Capcom has announced Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection during the latest Nintendo Direct. The new Monster Hunter game is targeting a 2026 release.
A spin-off series set in Capcom's iconic universe, Monster Hunter Stories wears its Pokemon inspirations on its sleeve, being focused on turn-based combat rather than the action-oriented gameplay that the mainline titles are known for. The first series entry debuted as a Nintendo 3DS exclusive in 2016 (2017 in the West) before making its way to mobile devices the following year. It was also ported to the Switch, PS4, and PC in 2024. Its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, launched for the Switch and PC in 2021, then made its way to the PS4 in 2024.
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The franchise is now set to continue with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, announced during the latest Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. The July 31 event saw Capcom premiere a two-minute trailer for the game, offering a first look at its setting, plot, and main character cast.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Features a High-Stakes Story
The high-stakes narrative of the upcoming Monster Hunter game centers on two war-weary nations, Azuria and Vermeil, as they look to navigate an environmental crisis while some ominous ancient omens threaten to reignite their old conflicts. Players are put in the shoes of Azuria's heir and sole Rathalos Rider, who seeks Vermeil's princess Eleanor with the goal of uncovering the truth behind a mystery that is a twin-hatched Rathalos egg, which an old prophecy links to a civil war from 200 years prior. Meanwhile, unexplained crystal corruption creeps across the land, threatening monsters and entire ecosystems.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Platforms
- Nintendo Switch 2
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- PC (Steam)
Gameplay-wise, the upcoming title promises the same blend of turn-based RPG combat and monster-bonding mechanics that its predecessors were widely praised for. Capcom has committed to a 2026 launch window for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Looking at their Western release dates, both of the first two series entries debuted during summer, with their threequel possibly being planned to continue this pattern. One tradition that Twisted Reflection is likely to break is that of staggered releases, with Capcom suggesting that the upcoming title will be the first Monster Hunter Stories game with a same-day international launch instead of prioritizing Japan.
While announced during a Nintendo Direct, Monster Hunter 3: Twisted Reflection has also been confirmed for non-Nintendo platforms, namely the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. More details about the newly revealed turn-based RPG should emerge as the game nears release.
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