With Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Capcom is aiming for something bigger, bolder, and more emotionally resonant than ever before. At Thailand Game Show 2025, we sat down with longtime producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and art director Takahiro Kawano to discuss how the team is evolving the beloved turn-based RPG spinoff, what fans can expect from its more mature tone, and why Rathalos remains the heart of the series.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Interview

Introducing the Stamina Gauge: Strategy Meets Satisfaction

A major new mechanic in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the stamina gauge, which expands combat options and deepens tactical play. Interestingly, it’s an idea that’s been in the vault since the first game.

“We actually wanted to include it in the first game, but the audience was younger, and were scared that it might be too complicated or too hard,” Tsujimoto says. “Now, we’re aiming for a more grown-up audience, or at least the people who used to play it are now grown-ups. Now, this makes the game more strategic. When you fight, you have to think more, and that makes the experience more satisfying.”

Rathalos Returns

Since the first Monster Hunter Stories title, Rathalos has always been a key symbol of the series, and with Monster Hunter Stories 3, the team says that the decision was extremely clear that it had to be Rathalos once again.

“From the beginning, when we thought of 3, it’s him… it must be him.”

Despite internal discussions during the development of the second game about introducing a new flagship monster, Tsujimoto says that it crossed their mind, but they decided on sticking to Rathalos to carry the symbol of the game moving forward: “There was a thought of “should we maybe get a new monster? Or the thought of maybe creating a brand new monster… but in the end, it’s still him. It must be him.”

A More Epic Narrative: From Shonen Manga to Cinematic Drama

While Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2 leaned into a shonen manga tone: action-packed, a lot of fighting, and an energetic story from the point of view of the riders, Tsujimoto says Monster Hunter Stories 3 takes a different approach.

“This time, we wanted something more like a movie. We want everything to be a bit more epic and mature,” he says. “In the past, we focused on the rider’s point of view. Now, we’re telling stories about them, not just from them.”

This shift is reflected in the game’s art direction as well. “We designed the key art to feel like something for the movie version, something more epic and entertaining for adults as well.”

Blending JRPG Roots with Monster Hunter DNA

Capcom may not be known for traditional JRPGs, but Monster Hunter Stories has carved out a unique niche. “We have done Breath of Fire before, and when we made Stories 1 and 2, we wanted to keep that JRPG vibe alive,” Tsujimoto notes.

“But the monsters are always the highlight of this game. This time, we also wanted to focus more on the riders.”

A Faster, Smarter Hunt: Responding to Player Feedback

One of the most immediate changes returning players will notice is the improved pacing. “The biggest feedback we got was that the battle scenes felt slow,” Tsujimoto explains. “So we made them faster. You can just play it as it is, and it feels much smoother than before.”

Exploration in Monster Hunter Stories 3 has also been overhauled. “Previously, field movement was very simple. Now, you can climb walls, swim, and perform more athletic actions. We’ve added real-time monster switching too, which adds a layer of strategy and fluidity.”

A Talking Protagonist and a New Role for Navirou

One of the most notable narrative changes is that the protagonist now speaks. “In 1 and 2, the main character did not talk, so it’s really hard to communicate what’s in his head. Navirou acted like a translator,” Tsujimoto says. “But in 3, the protagonist speaks, and has grown up and is experienced. So Rudy, the new feline companion, becomes more of a partner or a support character rather than a translator.”

Designed for Newcomers, Built for Veterans

While Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection introduces many new systems, Tsujimoto assures us it’s still approachable. “It might seem overwhelming at first, but we understand there might be new players, so we made sure that there is a proper tutorial. We made it easier to understand.”

“When we say ‘strategize,’ we want players to think about how to approach each monster. but not stress over it.”

“The gauges also refill after battle, so it’s stress-free.”

A Passion Project Years in the Making

Reflecting on the series’ origins, Tsujimoto reveals that Monster Hunter Stories 3 was a dream long in the making. “It’s the game I really wanted to do, telling stories about monsters, not just hunting them. But it took six or seven years to find a team that shared that passion.”

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam on March 13, 2026.