Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Capcom · Capcom
“Capcom finally figured out that Monster Hunter's biggest monsters deserve better than being reduced to collectible pets. Twisted Reflection gives them actual character arcs. Yes, the dinosaurs have character arcs now.”
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The Review
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the best entry in the spin-off series by a comfortable margin, and it's not because Capcom played it safe. The 'Twisted Reflection' subtitle refers to mirror-world versions of classic monsters that serve as both antagonists and potential allies, and the mechanic of corrupting and purifying Monsties adds a strategic layer that the previous games desperately needed. The rock-paper-scissors combat system has been expanded with a positioning grid that turns every encounter into a genuine tactical puzzle rather than a pattern-matching exercise.
The story is surprisingly ambitious for a franchise that usually treats narrative as an excuse to hit large creatures. Your rider's bond with their Monstie partner is central to the plot, and the game commits to making that relationship feel earned. Side quests flesh out the world in ways that reward exploration, and the new riding mechanics. Including aerial combat on flying Monsties. Are a genuine joy. The visual upgrade on PS5 and PC is substantial, with environments that finally match the scale of the monsters inhabiting them. Switch 2 holds up admirably, though frame drops in large battles are noticeable.
Where Twisted Reflection stumbles is in its pacing. The mid-game sags under the weight of mandatory fetch quests that feel like padding, and some mirror-world variants are just palette swaps with inflated stats. The gene system for customizing Monsties returns and is deeper than ever, but the interface for managing it is clunky and overwhelming. Capcom also made the baffling decision to lock some fan-favorite monsters behind post-game content, which means your first playthrough might not include the Monstie you actually want. A strange choice for a game about bonding with monsters.
What It Nails
- +Mirror-world monster system adds genuine strategic depth to Monstie collection and combat
- +Positioning grid elevates combat from pattern-matching to actual tactical decision-making
- +Story commits to the rider-Monstie bond in ways that feel earned, not just mechanical
- +Aerial combat on flying Monsties is thrilling and changes exploration entirely
What It Botches
- -Mid-game pacing sags with mandatory fetch quests that feel like padding
- -Some mirror-world variants are lazy palette swaps with inflated numbers
- -Gene management UI is clunky and overwhelming, especially for newcomers
- -Fan-favorite monsters locked behind post-game is a baffling design choice
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Who It's For
JRPG fans who always wished Pokemon had the production values and monster designs of Monster Hunter. This is your game.
Who Should Skip
If you're here for the action combat of mainline Monster Hunter, the turn-based system will feel like a downgrade no matter how deep it gets.
External Scores
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