Reviews Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak | Review Thread

[mazi]

Metacritic (Switch) (85)
Metacritic (PC) (86)
OpenCritic (86)


VG247 (5/5):

Sunbreak is an essential expansion for any Monster Hunter fan, and – paired with Rise – may well be the best entry point for anyone eager to learn more about this fascinating series, too.

God is a Geek (10/10):

Whether you're hunting solo or with friends, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is an absolute joy to blast through.

The Mako Reactor (10/10):

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak enhances and improves Monster Hunter Rise in every way. The monsters are more challenging, the music is a lot better, and the postgame is actually good for more than a few hunts. The new mechanics add even more depth for those looking to dig deeper into each weapon. Even if Capcom didn't do a single title update, this would still be absolutely essential for every Monster Hunter Rise owner. It is that good, and I can't wait to put hundreds of hours into it over the next year.

Dexerto (9.5/10):

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a triumph. Combined with the base game, it offers an ideal onboarding for newcomers and plenty of challenge for series veterans. It’s tougher than a Barroth, but offers the most rewarding action-RPG experience of 2022 so far.

TheGamer (4.5/5):

As you try to discover the true artifice of this situation, solving the mystery looming over Elgado is just part of what Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak entails for your adventure. Whether a newcomer or a veteran, you’ll find the classic feeling that hunting brings every time, and every monster represents a thrilling challenge in what it is Monster Hunter at its finest.

RPG Site (9/10):

Whereas Rise left me wholly disappointed the more I looked back on the game, it feels like the few issues that I have with Sunbreak are likely to be improved upon as the expansion continues to receive updates – and it’s not like the current state of the game is bad by any stretch of the imagination. I could nitpick about how it adds less monsters to Rise than Iceborne did to World, but that feels unfair when you look at what else the expansion brings to the table, as well as what’s ahead. That’s not to say that I’m judging Sunbreak for what it can be, but rather as some reassurance for anyone that might be heading into the expansion feeling a bit underwhelmed by what’s been shown. Sunbreak is already one of the best expansions that the series has had, and it’s only going to rise up that list from here.

Twinfinite (4.5/5):

Sunbreak represents the very best of Monster Hunter Rise, recontextualizing the base game through its clever integration of the old and the new. It won’t convert die-hard fans that bounced off of Rise, but for those that loved the changes to the Monster Hunter formula, Sunbreak represents a new high water mark for the series and is an absolute no-brainer for anyone looking to dive back in.

GamesBeat (4.5/5):

After spending over 60 hours with the new expansion, I can say that it’s one of my favorite game expansions in recent history. If you are a fan of Monster Hunter Rise, then you should consider playing the new content. I have enjoyed my time with Sunbreak and can’t wait to continue my adventures with my friends, taking on new challenges, and reaping the rewards. All right, hunters; we’ll see you in the field.

TheSixthAxis (9/10):

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a nigh on perfect expansion, bringing meaningful gameplay change, charming new cast members, and most importantly, more monsters to hunt. It is, for those in the know, absolutely unmissable.

Wccftech (9/10):

With its huge number of new and returning monsters, new gameplay mechanics, and great refinements to the formula, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is the massive expansion that the latest entry in the series deserved to get. While the jump from High Rank to Master Rank doesn't feel as big as it was in previous entries in the series, Sunbreak does so many things well that most of the hunters traveling to Elgado and the Citadel will hardly be bothered by it.

Windows Central (4.5/5):

After sinking my teeth into this game for over 100 hours, I confidently say that not only has Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak fixed all my problems with the original base game, it is now one of my new favorite games in the whole Monster Hunter series.

PC Gamer (89/100):

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak is more of the same for Rise fans, which is great, but the lack of truly 'new' stuff is disappointing.

VGC (4/5):

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak is an excellent expansion that will please those Hunters desperate for something new, just make sure you’re prepared, or you’ll quickly be rather sick of the sight of a group of Palicos hauling your lifeless body up the road.

Game Informer (7.75/10):

I’ve had a great time with Sunbreak overall. The lack of new monsters plagues the early hours, but there’s plenty to love if you keep at it. The added flexibility of the Switch Skill Swap system is a freeing and fun expansion to combat for hardcore hunters and the new creatures in the Master Rank quests – when you get to them – breathe life into the experience. For someone already invested in Monster Hunter, there’s plenty to love in Sunbreak. Just don’t expect to see a lot of new content in the opening hours.

IGN (7/10):

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a relatively simple expansion, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a whole lot of fun. The new and returning monsters and locales are all top notch and the renewed grind is one I’m excited to spend lots more time in. That said, Sunbreak isn’t nearly as substantial or surprising as Iceborne was for Monster Hunter World, lacking fresh ideas beyond clever AI followers that are restricted to single-player hunts, and even abandoning Rampage quests without really trying to fill the gap their absence has left. Flying through the air on Rise’s wirebugs is still an absolute blast though and anyone who enjoyed the base game will definitely enjoy the shot in the arm Sunbreak’s creative monsters provide, even if you may eventually start to feel like you’re hunting through a familiar jungle in more ways than one.

Screen Rant (3.5/5):

It takes time to hit its stride and the omission of Rampage quests is puzzling, but there is some great new content here that is worth exploring, especially for those who enjoyed the base version of the game.

 

[Deleted member 22]

7/10 Too much Rise.

 

[neil]

Sounds like a great package, but as one of the people who "bounced off" Rise I'll be skipping it.

 

[ProteusRidley]

I've played a decent amount of Rise, but never beat it. I don't like playing MonHun games alone.

 

[Herb Alpert]

As usual, it's more of the same.
And I'm totally OK with that.
Also did they give up on the Rampage quests ? If so, I'd be quite OK as I wasn't a fan.

 

[Ahmed]

I'm always sold on any Monster Hunter game, but man these are some glowing reviews.

I still need to get my copy of Rise back from my friend, but I'm getting into Sunbreak ASAP.

 

[zumaddy]

"the omission of Rampage quests is puzzling"

Like 70% of the playerbase didn't like it, it's not puzzling

 

[Leica]

As usual, it's more of the same.
And I'm totally OK with that.
Also did they give up on the Rampage quests ? If so, I'd be quite OK as I wasn't a fan.

Yeah, they're completely gone pretty much. I'm ok with that too.

 

[Dcubed]

I really don't understand the point of reviewing a DLC expansion pack. If you already own MHR, you already know if you want Sunbreak or not. It's literally more of the same (and the fact that some reviewers ding Sunbreak for being more of the same is utterly baffling. It's a DLC pack! What the fuck else did you expect!?)

 

[MisterSpo]

"the omission of Rampage quests is puzzling"

Like 70% of the playerbase didn't like it, it's not puzzling

Yeah, Rampage was fine with friends but never a patch on traditional hunting.

Anyway, very excited for this.

 

[Lord Azrael]

the omission of Rampage quests is puzzling

 

[undefined]

Outlets reviewing on PC when the majority of players is on the Switch is weird. Not expecting issues though.

 

[zim_ek]

Outlets reviewing on PC when the majority of players is on the Switch is weird

was thinking about it too, probably way easier to distribute review codes on Steam?

not expecting huge framerate issues on Switch though

 

[Leica]

Outlets reviewing on PC when the majority of players is on the Switch is weird

Probably easier to distribute digital review copies on PC. Doubt they're hiding any performance issues when they let everyone go wild with a demo.

 

[Twilight Sword]

Will be jumping into this heavy over the weekend. Been looking forward to it forna long time!

 

[zim_ek]

my dumb ass bought sunbreak both on Switch and PC, and now I don't know which to play first

 

[mazi]

Outlets reviewing on PC when the majority of players is on the Switch is weird. Not expecting issues though.

seems like capcom hasn't sent out any review codes on switch, only PC.

 

[PixelKnight]

Of all the people I know that play MonHun, there isn’t one that would say ‘rampage is a great addition to MonHun’. Most like the palamutes, most like the wirebugs, most like the increased mobility and the maps. But i suspect there isn’t one that is going to play Sunbreak and say ‘I wish this had some more rampage missions’.

I only just squeaked through the last advanced one with all the Rajang in it, and I really can’t be bothered to ever play it again. It’s a lot of standing around, prepping and crewing artillery rather than hunting, and that was always the thing I liked the least about some of the dragon fights that revolve around artillery too.

 

[CueTheKarma]

So hyped

 

[Vantell]

I've played a decent amount of Rise, but never beat it. I don't like playing MonHun games alone.

I am playing a lot soon on Switch so feel free to join up if you want

Of all the people I know that play MonHun, there isn’t one that would say ‘rampage is a great addition to MonHun’. Most like the palamutes, most like the wirebugs, most like the increased mobility and the maps. But i suspect there isn’t one that is going to play Sunbreak and say ‘I wish this had some more rampage missions’.

I only just squeaked through the last advanced one with all the Rajang in it, and I really can’t be bothered to ever play it again. It’s a lot of standing around, prepping and crewing artillery rather than hunting, and that was always the thing I liked the least about some of the dragon fights that revolve around artillery too.

Funny enough Rampages were quite fun additions to Monster Hunter personally. Not for continues play but I did like to play it so now and then as you got some nice rewards out of it while relaxing and the music was pretty dope. Overall a fun mode. But the new endgame that has been implied looks really good so that is nice.

 

[Mister Gideon]

Of all the people I know that play MonHun, there isn’t one that would say ‘rampage is a great addition to MonHun’. Most like the palamutes, most like the wirebugs, most like the increased mobility and the maps. But i suspect there isn’t one that is going to play Sunbreak and say ‘I wish this had some more rampage missions’.

I only just squeaked through the last advanced one with all the Rajang in it, and I really can’t be bothered to ever play it again. It’s a lot of standing around, prepping and crewing artillery rather than hunting, and that was always the thing I liked the least about some of the dragon fights that revolve around artillery too.

I’ve been heavily into the series since Tri, have approaching 600 hours on base Rise and every award. I can honestly say I’ll miss rampages. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting them up there with the other improvements/changes to the series you mentioned in terms of importance, but I genuinely enjoyed the change of pace, the stupid spectacle of it. It was nice being able to just let loose with siege weapons for a while, or to see how many of the objectives you could solo when you end up with a group that wasn’t bothering to try them.

I was hoping they’d take other players’ criticisms on board and improve the rampages, rather than remove them entirely. It’s a shame, but oh well.

 

[PixelKnight]

I’ve been heavily into the series since Tri, have approaching 600 hours on base Rise and every award. I can honestly say I’ll miss rampages. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting them up there with the other improvements/changes to the series you mentioned in terms of importance, but I genuinely enjoyed the change of pace, the stupid spectacle of it. It was nice being able to just let loose with siege weapons for a while, or to see how many of the objectives you could solo when you end up with a group that wasn’t bothering to try them.

I was hoping they’d take other players’ criticisms on board and improve the rampages, rather than remove them entirely. It’s a shame, but oh well.

Yeah, that’s a fair point. I’d have been interested to see what they could do with it following a look at player criticisms of it.

 

[menx64]

No switch reviews is disappointing. TBH, I expected more monsters than what this DLC is bringing to Rise.

 

[CueTheKarma]

No switch reviews is disappointing. TBH, I expected more monsters than what this DLC is bringing to Rise.

This gets more annoying everytime I see it.

Iceborne had

Spoiler

71 Large Monsters including TU and Collab

Sunbreak will have

Spoiler

70/73 Large including TU and Apex.

 

[Lord Azrael]

This gets more annoying everytime I see it.

Iceborne had

Spoiler

71 Large Monsters including TU and Collab

Sunbreak will have

Spoiler

70/73 Large including TU and Apex.

Spoiler

Yeah but that's including the base game. Sunbreak is seemingly adding fewer monsters than Iceborne did. As an entire package they're no doubt comparable, but I've already played the base game. What I'm interested in now is the new stuff only

 

[LOLDSFAN]

"the omission of Rampage quests is puzzling"

Like 70% of the playerbase didn't like it, it's not puzzling

Yeah I read that and I was like wait... is the guy dinging this because it doesn't have Rampages!? None of my friends like doing them either.

 

[menx64]

This gets more annoying everytime I see it.

Iceborne had

Spoiler

71 Large Monsters including TU and Collab

Sunbreak will have

Spoiler

70/73 Large including TU and Apex.

Capcom sold Sunbreak using Massive as key word. I am sorry but from all the leak that does not seem massive to me. I know I should not expect a MHGU (the GoT MH) but I feel a bit disappointed.
I love the game though I am just waiting for Sunbreak to release now, but I can not feel like I missing a few more mons.

 

[Lelouch0612]

seems like capcom hasn't sent out any review codes on switch, only PC.

The biggest French outlet reviewed the Switch version and called it very solid technically both docked and in handheld.

 

[bemusedchunk]

Capcom sold Sunbreak using Massive as key word. I am sorry but from all the leak that does not seem massive to me. I know I should not expect a MHGU (the GoT MH) but I feel a bit disappointed.
I love the game though I am just waiting for Sunbreak to release now, but I can not feel like I missing a few more mons.

Capcom also sold Iceborne using the word "massive".

 

[undefined]

Bought it!

Curious about the NPC companions (and they seem to be smart per a review) and the skill switching (I think there was two equal sets on the demo so I didn't use it). There's a small new thing that I saw mentioned on a review that I don't remember being advertised (though I just checked and it's on the game's website)

Spoiler

new wirebug types, that seem to boost wyvern riding, either the material drop rate or the finisher attack damage

Anyway reviews seem to confirm it's solid.

Oh and speaking of reception I'm pretty sure Sunbreak is technically eligible to The Geoff Awards xD

 

[karmitt]

Yeah I read that and I was like wait... is the guy dinging this because it doesn't have Rampages!? None of my friends like doing them either.

Yeah this is a plus for me. I’m holding off for a bit but looking forward to digging in maybe later this year

 

[Aostia82]

seems like capcom hasn't sent out any review codes on switch, only PC.

I wonder if it is more a matter of journalists opting for the PC version.
I write for a "Nintendo-only" website and I've received the Switch code (of course)
Some Switch review is out already, btw
Techinically, it is very solid, as Rise was/is on the Switch, if you are itnerested (I mean: this was pretty obvious since the beginning, being it a DLC/expansion)

 

[Arynio]

Moreover, the omission of Puzzle quests is rampaging.

 

[Imitatio]

Reviewers all playing on Steam Deck

 

[MisterSpo]

Why would any sensible reviewer play on the iddy biddy kiddy console, when they can play on the mighty big boy PC?

/jk

Though funny the PC version is preferred. I remember Eurogamer straight up asking the Rise developers if it was running on new Switch hardware. How else could it look so good?

I'll be making a start on Sunbreak tonight.

 

[ProteusRidley]

I am playing a lot soon on Switch so feel free to join up if you want

Hey thanks, I appreciate the reach out! Might take yah up on it.

 

[Crusters]

I wonder if it is more a matter of journalists opting for the PC version.
I write for a "Nintendo-only" website and I've received the Switch code (of course)
Some Switch review is out already, btw
Techinically, it is very solid, as Rise was/is on the Switch, if you are itnerested (I mean: this was pretty obvious since the beginning, being it a DLC/expansion)

Performance has been nearly rock solid for me, and I've played up through Rock Monkey.

One weird thing I have noticed, is that when I record videos, THOSE seem to noticably drop frames, especially the first few seconds.

I don't know if this carries over to 'downloadong' the videos, I've noticed, for whatever strange reason, that when I download a video to a device, it's of noticably better quality and frame rate than replaying on my switch. I don't know why this is.

I guess I'll find out when I get around to posting my shenanigans here.

 

[Kevin]

Probably a dumb question but I never played a Monster Hunter game besides Stories 2 (which I loved) and I was just wondering if there is any kind of story to these games or is it basically just hunting monsters with very minimal storytelling?

 

[Herb Alpert]

Probably a dumb question but I never played a Monster Hunter game besides Stories 2 (which I loved) and I was just wondering if there is any kind of story to these games or is it basically just hunting monsters with very minimal storytelling?

There's a story, but it's minimal and always the same "hey there are weird monsters activities, help us, Ho this is due to an unusual monster, we have to get rid of it, Omg this monster is due to another kind of even more dangerous elder dragon"

 

[PixelKnight]

Probably a dumb question but I never played a Monster Hunter game besides Stories 2 (which I loved) and I was just wondering if there is any kind of story to these games or is it basically just hunting monsters with very minimal storytelling?

Yeah there’s very minimal storytelling as far as the main story goes.
‘There’s a big monster migration, odd behaviour and species we haven’t seen before, what could be causing it?’
‘It’s x big scary flagship monster!’
‘We killed that, turns out it’s actually that even bigger monster!’
Credits roll
‘Oh all the monsters including the big scary ones you’ve killed are back and stronger now because reasons, let’s go!’

This covers most of the MH games I’ve played

The writing is in the characters, the hunter’s notes about all the creatures and subspecies etc. if you want a world where you can absorb all the info about the ecology, the endemic life and weird monster subspecies, it’s there. But the main story is literally intermittent story beat cut scenes before each urgent quest, of ‘get out there and hunt x so researchers can figure something out afterwards.’