The Monster Hunter franchise and I have a complex history. I have played Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Rise, and Monster Hunter Wilds, but I have never really gotten that same obsession with the franchise that fans talk about. I have wanted to see what is so appealing, when the mechanics and controls of modern Monster Hunter usually make things hard for me. So, in the effort to understand at least some of that love, I decided to give Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection a try.

For reference, the Monster Hunter Stories games are spinoff games that play fairly differently. They are structured more like a traditional JRPG than the action and multiplayer focus of the standard games. As such, JRPG fanatics (such as myself) will find themselves more at home here than the standard Monster Hunter player, but there is some overlap.

In Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, you take on the role of the Prince of Azuria. The prince (who is fully customizable) is captain of the Rangers, a group that focuses on cooperation with Monsters, while also caring for ecosystems and the environment. Instead of simply hunting monsters, you will be working to raise them, releasing them back into the wild to help the population grow.

There is also a deeply involved, emotional storyline at the heart of Monster Hunter Stories 3. However, for the sake of preventing spoilers, I am simply going to say that it is a much more mature tale than the previous Monster Hunter Stories adventures.

However, if you are familiar with Monster Hunter games, you’ll feel right at home. Despite having to collect Monster eggs, raise monsters, and return them to habitats, you’ll also be making gear, upgrading gear, and using various weapon types, of which there are a variety. Upgrading weapons will make it easier to break enemy body parts and strategically take advantage of weaknesses.

As someone who found the mainline Monster Hunter games a little difficult to parse, the slower pace of Monster Hunter Stories 3 really helps. With that said, this is a different sort of RPG than most people are used to, so if you aren’t familiar with Monster Hunter games, you may take some time to get a feel for things.

With that said, I have really been enjoying my time with Monster Hunter Stories 3. The story is fun, the combat is strategic and engaging, and there is a lot to mess around with. I’m not a huge fan of the fact that you can’t customize your party members’ weaponry and armor (beyond cosmetic changes), but that’s because I am used to micromanaging a lot in my RPGs.

In fact, not being able to control my partner character and their monster took some getting used to, but it really is a fun system anyway. As an RPG, it is a unique, challenging experience, and as a Monster Hunter game, it is a lighter experience with a lower barrier of entry for new players.

What really caught my attention from the start was how beautiful Monster Hunter Stories 3 is. The soundtrack is fantastic, the environments are lush, colorful, and beautiful, and overall, the game plays beautifully. It’s so interesting to see Twisted Reflection on the RE Engine, after spending time with Resident Evil: Requiem, but it plays just as well and is just as beautiful in its own way.

I’m really happy with my time in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, and while it might not get me into the mainline series, I’m definitely going back to play the two previous games. Capcom is on a roll right now, and if you’re a Monster Hunter fan or an RPG fan, this is not one you want to miss.

A PC Review Copy of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection was provided by Capcom for the purposes of this review.

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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

$69.99 USD

9.5

Score

9.5/10

Pros

• Intriguing, Mature Story
• Engaging Combat and Progression
• Lots of customization
• Easy to understand, difficult to master
• Beautiful environments and music

Cons

• Not being able to control Party Members is weird
• Can get a little grindy.