Outside of Japan, the Monster Hunter series was considered one of Capcom’s more niche series of games. This is especially true when compared to the likes of Street Fighter, Resident Evil, and Devil May Cry. However, after the massive hit that was Monster Hunter World (along with its expansion Monster Hunter World Iceborne) it has become one of the most successful properties in the company’s library.
Thankfully, the series was already a hit in Japan and as a result, several studios released what many have lovingly called “Monster Hunter clones.” Here is a list of the best games in the action-RPG genre that offer the same kind of exciting experience as Monster Hunter World.
Updated April 7, 2022 by Michael Llewellyn: Thanks to the mainstream success of the Monster Hunter series there are a lot of other action RPGs that have adopted some Monster Hunting mechanics of their own. Whether it's through side quests or as part of the main story hunting down giant beasts and monsters for rewards and upgrades has become a major part of many new games. With that in mind, this list has been updated with games that include monster hunting in some form or another that Monster Hunter fans will enjoy even if it isn't part of many gameplay arcs. As a result, this list includes Monster Hunter clones and games that have a heavy focus on epic battles with giant creatures.
18 Elden Ring
- Released: 2022
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
The newest game on this list, Elden Ring is the spiritual successor to the Dark Souls series. As a result, the gameplay loop is very much the same as in the Souls series. However, Elden Ring takes place in a massive and deep open world that you can lose yourself in.
Furthermore, there are enough strange creatures, monsters, and optional side-bosses to keep Monster Hunters fans happy and occupied for hours. As with its predecessors, the monster design is incredible and the fights require strategy and timing to defeat them.
17 Scarlet Nexus
- Released: 2021
- Developers: Bandai Namco Studios and Tose
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2021, Scarlet Nexus was something of a sleeper hit for Namco Bandai. The new IP is heavy on the story in comparison to most games on this list but the flashy combat system and incredible boss fights make it a worthy entry here.
The fighting system plays like a mix of God Eater, Code Vein, and the Tales series. It's one of the most polished action RPGs in years, and the monster design is as creative as it is horrifying. Moreover, one shouldn't be put off by the story as it's deep, entertaining, and compelling from start to finish.
16 Tales Of Arise
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Namco Bandai Studios
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
As with Scarlet Nexus, Tales of Arise is an action RPG with a major focus on the story. However, the most recent title in the long-running Tales franchise is one of the best in terms of action and narrative.
Tales of Arise also implements its version of monster hunting with in-game super bosses known as Gigant Zeugles. While the term Zeugle doesn't sound very terrifying for a monster, these battles are epic in scale and incredibly challenging. Tales of Arise also has a large open world to explore full of regular monsters and enemies that come with their challenges.
15 Freedom Wars
- Released: 2014
- Developer: Dimps
- Platform: PS Vita
Released in 2014 for the PlayStation Vita, Freedom Wars is an action RPG in the same mold as the Monster Hunter series. It was developed exclusively at Sony’s Japan Studios by Dragon Ball Xenoverse developers Dimps as a portable alternative to Capcom’s popular series.
Despite being on the Vita, Freedom Wars has great production values and the stunning cel-shaded anime art style that still holds up beautifully today. Instead of monsters, however, players are tasked with taking down giant robots in some exhilaratingly hard-fought battles.
14 Ragnarok Odyssey ACE
- Released: 2013
- Developer: Game Arts
- Platforms: PS3 and PS Vita
Released in 2013 for the PlayStation Vita and the PlayStation 3, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is a monster and giant hunting action RPG from Game Arts, who are best known for their work on the Grandia and Lunar series.
Ragnarok Odyssey ACE is a spin-off from the MMORPG series Ragnarok Online and tasks its players with hunting down creatures from Norse mythology. Even though it’s not as polished, Ragnarok has a much faster fighting system than the Monster Hunter series and is less demanding for players that want to just drop in and out of gameplay.
13 Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Dimps
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
Released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the PC, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is set in the same universe as the Sword Art Online series although its story is set in an alternate timeline making it more welcoming to new players.
It was developed by Freedom Wars studio Dimps and features many of the same stylized action-RPG mechanics of that game, especially when it comes to taking down the larger enemies. It features excellent anime-style visuals and was created using the Unreal 4 engine, making it one of the best-looking games in the series so far.
12 Devil May Cry 5
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Capcom
- Platforms: Amazon Luna, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2019, Devil May Cry 5 is a return to form for the series which manages to recapture the magic and feel of the original games while having some of the best visuals in a generation. In terms of having a mechanic set around hunting monsters Devil May Cry has very little in common with the Monster Hunter series but it does capture the same unique Capcom magic that Monster Hunter has.
In addition, DMC 5 can be very entertaining and challenging but more importantly, it has some incredible-looking monsters and demons to fight which will no doubt appeal to fans of the genre. It's not an RPG by design but it does give the player several paths to explore and has an RPG-like upgrade system that even die-hard RPG fans will appreciate,
11 Horizon Zero Dawn
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Guerilla Games
- Platforms: PC and PS4
Released in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn is an action RPG developed by Guerilla Games. Unlike the Monster Hunter series, it's a completely solo experience and features a much more involved storyline.
However, for players that appreciate a stunning open world to explore and some of the best monster battles, this generation should still get Horizon Zero Dawn on their to-play list. Every battle looks plays like a cinematic set-piece but each fight is completely dynamic, requiring a lot of thought and strategy.
10 Remnant: From The Ashes
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Gunfire Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4 PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2019, Remnant From the Ashes is an action RPG developed by Gunfire Games. It borrows a lot of elements from other games like Dark Souls and the Monster Hunter series.
In terms of atmosphere, it has more in common with the Souls series but the implementation of the co-op is perfectly suited to Monster Hunter players that enjoy teaming up to fight huge bosses and monsters as part of a team.
9 The Surge 2
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Deck13 Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Released in 2019, The Surge 2 is a science fiction action RPG that plays similarly to the Dark/Demon’s Souls series only with a post-apocalyptic twist. Again, it’s not a monster hunting game but there are plenty of monstrous robotic enemies for gamers to fight against.
Furthermore, the combat feels weighty, violent, and strategic which is everything that makes the Monster Hunter series so appealing. The game’s combat system is also a massive improvement from its predecessor which adds new ways to parry attacks and fight back from all angles.
8 God Of War
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Platforms: PC and PS4
Released in 2018, God of War remains one of the best games of a generation. It’s the fourth entry in the series but instead of beasts and gods from Greek mythology, Kratos is doing battle in a world set in Norse mythology.
This fourth entry feels like a complete reboot and features a revamped and brutal combat system. In addition, the world just feels incredible to explore, and more importantly for Monster Hunter fans, there are lots of giant monsters to do battle with.
7 Code Vein
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
- Platforms: PC, PS4 and Xbox One
Released in 2019, Code Vein is an action RPG that is often compared to the Dark Souls series. That’s true to an extent but those that are familiar with the God Eater series which is the best kind of Monster Hunter clone will realize it’s based in the same universe and carries over many of the same combat mechanics.
In addition, the anime art style is almost identical to the God Eater series. Moreover, fans of Namco's Monster Hunter clone will be pleased to know that several monsters and creatures from that series appear in Code Vein as super bosses.
6 Dragon’s Dogma
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Capcom
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
Dragon’s Dogma, like the Monster Hunter series, was developed by Capcom Studios, and like that series, it features a heavy focus on taking down large monsters as part of a team. The game doesn’t have a multiplayer co-op mode, as it's tailored toward single players, but just as it is in Monster Hunter, taking down giant mythological creatures in an epic fashion will never get old.
The visuals may be dated compared to Capcom’s recent hits but the monster design is superb. Further, the combat system is excellent and the fights are suitably epic with some incredible orchestral music to back it up.
5 The Toukiden Series
- Released: 2013
- Developer: Omega Force
- Platforms: PC, PS4 PSP, and PS Vita
The Toukiden series began on the PlayStation Vita with its first title Toukiden: Age of Demons in 2013. It was remastered as Toukiden: Kiwami for the PlayStation 4 in 2015 and followed by its direct sequel Toukiden 2 in 2014 on the same console.
Developed by Omega Force, which is best known for its Dynasty Warriors series, the Toukiden series is a fast-paced alternative to the Monster Hunter series with a superior story. Toukiden 2 has superior combat mechanics with its implementation of the “Demon Hand” mechanic which can be used for combat and traversal.
4 Demon’s Souls
- Released: Original 2009 and Remake 2020
- Developers: FromSoftware and Bluepoint Games
- Platforms: PS3 and PS5
Before the incredible Dark Souls trilogy and Bloodborne, there were Demon’s Souls on the PlayStation 3. For PlayStation 5 owners, however, the game has been completely remade from the ground up and looks incredible, and is more responsive than ever.
Just like the Monster Hunter series, the combat feels very strategic and has a feeling of weight and variety when it comes to the weapons. There are so many ways to tackle the Demon’s Soul’s haunting world and lots of gigantic monsters and demons to keep a monster slayer happy.
3 Attack On Titan
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Omega Force
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and Xbox One
Released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and the Stadia, Attack on Titan is a monster-hunting action RPG developed by Omega Force and based on the popular anime series of the same name.
Omega Force took “Demon Hand” mechanics from Toukiden 2 and reworked it into Attack on Titan’s "Omni-Directional Maneuver Gear," allowing players to target the horrific Titans’ limbs in epic battles and traverse the maps like a monster-hunting Spider-Man. Additionally, there aren't many giant monsters bigger than the Titans in this franchise, and taking one down has the same sense of achievement as the Monster Hunter series.
2 Dauntless
- Released: 2019
- Developer: Phoenix Labs
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Dauntless is a free-to-play open-world action RPG and arguably the most Monster Hunter-like experience on this list. It’s a visually stunning alternative to the Monster Hunter series and one of the most polished and easily accessible games on this list.
Despite its free-to-play model, the game still offers its players a lot of content to play around with. The benefit of course is one doesn't need to pay for microtransactions to progress. It features epic boss battles and stunning AAA visuals that will more than satisfy fans of the Monster Hunter series.
1 The God Eater Series
- Released: 2010
- Developers: Bandai Namco Studios and Shift
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PSP, and PS Vita
The God Eater series began on the PSP in 2010 and continued with remasters of the first two games that were released on the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4. Its third and most recent entry, God Eater 3, was released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and the PC.
All three games feature an excellent anime-style storyline with a lot of lore to read up on and excellent combat mechanics that are faster and smoother than many other titles in the genre. However, it’s the third game in the series that features the biggest leap in gameplay mechanics and visuals thanks to being developed solely for the home console and PC. In addition, the newer Code Vein series shares a universe with the God Eater series.