Jumping into a long-running RPG series can feel intimidating. Do you need to play every previous entry before jumping into the latest release? Fortunately, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection keeps things simple regarding references. The game introduces a brand-new setting far removed from earlier events, making it easy for newcomers to dive in. Nevertheless, it still offers longtime fans a few callbacks.
Is Monster Hunter Stories 3 Connected to the Previous Games? Answered
No, you do not have to play the previous Monster Hunter Stories games to understand the plot and enjoy Twisted Reflection. Unlike those two earlier entries, which shared events and characters, Monster Hunter Stories 3 takes a completely different approach. One that’s very welcoming to newcomers.
The game is set roughly 200 years after the events of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. This placed it far enough in the future that most past events — and characters — have faded into history. Yes, that also includes Navirou.
Because of that large time gap, the story introduces a brand-new threat. A mysterious phenomenon known as Crystal Encroachment is spreading across the world. The adventure then follows the Rangers of Azuria, a Riders group tasked with investigating this strange event while protecting the surrounding regions. They consist of:
- The Azurian Prince, the player character. Captain of the Rangers and the kingdom’s sole Rathalos Rider.
- Thea, a bright-eyed newcomer eager to prove herself.
- Kora, the Rangers’ co-founder and a longtime friend of the Prince’s mother.
- Gaul, the Rangers’ vice-captain and botanist, comes from a lineage of the king’s retinue.
- Odgen, a laidback Rider who doubles as a walking monster encyclopedia.
- Simon, the Prince’s childhood friend and trusted ally.
- Joined by Eleanor. The princess of Vermeil joins the group in hopes of easing the growing tensions between the two kingdoms.
This fresh premise means Monster Hunter Stories 3 works perfectly as a standalone entry. You can jump right into the adventure without needing to remember old characters, lore, or plot twists. That said, longtime fans will still notice a few nods to the series’ history scattered throughout the game.
Previous Monster Hunter Stories Series Recap
Monster Hunter Stories
The first Monster Hunter Stories introduces the concept of Riders through Hakum Village, where people form bonds with Monsties. The protagonist grows up alongside friends Lilia and Cheval, but their quiet lives changed forever when a corrupted Nargacuga attacks the village.
Years later, the Rider begins their journey after meeting a mysterious yet talkative Felyne Navirou. As they travel across the world, they uncover the danger of Black Blight that is driving monsters into violent frenzies.
Along the way, the Rider reunites with their childhood friends. Lilia joins the research organization known as the Scriveners, while Cheval becomes increasingly bitter and obsessed with defeating Blighted monsters.
Eventually, the heroes discover that the Black Blight is connected to the awakening of the ancient Elder Dragon Versa Pietru. However, it has been corrupted by the plague and turns into Makili Pietru, who intends to destroy the world. Through the power of friendship, the Rider managed to stop the corruption and restore balance to the ecosystem.
Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On
Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On is an anime adaptation inspired by the first game. The story follows Lute, a young Rider from Hakum Village who dreams of exploring the world. After hatching a Rathalos Monstie named Ratha, he sets out on adventures alongside friends Navirou, Cheval, and Lilia.
Compared to the game, the anime expands the world with additional stories, such as elaborating on Avinia’s relationship with his antagonistic brother, Gale. In total, it ran for 70 episodes across two seasons.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin takes place several years after the first game and introduces a new Rider protagonist.
The story begins when the Rider, the grandchild of the legendary Rider Red, meets the Wyverian girl Ena. She carries a mysterious Rathalos egg entrusted to her by Red. When it hatches, the young Razewing Rathalos — named Ratha — is linked to an ominous prophecy known as the Wings of Ruin.
As Rathalos across the world begin disappearing and Rage-Rayed monsters start appearing, the Rider travels with Ena and Navirou to uncover the truth. They then meet allies such as the hostile Hunter Kyle and his Palico Tsukino, as well as returning characters like Lilia, Cheval, Avinia, and Reverto.
It’s revealed that the Elder Dragon Oltura has been luring and consuming Rathalos, and corrupting monsters in the process. The monster itself is awakened by a cult that misinterprets its power as a way to remake the world. Using the unique power of the Razewing Rathalos (and friendship), the Rider and Kyle ended Olutra’s rampage and restored balance to the ecosystem.
Are There References to the Older Games in Monster Hunter Stories 3?
Even though the game takes place centuries later, Monster Hunter Stories 3 still includes a handful of references to the earlier entries.
Major spoiler alert below!
One of the most notable callbacks is the continued presence of the Scriveners. This organization was first introduced in Monster Hunter Stories, where its members studied monsters and unusual ecological phenomena. Over time, the Scriveners became an important part of the larger Monster Hunter canon and lore.
In Stories 3, the group is still active and plays a role in investigating the mysterious crystallization affecting monsters and environments. Leading the organization is none other than Ena, the Wyverian companion who traveled alongside the protagonist in Wings of Ruin. Longtime fans might not be surprised at this revelation. After all, Wyverians can live for centuries, outliving many of their human compatriots.
Now far older and far more experienced, Ena serves as the head of the Scriveners and helps coordinate research efforts to uncover the cause behind the spreading phenomenon.
Another connection to earlier games involves the Prince’s loyal Palico, Rudy. Over the course of the story, it’s revealed that Rudy — and the entire Royal Palico lineage he belongs to — are descendants of Navirou.
Fans of the series might remember that Navirou had a unique ability to generate small bursts of electricity. His ‘weird’ pudgy looks and his ability were the result of the experiment of a mad scientist, Doctor Manelger, in his quest to subjugate monsters. In the end, though, Navirou manages to escape but loses his memory in the process.
Now, in Monster Hunter Stories 3, that trait has turned into a family legacy.
Rudy demonstrates this inherited power several times throughout the story. Early on, he uses it to distract a rampaging Almudron, saving the Prince when the party becomes separated from the other Rangers.
The ability becomes crucial again during the final battle against the Elder Dragon Aenshin. Rudy unleashes a powerful electrical surge that helps the Prince and Ratha — along with Simon and Ratha V — counter Aenshin’s devastating crystallization powers.
In that moment, Rudy even shouts the series catchphrase: “Ride On!”
Ultimately, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection works as both a starting point and a new chapter in the series. You don’t need to know anything about the past games to enjoy it. But if you do take your time to play them all, the references sprinkled throughout the story add an extra layer of appreciation.
