Monster Hunter Rise Second Demo Now Live, Free Post-Launch Updates To Follow

Monster Hunter Rise launches on Nintendo Switch in less than a week, but players have another chance to sample the game before then. A second free Monster Hunter Rise demo is now available on the Switch eShop. On top of that, developer Capcom shared a few details about the game's first free post-launch update during its recent Monster Hunter Digital Event.

The second demo features the two training missions and two hunts from the previous demo, as well as one additional quest: a new "advanced" hunt targeting the game's flagship monster, the Magnamalo. As before, the demo has a play-count limit; you'll only be able to collectively play the three hunts 30 times. The demo also once again supports online play, giving you the option to group up with other players online and try the hunts cooperatively. However, you'll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to take advantage of online play.

Capcom also released a new trailer for Monster Hunter Rise during the Digital Event. The video recapped the game's story and many of the monsters you'll encounter as you work to uncover the mystery behind the Rampage and save Kamura Village from destruction. It also confirmed two more returning monsters you'll face in Rise: the Nargacuga and the Zinogre.

Capcom capped the trailer off with the reveal of Rise's first free post-launch addition: the Elder Dragon Chameleos. It will be "one of multiple monsters" arriving as part of a free update for the game in late April. You can read more about the title in our Monster Hunter Rise preorder guide.

That wasn't the only news Capcom had to share during its Monster Hunter Digital Event. The publisher also shared a new trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin and revealed the game's Switch and Steam release date: July 9. Players who have save data for Monster Hunter Rise will unlock a free bonus in Stories 2: the Kamura Garb layered armor for their character.