I've always shied away from the Monster Hunter series, with its gorgeous world and dangerous beasts, but no matter how many times I played the early PSP versions and the more recent Monster Hunter: World, it just didn't click. As much as I want to like the series, I just can't get past the five-hour mark. There are so many systems to learn and aspects to juggle that it becomes overwhelming. Monster Hunter Stories 2" has completely changed me. [A spin-off of the main series, Stories focuses more on the story, with a turn-based battle system and monster-capturing mechanics instead of action. Although it is a sequel to Monster Hunter Stories, players do not need to know the previous title to enjoy it. Players play as a new "rider," the grandson of a great hero named Red. You set out to investigate a strange red light that makes monsters go berserk, and are eventually entrusted with the egg of Lazarus, and together with your comedy cat sidekick Nabilou, you will unravel the mystery of an ancient prophecy. To do so, you must fight giant monsters, steal eggs from their dens, and raise the offspring of the stolen eggs to follow your orders.

The game definitely has a Pokémon flavor to it. Up to six monsties (what monsters are called when they are pets. Only one can fight by your side at a time, so your choice must be carefully considered. The most basic fighting style is rock-paper-scissors where speed wins over power, power wins over technical, and technical wins over speed, but in the end you will also consider the type of weapons, items, and elements.

Thankfully, turn-based combat gives you plenty of time to consider your options. Instead of dancing around a rampaging beast, trying to figure out which weapon to use to attack which part of the body and praying to be hit, I was able to plan out what I wanted and have time to understand how all the wonderful layers of Monster Hunter combat fit together before attacking. Stories condenses all the elements that make monster battles so satisfying into something more accessible. In theory, you could force your way through with just basic attacks and grinding, but the moments when you find a way to inflate your fluffy Poilum collar like an old party balloon are fun. There is a deep satisfaction in thwarting the monster's plan before it comes to fruition.

It's also great when the venom-spewing wyvern horror you just fought will finally have a less scary nickname to fight alongside you. Thanks, Pukepuke's Pavel. Teaming up with Monsti and seeing how they fight will help you understand how to fight their nastier monster friends. I do feel guilty every time I raid a nest and take an egg, but that is quickly replaced by the nervous excitement of wondering what's inside. There is a randomness to picking up an egg. The pattern will tell you the type of egg inside, but the weight and scent can also give you an idea of the quality of the egg. When going on a search for better eggs, look for the nests of golden "rare" monsters.

Don't be shy about collecting as many as you can. Because eventually you will be able to splice their genes together and handcraft even more powerful monsties. No doubt each monstie has its own stats and bonuses to aim for, and its own perfect team composition, but like any Pokémon trainer with a favorite starter, I managed to pour my strongest skills into my strongest partner, Poobert.

Most areas of the game are relatively small and require you to deal with the limitations of the Nintendo Switch, but they are still varied enough with hidden spots and twists to make them worth exploring. Each monstie also has skills that help them explore the wilderness. Some can jump across canyons, some can swim across streams, and others can climb vines to reach secret treasures. Pavel shouts loudly to startle wild monsters and prevent them from attacking him. It is important to have a varied team, not only for battles, but also for navigating the game's gorgeous landscape and collecting materials. As in other Monster Hunter games, you will need to collect monster parts to craft new weapons and armor. The pace of battle is a little easier, and you have the headroom to really understand the tactical advantages of each armor set and apply them ahead of time.

I wasn't able to play online prior to launch, but unlike other Monster Hunter games, online multiplayer isn't an integral part of the experience, but rather an addition. Players can go on exploration missions to find rare eggs and materials in cooperative play in pairs, or challenge themselves in versus mode against other riders. While I miss the camaraderie of preparing for a big hunt, it won't fit here. There is no cooking mechanism as there was in the main game; instead, pre-hunt buffs are applied with a prayer jar, which is easy to use but not interesting.

"Monster Hunter Stories 2" looks pretty, but retains the depth the series is known for. No, it doesn't have the vastness and pacing of "Monster Hunter: World," but that works to its advantage. Stories 2 is the accessible introduction to the series I've been waiting for, and it's made me want to return to the other games in the series to test my skills."