Friday, March 13, 2026, marked the release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the newest entry in the Monster Hunter Stories series, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, an RPG Where Players and Monsters Fight Together, Launches March 13!
The standout feature of the Monster Hunter Stories series is that you don't just defeat monsters; you can make them your allies as Monsties and fight together.
The battles are turn-based command encounters, giving the game a different feel from the traditional Monster Hunter series.
A launch trailer that succinctly depicts this title has been released.
Be sure to check it out.
Story
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PlayStation.Blog
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official WebsiteAzuria and Vermail: two countries on a path to destruction.
When all hope seems lost, an egg is found.
Inside is a Rathalos, a species thought to be extinct.But this flickering light of hope is quickly extinguished, giving way to the darkness of despair.
Born from the egg is not a single Rathalos, but twins bearing the Skyscale marking that hearkens back to the disastrous civil war of 200 years prior.
The natural world teeters on the verge of destruction, with countless monster species facing extinction.
In the shadow of these dark times, the flames of war rekindle.Two countries and two Rathalos.
A Rider and their trusted Rathalos, buffeted by the winds of fate, set out on a journey for the truth.
Protagonist
PlayStation.BlogCharacter creation is available for the protagonist of this game.
In addition to choosing between a prince or princess, you can select styles, hairstyles, skin colors, and more to create your preferred appearance.
Since you can re-customize at the Ranger unit's base even during the game, feel free to enjoy character creation as you like.
PlayStation.BlogMonster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official WebsiteThe prince (or princess) of Azuria and captain of the Rangers. They're highly skilled and the only Rathalos Rider in the country. The protagonist has been focused on their Ranger duties, protecting monster ecosystems and researching egg quartz, when a shocking event changes everything. They come to realize they have little to no understanding of the events in the world or the hand humankind had in causing them, and in order to learn the truth, they set out across the Northern Meridian and into forbidden ground.
Protagonist's Monsties: Ratha (Skyscale Rathalos)
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official WebsiteRathalos were thought extinct in Azuria, but ten years prior, the protagonist's mother found a crystallized egg in the forest from which Ratha was hatched. As one of a pair of twin Skyscale Rathalos, the birth was considered an omen of disaster. The protagonist's Monstie.
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In this title, charming characters and monsters heighten the story.
In addition to the protagonist, the following characters have great personality and Monsties they have deepened bonds with:
- Rudy, a Royal Felyne who has served the royal family for generations
- Eleanor, the princess of Vermeil
- Simon, a close friend and childhood friend of the protagonist
- Thea, a rookie Ranger
Of course, familiar monsters such as Yian Kut-Ku and Pukei-Pukei, as well as Chatacabra, Rey Dau, and Arkveld from Monster Hunter Wilds, will also appear and stand in the protagonist's way.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of encounters will occur and how they will become allies!
Please see the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official Website for details.
Systems Powered Up! Comfortable Play and Training, and Battles with Improved Strategy!
PlayStation.BlogAs the third title in the series, this work features improved systems, making both movement and battles enjoyable.
Let's look at each one.
Monstie Riding Comfort Powered Up, Making Ride Actions More Convenient!
PlayStation.BlogThis work was created with a focus on the riding comfort of Monsties so that players can experience athletic-like fun while traveling.
You can now change Monsties without switching screens, making Ride Actions such as wall climbing and flying necessary for field exploration more comfortable than before.
By hitting monsters in the field with the newly added Ride Actions such as ranged and melee attacks, you can start battles in an advantageous state.
Retreat Battles to Challenge Powerful Invasive Monsters
PlayStation.BlogOne of the goals of the Ranger unit, for which the protagonist serves as captain, is to discover and protect the eggs of endangered species and restore the ecosystem.
The number of endangered species is on the rise due to environmental changes from Crystal Encroachment and the influence of monsters called Invasive Monsters that invade the habitats of other monsters.
There is a possibility that eggs of endangered species are dormant in the dens of Invasive Monsters, making it urgent to carry out Retreat Battles to protect those eggs.
In Retreat Battles, you look for clues to find the den, and once the Invasive Monster returns to the nest and is sleeping, you aim to protect the endangered species' egg and escape during that window.
Train Monsters Through Habitat Restoration to Return Hatched Monsties to the Wild!
PlayStation.BlogBy hatching protected eggs of endangered species and returning them to the wild, they take root in the land and resume their activities as monsters.
Monsters that have regained their activities can also have their eggs protected to become Monsties, just like regular monsters.
Ranger activities to return hatched Monsties to the wild are called Habitat Restoration, and all Monsties are capable of Habitat Restoration.
Habitat Restoration affects the Ecosystem Rank of that area; depending on the rank, eggs may become easier to obtain or Monsties with special skills or genes may be born, so the fun of training will continue to expand.
Follow the Stories of Characters in Another Tale, Side Stories!
PlayStation.BlogIn Side Stories, narratives focusing on each character unfold, allowing you to know them more deeply.
The following are benefits you can receive through Side Stories, which will be useful for progressing through the game:
- Receiving episode rewards
- Increasing the favorite weapon types and Monsties that Rangers can use
- Enhancing special moves and abilities
There is no doubt that your understanding of the story will deepen further, increasing the sense of immersion.
Let's actively take on these challenges!
Battles Have More Options for How to Win, Enabling Strategic Combat!
PlayStation.BlogThe turn-based command battle centered on the three-way deadlock of Power, Speed, and Technique has evolved further.
While retaining the satisfying rock-paper-scissors mechanic from the previous work, the increase in options for how to win now allows for more strategic maneuvers.
Identify Monster Behavior to Aim for Head-to-Head and Double Action
When your target and the opponent monster's target overlap, a Head-to-Head occurs.
Attacking with an advantageous type allows you to deal massive damage and significantly increases the Kinship Gauge.
Furthermore, winning a Head-to-Head against the same opponent as your Monstie triggers a Double Action, which, in addition to damage and Kinship Gauge increases, allows you to prevent the opponent's attack.
By identifying monster behavior patterns, you will be able to intentionally trigger Head-to-Head and Double Action, allowing you to maneuver advantageously in battle.
Proceed through the story while fighting together and deepening bonds with your Monsties!
Deplete the Wyvernsoul Gauge to Make Monsters Toppled!
Reduce the Wyvernsoul Gauge, which represents a monster's spirit, to zero to Break the monster!
A broken monster has its Wyvernsoul Stock depleted and enters a Fatigued state, making it easier to evade its attacks.
Furthermore, by completely depleting the Wyvernsoul Stock, it is possible to make the monster Toppled.
Making a Monster Toppled Allows You to Activate Synchro Rush!
This is a chance to deal massive damage to the opponent while simultaneously greatly increasing the Kinship Gauge, leading into powerful moves like "Kinship Skill."
Depleting the Wyvernsoul Gauge to aim for a Synchro Rush and hunting them down at once with a chain of massive damage is one of the winning options players can choose.
Be sure to master it.
Get Layered Armor Through Save Data Linkage Bonuses! Trial Version Data Can Also Be Carried Over
By starting this work on a console that has save data from Monster Hunter Stories, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, or Monster Hunter Rise, you can obtain protagonist Layered Armor corresponding to that save data.
The correspondences between titles and Layered Armor are as follows:
- Monster Hunter Stories: Hakum Rider Outfit
- Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin: Mahana Rider Outfit
- Monster Hunter Rise: Kamura Garb
Please see the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official Website for details.
A Trial Version Where Save Data Can Be Carried Over to the Full Version Is Now Available!
PlayStation.BlogA trial version where you can thoroughly play the early stages of the game is now available.
In addition to enjoying the story, you can experience the early developments with the same content as the full version, from the Ranger Edit where you set the character's appearance to the battle system, weapon and armor creation, and Monstie collection and training.
Since save data from the trial version can be carried over to the full version, you can play through the beginning for yourself before deciding to purchase.
Go to the store corresponding to the hardware you use from the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official Website and try downloading it.
Please see the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Official Website for other details.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Title | Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Compatible Models | Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam |
| Genre | RPG |
| Release Date | Friday, March 13, 2026 |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| CERO | C (Ages 15 and up) |
