Monster Hunter Stories: How This Spin-off Series Translates the Franchise’s Strengths
Jeff Rubenstein
Published
October 2, 2025
Monster Hunter Stories: How This Spin-off Series Translates the Franchise’s Strengths
By Rodney KingWhen ‘Capcom Presents’ flashed across the screen during watching last week’s Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 Broadcast, my pulse quickened as I prepared for something familiar from one of my favorite publishers – only to be surprised by a world I’ve yet to explore: Monster Hunter Stories.
Even if you’ve sunk dozens of hours into Monster Hunter World and the more recent Wilds as I have, you may find yourself in a similar situation. But there’s never been a better time to get acquainted, as Monster Hunter Stories, a beloved spin-off series of the legendary Monster Hunter franchise, makes its Xbox debut next month, with the first two games arriving on November 14.
The day after that announcement, at Tokyo Game Show, I found myself with a controller in hand to get acquainted with the next entry in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, itself coming to Xbox on March 13, 2026. After an hour of exploring this new world, my ignorance has been supplanted by anticipation. If you’re new to this series – or only know the mainline games – here’s what makes Stories unique:
A Sunnier Take on Monster Hunter
The first thing players are you’ll likely to notice is how different Monster Hunter Stories games look; the cel-shaded art style is vibrant and inviting—a sharp contrast to the gritty realism of the mainline games. Infused with rich, bright colors across its sunny vistas, verdant fields, misty mountains, Monster Hunter Stories presents a world you want to get lost in.
Monster Hunting Action, One Turn At a Time
Beyond its outer appearance, you’ll feel how different Stories is from mainline Monster Hunter when you first get into combat. As you approach your first monster, rather than attacking outright, you’re thrown into a turn-based RPG battle. After being introduced to an initially simple rock/paper/scissors mechanic, Monster Hunter Stories quickly layers on a lot more.
While ‘turn based’ may conjure thoughts of a deliberate, repetitive experience – there is a lot going on here: balancing attacks and skills, attack types and weaknesses. And you’re not just controlling the human rangers; your monster companions – called “Monsties” – can be called into battle, each with unique abilities. Want to switch tactics mid-battle? Swap Monsties on the fly or mount up for a powerful special attack.
You’ll Ride a Lot More than Seikrets
Speaking of mounts, the Monstie you’re riding offers up different mobility options throughout the open world. The Monster Hunter Stories 3 demo started me out with a Rathalos called, appropriately enough, Ratha – though I was able to easily switch via a radial menu to a lizard-wolf type of monster you might recognise from Monster Hunter World, called Tobi-Kadachi. Tobi could go where Ratha can’t, bounding straight up a vertical rock formation. After looking around and marking points of interest, I realized Tobi had another trick up its fur: it was less wolf and more flying squirrel, allowing me to glide straight to a chest I had spotted and marked. Very fun.
Ratha also has a trick: when mounting it, pressing RT brings up an aiming reticle, and releasing allows it to do what wyverns do best: spit up explosive fire, assisting with breaking things, revealing resources, or initiating battle… sometimes even ending it before it starts. Again, very fun.
It’s Still Monster Hunter
Despite Monster Hunter Stories’ RPG trappings, in just about every element, its Monster Hunter DNA shines through. From hunting down monster materials, to forging new equipment, to collecting bugs, fruits, and metals as you explore the world, to the chatty Felynes, you’ll never forget you’re in a Monster Hunter world, even while inhabiting a different part of it.
Most “Monster Hunter” of all are the tough-as-leather beasts that survive even the strongest attacks you can dish out, meaning that combat isn’t just a test of skill, but of attrition. After taking down a pair of bosses with unique, stylish finishers, my demo came to a close. My takeaway: even if you’ve spent dozens of hours in Monster Hunter World or Wilds, Stories will surprise you.
Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2 arrive on Xbox consoles on November 14 of this year, with the latest entry in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection following on March 13, 2026.
Monster Hunter Stories Collection
CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
$59.99
$35.99
Limited Bonus
Monster Hunter Stories
– Purchase early to get Navirou's "King" and "Queen" Outfits.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
– Purchase early to get Ena's "Kamura Maiden Outfit."
*Bonus content is available to customers who pre-order the game by 23:59 on 11.13.2025.
*This content may be made available separately at a later date.
*Outfits for Ena and Navirou are purely cosmetic and only change the characters' appearance.
Both Monster Hunter Stories games included in one collection!
Monster Hunter Stories is an RPG series that takes the world of Monster Hunter and expands upon it in new and exciting ways! No longer are you hunting monsters, but raising them! Featuring heroes known as Monster Riders, you will live alongside monsters and form lifelong bonds with them.
Contents:
– Monster Hunter Stories
– Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (Standard Edition)
Game Introduction:
The first game tells the story of a Rider who confronts a calamity known as the Black Blight that has overtaken the world, all while learning to live together with Hunters. The second game is set four years later, when a new hero unravels the epic story surrounding a legendary Rathalos, one foretold to bring ruin to the world.
Game Features:
■ A turn-based RPG set in the world of Monster Hunter! Monster Hunter Stories features a strategic battle system which is easy to get the hang of, even for those who struggle with action games. Use Power, Speed, and Technical attacks to guess and overcome your opponent's attack patterns to inflict heavy damage and win head-to-head battles! Build up your Kinship Gauge to use skills or try your Monsties' unique Kinship Skills!
■ Turn popular monsters from the series into your Monsties! Explore the field using Monstie abilities, hatch eggs that you find along the way, and turn various monsters into Monsties! This game features many popular monsters from the Monster Hunter series, including Zinogre, Nargacuga, and Lagiacrus. Also featured is the Rite of Channeling, a ritual that awakens dormant abilities in your Monsties, allowing you to raise original Monsties and take on powerful enemies!
■ Online features that allow you to create a powerful party with the Monsties you have raised and enjoy battles with other players!
*The items in this set can be purchased individually. Please be careful not to purchase the same item twice.
MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 3: TWISTED REFLECTION
CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Twin Rathalos, born in a twist of fate.
Embark on a new adventure in the third installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider in the Monster Hunter Stories series as you hatch and build kinship with friendly monsters known as Monsties, then explore and battle alongside them in a world full of potential!
Set two centuries after a conflict that divided neighboring kingdoms, the drums of war are reignited as twin Rathalos—long thought extinct—hatch from a single egg: an omen of destruction.
Two kingdoms, two Riders, and two Rathalos; their fates now intertwined. As calamity encroaches, seek hope beyond the border and into forbidden lands.
©CAPCOM
MONSTER HUNTER STORIES is a trademark and/or registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. and/or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Monster Hunter Stories
CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
$29.99
$19.49
Limited Bonus
Pre-order to get Navirou's "King" and "Queen" Outfits!
Pre-order to get Navirou's "King" and "Queen" Outfits!
*Bonus content is available to customers who pre-order the game by 23:59 on 11.13.2025.
*This content may be made available separately at a later date.
*These outfits are purely cosmetic and only change Navirou's appearance.
Monster Hunter Stories is an RPG that takes the world of Monster Hunter and expands upon it in new and exciting ways! No longer are you hunting monsters, but raising them! In this deep story featuring heroes known as Monster Riders, you will live alongside monsters and form lifelong bonds with them. The first installment of the Monster Hunter Stories series returns, fully voiced in Japanese and English, with additional features such as a new museum mode where you can listen to music and view concept art, allowing you to dive even deeper into the world of Monster Hunter Stories.
Story:
As the hero of the story, you were born in a village of Riders who raise monsters for a living. You’ll overcome trials and tribulations as you grow as a Rider, and leave your village to embark on an adventure. Your destination: the world of Hunters, who make their living by hunting monsters. Although their lifestyles are vastly different, you must learn to live and work together with Hunters, and in turn, bring the world of Hunters and Riders ever closer.
Things take a dark turn as a calamity known as the Black Blight appears, threatening the entire world and upending peaceful lives that were taken for granted… Both Riders and Hunters alike will be put to the test in order to challenge this threat.
The keys to saving the world are the Kinship Stone and its hidden power, along with the truth of the “Legend of Redan,” which describes the long-kept secret of the Riders’ origins!
Game Features:
■ A turn-based RPG set in the world of Monster Hunter! Monster Hunter Stories features a strategic battle system which is easy to get the hang of, even for those who struggle with action games. Use Power, Speed, and Technical attacks to guess and overcome your opponent's attack patterns to inflict heavy damage and win head-to-head battles! Build up your Kinship Gauge to use skills or try your Monsties' unique Kinship Skills!
■ Turn popular monsters from the series into your Monsties! Explore the field using Monstie abilities, hatch eggs that you find along the way, and turn various monsters into Monsties! This game features many popular monsters from the Monster Hunter series, including Zinogre, Nargacuga, and Lagiacrus. Also featured is the Rite of Channeling, a ritual which awakens dormant abilities in your Monsties, allowing you to raise original Monsties and take on powerful enemies!
■ Online features that allow you to create a powerful party with the Monsties you have raised and enjoy battles with other players!
■ All updates are included! You will find all the monsters added in updates to the original game, such as Kushala Daora, Teostra, and Rajang, as well as expanded endgame content and additional character editing parts, making this the complete package!
*There are other bundles that include this product. Please be careful of duplicate purchases.
©CAPCOM
MONSTER HUNTER STORIES is a trademark and/or registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. and/or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
$39.99
$29.99
Limited Bonus
Purchase by 23:59 on 11.13.2025 to receive the Kamura Maiden Outfit for Ena. This outfit lets you dress Ena as a hub maiden from Kamura village, as featured in Monster Hunter Rise!
*May become available at a later date.
*Changes Ena's appearance only.
*Monster Hunter Rise rated TEEN
Purchase by 23:59 on 11.13.2025 to receive the Kamura Maiden Outfit for Ena. This outfit lets you dress Ena as a hub maiden from Kamura village, as featured in Monster Hunter Rise!
*May become available at a later date.
*Changes Ena's appearance only.
*Monster Hunter Rise rated TEEN
A new adventure awaits you in this second installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story.
You play as the grandchild of Red, a legendary Rider. The story begins with a fateful encounter with Ena, a Wyverian girl who has been entrusted with an egg with the potential to hatch into a legendary Rathalos which could wreak havoc if awakened to its destructive power.
Embark on a journey which will test the bonds of friendship in a changing world, and discover the truth behind the legends of old.
©CAPCOM
MONSTER HUNTER STORIES is a trademark and/or registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. and/or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
*There are other bundles that include this product. Please be careful of duplicate purchases.
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