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A New Adventure in the Monster Hunter World

The last few years have been great for Monster Hunter fans, thanks to the successful launch of Stories Remastered and Stories 2 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. One also can’t forget the successful launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, a solid entry into the mainline series and one of the best games of 2025. So how does Capcom plan to keep the momentum going for the series? The answer is with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the third entry in the spin-off series, offering a different perspective on a world players already know well. The game that takes players on a mythical journey through a unique world shaped by a familiar setting. It may not be the Monster Hunter you know, but it’s something different from the mainline series.

Memories of Azuria

Prior to the start of the game, an expedition discovered a rare Rathalos egg and brought it before the royal court of Azuria, where it hatched during the Rite of Emergence. To everyone’s horror, two Rathalos emerged from the egg, each bearing the Mark of the Skyscale, foreshadowing a dark omen that will befall the world. You, the crown prince / princess, witness all of this while sharing a special bond with the Rathalos. Years later, the Kingdom of Azuria stands on the brink of war with the Kingdom of Vermeil due to tensions rooted in past conflicts. However, a greater threat has emerged in the form of crystallized monsters that have been wreaking havoc across both kingdoms. Now an experienced Ranger, it falls to you to save the world from this growing threat while preserving peace between the two kingdoms.

Even though it is part of a story driven series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection takes place in its own self contained world, much like previous entries. That makes it easy to jump into the lore without having played earlier titles in either the mainline Monster Hunter series or the Stories games. Which is great, because there is a lot of lore in this entry that could overwhelm players new to the spin-off series. From the characters to the history of the two kingdoms and the surrounding region, the game features extensive worldbuilding. That said, it helps to have played at least one previous Monster Hunter game.

Becoming a Master Ranger

Unlike the mainline series, Stories is a narrtive driven JRPG with more of a focus on raising and collecting monsters. Twisted Reflection is no different, carrying over the core gameplay mechanics from the previous entry while making minor changes to streamline combat. In each battle, players work alongside a party to defeat monsters in the wild. Before an attack, they will choose their own actions as well as the actions of their Monstie. Attacks fall into three categories: Power, Technical, and Speed, with their effectiveness depending on the opposing monster’s weaknesses. During battle, unique attacks such as Double Attacks can be unlocked when the right conditions are met. Players must keep an eye on not only their health and stamina, but also their Monstie’s Wyvernsoul Gauge, as it will not participate in attacks if the gauge drops too low.

Monsties serve as the backbone of your experience as you need them not just to get around the world but also to support you in battle. Riding one makes it easier to move through areas quickly while also helping you overcome certain obstacles and roadblocks. It also gives you an edge when encountering monsters in the wild. In battle, beyond providing support, Monsties can unleash a powerful attack once the Kinship Skill gauge is full. Once activated, it cancels any opponent’s moves while also dealing a powerful attack that knocks them out or brings them closer to defeat.

Collecting monsters involves finding nests and gathering eggs. Once inside a nesting den, players approach a nest and take an egg. They must then reach the exit without alerting the monster or being ambushed when it returns. If they are attacked while carrying the egg, they will lose it. If successful, they can bring it back to base, hatch it, and add the monster to their collection.

Tears from the Sky

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: from a visual standpoint, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection looks too much like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. There is a good chance the trailer made you think this was a Legend of Zelda game, as cel-shaded gouache visuals have become strongly associated with the series. To Capcom’s credit, that visual style works in the game’s favor because it is meant to feel more like a traditional JRPG. Because the visual design used to bring the world of Monster Hunter Wilds or Rise won’t work here. This game is more of a whimsical adventure and this design choice best conveys that setting. It also helps the series preserve its roots, as it began on the Nintendo DS and originally felt more at home as a Nintendo style game.

This brings me to my next point: Twisted Reflection feels and plays like a Nintendo game. I know the series is developed and published by Capcom; the game states it at the start, and it is listed that way on Steam and other digital storefronts. Yet its look, the way it plays, its charm, and the overall experience feel like something I would get from playing a Nintendo game. If you’ve played a Nintendo developed game, then you know what I mean. It’s that sense of wonder and adventure woven into an unforgettable experience that connects with your inner child. Those same emotions are also present in Twisted Reflection.

Finally, when it comes to performance, this is one of the best performing open world games built on the RE Engine. Don’t get me wrong, the RE Engine is fantastic as it has been used to create many of my favorite games over the past 10 years. However, I’ve noticed that it tends to have minor rendering and performance issues when it has been used for open world games. These issues can be obvious at times, but they have not been so bad that it breaks the experience. That does not seem to be the case with Twisted Reflection, as I was able to enjoy it without any of the usual hiccups.

A Dark Omen

If you’re more familiar with the mainline Monster Hunter games, then Twisted Reflection may catch you off guard. Do not expect the intense combat of battling giant monsters that defined Wilds and other recent entries. Instead, the gameplay takes the form of a JRPG with turn based combat, a stronger focus on the story, and building up your Monstie collection. This is not to say you will be disappointed. Rather, be aware that the gameplay may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

So, what are the true shortcomings of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection?

Most of its shortcomings are very similar to those found in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, particularly its slow start, as it takes time for the game to open up, and the grind heavy leveling progression later on. While these issues are not as egregious as before, thanks to some improvements, they are still present and can become somewhat annoying. That said, these shortcomings won’t disrupt the player’s overall immersion.

A Champion Rider

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection takes players on a mystical journey through a world they may find familiar, but from a different perspective. It is a story driven exsperince with JRPG elements but set in the universe of Monster Hunter. Right away, it gets your attention with its stunning visuals that really utilize cel-shaded gouache visuals while having the charm of playing a Nintendo game. Just know going in that Stories is a different experience compared to the mainline titles.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (PC)

10

10.0/10

Pros

• Solid story and world building rich with great characters.
• A visually stunning game that really utilizes cel-shaded gouache visuals.
• Has the charm that comes from playing a Nintendo game.
• One of the best open world games built with the RE Engine.

Cons

• Some of the issues from the last game are still present, but have been better tweaked.