While Square Enix tried to convince everyone that turn-based RPGs were a thing of the past, other developers stuck to the legendary formula and shook it up in many notable ways to keep it fresh. We’ve seen so many modern turn-based RPGs that have shown us players still want to play a more tactical experience. Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sea of Stars, and the Best RPG of 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio, are some that have set the perfect example. Naturally, this got me thinking, “This would be the perfect time to create Monster Hunter Stories 3.”
People Crave for More Turn-Based RPGs, and Monster Hunter Stories 3 Could Fill That Gap
Without going too far back in time, let’s look at the facts of how well turn-based RPGs have performed lately. The winner of the best RPG last year was Metaphor: ReFantazio. Atlus brought its Persona formula to it but added several new features that made the genre feel fresh. This year, everything points at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 getting GOTY. And guess what? It is a turn-based RPG, albeit with a more hands-on approach and without removing the strategic part of the genre. Yet, Monster Hunter Stories already had this dynamism in its combat way before, which means it could swoop in soon to take the crown for itself.
Monster Hunter Stories 2, the most recent entry, knocked it out of the park in terms of gameplay and even sales. Yes, the one that kicked off the series wasn’t great, but the second one was a hit among fans. It featured in-depth turn-based combat and an excellent adaption to some of the systems we’ve seen in the main series. However, it didn’t feel like a traditional turn-based RPG, which is why many people loved it.
With all those things in mind, Monster Hunter Stories 3 could arrive at a perfect time. There aren’t any other big turn-based RPGs coming up, and while Clair Obscur showed us how a new IP can take the first spot easily, everyone will always feel drawn to an existing universe, and Monster Hunter already has solid foundations. Now, all it needs to do is pull the trigger and finally launch that third entry.
MHST 3 Could Be The Home for Those Disappointed by Wilds
So far, Monster Hunter Wilds has been a bag of mixed feelings. It had a strong start. We can all agree on that. Yet, the post-launch period has been quite slow, and you can even see that some players are in World instead of the newest titles. Here’s where Monster Hunter Stories 3 could become the new home for many.
Monster Hunter Stories is the, let’s call it, spin-off series made specifically for people who are not that keen on the more action-oriented approach or want a more lighthearted take on monster-hunting. Let’s face it: not everyone likes watching a pure monster limping away and crying after getting hurt. But beyond that, Stories is way more accessible than any of the mainline titles, and we desperately need something to give those who skipped or abandoned Wilds a new place to play.
Any way you look at it, releasing Monster Hunter Stories 3 would be Capcom’s best decision. It would fill a gap in the franchise but also take advantage of the resurgence of the turn-based RPG genre, which has no signs of stopping anytime soon. On the other hand, it would also offer another modern Monster Hunter experience, especially to those who can’t get into the main titles. It’s unclear if it will happen, but speculating and looking for reasons for it to become real never hurts.
