Over 25 years after the original release of Monster World IV, the cult classic 2D action-platformer has been remade for modern consoles. Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World keeps the style and charm of the original, while updating the game to feature cel-shaded, 3D visuals. The game looks gorgeous, thanks to the eye-popping colours and bouncy animations. Even the soundtrack and sound effects have been updated for modern audiences.
The game stars Asha as she and her pet Pepelogoo explore the interconnected world to find the four Elemental Spirits in each temple. From the temple designs to the main town, each part of the world is well designed with great puzzles and plenty of secrets to discover. Asha has access to a sword and shield, both of which can be upgraded with money found in the game. She can also purchase bangles that can extend her maximum health when equipped. Meanwhile, Pepelogoo allows Asha to double jump, glide, and is even used as a puzzle solving tool. This combination of traditional RPG and platforming elements blends together to create a fun, but simple to grasp adventure.
Asha in Monster World’s biggest fault, however, comes in the updated save system. In the original game, the ability to save was locked behind the Sage of Save, a man who is located in several spots across the game. Saving would create a checkpoint next to the sage, who would then allow you to resume from that point if you died. While the sage is still located throughout the game in the remake, he no longer acts as a save point. Instead, you’re able to save at any time from the menu. While this is certainly more convenient, the absence of an auto-save makes it so that you will need to be constantly saving every few minutes in order to prevent yourself from losing all of your progress if you die. This ultimately kills the pace of the game, and is a major blemish on an otherwise fantastic remake.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a fantastic remake. While the save system feels as though it is painfully stuck in the past, every other aspect of the game is lovingly remade. For newcomers and longtime fans alike, this is a great adventure that you will certainly fall in love with.
Comments 18
How would you compare it to the previous games? I loved The Cursed Kingdom but didn’t care for The Dragon’s Trap because the gameplay felt very dated.
Deffo getting this.
I’m loving this remake so far, but completely agree that the save situation is not ideal. I died a really stupid death while playing last night and was shocked to see how long it had been since I saved. Oof. Anyway, that gripe aside, it’s been loads of fun, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that treasure opening animation.
I didn't have a great time with the Cursed Kingdom remake so I will probably pass on this.
Don't usually complain about Prices but €35 seems a bit expensive for this game. I've heard you can finish it fully in 6 hours or less.
I’m loving the art style of this game. Think I’ll pick it up when it dips nearer the £20 mark. What with Ratchet and Clank, FF7R, Guilty Gear, etc, there’s just too much other stuff to be getting on with right now.
I wish this game use the dragon trap 2D engine, graphics wise that game is really good.
@huyi Cursed Kingdom was not a remake. It’s an original new game. Dragon’s Trap was a remake and I didn’t like it either.
The Dragon's Trap is my favourite, so much nostalgia playing that on the Master System and I thought the remake was excellent. I've played the original Monster World IV, but never been compelled to complete the game. I'm also not sure about these 3D graphics, so be waiting for a sale to play this I think.
@Voltan ah ok, but point still stands, its a difficult game to work with lol
@wiiware Bit like G'n'G Resurrection or even the Wonder Boy Returns/Remix,it feels like traditional 2D puxel art seems to be a bit of a lost art among the Japanese developed remakes,sadly!😕
I seem to recall seeing on twitter the Strictly Limited Games & ININ physical versions having a dlc code on PS4 for the original game,but included it on cart for the Switch version!. I wonder if that will ever see light of day on PSN to buy?🤔
it's been getting mixed and mediocre reviews from other review outlets. the fact it couldn't meet the high bar of dragon's trap or cursed kingdom doesn't surprise me, though. this one looks like a poor man's remake for mobile devices.
@Robocod I like dragon trap / street of rage 4 type of 2D games graphics compared to new ghost and goblin, I think the new g&g graphics is more like flash games.
@Robocod I think it is still available over on the PS3 if not PS4, I have it there in the SEGA ages line up with Alex Kidd. I like the way Dragons's Trap and the upcoming Alex Kidd remake have the old and new versions.
"Combination of RPG and platforming elements"
Why is the genre listed as a pro?
@Ristar24 Yep,I had vague memories it was,just find it a bit unusual if the made the effort to include as a dlc on the physical editions that they haven't released it either as a digital special edition or selling it separately on ps4!🤔
@wiiware Yep,definitely agree-the extra efforts in the likes of Wonderboy Dragons Trap,or Monster Boy & the Cursed Kingdom feel closer in spirit to their originals than the CG style. Looks better than Wonder Boy Remix but still a missed opportunity.
I could have used the save anywhere feature in the original version. Jumping down into a hole and seeing a secret passage on the way down, but too late to push over there. Oh well, restart the whole dungeon.
The reviewer is a pampered baby... could you get more lazy and entitled? Seriously, you are gonna cry because you do not have an auto-save feature for a 6 hours game when you can manually save everywhere? Who needs that for a remake of a 16bit retro game with an already way easier difficulty than the original?
Pro-tips: maybe if you stopped save scumming every 20 seconds to alleviate your total lack of skills and to pacify your microscopic attention span you would get decent at the game.
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