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9 Monkeys of Shaolin

9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a nostalgic look back at old-school beat em' up games that is improved by charming visuals and light RPG mechanics.
80%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
84% User Score Based on 328 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 16 reviews

Platforms

PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchLinuxLinuxCloudCloudMac OSMac OSXbox OneXbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOWNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

"9 Monkeys of Shaolin" is a classic beat 'em up game set in the Chinese countryside during the 16th century. As a simple fisherman seeking revenge, players will master the legendary martial arts of the Shaolin monks and fight against hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. With deep combat mechanics and a captivating story, this game promises an immersive and challenging experience.

9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
9 Monkeys of Shaolin screenshot
+15

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 328 reviews
story36 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions

  • The combat system is satisfying and fluid, offering a variety of combos and mechanics that keep the gameplay engaging.
  • The game features charming visuals and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
  • Co-op mode is enjoyable, allowing for fun multiplayer sessions with friends.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues, particularly in co-op mode, which can disrupt gameplay.
  • The story is minimalistic and clichéd, lacking depth and engagement.
  • The game can feel repetitive over time, with limited enemy variety and a short campaign length.
  • story
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "9 Monkeys of Shaolin" is generally described as a typical kung-fu narrative, featuring familiar tropes such as revenge against an evil warlord, which some players found engaging while others deemed it clichéd and unremarkable. While the voice acting and art style received praise, many reviews noted that the story lacks depth and character development, leading to a somewhat forgettable experience. Overall, it serves its purpose in driving gameplay forward, but players seeking a compelling narrative may be disappointed.

    • “Do not let simplistic looks fool you, this is one of the better story-driven beat 'em ups out there.”
    • “The voice acting is on point and the story makes me want to play more.”
    • “Solid game, I liked everything from the artwork to the storytelling.”
    • “The story is just... there.”
    • “The story has too much exposition and very poor character development, which makes it a little boring.”
    • “9 Monkeys of Shaolin's story is minimalist and fits a multitude of clichés; its gameplay is satisfying but limited, and the general atmosphere is brought down by mediocre visuals and formulaic music.”
  • gameplay
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "9 Monkeys of Shaolin" is generally praised for its solid mechanics, fluid combat, and the ability to create diverse builds, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players. However, some users noted issues with repetition due to limited enemy variety and occasional bugs that detracted from the experience. Overall, while the game may not break new ground, it offers a satisfying beat-em-up experience with a nostalgic nod to classic kung-fu films.

    • “Actual builds can be made; it is not a button smasher. If you take the time to learn the mechanics and how the skill trees work to play with different builds, it is a hidden gem of a game.”
    • “Gorgeous, stylized graphics, fitting thematic music that adds to the setting, fluid gameplay that feels good on keyboard and mouse; 9 Monkeys is one of the best examples of beat'em ups on keyboard where pulling off special attacks, parries, and combos while taking on groups of varied enemies never felt more fluent.”
    • “The progression system is a lot of fun and adds even more to the fluid combat mechanics that give me a very similar feel to when I played Arkham Knight, flying around kicking enemies.”
    • “The gameplay can get a bit repetitive as there isn't much variety in enemy types.”
    • “Plus, the gameplay is boring and the story is cliched beyond funny.”
    • “There's gameplay elements, but you literally spend the whole time side scrolling.”
  • graphics
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful art style and vibrant visuals reminiscent of watercolor paintings, particularly appealing to fans of Asian aesthetics. However, others criticize the graphics for being unimpressive and plagued by glitches, with some noting that they do not match the promotional materials. Overall, while the visuals are appreciated for their creativity and charm, they are often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and flow.

    • “Some levels look like a watercolor picture with bright visuals.”
    • “The game truly is gorgeous, especially if you are a fan of Asian aesthetics like myself.”
    • “Gorgeous, stylized graphics, fitting thematic music that adds to the setting, fluid gameplay that feels good on keyboard and mouse; 9 Monkeys is one of the best examples of beat'em ups on keyboard where pulling off special attacks, parries, and combos while taking on groups of varied enemies never felt more fluent.”
    • “The graphics leave a little to be desired.”
    • “Yet again the graphics on the store page do not match the in-game; instead of everything shiny, now everything is just blurry.”
    • “The graphics are pretty ugly (though you can make out what's going on when there's a dozen enemies on screen, and that's important).”
  • music
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as fitting and thematically appropriate, enhancing the overall atmosphere, though it tends to be typical ambient fare rather than memorable or engaging. While some reviewers appreciate the unique main menu track and the decent voice acting, others feel the soundtrack lacks distinctiveness, contributing to a more formulaic experience. Overall, the music complements the gameplay and visuals, but it does not stand out as a highlight.

    • “The soundtrack is fitting and the main menu music is quite unique.”
    • “The music fits the game nicely and the voice acting is decent.”
    • “Gorgeous, stylized graphics, fitting thematic music that adds to the setting.”
    • “9 Monkeys of Shaolin's story is minimalist and fits a multitude of clichés; its gameplay is satisfying but limited, and the general atmosphere is brought down by mediocre visuals and formulaic music.”
    • “+ visual style + musical score + easy to learn combat system - difficulty spike - unsatisfying level endings - laggy input system (reviewed on Xbox One X, also available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC).”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while combat is fluid and generally glitch-free, players have reported bugs in co-op mode that can lead to level restarts and issues with dashing and jumping. Additionally, some graphical glitches detract from the otherwise pleasant aesthetic.

    • “Combat itself is fluid, and there are no glitches. I have not experienced any bugs so far.”
    • “Combat itself is fluid, and there are no glitches. I have not experienced any bugs so far.”
    • “Co-op is buggy sometimes, leading to level restarts.”
    • “One issue I had was the dashing/jumping, especially in co-op, which is a little buggy and tricky.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "9 Monkeys of Shaolin" offers significant replayability, primarily due to its engaging gameplay, the ability to revisit earlier levels with new abilities and perks, and the challenge presented by harder difficulty settings. The co-op mode, which allows players to choose between friendly fire options, further enhances the game's replay value, making it enjoyable across multiple playthroughs. Overall, while the main storyline is relatively short, the fun factor and varied gameplay mechanics encourage players to return.

    • “Great replayability of earlier levels as you gain more abilities/perks.”
    • “Has a pretty good story for a game like this and it's all the better because the game is incredibly fun on any difficulty. The harder difficulties are where you will find replayability, and the co-op feature is a nice addition, allowing you to choose between friendly fire or not.”
    • “Has a pretty good story for a game like this and it's all the better because the game is incredibly fun on any difficulty. However, the harder difficulties are where you will find replayability, along with the co-op feature. Interestingly, you can choose between friendly fire or not, which is nice.”
    • “Without that, it is a really straightforward beat 'em up game with a roughly 3-4 hour storyline that is replayable.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some find certain checkpoints frustrating and tedious, others appreciate the opportunity to replay missions as a way to refine their skills and discover hidden secrets, which adds a layer of enjoyment rather than feeling like a chore.

    • “Some checkpoints were terrible, requiring you to redo tedious stuff.”
    • “Even going back and replaying missions for whatever reason doesn't ever feel like grinding; more like just perfecting technique and finding hidden secrets, which, from what I've seen, are more modifiers that I assume will probably add a little more quirkiness.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is criticized for being lacking, with excessive exposition that detracts from engagement and makes the narrative feel dull.

    • “The story has too much exposition and very poor character development, which makes it a little boring.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely criticized, with many users finding it unoriginal and lacking in wit, contributing to an overall sense of boredom in both gameplay and story.

  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy in the game is criticized for being intrusive, as players encounter well bosses that function merely as regular enemies while summoning advertisements, detracting from the overall experience.

  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to well-crafted games that struggle for recognition, feeling disheartened when they are overshadowed by less deserving titles that rely on flashy graphics. This sentiment highlights a frustration with the gaming industry's tendency to prioritize superficial appeal over meaningful content.

  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "9 Monkeys of Shaolin" is hindered by its minimalist story and reliance on clichés, with users noting that the mediocre visuals and formulaic music detract from the overall experience, despite satisfying gameplay.

    • “The story of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is minimalist and relies on a multitude of clichés. While the gameplay is satisfying, the overall atmosphere suffers from mediocre visuals and formulaic music.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the game world.”
    • “Despite some interesting concepts, the atmosphere is hindered by repetitive environments and a lack of engaging sound design.”

Buy 9 Monkeys of Shaolin

5h Median play time
6h Average play time
5-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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