The third Stories game is shaping up to be the most ambitious entry the turn-based spinoff has ever seen. With the new REngine, larger zones, and a more complex story set centuries after previous games, Capcom is clearly aiming for a fresh start. Wondering what’s confirmed so far, what’s changing, and what might surprise fans? Here’s everything you need to know about Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.
When Is Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Demo and Full Game Released?
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will be released for Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on March 13, 2026. Similar to other recent Capcom releases, however, there are reports that the PC version will use Denuvo anti-tamper tech.
Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed whether Stories 3 will receive a demo. But if the pattern from Stories 2, Rise, and Sunbreak holds true, we can expect one to drop a few months ahead of launch.
System, Preorder, and Save Data Bonus
For those planning to play on PC, here’s the system requirements for Monster Hunter Stories 3:
| Category | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit required |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-9100 / AMD Ryzen 3 3200G | Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 (6GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (8GB VRAM) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super (8GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8GB) |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
The game also offers additional bonus content from save data, preorder, and Amiibo for Switch 2 players. Here’s a full breakdown:
- Pre-order bonus: Eleanor Skyscale Queen Layered Armor, .
- Amiibo bonus:
- Ratha Amiibo: Protagonist’s Skyscale Ratha Layered Armor.
- Ratha V Amiibo: Protagonist’s Ratha V Layered Armor.
- Rudy Amiibo: Rudy’s Costume, Piggie Pop.
- Save data bonus:
- Stories 1 data: Hakum Layered Armor.
- Stories 2 data: Mahana Layered Armor.
- Rise data: Kamura Garb Layered Armor.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 is priced at $69.99 and is already available for preorder on all major platforms. If you’re considering an upgraded edition, here’s what each version offers:
| Feature / Content | Deluxe Edition | Premium Deluxe Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 | $99.99 |
| Base Game | Yes | Yes |
| Deluxe Kit | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Side Story: Rudy | Additional Side Story: Rudy | |
| Special Layered Armor – Royal Flair (Eleanor) – Protective Wings (Gaul) – Armored Beauty (Kora) – Eager Explorer (Ogden) – Sky Blue Coat (Thea) | Special Layered Armor – Royal Flair (Eleanor) – Protective Wings (Gaul) – Armored Beauty (Kora) – Eager Explorer (Ogden) – Sky Blue Coat (Thea) | |
| Monster Hair Cosmetic – Arkveld Mane – Lunagaron Fade – Mizutsune Braid | Monster Hair Cosmetic – Arkveld Mane – Lunagaron Fade – Mizutsune Braid | |
| Rudy Outfits – Regal Aspect – Smooth Sailing – Velvety Fur – Aristocratic Air | Rudy Outfits – Regal Aspect – Smooth Sailing – Velvety Fur – Aristocratic Air | |
| DLC Pack | No | Yes |
| – | Additional Layered Armor – Foreign Dancer (Eleanor) – Fur-tive Five Leader (Gaul) – Attendant’s Attire (Kora) – Summertime Ogden (Ogden) – Canyne Ward (Thea) | |
| – | Additional Monster Hair – Malzeno Bob – Hellfire Tail – Espinas Spikes – Garangolm Nest – Octolocks Princess – Goss Hairagy | |
| – | Additional Rudy Outfits – Rudy’s Arkbelt – Scintillating Armor – Relaxed-acabra – Shogun Rudy – Rudyzeno |
The World of Monster Hunter Stories 3
The two warring nations of Azuria and Vermeil stand on the brink of destruction. In the heart of their conflict lie two strange phenomena. One, twin Skyscale Rathalos — a species thought to be extinct — were born under a twisted fate, while the Crystal Encroachment epidemic turns monsters Feral and crystalized with Blightstones.
You take control of Azuria’s heir — the Captain of the Rangers and the last of the Rathalos Riders. Teaming up with Eleanor, the princess of Vermail, you must tame one of the Skyscale Rathalos twins, combat the disease, and help mend relations between kingdoms.
During your travel, you, Ratha, Eleanor, and her Anjanath Angie, will be accompanied by fellow Rangers and Riders. Although for now, it’s not clear whether you’ll get a Hunter companion similar to Reverto again or not:
- Rudy: Protagonist’s loyal Palico, a member of Royal Felyne that has served Azuria for generations.
- Simon: Protagonist’s childhood friend. Rides a Legiana named Fawn.
- Thea: A Junior Ranger who always goes around with a pet Poogie. Kagachi is her Tobi-Kadachi Monstie.
- Gaul: A founding member and vice-captain of the Rangers. He’s accompanied by Murray the Palico and Legia the Legiana.
- Ogden: A free-spirited traveler and walking Monsterpedia. He fights alongside Pukei-Pukei called Chirpy.
- Kora: Founded the Rangers group with Protagonist’s mother, Amara. Gravy the Gravios is her partner.
However, the journey takes a darker turn with the appearance of the ebony-armored Ratha V — the other Skyscale Rathalos whose Rider remains mysterious. Some fans believes the Rider is Amara, Protagonist’s mother who saved the Skyscale Rathalos and gone missing 10 years before the story starts. But there’s a possibility that someone is manipulating the conflict from the shadows.
Since the story takes place roughly 200 years after Monster Hunter Stories 2, Director Oguro confirmed one major change. Navirou is officially gone — he’s been replaced with Rudy and won’t be returning in Monster Hunter Stories 3. That absence also extends to other familiar Riders and Hunters such as Lilia, Avinia, and Reverto, who have long since passed in this distant timeline.
Still, Ena and other Wyverians might have a chance to show up as their race can reach several centuries.
New and Returning Monsties for Monster Hunter Stories 3
Monster Hunter Stories 2 features 128 different monsters pulled from five generations of games, up to World. Out of that total, 81 can be hatched and rode as Monstie partners. No doubt that number will be pushed even higher previously boss-exclusive monsters like Plesioth are now rideable.
Based on the official announcements and trailers, these are the monsters confirmed to appear in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection so far:
- Anjanath.
- Arkveld.
- Arzuros.
- Barroth.
- Canyne / Palamute.
- Chatacabra.
- Deviljho.
- Diablos.
- Glavenus.
- Honed Glavenus variant.
- Gravios.
- Gypceros.
- Legiana.
- Magnamalo.
- Nerscylla.
- Paolumu.
- Plesioth.
- Pukei-Pukei.
- Royal Ludroth.
- Rathalos.
- Skyscale Rathalos (Ratha).
- Skyscale Rathalos Ratha V variant.
- Rathian.
- Pink Rathian.
- Dreadqueen Rathian.
- Rey Dau.
- Tobi-Kadachi.
- Yama Tsukami (possibly boss exclusive).
- Yian Garuga.
- Yian Kut-ku.
- Velocidrome.
Cosmetic DLCs might also hold a hint on new Monsties:
- Arkveld Mane (Arkveld).
- Lunagaron Fade (Lunagaron).
- Mizutsune Braid (Mizutsune).
- Malzeno Bob (Malzeno).
- Goss Hairagy (Goss Harag).
- Garangolm Nest (Garangolm).
- Espinas Spikes (Espinas).
- Octolocks Princess (Nu Udra).
New Gameplay and Features of Monster Hunter Stories 3
The series’s core turn-based battle system remains. Once again, you’ll need to strategically utilize the familiar rock-paper-scissors scheme of attack types — Power, Technical, Speed — for Riders and Monsties. To mix things up, Capcom is adding a party combo called Synchro Rush. After specific conditions like toppling a monster down, your whole party joins in a coordinated attack for big damage and Kinship meter gain. From the looks of it, it works similarly to Persona‘s All-Out Attack system.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 also brought the weapon selection count to at least seven, thanks to the addition of Long Sword. Previously, the series only offered a six-weapon lineup: Great Sword, Hammer, Sword and Shield, Hunting Horn, Bow, and Gunlance.
Similar to how it works in the mainline games, Long Sword users will want to build up Spirit Gauges. The Gauge can then be spent to unleash flashy and devastating attacks.
Feral monsters are considered more dangerous than their regular counterparts. The Crystal Encroachment affecting the land has spread to these monsters, causing Blightstones to appear on their bodies. Attacking these Blightstone parts will provoke a powerful Backlash counterattack, so careful planning and strategy is required in battling them.
Just like in the previous game, different Monsties comes with unique Ride Actions, which allows them to wall-climb, fly, glide, etcetera. But this time, there’s a seamless, quick mount swap that lets you change Monsties on the fly. You can climb with Tobi-Kadachi, glide off a cliff, then swap to a flying Rathalos mid-air without having to open the menu. Some Ride Actions can also be used to attack monsters on the field, giving you pre-emptive attacks or special openings.
Rite of Channeling is making a return as well, letting you transfer Bond Genes between Monsties. This way you can freely customize their skills, even across species, just like in earlier Stories games.
One thing may disappoint long-time Monster Hunter fans, though. As of now, the official store listings for Stories 3 do not mention any form of online co-op. That strongly suggests Capcom could be shelving multiplayer entirely to prioritize a story-driven experience. That approach also lines up with the Rudy Side-Story DLC. This full narrative add-on is bundled with the Deluxe Edition upgrade instead of being something you unlock for free in-game.
Everything about Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is definitely looking much more than a follow-up. If Capcom plays its cards right, this could be the Stories game that finally stands toe-to-toe with the main series.
