PS Plus Extra and Premium Game for June 18 Comes at the Perfect Time

Every month, PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers are granted new games from the PS5 down to the PS1. After a disappointing PS Plus lineup in May 2024, June’s lineup decided to go big or go home with a healthy lineup of excellent titles arriving on June 18, including Anno 1800, Crusader Kings 3, Far Cry 4, and several LEGO games to boot. However, one game is headlining the lineup as one of PS Plus’ most noteworthy titles this year — the latest mainline installment in the Monster Hunter franchise, Monster Hunter Rise.

Monster Hunter Rise is arriving at the perfect time this month, especially with Monster Hunter Wilds currently slated for a 2025 release. Not only is Monster Hunter Rise a great entry point for newcomers to the Monster Hunter franchise, but its PS4 and PS5 ports also offer a better visual experience than it was capable of providing when it first launched on the Nintendo Switch. As such, there has never been a better time to experience Monster Hunter Rise, and PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can download it to the PS4 and PS5 consoles starting on June 18, 2024.

Monster Hunter Rise Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Rise Is a Great Entry Point for Newcomers to the Franchise

While Monster Hunter World fueled the popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise, many Monster Hunter veterans criticized it for being too easy and accessible. The series was previously known for its challenging gameplay and complex mechanics, so the changes that Monster Hunter World brought to the table were much needed for the franchise to welcome in newcomers. That being said, Monster Hunter Rise is arguably an even better entry point for newcomers than Monster Hunter World.

Monster Hunter Rise strikes the perfect balance between the accessibility of Monster Hunter World and the challenge and complexity of traditional Monster Hunter. The core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter Rise sees players setting out on missions as a Hunter who specializes in tracking down and hunting monsters. Upon hunting a monster, players can use the materials they gather from their hunt to craft and upgrade weapons and armor, not only improving their Hunter’s combat prowess but altering their appearance as well.

Like Monster Hunter World, it’s possible to play the entirety of Monster Hunter Rise solo, although players may find it a bit more difficult in Rise than it was in World. This is where Monster Hunter Rise ultimately finds that balance of being welcoming but not gentle, traditional and yet unorthodox. Monster Hunter Rise also has plenty of traversal skills that might appeal to newcomers, like the dog-like Palamute companion and the Wirebug, both of which can be used to move around the world as efficiently as possible.

Monster Hunter Veterans Can Revisit Rise for a Better Visual Experience in 2024 on PS4 and PS5

Monster Hunter Rise is an excellent entry point for newcomers, but veterans can benefit from Rise‘s addition to June’s PS Plus Extra and Premium catalog as well. Specifically, as Monster Hunter Rise was initially released on the Nintendo Switch in 2021, its port to the PS4 and PS5 consoles means it provides a much better visual experience now than it could a few years ago. As such, it’s the perfect time for Monster Hunter veterans to refresh their skills by jumping back into Monster Hunter Rise ahead of Monster Hunter Wilds.

It’s currently unclear when Monster Hunter Wilds will be released, though it’s likely to be in early 2025 if it sticks to tradition. If so, then June 2024 is the best time for newcomers and veterans to enjoy Monster Hunter Rise on the PS4 and PS5 in preparation for the next mainline installment in the Monster Hunter series. Monster Hunter Rise arrives as a part of June 2024’s PS Plus Extra and Premium lineup on June 18.

Monster Hunter Rise

Players will find themselves employed as a hunter of the Kamura Village, tasked with stomping monsters from ravaging the village thanks to something called The Rampage. Along the way, they’ll battle against iconic monsters, including the new Magnamalo, on a quest to end the seemingly eternal struggle.

Released

March 26, 2021

Engine

RE Engine

ESRB

T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Violence

How Long To Beat

22 Hours

X|S Enhanced

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

37 GB (May 2024)

Metascore

87

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Expand