Rafael Silva
Content Creator
Building on a winning formula
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the third entry in Capcom's turn-based RPG spin-off series, which trades the mainline games' hunts for an adventure centred on raising monsters and fighting alongside them. The combat and team-building mechanics are a genuine joy, even if not every part of the adventure lands as well as it should. There's a reason this series has stuck around, and Twisted Reflection makes a pretty convincing case for it.
The setup is familiar but expanded. You play as Azuria's heir and a Ranger, thrown into an environmental crisis that's destabilising the balance between humans and monsters, while political tension between two kingdoms threatens to boil over into war. It's a bigger premise than the series has attempted before, and the world feels like it reflects that ambition.
The fate of two kingdoms
Azuria kingdom concept art
Adding political turmoil to the usual "monsters are going crazy because of something in the environment" plot could have made for a deeper, more high-stakes story. The game puts much more emphasis on the monsters themselves, though, leaving the wider conflict feeling underdeveloped. The kingdoms of Azuria and Vermeil are interesting ideas that never quite get the screen time they deserve.
That said, it didn't stop me from having fun, especially since the world is a blast to explore. There are plenty of reasons to stray from the main path: searching for new monsters to add to your team, gathering materials for equipment upgrades, or tracking down hidden areas that reward curiosity. Despite its narrative shortcomings, Capcom has built a world where exploration feels purposeful. For an adventure game, that matters more than most things.
Visuals and performance
Ranger map concept art
The colourful art style gives Twisted Reflection plenty of character. Each region has its own distinct look, and the crystal corruption mechanic adds a visual edge to the world without feeling out of place in the Monster Hunter setting. Monster designs remain a highlight throughout, with enough variety to keep things interesting across dozens of hours.
Performance depends on which platform you're playing on. The PC version offers the better experience, with more consistent frame rates and sharper visuals. The Switch 2 version holds up well enough, though you may notice frame-rate inconsistencies during busier moments. Neither version is broken, but the gap is noticeable if you have the choice.
Shape the ecosystem
Habitat Restoration in action
Collecting Monsties is at the heart of the Monster Hunter Stories formula, but Twisted Reflection adds a new twist with Habitat Restoration. This mechanic lets you release Monsties into different regions to influence their ecosystems, which in turn affects the monsters you can encounter there. It's a fairly simple addition, but it gives you another reason to collect Monsties beyond building your team.
The downside is that getting the exact results you want can take time. Egg hunting, gene optimisation, and gathering the right resources all involve a lot of repetition. So, if you're looking for a specific monster or ability, just be aware that you can start going crazy. God knows I did.
Putting your Monsties to the test
Combat triangle in action
Of course, collecting Monsties is only half the fun. You also need to know how to use them, and that's where Twisted Reflection's turn-based combat comes in. The Power, Speed, and Technical attack triangle will feel familiar if you've played other turn-based RPGs, but don't go in thinking it's a walk in the park. You'll need to read enemy behaviour, target weaknesses, break specific parts, and make the most of your Monsties' abilities if you want to succeed.
The system does have a frustrating side, though. Some of the later encounters are so demanding that they can put a stop to your progression and force you to spend time improving your equipment or raising a stronger team. Obviously, there's a difference between a fight that makes you rethink your strategy and one that sends you back to grind, but the game sometimes crosses that line. Still, I found the combat genuinely satisfying.
Verdict
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection builds on what makes this spin-off work. The combat is satisfying, collecting and raising Monsties is as addictive as ever, and Habitat Restoration adds another layer to the experience. These systems complement each other well, creating a one-of-a-kind adventure.
The story doesn't quite live up to its premise, and some of the tougher encounters can make progression feel more like a grind than it should. The strengths outweigh the shortcomings, and there's plenty here to enjoy if you're looking for a turn-based RPG with a strong focus on collecting monsters and building your team.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Review
9/10
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is at its best when you're out exploring, hunting for eggs, and working out how to build a stronger team. Habitat Restoration adds an interesting twist to the usual monster-collecting formula, while the turn-based combat gives you good reason to think carefully about how you use your Monsties. The story never reaches the heights it could have, and some late-game fights lean too heavily on grinding, but the core gameplay makes this a rewarding RPG for fans of the genre. If you've played the previous Stories games, this is the most refined the series has felt. If you're new to it, this is a fine place to start, as long as you go in knowing the story takes a back seat to the systems.
9
Pros
Satisfying turn-based combat that genuinely rewards strategy
Extensive Monstie customisation through gene optimisation
Habitat Restoration adds a fresh layer to monster collecting
Exploration feels purposeful with hidden areas and real rewards
Colourful environments with distinctive monster designs throughout
Cons
Political story conflict feels underdeveloped and underused
Late-game encounters can force tedious grinding sessions
Egg hunting and gene optimisation involve heavy repetition
Side quests lack variety compared to the main systems