It’s not long before the monsters come back out to play. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is swooping in for its March 13 launch on PlayStation 5, with a tale of warring kingdoms and a world on the brink of destruction. 

But if you’re unfamiliar with what came before, don’t worry. We’ve got the perfect primer – and with Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin available to play from PlayStation Plus Game Catalog,* you’ll be a monstrous lore master in no time.

Monster Hunter Stories – the basics

Spinning off the hugely popular main series, Monster Hunter, Stories’ goal was to offer a refreshing new approach to the role-playing game franchise. The focus on more tactical turn-based combat over the original’s more action driven style was joined by another big change: the chance to play as a monster Rider instead of a Hunter.

This helped develop the concept of ‘Monsties’. Instead of being captured in the wild, Monsties are hatched monsters stolen from dens, raised, given names, and form a bond with their riders. Monsties possess specific abilities, which are either useful during exploration – such as breaking through rocks or traversing the environment – or more combat related.

On the subject of combat, the battle system uses a rock-paper-scissors mechanic via three attack types: Power beats Technical, which beats Speed (and so Speed beats Power).‘Reading’ their patterns and movements is key, so you can pick the most effective approach. Although with monsters openly roaming the landscape, you can sometimes choose when to engage, and even initiate sneak attacks.  

Okay, now let’s really get into it…

Monster Hunter Stories – the hunt begins

The series wastes no time in introducing the player to its core concept of Monstie bonding, as it begins with the protagonist finding a monster nest and hatching a Rathalos egg. That auspicious first act is a primer to a wider adventure set by the dark events that follow (no spoilers, here).  

Monster Hunter Stories delivered on its promise to change the way players interact with its fabled beasts. Despite its colourful visuals and youthful characters, it’s not afraid to dip into some of the bleaker topics of its parent series.

What you do in the game:

• Create your character and roam the world, seeking out dens to grow your team of Monsties.  
• Collect eggs to hatch, create a bond with your Monsties and build your party.

• Battle alongside your Monsties, fighting wild monsters, earning experience points and collecting or buying more equipment and items which can be used in battle. The Rite of Channelling also lets you move a Monstie’s genes between them to unlock new powers.
• Forge new equipment from subquest rewards, and earn new weapons and armour from completing special Forge Quests offered by blacksmiths.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin – the series takes flight

With its concept now established, Wings of Ruin pushed to amplify everything from the first game. The mass disappearance of Rathalos sets the stage, followed by the emergence of unnaturally enraged monsters. And in the middle of all this chaos, the player character – descended from a legendary Rider – is entrusted with a now precious Rathalos egg, its hatching heralding a world-destroying prophecy.

What’s expanded from Monster Hunter Stories:

• More weapon types, with the Great Sword, Hammer, Sword and Shield, and Hunting Horn from the first game joined by the Bow and Gunlance.
• Independent computer-controlled buddies and their Monsties accompany you in battle, meaning up to four characters can fight on your side during combat, and damage heavy Double Attacks can be inflicted more frequently.

• Larger monsters have breakable parts that can be targeted to prevent them from performing certain actions, as well as providing materials to forge or upgrade equipment.
• Instead of just PvP battles, up to two online players can jump into co-op quests, including trials and expeditions.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection – what we know

Everything leads us to here, the most current addition to the series. As with the previous game, Monster Hunter Stories 3 doesn’t require intimate knowledge of the franchise to dive in. But while Wings of Ruin took the near extinction of the Rathalos to one direction, Twisted Reflection changes things up with the unusual birth of twin Rathalos, arriving during a time of savage conflict.

With its customisable protagonist being more experienced than in previous games, Twisted Reflection aims to deliver a slightly more mature story while maintaining the series’ anime aesthetic. Among other enhancements, we can also expect a larger, more accessible semi-open world to explore, more complex side stories, and aggressive Invasive monsters which cannot be beaten with regular battle tactics.

But if you’re engaging in more traditional fights, the Wyvernsoul Gauge introduces a system that lets you stagger monsters, making their attacks easier to dodge and leaving them open to your new and hugely damaging Synchro Rush attack. And for the more nurturing among you, the Habitat Restoration system lets you release a hatched monster into the wild to improve the conservation of each region and restore the species.

Ready to ride? Now that you have the armour of knowledge, it’s time to put it to the test. Play Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog to sharpen your skills, then jump into Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on PS5 March 13.

*Requires active PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscription