During the recent Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Capcom surprised fans by unveiling the next entry in their Monster Hunter Stories RPG series, titled Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Scheduled for release in 2026, the game will launch across Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC, continuing the narrative-driven spin-off series within the Monster Hunter universe.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection seeks to offer players a tale of looming disaster and strained alliances. Set in the troubled realms of Azuria and Vermeil, both nations grapple with a crisis as crystalline growth threatens their lands, bringing chaos and driving monsters toward extinction. Amid this growing catastrophe, a mysterious egg is discovered, briefly igniting hopes of renewal when it hatches into a Rathalos – a monster believed to have vanished from the world. Yet, this optimism quickly turns to dread as another Rathalos emerges, bearing markings eerily similar to the legendary Skyscale Rathalos twins, whose appearance historically foretells conflict and ruin.
Players will take control of the heir to Azuria, a young protagonist gifted with exceptional abilities that place them in command of the Rangers and establish them as the kingdom’s sole Rathalos Rider. As environmental devastation intensifies and mysterious events unfold, the hero’s responsibilities shift from protection and conservation toward unraveling the dark secrets behind the encroaching calamity. Their journey leads them into forbidden territory north of Meridian, uncovering truths that could reshape the destiny of both nations.
Joining the protagonist is Eleanor, princess of Vermeil, whose bold decision to voluntarily become Azuria’s hostage represents her desperate bid to prevent war between the neighboring countries. Accompanied by her beloved Monstie companion, Anjanath, Eleanor’s determination is fuelled by a personal quest – to uncover the real ambitions of her sister, Vermeil’s enigmatic queen.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is slated for a 2026 launch, marking the side-series’ debut on next-generation consoles.
