Capcom's new RPG launches on Steam with 74% rating and expanded monster habitats

The third installment of Capcom's turn-based spinoff, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, launched globally on March 13, 2026, across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch 2 (curr. $449 on Amazon). Twisted Reflection follows a "Ranger" protagonist investigating a world on the brink of collapse following the birth of twin Rathalos - species previously thought extinct. While critics are saying that the game as a big mechanical leap for the series, the initial Steam reviews are sitting at 74% positive due to a polarized community response, especially regarding the removal of traditional multiplayer functions.

Key specs and data

Capcom has used the RE Engine (the company's proprietary game engine created in 2014 for Resident Evil 7) for the most visually rich entry in the Stories sub-series to date.

• Playtime: The main campaign is estimated at 40-50 hours, but post-game content can extend towards 100+ hours.
• Pricing: The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99 (£54.99), with Deluxe and Premium Deluxe bundles reaching up to $89.99.
• Storage: Requires 50 GB of available space; an SSD is highly recommended for smooth biome transitions.
• Performance: Goes for 4K at 60 FPS on high-end PC hardware and PS5, with a stable 30 FPS mode on the Nintendo Switch 2.
• Languages: Full audio and interface support for 14 languages, including English and Japanese.

The story is set in the countries of Azuria and Vermeil, 200 years after a catastrophic civil war. The first two games featured a talkative Felyne companion Navirou, however, unlike these two, Twisted Reflection introduces Rudy - a more 'subdued' companion whose appearance can be customized with various "layered armor" sets.

A major new feature is 'Habitat Restoration'. If you defeat "Feral Monsters" and establish campsites, you can release hatched monsters back into the wild to increase an area's ecosystem rank. Reaching an "S" rank in a habitat grants major buffs to all monsters of that species in your party and can even lead to dual-element mutations, such as a water-attuned Rathian.

Capcom’s decision to change Stories 3 into a purely single-player focused experience is arguably the game's most controversial move. By entirely removing PvP, the developers have been able to make player skills and "Monsties" way more powerful. This has understandably frustrated loyal fans of the series' multiplayer meta.

At $69.99, Twisted Reflection isn't really a small investment - the game is essentially asking its fans to trade their online community for a more self-sufficient, adult-oriented story. Gamers who like narrative weight and complex ecosystem management will undeniably enjoy the depth in this new Monster Hunter Stories game. However, the absence of a competitive meta means there is no immediate rush for players to jump in before the first price drop, so the game will likely lose out on some initial traction.