Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Reviews
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection doesn’t aim to completely reinvent what’s been established in the previous two entries in the series. Instead, it smartly tweaks and iterates on what worked and what didn’t work to create a much more refined and enjoyable monster-catching experience.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection demonstrates that the series has really come into its own in recent years. With its engaging story, strong visuals, and excellent soundtrack, it immerses you in a wonderful world filled with unique creatures. The Monsterpedia offers a great mix of classic monsters and newer additions from more recent titles. Combat can feel a bit random at first during clashes, but once you unlock the Rite of Channeling, you can customize your Monsties to your heart’s content. If you’re looking to dive into this vibrant world and push back against the encroaching threat, this is an easy recommendation.
I did actually enjoy my time with Monster Hunter Stories 3 despite having a list of issues with it, and I suspect the reason is because it reminded me of those unsung RPGs from the late 90s and early 2000s. It feels like the kind of game you had heard someone talk about glowingly on a message board years ago and when you look it up on eBay it’s inexplicably hundreds of dollars now. The bits of the game that did tickle my brain were tied to its myriad of systems and, while it can be overwhelming, I think the game would be lesser without them. Go ahead and give it a shot if you’re both a fan of Monster Hunter’s designs and world and also want to whittle away time making numbers go up.
Its combat cycle has never felt better, and with more to see and do, this is undeniably the best of the trilogy of Monster Hunter RPGs.
I love the different take on the Monster Hunter universe offered by the Stories sub-series. Its themes of ecological preservation fit much better than the indiscriminate hunting for better gear in the main saga, and its Game of Thrones-esque story of warring kingdoms adds a lot of points. But it's the monster breeding and enhancement systems that will keep you glued to this title for hours. Some mechanics don't work perfectly and the story loses steam over time, but it's undoubtedly an excellent creature-catching JRPG.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
"The most ambitious installment in the series" Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection offers a complete JRPG experience that combines strategic combat, open-world exploration, and team building in a deep and enjoyable way. Despite some technical complexities and the difficulty some newcomers might face in learning certain systems, the game provides a sense of control and enjoyment of diverse strategies and building a strong team, making it an excellent choice for fans of both tactical and story-driven games.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Twisted Reflection is one-of-a-kind. I found myself enjoying the world-building of a Monster Hunter game for the first time, thanks to a strong cast of characters backed up by an interesting premise and stellar visuals. The combat is fun, and the world mechanics all work together to keep you busy, whether it’s completing quests or taking on challenges with your best Monsties. I wholly recommend Monster Hunter Stories 3 to anyone who loves the idea of an animated-like adventure, complete with a modest amount of mechanics that do not burden the player. ∎
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a mechanical masterpiece struggling within a hollow narrative. While its deep genetic breeding and the innovative Habitat Restoration system offer an unparalleled level of monster customization, the story fails to capitalize on its own high-stakes premise of wartime diplomacy and ecological ruin. The turn-based combat remains a brilliant translation of the series' signature rhythm, but the experience is occasionally marred by punishing late-game difficulty spikes and static, underdeveloped companions. It is a dream come true for theory-crafters and "Monstie" enthusiasts, but those seeking a compelling RPG narrative may find themselves chasing a ghost.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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Review in German | Read full review
Despite not shaking off all of the series’ gameplay issues, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection benefits from a huge graphical boost and a more mature story.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is another standout title from Capcom, which has been on a tear with a string of outstanding releases. This is not an exception and shows how a spin-off can proceed to evolve and become successful in its own right. The habitat restoration system is superb, encouraging players to interact with the world in many ways and get rewarded for it. The game performs splendidly, looking and playing well at the same time, making for an enjoyable experience that even newcomers to the Monster Hunter series will appreciate. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is an essential experience and the best installment in the series.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection delivers a visually stunning RPG with deep strategic combat, an engaging story, and exploration that rewards players for their efforts. While its complex mechanics may be challenging for newcomers, its beautiful presentation and gameplay systems make it a standout and a contender for the best RPG of the year. It’s pawesome!
It’s pricy at $70, but it’s as good as many of the other turn-based RPG’s and monster catching games that came out recently.
Intricate, immense, and incredible. Twisted Reflection is the biggest and most immersive expansion of the iconic franchise so far.
With a story that really goes places, a massive roster of monsters, and a stack of interlaced systems that combine to give the player a huge amount of choice and agency, Monster Hunter Stories: Twisted Reflection is the best in a trilogy of superb titles.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is by far the best installment in the spin-off series.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
We embarked on an enjoyable JRPG adventure in the vast world of Monster Hunter Stories 3, featuring stunning visuals that deliver a beautiful visual experience. The game offers a massive amount of content within an explorable world filled with exciting events, alongside a deep gameplay system that may initially feel complex for newcomers, but becomes easier to grasp over time. All of this makes MHS3 a clear evolution compared to the previous entries in the series, making it an excellent choice for players looking for a world they can immerse themselves in for long hours full of challenges.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection offers a refreshing personal narrative and engaging turn-based combat, though it’s frequently bogged down by repetitive filler quests and a somewhat lifeless open world.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection takes players on a mystical journey through a world they may find familiar, but from a different perspective.