Capcom has revealed a brand-new free update coming to Monster Hunter Stories 3 in the summer of 2026, adding a new tier of Monster for players to challenge. The spin-off of the popular action RPG franchise takes the series in a markedly different direction, trading out the tense action of the main games for a turn-based system. Monster Hunter Stories 3 tasks players with befriending a variety of Monsties, based on some of the most popular creatures from the main-series games. Now, the third entry in the spin-off series has already seen significant success.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 was officially released on March 13, and the game has already received positive reception from fans. The third entry in the Monster Hunter Stories spin-off has seen early praise for the depth of its JRPG progression systems, putting the focus on raising and hatching stronger Monsties. Stories 3‘s combat also borrows several elements from the original series, allowing players to target different body parts in combat in order to weaken a Monster’s offensive capabilities. Just a couple of weeks after the game’s release, Capcom has now confirmed a free update is on the way for Monster Hunter Stories 3.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 Trophy and Achievement Guide
Show off your talents as the Captain of the Rangers by unlocking all of the achievements in Monster Hunter Stories 3.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 Is Adding Royal Monsters
A recent Developer Update video for Monster Hunter Stories 3 officially revealed a free update coming to the game. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto confirmed that Stories 3 will add a brand-new tier of Monsters to the game within the free update, welcoming the debut of the powerful Royal variants. Royal Monsters will only appear in the overworld for Riders who have reached Level 90, suggesting that players will need to use their strongest Monsties in order to defeat the challenging enemies. Tsujimoto did not reveal a specific release date for the Monster Hunter Stories 3 update, only stating that it will release during the summer.
The free update was not the only new content teased for Monster Hunter Stories 3 in the video. Tsujimoto offered fans an update on the in-development Additional Side Story: Rudy DLC, suggesting that production on the paid expansion is progressing well. The producer even suggested that Capcom may be considering releasing the DLC ahead of its initially planned Fall 2026 release date. The DLC is set to center around the Palico character Rudy, a member of a family of Azurian Royal Palicoes that have served for generations. Tsujimoto confirmed that Capcom will share more information about the DLC closer to its release.
The combination of Monster Hunter Stories 3‘s free update and paid DLC will add even more content to an already expansive game. Stories 3 features more than 40 hours of story content for players to experience, with a 100% playthrough likely taking most players more than 100 hours. The game also features plenty of powerful secret bosses for players to take on, including several Calamitous Elder Dragons spread throughout Monster Hunter Stories 3‘s four regions. Players can also try to discover the many different Monster Mutations found through the Habitat Restoration system.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 has set itself up for success early, looking to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. Stories 3 was the second-best-selling game in Japan during its launch week, only falling behind the massively successful Pokemon Pokopia. Its predecessor, Monster Hunter Stories 2, only needed two weeks to sell more than one million copies following its debut in 2021, later receiving re-releases on the PlayStation 4 in June 2024 and Xbox One in November 2025. Monster Hunter Stories 3 looks to be an excellent return to the RPG spin-off, with plenty to offer fans of the series.
- Released
-
March 13, 2026
- ESRB
-
Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, In-Game Purchases
