Monster Hunter Stories has become a title for monster enthusiasts and JRPG fans; it's a visual delight that you can't miss.
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I want to start this analysis with a special mention to Capcom, who are undoubtedly doing a great job. This is because they have been releasing very good games for several years. And they have a winning duo: on the one hand, the terror of Resident Evil and, last but not least, the multifaceted Monster Hunter.
This last name is one of the ones that generates the most sales for the Japanese company, and although it has a main line, on this occasion we are dealing with a spin-off that has delighted many players. Monster Hunter Stories returns with a third installment, one that promises to be impressive in every sense.
After seeing its first release in 2016, the popularity of the game increased and gave rise to a second installment that, to date, is one of the most beloved and popular. This led Capcom to dare to give us a new sequel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM6pjBnv5Ig
These games maintain a JRPG style that, in its first installments, had a somewhat chibi cut and a drawn aesthetic; this pleased many enthusiasts, without forgetting a very interesting and elaborate narrative. However, this new installment comes powerful and with many improvements that will surprise you.
Technical Section
We formally begin everything that this return has to offer, accompanied by one of the strong points of this installment. Don’t get me wrong, we are facing a quite rounded section that has a strong impact on the visual and artistic aspect.
In short, the game is beautiful from any angle. It has a very different aesthetic from what we’ve seen in its previous installments, and we can appreciate the true effort that Capcom has put in. On this occasion, growth goes hand in hand not only with aesthetics but also with its characters.
Each model of the NPC or even the heroes has a level of detail made with great care. Additionally, the childish tone is left aside, and something more mature is opted for, making it clear that this title is much more than a simple sequel.
On the other hand, the world is perceived as bigger and more alive than ever. The scenarios are beautiful, and each new location surprises us. As for its performance, I have no complaints: it has worked wonderfully for me, without any drops in FPS and without any issues that would hinder my experience; it’s solid as a rock.
Something that has fascinated me is that it has many animated scenes explaining the context of the narrative, and although they are accompanied by voices in English (you can set them to Japanese), I found them very well represented, and the texts are very well done in Spanish.
All this offers us a very powerful set that leaves what we saw in previous installments very high. It no longer feels like a simple spin-off. It differs greatly from that first interaction with Monster Hunter Stories, which is what should happen with each new installment of any saga, only that in this case, it’s done in an outstanding way.
It’s impressive to see each new Monstie in its biomes, whether flying through the air, sailing through the waters, or walking on land; they’re a delight. And the best part is that we’ll get many variants of the same, with designs that are better than the previous one.
As I’ve been saying since the beginning of this section, we’re facing a work that improves on everything technically compared to previous Stories installments. It’s more than just a step towards a new direction. It’s a pampering and care that reflects the developers’ love for this sub-saga; my congratulations to the tremendous work done.
Having shared the above, what are you waiting for to play and have fun? Additionally, there’s a demo version that you can try, to give you an idea and help you decide to take the leap with this new installment.
Gameplay
The qualities of Monster Hunter go hand in hand with hunting colossal creatures, as its name suggests. However, Capcom decided to change plans a bit and gave us a spin-off that brings us closer to these beasts in a very special way. That’s how we met Monster Hunter Stories.
A series that saw its birth on the Nintendo 3DS in 2016 and, after two very well-received installments, came to stay with us. After a decade, it’s time to receive its third installment with Twisted Reflection.
Everything starts with a conflict originated by the birth of twin Rathalos, which is a bad omen for the kingdom of Azuria, which, along with Vermeil, starts a war, leading the two nations to take different paths. Additionally, there’s a situation caused by the crystallization of certain areas that are leaving both kingdoms in decline.
After a substantial introduction, which I won’t detail, we have the opportunity to customize our Raider. We can choose the shape and name of our character to our liking, all within the generous options we have.
Once we’ve chosen our appearance, we’ll discover what’s happening with each new interaction. We’ll be the prince or princess of Azuria (depending on our choice), who will be aware of what’s happening and will seek the truth about the events.
As in each game in this universe, we’ll share known monsters and new additions that we’ll discover. And as we progress, we’ll forge our destiny. We won’t be alone, as we’ll be accompanied by Rudy, Eleanor, Simon, Thea, Gaul, Ogden, Kora, among other NPCs.
Like in previous titles, this third installment maintains its JRPG line, so we’ll fight turn-based battles against other Monsties, either to obtain valuable objects, information, or to advance in the story. Although I want to allow myself to describe it better:
- Monsties: They’re called that by the Raiders and will be our companions, although we’ll get some wild ones that will try to face us. They’re the soul of the game, as there are many, varied, and can be of different elements, adding a lot of variety to the experience. We’ll also have creatures from previous games and even from the newest in the saga, not to mention certain Ancient Dragons.
- Raiders: A group of humans who form bonds with the Monsties. That’s what we’ll be, and those who surround our kingdom. Generally, they’re kind and empathetic beings with these creatures, considering them companions, not weapons or enemies.
- Monstie eggs: As in previous installments, we can get many of them. The eggs are obtained from caves, to raise them and form bonds with them, having them as support to use their abilities, which will be very useful.
- Restoring the habitat: If you thought that eggs were only for our benefit, they also have an important function. After breaking the shell, they can populate an area and restore balance. This will be very important to get better Monsties (that’s for you to discover).
- Habitat and zones: One of the things that will delight many is getting different types of habitats or zones. This will give rise to finding different Monsties and, at the same time, the possibility of discovering many secrets.
- Invasive species: We’ve seen that we can have eggs and recover areas, but there are invasive species that don’t allow Monsties to thrive. We’ll have to get rid of them to restore balance. Unfortunately, they’re very powerful threats that will pose a good challenge.
- Weapons and armor: To not lose the habit, we’ll have some weapons and armor that we know and that will be very useful in combat. We can improve them and get the best combinations. We’ll also be able to get the best attire to go elegant and beautiful in our adventure.
- Battles: The resolution of a battle is done with the classic JRPG style. Through turns, we’ll face enemies, and it will be crucial to know the rock-paper-scissors mechanics that it conserves from previous games, which may seem somewhat continuous (although it’s part of the basis of its battles). This will give us an advantage or put us against the ropes. Additionally, we’ll have special attacks or movements that depend on the weapons we have. We’ll also have allies that will be useful in battle on certain occasions.
- Verticality in gameplay: We’ll move through land, air, water, and… I’ll leave those dots for you to discover. As it is, the world is there; it will depend on you to go as you prefer. That’s if you don’t forget to have your group of Monsties that can give you the necessary abilities.
- Food, side quests, and more: Something I must say is that, like in any adventure, you’ll get objects, secrets, and more, either through missions or side tasks. They’re not mandatory, but they undoubtedly add variety. Don’t forget to eat and get a delicious dish that will help you with your stats, apart from being appetizing.
What I’ve described is just a small part of what the game can offer. There are many things and details that I prefer to leave for you to discover and not spoil the surprises. As for its learning curve, I think it’s very accessible, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran of these installments. Everything will depend on how well-prepared you are for battle.
Something I want to highlight is that we’re not on a journey that takes you from point A to point B. You can deviate and do side quests, complete tasks for locals, or go searching for eggs or exploring. You have many options; each one is a path that offers a complete experience, perhaps this can break the rhythm and may feel negative for some players.
An aspect I want to emphasize in this new installment is that growth is appreciated. With this, I mean that if in its first game we saw a childish tone and a somewhat chibi style in its characters, i.e., they were literally children; then in its second installment, they became teenagers, and finally, in Twisted Reflection, they’re adults.
With the above, I want to say that the evolution of this series has been escalating with each installment, and in this last one, we reach the pinnacle: a more serious and mature tone. This is undoubtedly a good decision by Capcom, making it clear that as players, we’ve grown with each title.
The gameplay of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is charming, from its characters and story, without leaving aside the lore and essence of the saga. But, in itself, it’s a sum of aspects that work like a Swiss watch, made to measure to be outstanding.
It’s an experience that you’ll enjoy a lot if you love the Monster Hunter saga, regardless of whether you’re a hunter or a raider. The fun is fully guaranteed, and it becomes an essential game in the Xbox catalog for fans of this JRPG style or monsters.
Duration
Any player who has tried a good JRPG should already know that hours shouldn’t be a problem to enjoy a work of this style. On this occasion, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is no exception and comes with a huge amount of content.
As you’ve seen before, the strong point of this sequel is its narrative, which comes with a very complete campaign. To advance, you have the option to do side quests, additional missions, and optional activities; one thing leads to another, and what Capcom promised, which is around 30 to 50 hours of play, can easily become many more if you decide to explore everything.
The hours you’ll spend are many, and you already have the estimate, although in the end, it will depend on you to squeeze out what the title has. Additionally, there are many collectibles like superimposed armor, weapons, objects, and Monsties with different variants that will keep you coming back for more. In this sense, we’re satisfied, and there’s no drawback regarding its duration.
Conclusion
Don’t be fooled if you’ve played the first installments of Monster Hunter Stories, because this third installment, Twisted Reflection, has improvements compared to the previous ones and feels like something very different from what we’ve been playing. This is not only positive but also sets the bar very high for this spin-off.
I’m not just talking about improvements in the visual or aesthetic aspect, but also in its more mature tone, which is appreciated from the start of the story. Additionally, the development of the characters and their relationship with the present conflict makes it clear that the series has evolved. None of this would be the same without a well-constructed world, charismatic Monsties, and spectacular battles that complete the experience.
It’s true that to enjoy this title, you don’t need to be a fan of the saga, although its followers will have a very special time. Capcom gives us a charming return for this spin-off, one that you shouldn’t miss in the Xbox catalog, and which has the potential to become one of the big surprises of 2026.
*Thanks to Plaion for providing us with the material to carry out this analysis.
Video game, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch enthusiast. Frank is one of the most active video game news writers on the web. He covers absolutely every topic. In terms of games reviewed, as of 2024 he has already passed the 60 mark and his average score, according to Open Critic is 80.
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