Monster Hunter – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monster Hunter

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2004

58%

WISE Score

61%

IGDB

The 2004 PS2 game that launched a legendary franchise—now a museum piece with dead servers and graphics that'll make your eyes water.

Monster Hunter

game

2004

58%

WISE Score

61%

IGDB

The 2004 PS2 game that launched a legendary franchise—now a museum piece with dead servers and graphics that'll make your eyes water.

Jump to

Also rated on

IGDB61

View →

Where to Play

PlayStation

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: Monster Hunter (2004) is a fossil. The servers are dead, the graphics look like a potato, and the controls feel like you're piloting a tank through molasses. It's historically significant as the birth of a massive franchise, but that's about it.

The core gameplay—studying monster behavior, crafting gear, strategizing hunts—is genuinely enriching and teaches real problem-solving skills. The fantasy violence is tame, and there are zero predatory mechanics. If this were 2005, it'd score much higher.

But it's 2025. Unless your kid is a gaming historian or desperate to experience the franchise's roots, point them toward Monster Hunter World, Rise, or the upcoming Wilds instead. Those games have the same strategic depth but are actually, you know, playable and fun by modern standards.

This is a museum piece, not a recommendation.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ who are either deeply curious about gaming history or hunting for private servers. Realistically, almost no one should play this in 2025—Monster Hunter World or Rise offer the same experience but actually playable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Cooperative hunting gameplay encourages teamwork and strategy. The game models perseverance and preparation over brute force. Violence is fantasy-based creature hunting without blood or gore. The online component fostered collaboration, though servers are now defunct. No toxic behavior mechanics built into the game itself.

Imaginative

Rich fantasy world filled with diverse ecosystems and creative monster designs. The hunting simulator approach requires players to study creature behavior, craft equipment, and develop strategies. Resource management and gear customization offer meaningful player expression. However, the loop is more about mastery than open-ended creativity.

Safe

Fantasy violence without blood or graphic content. No in-game purchases or loot boxes. Online servers are shut down, eliminating chat risks. The game is challenging but fair, without manipulative loops. Based on parent reviews of later Monster Hunter titles (rated T for Teen, age 10+ recommendations), the content is appropriate for tweens and teens. The 2004 original is likely similar or milder in content.

Enriching

Teaches strategic thinking, pattern recognition, resource management, and preparation. Players must observe monster behavior, plan loadouts, and adapt tactics. The difficulty curve builds genuine skill and problem-solving. Teamwork elements (when online was active) taught coordination. However, the grind-heavy nature can feel repetitive, and the entertainment value has aged significantly.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Historical curiosity: this is where one of gaming's biggest franchises began, showing the roots of strategic hunting gameplay
Teaches genuine strategic thinking, preparation, and pattern recognition—no hand-holding, just pure skill development
Cooperative gameplay (when servers were active) emphasized teamwork and coordination over competition
Fantasy violence without blood or graphic content makes it age-appropriate for tweens and teens
No predatory monetization, loot boxes, or manipulative mechanics—just straightforward gameplay

⚠

What to Watch For

Official servers shut down in 2007 (NA/EU) and 2011 (Japan)—online features are dead unless you find private servers
Graphics, controls, and pacing are brutally outdated by 2025 standards; this will feel ancient to modern gamers
Extremely grindy and repetitive gameplay loop that was already divisive in 2004
If you want the Monster Hunter experience, literally any later entry (World, Rise, Wilds) will be vastly more enjoyable

Conversation Starters

"What strategies did you develop to take down that monster? How did you figure out its patterns?"
"How does planning your equipment before a hunt change how you play compared to games where you can adjust on the fly?"
"What made you want to try this old game instead of the newer Monster Hunter titles?"
"Do you think the challenge and grind make victories more satisfying, or does it just feel tedious?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic