I had very few expectations for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. I didn’t think it looked like a bad game by any means; I just hadn’t played any of the previous entries in the Stories series. I’ve always been a big Monster Hunter mainline series fan, but I was super curious about this entry because I loved the way the game looked. Well, I’m thrilled to say it’s way more than a pretty game. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on Nintendo Switch 2 is an expansive and enthralling creature-catching adventure that completely blew me away.
I just can’t get over how incredible Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection looks the second you boot it up. I’m so sick of games and movies nowadays being so muddy and gritty looking with dulled tones and muted hues. Every single monster, character, environment and texture you see just sings. I’ve played a lot of Monster Hunter World (one of my favourite games ever made), and Monster Hunter Wilds, and neither of them leaps off the screen the way this game does. This cel-shaded anime aesthetic basically guarantees that the game will age like fine wine. Azure and Vermillion make appearances constantly as the game’s main kingdoms are Azuria and Vermeil. Those also happen to be the colours of the iconic Rathalos, which is of major importance to the game’s overarching story. Capcom really went above and beyond in how this game is presented visually, and their work should be commended!
What will also age like fine wine is the monumental soundtrack. This is truly one of the most endorphin-releasing OSTs I’ve heard in recent years. Every single track is packed with gorgeous orchestrations and really creative melodies. Battles both large and small feel absolutely colossal due to the intensity of every single track. Winning battles already feels good in this game, but adding the dopamine you get from hearing the triumphant musical swells underneath your wins elevates it to levels few JRPGs can match.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection immediately pulled me in with its plot. It’s set 200 years after the events of the previous entry and sees the world being impacted by an environmental phenomenon called “the crystal encroachment.” Azuria, the kingdom from which the playable character calls home, is safe and sound and has zero issues with the encroachment. You are the heir to the throne, and you seem to be the only person in your family who is looking to do something about the encroachment. The opposing kingdom, Vermeil, is struggling and is on the verge of running out of resources and succumbing to starvation. The protagonist is also a ranger, a high-honour title given to those who protect and preserve monsters across the world. Your sidekick (basically this game’s Pikachu) is a Rathalos that the protagonist has had since childhood. It was born alongside another Rathalos, which is said to be a bad omen, and that’s when things pick up speed. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a story about political intrigue, warring kingdoms, and overcoming insurmountable odds.
To say one part of the game sticks out more than others just isn’t true, as it’s all spectacular. But I have to say, the battle system in this game is ridiculously good. Throughout the game, you will collect and raise an army of Monsties (that’s what the monsters are called in the game), and much like Pokémon, you will raise them and battle them. What’s cool is that you literally fight alongside your Monstie as well as a companion and their Monstie. I was immediately struck by the seriously impressive animations for each character and Monstie. There are some seriously epic team moves you can pull off with your team, in many different permutations. The combat plays out like a really heightened, overdramatized rock-paper-scissors. Each of the 6 different weapon types has a dramatically different playstyle and can use various elements. The same goes for any of the 84 tamable Monsties that can be found in the game. I often used the hunting horn and the hammer as my main weapon types. The hammer specializes in breaking parts of the enemies and being able to use those parts in making armour pieces or upgrading your current setup. The hunting horn is fun too because you can buff and support your team while also dealing massive damage with complex and thorough musical setups.
I really like obtaining Monsties in the game, too. Basically, you’ll roam and find these caves that are guarded by strong Monsties. Sometimes you’ll walk in and see a Monstie sleeping, or other times the place might appear empty, only to have one come at you out of nowhere. You can choose to fight, or you can just steal some eggs from them. Each egg type has different rarities, and it’s fun finding out what each egg will hatch into. There’s also a big focus on habitat restoration. You’ll need to clear out feral monsters as well as invasive ones and rebuild each habitat to its intended ecosystem. What’s fun is that you can release Monsties into habitats that they shouldn’t necessarily be in, pick up their laid eggs, and breed Monsties with elements and attacks they wouldn’t typically have. Being able to breed Monsties with dual elements that completely go against their visual design is actually very cool and really expands the breeding aspect of the game.
Capcom is three out of four right now in terms of incredible games. The only reason they aren’t four out of four is that Onimusha: Way of the Sword isn’t out yet. Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection– Capcom is steamrolling their competition. We’re just halfway through the year, and Capcom has already delivered three games that I will absolutely be considering on my game of the year list in December. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection stands amongst the best games Capcom has put out this decade – I can’t recommend it enough.
