Capcom just made JRPG fans very happy. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection officially opened pre-orders on October 30, 2025, and revealed it’s launching on March 13, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. This isn’t just another mobile spin-off either. This is a full-sized, story-driven turn-based RPG that’s shaping up to be one of the biggest releases in the Monster Hunter franchise.
Two Nations At War
The story centers on two rival kingdoms, Azuria and Vermeil, both facing extinction from a catastrophic phenomenon called the Crystal Encroachment. Imagine the landscape slowly turning to crystal, consuming everything in its path. That’s what’s destroying both nations. You play as the heir to Azuria’s throne, a character you customize completely in terms of appearance and gender. Despite being royalty, you’re also blessed with special abilities that make you the sole Rathalos Rider in your kingdom and leader of the Rangers, an elite group dedicated to protecting monsters and investigating the mystery of the egg quartz.
The plot thickens when two mysteriously powerful Rathalos hatch from the same egg. These aren’t just any monsters. They bear the same mark as the legendary twin Skyscale Rathalos from a civil war waged 200 years ago, portents of destruction that spell doom. As the story unfolds, you’ll investigate the forbidden lands beyond the Meridian boundary between the two nations, uncovering secrets about what really happened in that ancient war and whether history is about to repeat itself.
Meet Your Companions
You won’t be facing this crisis alone. Kora, a founding member of the Rangers and explosives expert, joins you to uncover the truth about her missing leader Amara, who vanished ten years ago. Eleanor, the princess of Vermeil, arrives in Azuria seeking aid and becomes one of your most important allies. Unlike her ruthless sister, the Queen, Eleanor genuinely wants to find peace between the nations.
Other key characters include Gaul, the vice-captain of the Rangers who’s basically the heart of your organization, Ogden, a monster expert with decades of field experience, and Fiero, Vermeil’s loyal but morally questionable aide who operates in the shadows. The cast is packed with memorable personalities, each with their own motivations and secrets. This is genuinely a character-driven story, not just window dressing between battles.
Turn-Based Combat That Actually Feels Fresh
Combat uses a rock-paper-scissors system where Power beats Speed, Speed beats Technical, and Technical beats Power. That sounds simple until you layer on the fact that your Monstie companions attack automatically based on their preferences. You need to anticipate what attack type your Monstie will use, then time your human character’s action to either defend or build Kinship. When you and your Monstie both attack with type advantages simultaneously, you trigger Double Attacks that deal massive damage and build your Kinship Gauge.
Speaking of Kinship, once your gauge fills up, you unlock powerful Kinship Skills that can turn the tide of battle. You can also swap Monsties mid-combat without penalty, which means switching tactics on the fly becomes crucial. Want to ride a flying-type Monstie for mobility or a tanky monster for defense? You can have both in your party and swap them instantly based on what the situation demands.
Building Your Team Of Monsties
The real heart of Monster Hunter Stories is raising Monsties, the monsters you befriend and develop bonds with. You find their eggs in Monster Dens scattered across the open world. Each egg has different properties that determine the Monstie’s stats and genetic traits. Some eggs have weights and smells that indicate better genes, so experienced players will restart collection attempts to get premium Monsties. Breeding Monsties with different genetic combinations lets you create custom builds optimized for specific playstyles.
You can switch your riding Monstie on the fly, and each one offers different traversal abilities. Your Skyscale Rathalos climbs walls and flies over obstacles. Tobi-Kadachi can glide massive distances and scale vertical surfaces. Other Monsties will have their own traversal tricks that let you reach hidden chests, secret areas, and shortcuts through the environment. Exploration becomes a puzzle where you need the right Monstie mount to progress.
The Living Mountain Returns
The biggest reveal from the October 30 trailer is that Yama Tsukami is back. This colossal Elder Dragon hasn’t appeared in a western Monster Hunter game since 2008’s Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. In Monster Hunter Stories 3, it appears as a Feral variant called the Living Mountain, corrupted by the Crystal Encroachment and tied directly to the destruction threatening both nations.
Yama Tsukami is so massive that it has an entire ecosystem of flora living on its body. Imagine a floating continent made of a monster. That’s what you’re dealing with here. And yes, you’ll fight it. According to Capcom, this battle is absolutely epic and serves as a pivotal moment in the story. For fans who never experienced the original Yama Tsukami fight, this is finally your chance.
Edition Options And Pre-Order Details
Capcom is offering three versions of the game. The Standard Edition is just the base game. The Deluxe Edition adds cosmetic costumes, hairstyles, and a side-story DLC adventure featuring Rudy that releases in Autumn 2026. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes everything from Deluxe plus additional cosmetic packs.
Pre-ordering any edition grants you the Skyscale Queen Layered Armor Set for Eleanor. Nintendo Switch 2 players can buy amiibos that unlock additional Skyscale Rathalos armor for your character and outfit options for Rudy. If you have save data from Monster Hunter Stories 1, Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, or Monster Hunter Rise, you automatically unlock Layered Armor sets based on those games.
Massive Multiplatform Release
Unlike the original Monster Hunter Stories games which started as Nintendo exclusives, Twisted Reflection launches simultaneously on Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam on March 13, 2026. This is Capcom’s deliberate push to broaden the userbase. They’re investing serious resources into making this game a flagship entry in the Monster Hunter franchise, not just a niche spin-off.
The game was announced at Nintendo Direct in July 2025 and has been getting increasingly impressive reveals at Tokyo Game Show and through exclusive gameplay previews. Capcom is clearly committed to making this the definitive Monster Hunter Stories experience.
FAQs
When does Monster Hunter Stories 3 release?
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection launches on March 13, 2026 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are currently live on all platforms.
What platforms does the game support?
The game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. This is the widest platform release for any Monster Hunter Stories game, reflecting Capcom’s ambition to reach the broadest possible audience.
Is this a sequel to Monster Hunter Stories 2?
Yes, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the direct sequel to Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin released in 2021. It continues the JRPG spin-off series tradition of story-driven turn-based gameplay and Monstie bonding mechanics.
What is the story about?
The game follows the heir to Azuria as they work to prevent war between their kingdom and Vermeil while investigating the Crystal Encroachment phenomenon that’s destroying both nations. The story centers on two mysteriously powerful Rathalos and their connection to a civil war from 200 years ago.
Will Yama Tsukami really be in the game?
Yes, Yama Tsukami returns as a Feral variant called the Living Mountain. It appears as a major story boss and is described as an absolutely epic encounter. This is the first western Monster Hunter game appearance for this monster since 2008.
How much will the game cost?
Exact pricing hasn’t been announced, but Monster Hunter Stories games typically launch at $40-50 USD. The Deluxe Edition will likely cost more, probably around $60-70, while the Premium Deluxe Edition could reach $80 or higher.
Can I play this if I haven’t played the previous Stories games?
Absolutely. Each Monster Hunter Stories game is standalone in terms of story, though they share the same mechanics and universe. You don’t need to have played Stories 1 or 2 to enjoy and understand Twisted Reflection.
What makes Monster Hunter Stories different from mainline Monster Hunter games?
Monster Hunter Stories is a turn-based JRPG focused on story, character development, and bonding with monsters called Monsties. Mainline Monster Hunter games are action-oriented real-time combat games where you hunt monsters for materials. Stories offers a completely different gameplay experience despite sharing the same monster roster and world.
Conclusion
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection looks like it could be the most ambitious entry in the spin-off series yet. The combination of an epic story about two warring nations, character-driven narrative, engaging turn-based combat, and the promise of encounters with legendary monsters like Yama Tsukami makes this feel like a must-play for JRPG fans. Capcom’s simultaneous launch across five platforms shows genuine commitment to this title. Whether you’re a longtime Monster Hunter fan or someone who just wants a solid story-driven RPG next spring, March 13, 2026 is when you should have Monster Hunter Stories 3 on your radar.