Can the Spin-Off Stand Alone?
Three games into a series sounds like it is becoming an established franchise. And yet, for the Monster Hunter Stories series, the shadow of the main games looms large. Perhaps rightly so, as until now, the Stories series hasn’t quite reached the same heights. After several hours with the new game however, parity may be closer than ever.
Immediately, you can see the improvements. Releasing on all platforms simultaneously means that Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a stunning game. A lot can be said for the first two games’ cutesy anime style, and that is still present, but improved upon immensely. In an age where graphics are shooting for photo-realism, give a game a robust engine and an art-style and you stand out from the crowd. Monster Hunter Stories 3 stands out.
And what better way to experience that than from the back of a flying Rathalos? The first time you control your character you mount your “Ratha Monstie” and fly it across a lake towards your central hub area. It’s a stunning moment that only lasts a few seconds but helps set expectations high.
A Darker Narrative of War and Family
With all due respect, the Monster Hunter series is not best known for its’ plots. But Monster Hunter Stories 3 quickly builds a story around you that has a lot of promise. There is the traditional environmental hazard, this time referred to as Crystal Encroachment. We have familial issues with your mother, the Queen, disappearing and taking the twin of your Rathalos with her. And overshadowing all this is a crumbling truce between two empires. These foundations are laid out almost instantly, quickly engaging you to discover more.
We also have The Rangers; a team of Riders that you are a part of. This time around, you are already an established member of the team, rather than a new recruit. Other members will join you for excursions, and once you unlock the side stories for them, you can learn a lot more about them with some interesting tales to be told.
For the first time in the series, your character is voiced, so those relationships with fellow Rangers feel far more natural. There is a big reason, and a very good change, for why your character is now voiced.
Replacing Navirou
No longer is your companion Navirou, the wise-cracking Felyne. He has been replaced by another Felyne named Rudy; a far more stoic and quieter kind of companion. It is a change that helps Monster Hunter Stories break the shackles of being referred to as a child-friendly version of the main series.
One of the biggest criticisms of the first two games was with the battle system, and how basic it was. Monster Hunter Stories 3 doesn’t completely get rid of it, but refines things, and makes the battles feel more like a proper Monster Hunter fight than ever before.
The rock/paper/scissors format remains, but mechanics such as the button-smashing Power Clash attack has thankfully been removed. And, just like Monster Hunter Stories 2, choosing where to attack on larger enemies, and with the correct weapon type, returns.
The Wyvernsoul Gauge
Battles have another layer of tacticality with the introduction of the Wyvernsoul Gauge. This is essentially a stagger bar; reduce it to zero and your enemy will topple. Now, you have a choice: hit the enemy with a Synchro Rush for high damage but if the enemy survives, they will get straight back up, or continue pummelling away with normal attacks. Sometimes, it feels like one option is better than the other, so choosing wisely is key.
Also worth noting is that skills no longer take power away from powering up the Kinship Stone. Your playable character now has a separate skill bar where different attacks can be performed providing the bar is not depleted.
Battles are still turn-based, but thanks to some tweaks to the nature of battles, they feel more akin to a regular Monster Hunter battle. There are far fewer random encounters out in the world, and after a while you can press both thumbsticks to mow through low level enemies. Instead, there are far more battles with the likes of Feral monsters and Invasive monsters. They all have their place in the story, but the frequency of these battles makes for a much more entertaining turn-based system.
An Elevating Experience for the Brand
The improvements made to Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection are apparent from the very moment you start up the game. From what we have seen so far, it is shaping up to be a fantastic RPG and one that will only elevate the Monster Hunter brand further.
And there isn’t long left to wait, as Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection releases on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on 13th March. Stay tuned for our full review thoughts, coming soon.
Huge thanks go out to Capcom for providing us early access to Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection for preview.
If you’re interested in the game, check out the official Xbox Store page. You can pre-order right now.
