Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections advances the gameplay, story, and core systems beyond the portable nature of its predecessors. With doom on the horizon and truths that come to light, the prophecy of the Rathalos begins anew. This latest entry may drop its online to focus more on its single-player campaign, it is nonetheless a compelling package from start to finish.
With two excellent entries and even the disappointing second game, each providing slightly different versions, not to mention the game's online component, it truly gives players a decent amount here to really enjoy. While Battle Network will always be my preferred Mega Man Spin-off, Star Force nonetheless is a suitable continuation of the world and some of its basic combat systems.
Requiem does a number of things well to accommodate two slightly different Resident Evil experiences without this latest entry feeling like two unique games. It also builds on the franchise in ways like never before, with a revisit to Raccoon City decades after Leon and Claire barely escaped with their lives.
While this remaster could have rebuilt some environments to feel like dated, there is still a charming approach to preserving the 3DS visuals, even if it usually conflicts with what I prefer for a remaster of an older game. Still, Monster Hunter Stories is a vivid and colorful world to explore, and the addition of voice acting, really provides the game with an added boost of personality
Despite a somewhat inconsistent story in its execution, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an engaging adventure with a ton of Monsties to tame, adventures to be had, and a combat system that is just as thrilling as its real-time sibling. Stories is certainly a beast of its own with a fun cast of characters and its own take on the Monster Hunter formula.
