Monster Hunter Stories 3 Has Deep Fighting and Monster Raising

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will be out on March 13th. It has a new fighting system and ways to raise your monsters. A free demo is available now so you can try it.
By Newsroom | Video Games, RPGs |

A new entry in the Monster Hunter spin-off series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, is nearing its release, offering players a deep and engaging turn-based RPG experience. Early previews suggest the game builds upon its predecessor's foundation, aiming for a complexity and scope comparable to the main Monster Hunter series, while introducing its own unique mechanics for monster raising and combat. This release comes at a time when comparisons to both its own franchise's upcoming mainline title, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the long-standing Pokémon series are being drawn.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 preview: just as grand and complex as MH Wilds - 1

Game Details and Release

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is set to launch on March 13th. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. A playable demo has been released, allowing players to try the game before its full release, with the option to transfer their progress.

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Monster Hunter Stories 3 preview: just as grand and complex as MH Wilds - 2

Combat System: Depth and Strategy

The combat in Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a significant focus of preview coverage. It moves beyond simple turn-based mechanics to incorporate a layered strategic approach.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 preview: just as grand and complex as MH Wilds - 3

  • Core Combat Loop: Players engage in battles that mirror the long-haul fights found in the mainline Monster Hunter games, requiring careful planning and targeting of monster body parts.

  • Attack Types and Weaknesses: A core mechanic involves understanding monster attack patterns (Power, Speed, or Technique) and countering them. Different weapons and abilities also have specific damage types (piercing, slashing, bludgeoning) that are effective against certain monster parts.

  • Kinship Gauge and Monster Abilities: Building up a "kinship gauge" allows players to perform more powerful attacks by mounting their monster companion.

  • Stamina and Talents: Powerful abilities and talents consume stamina, adding another layer of resource management to battles.

  • Break Gauge: A "break gauge" system allows players to gradually weaken monsters through specific abilities.

  • Comparison to Main Series: The combat leverages systems from the mainline Monster Hunter games, adapting them into a turn-based format to avoid feeling like a repetitive grind.

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"It leverages all the different systems the main series has and uses them to make a complex and engaging turn-based combat system that gives you long-haul battles that don’t feel like an endless slog of slowly whittling down a health bar." - dbltap.com

Monster Raising and Evolution

A key differentiator for the Stories series is its focus on raising and battling alongside "Monsties" – tamed monsters. Monster Hunter Stories 3 expands on this aspect significantly.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 preview: just as grand and complex as MH Wilds - 4

  • Evolving Formula: The game aims to evolve the "Pokémon-like" formula with new mechanics.

  • Monster Invasions and Ecosystems: A notable new system involves defeating invasive monsters to restore regional ecosystems, which in turn can cause habitats and their occupants to mutate, leading to new monster sub-species.

  • Breeding and Capture: Previews indicate that mechanics for monster capturing and breeding are present, though not extensively detailed in early hands-on impressions.

  • Predictability of Monsters: Creatures in Monster Hunter Stories 3 are described as being more difficult to predict than in previous entries.

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"Monster raising remains the series’ biggest point of difference from mainline Monster Hunter." - creativebloq.com

Art Style and Presentation

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection adopts a distinct anime art style, which has been a point of discussion in preview articles.

  • Anime Interpretation: The game is described not just as having anime visuals, but as being "Monster Hunter reinterpreted through them."

  • Visual Comparisons: The visual style and artistic direction are noted as being more modern and refined when compared to recent titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with some suggesting it sets a new graphical benchmark for monster-raising RPGs.

  • Performance Notes: While generally praised, some previews have noted occasional framerate or display quality issues on the Nintendo Switch 2, though the hardware is still seen as capable of running ambitious titles.

"This isn’t Monster Hunter dressed up in anime visuals, but Monster Hunter reinterpreted through them." - creativebloq.com

Comparison to Monster Hunter Wilds and Pokémon

Comparisons between Monster Hunter Stories 3 and other prominent titles in the Capcom and Nintendo catalogs are frequent.

  • Monster Hunter Wilds: While distinct, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is seen as being "just as grand and complex" as modern mainline Monster Hunter titles, including the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds. The spin-off is not considered a lesser version but rather a different, yet equally compelling, experience.

  • Pokémon: Monster Hunter Stories 3 is frequently positioned as a potential rival to the Pokémon franchise, particularly in the monster-taming RPG genre. Some articles suggest that Monster Hunter Stories 3 might even challenge Pokémon's dominance, especially in terms of visual presentation and overall depth.

"Monster Hunter Wilds may be on hard times, but the Pokémon-inspired Monster Hunter Stories 3 seems like it's checking every box RPG players want." - pcgamer.com

Expert Insights

Early impressions suggest Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is shaping up to be a strong entry that appeals to RPG players. The combination of deep combat systems and expanded monster-raising mechanics is highlighted as a key strength. The game's artistic direction and its potential to innovate within the monster-taming genre are also noted.

Conclusion and Implications

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection appears poised to deliver a robust and intricate RPG experience. Its focus on complex, strategic turn-based combat and a significantly evolved monster-raising system aims to offer a depth that rivals the mainline Monster Hunter games. The distinct anime presentation is viewed positively, with some suggesting it surpasses contemporary titles in visual presentation. The game is positioned as a significant release that could challenge established players in the monster-taming RPG space, offering a compelling alternative to the Pokémon series and standing as an ambitious title in its own right, separate from the direction of Monster Hunter Wilds. The availability of a demo provides players with an opportunity to assess these features firsthand before the official release.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does Monster Hunter Stories 3 come out?
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will be released on March 13th.
Q: What platforms will it be on?
It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Q: Is there a demo?
Yes, a free demo is available now. You can bring your saved game progress to the full game.
Q: What is new in this game?
The game has a deeper fighting system and new ways to find and raise monsters, like dealing with monster invasions.
Q: How is it different from the main Monster Hunter games?
This game is a turn-based role-playing game where you fight with monsters you raise, unlike the main games where you hunt monsters.