Though Monster Hunter Rise is now available on PlayStation and Xbox, its self-described "massive" Sunbreak expansion will not hit those consoles until spring 2023. Capcom is still barreling ahead with Sunbreak's Free Title Update 4, announced this week with a release date of February 7. The headlining addition is Velkhana, an Elder Dragon who debuted as the flagship monster in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne - that title's equivalent of Rise's Sunbreak expansion.
Capcom's latest Monster Hunter title first launched as a Switch exclusive, giving the impression that it was Nintendo's offering to satisfy those who weren't able to play Monster Hunter World when it hit PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2018. However, Monster Hunter Rise has arguably become the franchise's definitive experience after expanding to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox; a perception helped by it being Capcom's second best-selling title behind Monster Hunter World according to Investor Relations data from December 31, 2022. The arrival of Velkhana strengthens the idea that Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a gathering place for monsters across the franchise, acting as a sort of celebration of all that came before.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak's Free Title Update 4
A 10-minute Monster Hunter Digital Event on February 1 outlined everything coming in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak's next Title Update. Hosted by the in-game scientist Bahari (Julian Smith), this showcase gave fans a brief look at some of Velkhana's abilities. Velkhana is described as "the lord of the tundra," able to freeze water molecules in the air and create pillars of ice - fitting for a monster headlining the prior Iceborne expansion.
Hunters will also have the chance to encounter Risen Crimson Glow Valstrax. The Crimson Glow variant of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate's flagship monster was introduced as part of Rise's post-launch support, and now it is the fourth Elder Dragon to receive a Risen form denoting it has overcome the Affliction spread by parasitic creatures called the Qurio. The Gen 2 Elder Dragons - Teostra, Kushala Daora, and Chameleos - all received Risen forms in prior Title Updates, becoming late-game encounters that show off the repercussions of Sunbreak's main storyline. With Malzeno and Gaismagorm defeated, the Qurio run amok without a host, driving monsters mad while granting them far more power.
Having two new monsters to hunt is the biggest part of Title Update 4, but the post-game Anomaly Research Quest activity will also be expanded with monsters like Chaotic Gore Magala and the Risen Gen 2 Elder Dragons. The update will also host a number of weekly Event Quests throughout its duration to earn layered cosmetics, and there will be paid DLC available in the game's shop. Among this DLC, the most notable addition is costumes based on the "Hunting Guide" characters who appear throughout Monster Hunter Rise's online marketing materials and as in-game Easter eggs.
Velkhana Adds to a Growing Pattern in Monster Hunter Rise
As mentioned, Velkhana joins a number of other flagship monsters - those who appear on a given entry's box art. On top of base Rise and Sunbreak's flagship monsters, Magnamalo and Malzeno respectively, this latest entry also has Gore Magala, Seregios, a variant of Valstrax, and two of the Fated Four monsters from Generations (Mizutsune and Astalos). Going back beyond the fourth Generation titles, Monster Hunter Rise also has Zinogre, Nargacuga, Tigrex, Kushala Daora, Rathalos, and even Espinas, which was previously exclusive to the Monster Hunter Frontier MMO.
While there has been an abundance of monsters with fire or blast elements in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, it's clear that Capcom has an appreciation for the full arc of its history given the slate of monsters appearing in this entry. No doubt fans would be interested in seeing the return of other mainline flagship creatures such as Glavenus, Lagiacrus, and Brachydios, but other plans may be hinted at in the Digital Event video.
A new roadmap shows Free Title Update 5 is coming to PC and Switch in April, which could line up with Sunbreak's spring launch date on PlayStation and Xbox. Another "returning Elder Dragon" will be added in the next Title Update that Bahari calls "fearsome," and while there many possibilities could fill this slot, it would make sense for Capcom to add Monster Hunter World's international flagship monster Negigante as a companion to Velkhana. For now, fans will just have to wait and see what's in store.
Monster Hunter Rise is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The Sunbreak expansion is currently available on PC and Switch.