Monster Hunter Stories 3 Review – Stunning Must-Play RPG

Off the bat of Monster Hunter Stories 3 being announced, following Monster Hunter Wilds coming out last year and being a huge success for this hunter, I was eagerly waiting to learn more, and after a short wait, it was revealed to be another entry in the Stories sub-series which I have also enjoyed. As a long-time fan of the Monster Hunter series and having played all the games available to me in the UK, it was safe to say that Stories 3 would be getting played.

I’ve always admired how Capcom has been willing to experiment with its Monster Hunter series, like with Stories and the mobile entries like Monster Hunter Now & later Monster Hunter Outlanders. It changes the formula slightly while still preserving the identity that made the franchise so beloved.

From the early days of tracking and hunting monsters in sprawling environments to the more action-refined entries in recent years, the series has always balanced challenge, world-building, and creature design exceptionally well. With Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflection, that spirit of experimentation reaches what feels like its most refined and confident form yet for the stories series, and I couldn’t wait to delve into the world and story of Twisted Reflection.

Story & Setting

The monster hunter stories sub series as a JRPG, and has a turn-based battle system; the third entry in the series also follows this formula. The story follows two adversarial kingdoms of Azuria and Vermeil as they struggle to survive against an environmental disaster referred to as “Crystal Encroachment”. You play as the heir of Azuria as you team up with the princess of Vermail, Eleanor.

You will work together to help both combat the threat and improve relations between kingdoms. Eleanor is motivated to do this due to her concerns about the motivations of her sister, the Queen. There is a huge story that is centred around the existence of a Rathalos, which has become the recurring monster from the Monster Hunter series, which was said to be extinct. Follow the journey of these two characters and watch the story and mysteries unfold.

Core Gameplay & RPG Elements

Going into Monster Hunter Stories 3, I already had a strong appreciation for the Stories sub-series. The idea of taking the iconic monsters of Monster Hunter and reimagining them within a turn-based, monster-collecting RPG framework was a brilliant one from the start. I grew up playing Pokémon, so the fact that I could collect iconic monsters from the Monster Hunter series and fight alongside them was fantastic. While Stories one and two were great entries and laid the foundation for Twisted Reflection.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 feels not just another iteration in the series but an elevation, which I love, as it shows that Capcom are willing to keep the sub-series going, not for more money but to keep developing new ways in which the Stories series can thrive.

Monstie System & Customisation

If you are new to the Monster Hunter Stories games, you will notice one of the most immediately striking aspects of the game is how comfortable it feels in its own identity. Rather than trying to mimic what happens in the mainline titles, it fully embraces its hybrid nature, that being it’s JRPG, turn-based battle systems and the Monstie system. I think this is why the game genuinely feels like a love letter to both Monster Hunter fans and players who enjoy creature-collection RPGs.

There’s a very satisfying loop of exploring, discovering monsters, forming bonds with them, and building a team that feels uniquely yours it’s just a shame that you can only have a team of six but that’s understandable and like most creature-collection parties. Straight from the start you’ll feel a sense of excitement and attachment that makes Monster Hunter Stories 3 the best game in the stories sub-series and one that layers its world with depth and personality that you know and love from the Monster Hunter franchise.

Combat Improvements

The Monstie system, for me continues to be a highlight of the Monster Hunter Stories series. Getting to raise, customise, and battling alongside iconic Monsters from the franchise never loses its appeal. One thing I did notice is how Twisted Reflection has deepened this system without overcomplicating it. There is a lot more that goes into building effective team, and with the addition of strategic elements, it makes each decision feel meaningful.

I love this because it allows you to come up with some great combinations for your team and whether you’re carefully selecting abilities, balancing your party, or adapting to different encounters, you feel rewarded for your planning and thoughtfulness.

Having played the previous games, I would say that combat has gotten noticeable improvements. We still have the familiar rock-paper-scissors dynamic, but it’s enhanced with new layers that make battles feel more engaging and less predictable. This really made each fight feel different rather than just the same battle repeatedly. There’s a stronger emphasis on synergy between you and your Monsties, and the pacing feels just right and fast enough to stay exciting but deliberate enough to encourage strategy.

If you are a newcomer to the series or even a seasoned veteran like me, you’ll love the combat system in Twisted Reflection even to the point of engaging in fights just to enjoy the thrill of the fight and of course the amazing visuals. If you are like me, then watching the kinship attacks is pure anime.

There are mechanics in Monster Hunter Stories 3 where I feel like they are quickly brushed over but actually make a big impact on how strong your team can be or how something is done and I feel like it might have been nice to build on these just a little as it is can feel quite daunting for new players. Mechanics like the Rite of Channeling, Ecosystem Rank and Genes and Bingo Bonuses. I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth when explaining these but after you get the hang of it its not to bad.

Visuals & World Design

I do love the change in art style that we see in Stories 3, it goes away from the mainline graphics and shines in a stylised fashion and its world and presentation are amazing. The environments are vibrant, varied, and full of life, making exploration consistently enjoyable and engaging.

Each area feels distinct, and there’s a real sense of adventure as you move through them. This art style I love in video games where it leans into a more colourful and expressive direction it has always suited the tone of the Stories games perfectly and I feel like it was one of the best decisions they could have made for Stories. It helps create a world that feels welcoming, yet still rich with lore and atmosphere that fans expect when playing through a Monster Hunter title.

Story Depth & Characters

I did like that the story in Twisted Reflection took a more cohesive and emotionally engaging aspect from its predecessors. While the previous entries had their charm I did feel like some of the story elements lacked but that is made up for in Twisted Reflections. The narrative takes its time to build stakes and develop its characters, resulting in a journey that feels meaningful rather than just a backdrop for gameplay.

Each character comes with side quests that you can do along the way to better understand the Ranger Team as well as unlocking some goodies, like recipes for food and craftable items. I liked that it had a more mature element to its story but didn’t lose the sense of wonder and adventure but instead enhances it. As a player, I found myself more invested in the unfolding events and the relationships between characters than ever before which helped me get hooked even more and care about the characters.

Nostalgia & Monster Hunter Legacy

For long-time fans like myself, one of the greatest joys has always been seeing familiar monsters reimagined in this format. There’s something incredibly satisfying about encountering a creature you’ve hunted countless times in the main series and now forming a bond with it as a companion, like who doesn’t want to form a bond with a Rathalos or any of the countless other Monsties available in Twisted Reflections.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 captures that sense of nostalgia while giving it a fresh perspective, making each encounter feel both new and familiar at the same time. I feel like this is why it draws me in just as much as the mainline series does. It gives a new and exciting take on the Monster Hunter series and one that when it first came out has me filled with doubt but now, I look forward to the Stories games just as much as the mainline titles.

Final Thoughts

What makes Twisted Reflection so great is that it understands its audience. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not, nor does it rely solely on nostalgia. Instead, it builds on the strengths of its predecessors and delivers an experience that is polished, confident, and genuinely fun. As a player you feel like it respects your time and investment, offering depth without unnecessary complexity and challenge without frustration.

Which I think is a good thing when you look at the state of some games today. In many ways, this is the Stories game that has been built from over a decade from when the first game came out back on the Nintendo DS. It takes everything that worked in the first two entries and refines it to a point where it feels complete. The improvements to combat, the richer story, the enhanced customization, and the overall sense of cohesion all contribute to an experience that stands out not just within the spin-off series, but within the broader Monster Hunter franchise.

Conclusion

I’d say that Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflection perfectly captures the magic of blending two beloved concepts into one cohesive whole. It delivers the thrill of Monster Hunter’s iconic creatures alongside the charm and strategic depth of a monster-collecting RPG. Thanks to this you get a game that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. For me personally, this is easily the best entry in the Stories series to date and It’s the kind of game that reminds me why I fell in love with Monster Hunter in the first place.

While also showing just how versatile the franchise can be you would be mad to miss out on playing this entry into the series. Whether you’re a long-time fan or someone who enjoys games centred around collecting and raising creatures, this is one that should be on your wish list or gaming library. Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflection isn’t just a great spin-off it’s a standout title in its own right, and one that I’ll be recommending for a long time to come and for that reason I’m giving it a well-deserved 9 out of 10.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflection Trailer

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The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.