Capcom has officially unveiled Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the next chapter in its acclaimed turn-based RPG spin-off series. The announcement came as part of the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, confirming a 2026 release for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Building upon the narrative-driven gameplay of its predecessors, Twisted Reflection introduces players to a world where conflict and calamity threaten two powerful nations—Azuria and Vermeil. A strange crystal corruption is spreading across the lands, endangering both nature and monsters alike. At the center of the unfolding events is a mysterious egg, which hatches into not one but two Rathalos—beasts long thought extinct and now considered harbingers of chaos due to their connection to a war from two centuries past.
Players will step into the role of Azuria’s heir, a gifted individual who rises through the ranks of the kingdom’s Rangers to become its only Rathalos Rider. Their duties, which include protecting monsters and investigating the crystalized “egg quartz,” soon evolve into a personal quest as an earth-shaking event prompts them to uncover the origins of the growing threat. This journey takes them northward, into a forbidden territory beyond Meridian.
Accompanying the protagonist is Eleanor, princess of Vermeil, who volunteers herself as a political hostage in a bid to ease tensions between the two nations. Her commitment to peace and her connection to her Monstie, Anjanath, led her to support Azuria’s Rangers. Together, they uncover secrets surrounding her older sister, the Queen of Vermeil, as they seek to prevent a repeat of history’s darkest days.
While specific gameplay mechanics were not detailed in the initial reveal, Capcom has confirmed that the new title will continue to focus on the franchise’s signature bond between Riders and their Monsties, blending narrative depth with tactical combat.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is slated to arrive sometime in 2026, expanding the world of Monster Hunter with a deeper narrative and a new cast of characters across all major platforms.
