Since last week, players around the world have been talking a lot about Monster Hunter: World, a title that has sent fans both new and old into a craze of sorts. Many have been incapable of playing the game whenever possible, but for some, they’ve yet to have a chance to adventure into the wonderful world that sits just outside the gates of Astera.

Unfortunately, for some, the game may be temporarily out of reach or you’re trying to avoid the inevitable pinch of hitting a burnout point with the game. In order to help you avoid that, our team has set down, looked over many of the games of the genre, and compiled a solid list of games we feel would make solid titles to give a shot. So let’s take a look.

Dauntless | PC

Since the launch of Monster Hunter on PlayStation 2, fans around the world have stood behind the idea of creating games much like the series, but giving their own unique twist to this style of game. Among these many creative entities comes one that has kept a few of us quite busy since we joined in via the purchasing a Founders Pack for the upcoming title.

Much like Monster Hunter: World, Dauntless sends players scavenging forward as they hunt down new armor, weapons, and items for them to use. Much like titles within the genre, Dauntless takes the same approach. Players will farm materials for their armor, ingredients for crafting, and even getting items for future crafting.

Currently, Dauntless is still in Early Access and new creatures, weapons, and items are still in development.

Toukiden: Kiwami | PC, PS4, and PSVita

Koei Tecmo knew they were up to something good when they made their own variant of the already established action-adventure meets hunting genre. In Toukiden: Kiwami players take on the role of a Slayer, a protector of the realms that works against the Oni forces, and ultimately prepares to save the last few remnants of humanity.

Much like Monster Hunter: World, this very game emphasizes the same elements of hunting and slaying Oni in order to create their gear. Each offering their own unique resistances, damage types, and capabilities in combat. The only thing you have to worry about here? Your ability to be situationally aware of what enemies do and their weaknesses.

God Eater Resurrection | PC, PS4 and Vita

The world is ending and as a God Eater, it’s up to you to use your God Arc to stop the Aragami as they overtake the planet. As players progress through various missions using the games central hubs, it’s up to them to stop humanities untimely demise. As they do, God Eaters will hunt down the Aragami, taking various materials from each hunt to create, upgrade, and enhance their arsenal in every possible way.

However, unlike Monster Hunter: World, don’t expect a world as massive as it and don’t expect the creatures to be as realistically beautiful as they are in Monster Hunter: World. Unfortunately for some, it seems that Monster Hunter: World is just what they want while games such as God Eater Resurrection may be passed over due to its anime-like art style. But don’t rule this one out, it’s extremely well done and quite possibly one of the best of its kind. If you enjoy God Eater Resurrection then keep your eyes peeled for God Eater 2: Rage Burst, which comes bundled with its predecessor title.

Freedom Wars | PSVita and PSTV

If you’re up for a dystopian future where everyone is a prisoner until they’ve earned their way up the ranks and you hunt gigantic robotic monsters, then Freedom Wars might be right up your alley. Sitting as a sleeper hit on the PlayStation Vita, Freedom Wars is one of the best out there as it combines third-person shooter elements with monster hunting antics.

The only odd part about this game? Melee weapons, guns, and rocket launchers all play a massive role outside of tactical items such as grenades, flashbangs, and the likes all exist, making it a more shooter-themed hunting game than say Monster Hunter: World. But if you’re fine with that and want to farm out robotic like animals, then Freedom Wars is right up your alley and will keep you busy for hours on end.

Soul Sacrifice Delta | PSVita and PSTV

Unlike Monster Hunter: World or any of the previously mentioned titles, Soul Sacrifice Delta is hard to associate with them for many reasons of their own. Unlike the other games, you aren’t going to farm materials for armor or weapons but rather spells. The reason this game is added to the list isn’t that of its grid-like nature or its gigantic bosses that are themed after real-world fairy tales.

While this game certainly brings in a not-so graphically demanding title, but it stands out in many ways from its competitor titles: its overall design is a love story to all-things H.P. Lovecraft and Brother’s Grimm. If you’re for a long grind, hard work, and plenty of spells to upgrade, Soul Sacrifice Delta has you covered. Just be careful not to make choices you can’t undo.

Ragnarok Odyssey Ace | PS3, PSVita and PSTV

Have you ever wanted to run around and smash enemies that are themed around Norse mythology to bits and pieces? Do you want to do it in a Monster Hunter fashion? Then Ragnarok Odyssey Ace will have you staying busy as you go from mission to mission, smashing enemies apart, and gathering resources and valuable materials over the course of the game.

Unlike Monster Hunter: World, however, Ragnarok Odyssey Ace features classes versus the use of weapons. Each using their own armor, weapons, and unique cards to enhance what they do in combat. Cards can be found in both the shop, off enemies, but so can the resources needed in order to upgrade your armor pieces so that they may do more damage in combat. If this something that is right up your alley, then it is worth giving a shot if you have one of the platforms it’s on readily available.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen | PC, PS4, Xbox One

Any game with giant monsters that you hunt is a blast. Any game with an open world experience where you get to hunt giant monsters is even better. While Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is certainly as one would expect, a monster hunting fest, it’s also one that accompanies a massive and quite enjoyable story.

Just like Ragnarok Odyssey Ace, however, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is at its core an action-RPG with open world mechanics, which see players hunting down monstrous creatures ranging from wyverns of sorts to hulking dragons that lie deep within massive caves. If that is something you enjoy, then Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen will keep you busy for quite some time.

Closing Thoughts

While none of these games are as astonishing as Monster Hunter: World may seem, they all do offer their own unique experiences and ones that are quite enjoyable. If you are a fan of Monster Hunter: World or are eagerly awaiting your chance to play it, these games may keep you busy for the time being.

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About the Writer:

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter or Facebook.