Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection review
When Monster Hunter first launched on the PlayStation 2, the franchise began as a niche title that went through the same growing pains as many early games from FromSoftware. It was tough, punishing, and confusing, and it received harsh criticism for how “manual” it felt. Players had to explore, figure out what to do next, and learn how to progress on their own. Despite this, Monster Hunter became a game-changer in the gaming industry, shaping and creating an abundance of memorable monsters to hunt, adorable Felynes players could resonate with, and showcasing how delicious in-game food could look. After more than two decades and over 15 titles, the core recipe remains the same—yet still incredibly addictive.
That’s where Monster Hunter Stories spun off from the mainline series, offering a fresh narrative format. It took a complete 180-degree turn, introducing traditional turn-based combat, cel-shaded characters and monsters, and, on top of that, monster-catching mechanics that quickly hooked players. After spending more than 25 hours with this sequel, it definitely scratched my itch for a classic JRPG take on Monster Hunter. Its strong narrative keeps me on edge, while figuring out enemy patterns can be challenging at times. The never-ending loop of tracking down monster dens, collecting eggs, hatching them, and raising them as your own is deeply engaging. This constant hatching process ensures players can obtain the best stat modifiers for combat. The addition of a stamina system also shakes things up, affecting both monsters and the player’s abilities.
In the lands of Azuria and Vermeil, two nations on the brink of chaos discover a mysterious egg that hatches an extinct Rathalos, giving everyone hope that restoration is near. However, as with most game narratives, peace is never the starting point—only the beginning of inevitable destruction. The appearance of a Skyscale Rathalos signals an incoming calamity. You play as Leo, leader of Azuria, embarking on a journey to investigate Egg Quartz. Along the way, you meet memorable characters such as Simon, Kora, Ogden, and Eleanor, each with their own Monstie companions. Their unique personalities and dialogue bring life to the journey. By tracking down Invasive Monsters, players must defeat feral creatures and carry out habitat restoration, repopulating species and saving endangered ones. The depth of these mechanics is impressive and well-executed.
Like the main series, Monster Hunter Stories 3 offers one of the best gameplay loops in any RPG. Players actively search for Invasive Monsters, uncover hints to counter their unique abilities, earn rare Monsties, and gather materials, all contributing to a cycle of wildlife conservation that mirrors real life. Side quests are enjoyable and often tied to party members, expanding on their stories while unlocking upgrades and new recipes that can be cooked at camp.
Even after dealing with Invasive Monsters, the Rite of Channeling introduces another addictive loop, allowing players to enhance and transfer genes for Monsties’ active and passive skills. This system significantly refines stats and can be a game-changer in combat. With a bit of luck, players can align three genes of the same element to trigger powerful attack bonuses. By unlocking more camps, players can also send Monsties out on expeditions to level up and gain new environmental skills, Now that’s what it takes to truly feel like a full-fledged wildlife management simulator.
Despite its rich narrative, the story can only go so far. Like many RPGs, party members stay with you throughout the journey, but their development feels somewhat limited. While the political tension between the two nations adds an interesting layer, it still feels similar to previous entries and may be playing it a bit safe. The game starts strong with its introduction but loses some momentum in the middle before picking up again toward the end. Still, this is far from a dealbreaker, especially for both veterans and newcomers looking for a solid RPG with turn-based combat and a rich gameplay loop.
Thank you, Capcom, for the review code. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is out now on PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
