Review Roundup: Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection — What Critics Are Saying
The turn-based Monster Hunter spin-off has drawn strong scores across platforms. Here is what reviewers praise and where they say it falls short.
Please note: HotGameNews staff have not played Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. This is a roundup of published reviews and aggregate scores, not our own hands-on review.
The scores. Released March 13, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection holds a Metascore of 86 (“Generally Favorable”) from 62 critic reviews on Metacritic. That is 97 percent positive, 3 percent mixed and no negative reviews. It ranks 13th on Metacritic’s list of the best-reviewed games of the first half of 2026. The user score is 8.1 out of 10 from 239 ratings, with 81 percent positive.
What critics love. The praise focuses on scope and systems. Region Free scored it a perfect 100 and called it “the biggest and most immersive expansion of the iconic franchise so far.” Malditos Nerds gave it 90 out of 100, pointing to the “fun combat system and an outstanding monster-raising system.” Metacritic’s summary describes the game as an evolution of the franchise.
The criticism. The most pointed reservation on Metacritic’s page comes from Restart.run, which scored it 60 out of 100. That review found the game overwhelming in its number of systems, while still appreciating its old-school RPG feel. Player reviews are more specific: negative ones criticize the lack of multiplayer co-op, limited endgame content, and features missing from previous entries. Users particularly cite the absence of a proper high-rank endgame and free flight options.
Who it is for. The consensus positions this as a spin-off for players who like collecting and raising monsters through turn-based RPG combat rather than the action-focused main series. If reviewer and player comments are a guide, the core game is where it shines, and the post-story content is where some players want more.
The bottom line. A mid-80s critic score with no negative reviews makes this a well-received spin-off by the raw numbers on Metacritic. The disagreement is not about quality but about depth: plenty of systems to learn, and for some players, not enough to do once the story is done.
Scores reflect Metacritic at time of writing and can change.