Monster Sanctuary
" Engaging action-adventure RPG with deep monster customization but slow early pacing "
Monster Sanctuary Review
Monster Sanctuary is widely praised for its innovative blend of Metroidvania exploration and JRPG turn-based combat, creating a unique and addictive gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth offered by extensive monster skill trees, strategic 3v3 battles, and the ability to customize teams with diverse builds. The game features a large world with progressively unlocked traversal abilities, reminiscent of classic Metroidvania titles, combined with monster taming mechanics that avoid frustrating capture methods. Graphics are charmingly retro, evoking a SNES-era aesthetic, complemented by a well-crafted soundtrack. The story is considered serviceable, providing a fitting backdrop without overshadowing gameplay. While the early game pacing may feel slow to some, experimenting with different monsters and strategies enhances engagement. Minor issues like controller compatibility bugs have been reported but do not significantly detract from the overall quality. With hundreds of hours of content and a satisfying difficulty curve, Monster Sanctuary offers great value for fans of both genres.
Highlights
Players especially praise the deep and varied monster skill trees, which allow for creative team builds and strategic combat. The turn-based battle system is noted for its satisfying complexity and smooth mechanics, including the ability to speed up animations. The metroidvania-style world design with unlockable traversal abilities enriches exploration. The retro-inspired graphics and fantastic soundtrack contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere. The game balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for hardcore players, making it widely appealing.
Criticisms
Some players find the early game pacing slow and occasionally frustrating before the gameplay opens up. A few boss fights are described as disproportionately difficult, requiring trial and error or team adjustments. The story is considered adequate but not groundbreaking, leaving some wanting more narrative depth. Technical issues, particularly with controller compatibility (e.g., DualSense), have been reported, affecting playability for some users. Additionally, the soundtrack has mixed reviews, with some tracks feeling underwhelming or repetitive unless settings are adjusted.
Pros
- • Deep monster skill trees offer extensive customization and strategic variety.
- • Turn-based combat is engaging, fast, and allows meaningful tactical decisions.
- • Metroidvania world design with unlockable traversal abilities enhances exploration.
- • Charming retro graphics evoke nostalgic SNES-era aesthetics.
- • Fantastic soundtrack complements the immersive game atmosphere.
- • Balanced difficulty curve appeals to both casual and hardcore players.
- • No frustrating monster capture mechanics; eggs hatch at appropriate levels.
Cons
- • Early game pacing can feel slow and less engaging.
- • Some boss fights are overly difficult and require trial and error.
- • Storyline is serviceable but lacks depth and originality.
- • Controller compatibility issues, especially with newer hardware like DualSense.
- • Soundtrack quality is inconsistent; some tracks feel repetitive or weak.
- • Limited evolution mechanics reduce monster progression variety.
- • Some players may find the mix of JRPG and Metroidvania unbalanced.
Rating Criteria
Monster taming meets metroidvania. Collect, train and battle monsters in a lovely side-scroller pixel world.
