Capcom’s Monster Hunter series is a genre-definer in the truest sense. With more generations of entries than most, improving over the last, this action game combines the thrill of hunting big game in the form of monsters and dragons of various sizes and temperament, and the option to team up with like-minded hunters to co-operate and take down these beasties, while getting loot and parts out of the ordeal.

And just like any popular genre, other rival companies & publishers want to jump onto the bandwagon. Many have tried and failed, but let’s not forget that alternatives exist as less expensive fares than the original flavour. Either that, or you prefer a more esoteric sci-fi setting than a fantasy one? Or maybe you’re tapped out of Monster Hunter and want to see how other game companies handle the genre?

What are the best monster-slaying clones out there? Let’s take a look at three picks we’ve come up with when you’re done with Monster Hunter Wilds.

Wild Hearts

Let’s start with the more obvious one from EA: Wild Hearts.

Omega Force and Koei Tecmo team up with EA to create a brand new Japanese-themed fantasy world where mythical beasts roam around, and you’re tasked to hunt them down. What sets this clone apart? The Karakuri system. This gameplay mechanic lets you make different gadgets out of thin air to help you with your giant slaying escapades. Springboards to give you airtime and evasion, gliders to traverse large gaps or make the aerial drop onto enemies: there’s always a good time to use and abuse Karakuri to the fullest.

Combat, traversal, fast-paced building mechanics, and co-op are all improved by its presence and the way Karakuri is weaved into each component organically. In short, it’s the kind of difference you want in your monster-hunting endeavour, and isn’t full price at the moment on PlayStation 5 (RM45.69 until 12 March 2025).

God Eater 3

Next up we have a pair from Bandai Namco. First up: God Eater 3, bringing in the anime aesthetic and flair to make it look a lot more energetic than Capcom’s counterpart.

There’s a story laced inside this monster hunter clone, but it’s all anime flash stuff. You’re here to use superpowers to defeat monsters called Aragami. You have supercharged aerial dashes and killer moves to deal with these special beasts, and you’ll need other teammates with equal anime moves to fight these monsters.

The controls are top-notch, and the battles are epic, especially with the Ash variants of the Aragami. And despite being years old, the aesthetics and music are pretty epic. God Eater 3 is right now at RM12.12 on PlayStation 5 until 12 March 2025.

Freedom Wars Remastered

If you want to talk about recent fares, there is Freedom Wars: Remastered. Originally a PlayStation Vita title from 2014, this action title has you fighting for your freedom as a prisoner by defeating giant sci-fi mechanical monsters called Abductors.

It’s fast with its action, you come into the fray with smart teammates with similar skillsets and grapple hook action to either climb atop Abductors, or drag them down temporarily, and the action never lets especially with oncoming hostile enemies and changing objectives in a single bout. And then you have the endgame where you fight dragons and alien-like things, testing your Sinner skills and pushing them to the limit.

It’s also the cheapest of the Monster Hunter clones on this list at the default price of RM169, either on PC or PlayStation 5.