Monster Hunter Wilds didn’t just succeed, it proved hunting games work when combat depth meets gear progression. The weapon variety combined with environmental strategy created something other games tried to copy but rarely matched. These 15 games get it right. They deliver skill-based combat through preparation and execution.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| Game | Core Similarity | Best For |
| Monster Hunter: World | Core formula | Series foundation |
| Monster Hunter Rise | Faster combat | Mobility focus |
| Wild Hearts | Modern competitor | Dynamic environments |
| Dauntless | Free-to-play hunting | Accessible co-op |
| God Eater 3 | Anime hunting | Fast-paced action |
1. Monster Hunter: World
Why it’s similar
Monster Hunter: World shares the same core gameplay loop with hunt, craft, and upgrade progression focused on large monsters and co-op.
What makes it unique
Its seamless map design removes loading zones between areas creating uninterrupted hunts.
Key features:
- 14 weapon types
- Co-op (up to 4 players)
- Living ecosystem mechanics
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2. Monster Hunter Rise
Why it’s similar
Monster Hunter Rise delivers faster combat with mobility improvements while maintaining the same gear progression and hunting structure.
What makes it unique
Its Wirebug mechanics add vertical mobility creating 3D combat movement.
Key features:
- Wirebug traversal
- Switch Skills system
- Japanese-inspired setting
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
3. Dauntless
Why it’s similar
Dauntless provides free-to-play Monster Hunter-style gameplay with co-op hunting and gear crafting.
What makes it unique
Its free model removes entry barrier while maintaining quality hunting mechanics.
Key features:
- Free-to-play model
- Cross-platform play
- Weapon variety
Price: Free-to-play | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
4. God Eater 3
Why it’s similar
God Eater 3 offers anime-style monster hunting with fast-paced combat and weapon variety.
What makes it unique
Its Burst Arts system creates aggressive melee combat faster than Monster Hunter’s deliberate pacing.
Key features:
- Fast action combat
- Anime aesthetics
- Story-driven campaign
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
5. Wild Hearts
Why it’s similar
Wild Hearts features hunting giant creatures with crafting tools and dynamic combat with environment interaction.
What makes it unique
Its Karakuri building system lets you construct siege weapons mid-hunt for tactical advantages.
Key features:
- Building mechanics in combat
- Giant creature hunts
- Co-op (up to 3 players)
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
6. Horizon Forbidden West
Why it’s similar
Horizon Forbidden West combines hunting large creatures with strategy and gear upgrades with exploration.
What makes it unique
Its machine creatures have component-based damage creating targeted combat strategy.
Key features:
- Machine hunting tactics
- Weapon variety
- Open-world exploration
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
7. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Why it’s similar
Dragon’s Dogma 2 provides large monster battles with party combat and climbing enemies similar to Monster Hunter.
What makes it unique
Its pawn companion system creates AI teammates that learn from your playstyle.
Key features:
- Climbing large enemies
- Class system (vocations)
- Party-based combat
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
8. Elden Ring
Why it’s similar
Elden Ring delivers boss-focused combat with exploration and learning enemy patterns.
What makes it unique
Its open-world design lets you tackle bosses in varied order creating player-driven progression.
Key features:
- Challenging boss fights
- Build variety
- Open-world exploration
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
9. Dark Souls III
Why it’s similar
Dark Souls III features challenging combat with boss fights and skill-based progression.
What makes it unique
Its stamina management creates deliberate combat where every action costs resources.
Key features:
- Precise combat timing
- Boss variety
- Weapon builds
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Why it’s similar
The Witcher 3 combines tracking and hunting monsters where preparation and gear matter.
What makes it unique
Its contract system creates detective work before fights with research and potion preparation.
Key features:
- Monster contracts
- Preparation mechanics
- Alchemy system
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
11. Toukiden 2
Why it’s similar
Toukiden 2 delivers hunting demons in structured missions with crafting gear from enemy drops.
What makes it unique
Its Mitama soul system lets you equip fallen warrior spirits for abilities.
Key features:
- Demon hunting
- Open-world zones
- Co-op multiplayer
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Switch
12. Soul Sacrifice
Why it’s similar
Soul Sacrifice provides boss battles with ability-based combat and dark fantasy hunting mechanics.
What makes it unique
Its sacrifice mechanic creates moral choices where you consume defeated allies for power.
Key features:
- Dark fantasy setting
- Sacrifice system
- Spell variety
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PS Vita
13. Nioh 2
Why it’s similar
Nioh 2 features loot-based progression with challenging combat and build customization.
What makes it unique
Its stance system lets you switch combat styles mid-fight creating adaptive combat.
Key features:
- Stance switching
- Loot grinding
- Yokai abilities
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
14. Remnant: From the Ashes
Why it’s similar
Remnant delivers co-op boss fights with gear progression and builds.
What makes it unique
Its procedural dungeons create varied encounters each playthrough.
Key features:
- Third-person shooter combat
- Co-op (up to 3 players)
- Build diversity
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
15. Atlas Fallen
Why it’s similar
Atlas Fallen features large enemy encounters with combat-focused progression.
What makes it unique
Its momentum system rewards aggressive combat creating faster-paced battles.
Key features:
- Sand-powered abilities
- Large boss fights
- Co-op support
Price: ~$49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Full Comparison Table
| Game | Price | Platforms | Best For |
| Monster Hunter: World | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Core formula |
| Monster Hunter Rise | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Mobility |
| Dauntless | Free | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Free entry |
| God Eater 3 | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Fast combat |
| Wild Hearts | ~$69.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Building mechanics |
| Horizon Forbidden West | ~$69.99 | PS4, PS5, PC | Machine hunting |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | ~$69.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Climbing enemies |
| Elden Ring | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Boss challenge |
| Dark Souls III | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Stamina combat |
| The Witcher 3 | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Monster contracts |
| Toukiden 2 | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS Vita, Switch | Demon hunting |
| Soul Sacrifice | ~$39.99 | PS Vita | Sacrifice system |
| Nioh 2 | ~$49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 | Loot grinding |
| Remnant | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Shooter combat |
| Atlas Fallen | ~$49.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Momentum combat |
Conclusion: What to Play First
Every game here delivers skill-based hunting without compromise. Monster Hunter: World and Wild Hearts lead the pack, but the full list offers variety without sacrificing quality. Try one, compare it to Monster Hunter Wilds, and adjust from there.
Read More Like This!
15 Games Like Black Myth: Wukong You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Crimson Desert You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2026 Guide)
15 Games Like Dark Souls You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Elden Ring You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2026 Guide)
15 Games Like Palworld You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Animal Crossing You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Path of Exile 2 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like It Takes Two to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Valheim You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Stardew Valley You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Baldur’s Gate 3 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Balatro You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Hollow Knight in 2026