Monster Hunter Stories 3 Review: Capcom’s Strong Evolution

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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection represents a strong advancement for Capcom, surpassing previous entries in the series. With its captivating story, engaging combat, and effective design, the game keeps players immersed in the adventure, demonstrating Capcom’s improved understanding of the franchise. Twisted Reflection successfully integrates Monster Hunter mechanics into the JRPG format, creating a compelling and unique experience. The game achieves significant progress across various elements: its geopolitical narrative, main characters, dynamic combat, enhanced graphics, refined soundtrack, and integration of Monster Hunter mechanics. While lacking the epic scope of some genre giants, it earns respect through its brilliant turn-based combat and habitat-driven monster collecting. Fun features like soaring on Ratha and crafting treasures with Bingo, along with the thrill of hatching eggs and hunting in a colorful world, enhance the gameplay.

The game’s dens feature a complex egg system with layered rarities that affect gene boards, though Elder Dragon eggs can appear even in basic dens. Hatching an egg reveals a 3×3 gene grid determining active and passive skills. The Rite of Channeling allows free rearrangement of these genes, triggering bingo buffs. Encouraging experimentation, genes can be transferred endlessly between Monsties without being consumed. Restoring habitats adds another layer of strategy. Players must repel Feral Invasives by solving environmental puzzles and releasing excess monsters into camps. As the ecosystem ranks climb to Stier, players earn Environment Skills and dual elements that give Monsties unique appearances. Excursions enable regional swapping of skills and stats, even boosting Ratha. Mutated Endangered Species, hidden in secret nests, require clue hunts to discover.

Instead of the action RPG style common to Monster Hunter games, Twisted Reflection uses a turn-based system. Players can equip three weapon types, each with strengths, weaknesses, and skills. Combat involves selecting an attack in a rock-paper-scissors dynamic: technical beats speed, speed beats power, and power beats technical. Players team up with a Monstie companion, sharing a heart meter. Up to six monsters can be used, each with unique behaviors, abilities, and elemental properties. Players must remember enemy attack type preferences to maximize damage. Exploration is also key, as Monsties possess unique abilities for traversing areas. Outside of combat, Monsties can be enhanced through the Rite of Channeling. Optional side content includes character backstories for Ranger companions and Eleanor. The game boasts bright, colorful visuals, expressive characters and monsters, well-executed English voice work, and a fantastic soundtrack with a vocal ending theme and catchy battle themes. The script’s localization is well-executed, providing easytoread subtitles throughout cutscenes.

Set in the kingdom of Azuria, where humans tame monsters to protect the ecosystem, Monster Hunter Stories 3 follows a crisis in Vermeil, where crystallization threatens destruction. This draws both realms into conflict, uncovering secrets and the protagonist’s mother’s disappearance, along with the truth about twin Rathalos. The narrative, supported by a strong cast with a Ghibli-inspired visual style, uses stunning cutscenes to present key moments.

The dynamic combat system stands out, enhanced by Capcom’s anime aesthetic. Retaining the rock-paper-scissors mechanics, Monster Hunter Stories 3 offers more fluid and engaging battles. Building on earlier elements—dismantling monster parts to stun them, utilizing effective armor against monster elements, and crafting stronger equipment—the game delivers fun and challenging battles. While some grind is present, Capcom’s execution makes it palatable. The protagonist, as Azuria’s prince or princess and Ranger captain, works to manage invasive species and reintroduce endangered ones, communicating through a Palico named Rudy. Tutorials cater to veterans and newcomers, with optional emotional moments, surprises, and cameos. The game portrays diverse cultures influenced by their relationships with monsters.

The game’s visuals impress, featuring Wit Studio-style animations and resonant music set against a watercolor storybook background using Capcom’s RE Engine. Despite not being the most ambitious open-world RPG, the game’s simpler textures in open-world areas enhance cutscenes, even on the Nintendo Switch 2. Studio: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Platform played on: Nintendo Switch 2 Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PC, Xbox Series Capcom’s work on Monster Hunter Stories 3 demonstrates the company’s capabilities on the Nintendo Switch platform.

Engaging Design and Ghibli Aesthetics in Monster Hunter Stories 3’s JRPG Adventure

Monster Hunter Stories 3 represents a significant step forward for the series. While not the most ambitious JRPG, its engaging design and integration of mechanics from the main series set it apart. With graphics reminiscent of the Ni No Kuni series and its Ghibli aesthetic, Monster Hunter Stories 3 provides an enjoyable and well-executed adventure.

In Case You Missed It

As we wrap up our chat on gaming marathons, let’s peek into this weekend’s plans. Ahmed Hassan, in his March 21st piece “What will you be playing over this weekend?” What will you be playing over this weekend?, explores how to maximize our gaming time off, whether it’s new adventures, old favorites, or casual games. Meanwhile, Carlos Mendoza sheds light on the mixed reactions surrounding Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert in his March 21 article Sony and Xbox Accept Refunds for Crimson Desert. And if you thought that was intense, Bruno Pferd’s recent piece on the Subnautica 2 legal saga is a must-read. In ‘Subnautica 2: Reinstated CEO Makes New Accusation Against Krafton, Announces Game Release’ Subnautica 2: Reinstated CEO Makes New Accusation Against Krafton, Announces Game Release, published March 20th, Pferd delves into the latest developments as Ted Gill’s reinstatement sparks fresh accusations and drama. Happy gaming, and enjoy your weekend warriors!