. When you're not clambering around on these beasts, you'll be riding around on horseback or exploring an unforgiving world that offers little in the way of narrative. But if you loved the feeling of bringing down bosses in Monster Hunter Rise, Shadow of the Colossus offers that in spades.

"A fresh coat of paint spruces up an already timeless classic that still feels like a breath of fresh air today." — Games Master UK

Monster Hunter: World (PS4)

Metascore: 90
Best for: Those who need more Monster Hunter
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While any game in the Monster Hunter series is a good fit for Rise fans, World stands out as another approachable installment. The game has grown significantly over the years, thanks to a variety of post-launch DLC, and anyone jumping in today will find around 100 different beasts to slay, dozens of different armor sets, and a diverse variety of biomes to get lost in. Gameplay is very similar to Rise, and the level design continues to be a standout for the franchise. It's not available on Switch, but anyone with access to this highly reviewed installment will certainly find a lot to love about its vibrant, monster-infested world.

"Monster Hunter: World scratches the itch for complexity, both in hunt for rare gear and skill with its weapons, but this time it's a game that no one should be intimidated to get into." — Polygon

Diablo III (PC)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of ARPGs
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Diablo III is an ARPG that's all about the loot. After picking a class and customizing your character, you'll set out on a lengthy adventure to slay Diablo — the Lord of Terror — from taking over the realm. Hordes of undead will block your path but defeating them rewards you with treasure troves of new gear to help you on your quest. Cooperative play is a big attraction of Diablo III, as up to four players can roam its wicked lands and conquer its many challenges. A sequel is currently in development (Diablo IV), so now is a great time to check out everything this bleak title has to offer.

"Games this thoughtfully crafted don't happen very often, and the care that Blizzard has taken with Diablo III shows in every facet of its design and execution." — Polygon

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of stunning visuals and epic narratives
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Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy's journey from Horizon Zero Dawn. This time she's heading to uncharted territory, although its predecessor's moment-to-moment gameplay remains largely intact. You'll have access to an ever-growing roster of weapons and abilities, which will come in handy when facing off against some of Forbidden West's new mechanical enemies. When you're not taking down towering beasts, you'll be unraveling a world-ending narrative that brings you in contact with a memorable cast of characters — and plenty of jaw-dropping cutscenes. Whether you're looking for an emotional narrative or adrenaline pumping combat, Horizon Forbidden West is more than worth the investment.

"One of the best open-world adventures available today and is a stellar experience from its strong introduction all the way to its dramatic conclusion." — Checkpoint Gaming

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (PC)

Metascore: 81
Best for: People who enjoy climbing onto gigantic monsters
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Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is an enhanced version of the original title (Dragon's Dogma) from 2012. The off-kilter RPG sees you roaming a fantastical realm with a small crew of Pawns by your side. These customizable characters provide you with support in combat along with words of wisdom to assist you on your mission. Engaging combat is the hallmark of Dragon's Dogma, which allows you to literally climb around on its gigantic monsters and hack away at their weak spots. It might be a bit rough around the edges, but time has been kind to the world of Gransys and the quirky NPCs that call it home.

"Gransys is a fascinating, starkly beautiful world. Character customization, combat, and the weird story and brilliant end-game all make this one of my favorite action-RPG's of all time." — Forbes

Genshin Impact (PS4)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of anime and elemental combat
Where to buy: PlayStation Store
Also available on: iOS, PC, PS5

For a free-to-play title, Genshin Impact is surprisingly full of content. Its open world drips with personality, as each settlement and region are given a unique cultural flair that sets them apart from the rest of the world. You could easily spend days just wandering its dirt roads and marveling at the sights, but the game really shines when you find yourself in combat. Each character offers a variety of skills based around one of several elements and combining different elements leads to powerful synergies (and bonus damage). You can quickly swap between multiple characters, and perfecting your team to fully utilize synergies leads to a fast-paced combat system that's deceptively strategic.

"With a dense open world inspired by Breath of the Wild, Genshin Impact provides hours of free entertainment with its rich combat and deep RPG systems." — God is a Geek

Lost Ark (PC)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of MMORPGs
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: N/A

Lost Ark recently saw a global launch, but it has been around for years in select regions. That means most of the kinks associated with a new MMORPG don't apply to Lost Ark. Players jumping in today can expect a polished experience that's flush with endgame content, including a bunch of PvE and PvP modes, well-balanced classes, and enough collectibles to keep you busy for years. Action plays out from a top-down perspective, with you and your party hacking through legions of enemies and tearing through some of the biggest bosses in the genre. Best of all, it's entirely free — although dedicated players can drop some cash to earn a few in-game perks.

"An absolute blast thanks to its perfect blend of visceral ARPG combat and steady MMO progression." — Digital Trends

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (Switch)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Those seeking a quirky Monster Hunter spin-off
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Unlike most games that bear the Monster Hunter moniker, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a turn based JRPG. You'll form alliances with creatures known as Monsties before heading out to battle ferocious bosses in strategic, slow-based combat sequences. There's also an engaging narrative that's much more developed than Rise, along with an adorable art style and quirky animations to bring each character to life. Fans of the series will notice plenty of familiar faces and mechanics, although anyone looking for another real-time monster slaying adventure will want to look elsewhere. But if you don't mind the change of pace, Wings of Ruin is another great installment in the beloved franchise.

"The perfect JRPG for Monster Hunter fans and those looking to dive into a memorable adventure with gorgeous visuals." — The Mako Reactor

Dauntless (PC)

Metascore: 78
Best for: Fans looking for a streamlined Monster Hunter alternative
Where to buy: Epic Games Store
Also available on: PS4, PS5, Switch, XB1, XBX

Dauntless is essentially a free-to-play version of Monster Hunter. Developed by Phoenix Labs, the cooperative title brings a familiar gameplay loop to your screen, letting you hunt a slew of Behemoths before heading home to craft new weapons from scavenged components. It's not as complex as its source material, allowing anyone to jump into a match and quickly get to the arcade style action without much fuss. Endgame bosses will still put your skills to the test, however, and you'll need to have a reliable crew by your side if you're hoping to complete its most challenging content.

"What Dauntless lacks in layered complexity it makes up for with tightly crafted combat and rewarding progression, proving you don't need to cram every possible feature into a game for it to be great." — IGN