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0 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (MHS3) is an Adventure RPG from the company making bangers for 2026, Capcom. As the number shows, this is the third installment to the Monster Hunter Stories. The story of the game takes place 200 years after the events in MHS2. Now, since I got to play the second entry, I can tell the major improvements to this current game. So, without further ado, let’s start the review and get some Monsties.
When you need eggs, courage and an understanding of how rock-paper-scissors works, you too can hunt Monsties.
Gameplay
MHS3 begins with a slightly generous character customization screen. What? You thought I was going to start with the story? We’ll get to that after this, don’t worry. Now, I will say that Capcom gave a nice selection for customizing. Consequently, it’s not like the same level as a typical Monster Hunter game, but must be for limitation reasons.
The story starts with the queen and her expedition finding a Rathalos egg in a crystal shell. They bring back the egg to King Arken and ourselves as a child in the royal chamber. Our mother assists us with the process of hatching the egg called the Rite of Channeling. However, we learn that the egg hatches a Rathalos. But, this egg must be a BOGO sale because we got two Rathalos for the price of one egg.
For some of you, you’d think that getting two Rathalos would be a great boon. Yet, for us who see how the media treat twins as already sets the story for us. Obviously for those out of the loop, the birth of twins is usually a bad omen in a lot of cultures. So, we’re left with not knowing which Rathalos was sacrificed until the time skip.
The surface of the game has us fight with a rock-paper system with the same mechanics as Monster Hunter itself. You can set traps, eat a meal that gives us benefits and even collect materials to work on tools and armor. Luckily, when collecting those materials and ingredients in the wild, exp is given to all the monsties. For example, I had one monstie that I only had in case I needed ice skills that I had as an egg. Thankfully the exp system works perfectly with leveling them up without having to introduce them into battle.
The learning curve when it comes to combat, exploration and even teaches players and kids about ecology. The reason I break up ecology is mostly to cover the Habitat Restoration. I honestly enjoyed doing the Habitat Restoration not only to get them to Rank S. But, to have monsties that have two elements. Especially with my Kamen Rider Elemental Rathalos team when dealing with feral monsties.
Lastly, I’m going to cover the new things added into the game. That being the stamina system, kinship gauge, and the Wyvernsoul stun mechanic. I do love how they treat the stamina system almost like MP, but it recharges little by little by each normal attack phase. The kinship gauge does provide some much needed strategy and amazing animation. Now, having the Wyvernsoul stun mechanic is honestly the best touch. It not only makes you plan accordingly while breaking their parts, it can save you from some crazy ability that can wipe you out.
Graphics and Audio
The attention to details from the character designs to the different environments that the monsties reside and will reside. Getting to see some of the designs on the different breeds of monsties you’d expect different designs. However, there are just either a different color scheme and small additions added to some part of its body.
I’m thankful for the fact that the game runs really well on my Steam Deck, however it crashes a lot on PC. However, the fact that it doesn’t require some crazy specs to play the game and look at all its 3-d beauty. I’ve gone mostly looking at the world’s landscapes and seeing the creatures of the world live their lives during the day and night.
Another thing that I believe that what makes Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter is the fashion/armor and weapons. For example my current character is currently using a giant swordfish as a weapon. It reminds a bit of the Tales of series, but with wilder choices.
Now the music and voice acting like always is clean and stamped with the Capcom seal of approval. The voice work is honestly topnotch, especially me recognizing Alejandro Saab not 10 mins into the game. Great job Alejandro for getting into so many gigs, but man slow down so you don’t burn out. Knowing him, he’d say “Nah! I’m going to do my own thing.” I’m not blaming him for chasing that bag, go for it.
The music and cutscenes’ music which is provided in house really is the main reason I couldn’t put the game down. The reason I’m saying this is because I almost woke up late for work twice because I lost track of time. Yet, I got a good amount of exercise from dancing in places like that dog meme of the pug. Capcom like Atlus to me just knows how to hit notes that make me forget my surroundings until my eyes hurt or get heavy. Having it on the Steam Deck did not make pulling away from it easy.
Longevity
Words on the street and from several people I know have told me that the run time is around 46 hours. And that’s only if you’re just doing a main story only run. While doing everything to just complete it would take a good 64 hours if you know what to aim for. Put the game on a Steam Deck to someone with 3 days off and you won’t see them till day 5. What I’m saying is, the fact the game works wonderfully on the Steam Deck, imagine what the Switch 2 would do to others with playing anything. You’ll be like me and continue playing until you finish this game in “one sitting.”
Final Thoughts
MHS3 is a great game for anyone who wants a slightly chill version of Monster Hunter after the nice teleporting Rathalos. Sure it’s a single player experience, but know that it’s a cozy more laid back version of Monster Hunter. I honestly felt like I was doing the world a favor with not only bringing back extinct creatures. But assisting with creating new combos or creatures with some pretty useful skills. It helped a lot with certain invasive monsties which get more difficult with each species.
I give Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection the Thumb Culture Platinum Award
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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