I am not a Monster

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 433 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
I am not a Monster Game Cover
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In "I am not a Monster," play as Captain Laser and command a team of heroes to reclaim the Albatross spaceship from mysterious alien lizards. With over 30 missions, 8 unique heroes, and the ability to control multiple characters simultaneously, guide your team to save passengers and uncover the monsters' origins. Wishlist the developer's upcoming games for more sci-fi adventures.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 433 reviews
story45 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of tactical turn-based gameplay and social deception, reminiscent of classic sci-fi themes.
  • The retro aesthetic and art style are well-executed, creating an engaging atmosphere that appeals to fans of old sci-fi movies.
  • The mechanics of combining weapons and items to create special abilities add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
  • The game suffers from a lack of players, making it difficult to find matches, especially in multiplayer mode.
  • The difficulty curve can be frustrating, with some missions feeling unbalanced and overly challenging for new players.
  • There is no single-player mode available, limiting the game's accessibility for those who prefer solo play.
  • story186 mentions

    The game's story is a retro sci-fi narrative filled with humor and plot twists, evoking a campy, 70s aesthetic reminiscent of classic sci-fi series. While the initial missions are straightforward, the story becomes more engaging as players encounter diverse characters and increasingly challenging scenarios, though some find the difficulty frustrating and the pacing uneven. Overall, the narrative is enjoyable but can feel repetitive and overly long, with a mix of memorable moments and tedious gameplay elements.

    • “Great game, even better soundtrack, with a story that's reminiscent of retro sci-fi series.”
    • “The gripping story and well-written dialogue create a compelling narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish, making each choice and revelation feel impactful and meaningful.”
    • “I loved how the story flowed between the missions, changing from one group to another, looking at the same situation but with a different perspective; it really felt like playing an episode of a TV show.”
    • “The whole story evokes a bad Star Trek-like sitcom.”
    • “The story is fine, the writing is okay, but it generally feels like filler, even if it wasn't intended that way.”
    • “I can't recommend it; the solo story is way too hard and I don't mean it's difficult, I mean it's unfairly hard.”
  • gameplay139 mentions

    The gameplay features a unique turn-based mechanic where players plan actions for their characters, which are executed simultaneously, reminiscent of tabletop games like X-Wing. While the game introduces various challenges and mechanics throughout its lengthy campaign, many players find the gameplay repetitive, frustrating, and lacking in strategic depth, with some criticizing its difficulty spikes and clunky controls. Overall, the game appeals to fans of tactical strategy but may disappoint those seeking a more engaging and balanced experience.

    • “The single player turn-based mechanics were given an interesting twist in that you plan an action, then a move for each of your characters (instead of move/act) and then you and the opponents play out the action at once.”
    • “From deciphering codes to solving riddles, each puzzle presents a new challenge that adds depth and variety to the gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it is actually very good, and the storyline is reasonably interesting.”
    • “That doesn't mean the game is difficult by any means because it's not, it just makes the gameplay feel like a frustrating chore.”
    • “The lack of variety in gameplay wouldn't be so bad if the game was engaging in some way, but 30-year-old animation techniques from another world, non-responsive gameplay mechanics, the intentionally slow progress until you are overwhelmed by ridiculous numbers of enemies, and the absolute neglect to the value of the person 'playing' (I use the term extremely loosely as it's simply not a case of playing this in favor of watching it unfold into the glorious dumpster fire it is).”
    • “Started out boring, quickly became mechanically frustrating.”
  • graphics112 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi films and 80s visuals, which many players find delightful and nostalgic. However, some critiques highlight that while the artwork is impressive, the animations and overall graphical performance can feel dated or underwhelming, and the game's construction may detract from the visual experience. Overall, the unique art style and thematic consistency are seen as standout features, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “I really enjoyed the retro futuristic art style, and a mid-century cinematic narration and dialogues.”
    • “The mid-century pulp sci-fi aesthetics are gorgeous and give the game a distinctive look (and sound) though the plot itself is a bit more grim than you might expect from how the game looks.”
    • “The graphics and music are nice and fit well with the cheesy 80's TV aesthetic the game is going for.”
    • “The humor and graphics are lost on this product.”
    • “Graphics are one of the worst I have ever seen, apart from combat, which is okay at max.”
    • “The graphics use an old movie filter, the sound effects are of poor quality, and the whole future concept is reminiscent of 60s movies about the distant future.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic retro sci-fi vibe, effectively complementing the visuals and overall atmosphere. However, many players noted that the soundtrack is repetitive, often featuring only a single track throughout the lengthy campaign, which can detract from the experience. While the thematic use of music aligns well with the game's aesthetic, some players opted to mute it in favor of alternative soundtracks.

    • “Great game, even better soundtrack, with a story that's reminiscent of retro sci-fi series.”
    • “The music, the art style, and the story all bring it together nicely.”
    • “A fun story, fantastic art direction, and great soundtrack.”
    • “The music is just one track over and over again; I usually played without the music with some random sci-fi soundtrack in the background.”
    • “The music gets really boring and annoying after a while, since it's only really one track and the 'cutscenes'...omg.”
    • “First is that the music (mostly in the menu, I don't remember noticing it much in gameplay) has a sort of warped effect to it, to make it sound like it's on an old VHS or damaged film--really cool in theory, but in practice I found it pretty grating.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of tongue-in-cheek wit and retro sci-fi charm, often drawing inspiration from classic pulp fiction and 1950s aesthetics. While some players find the humor hit-or-miss, many appreciate the clever character interactions, amusing story twists, and nostalgic references that contribute to an overall enjoyable experience. The game's comedic elements, including a funny tutorial and engaging dialogue, enhance its appeal, especially when played with friends.

    • “The real highlight is the story with a pleasant retro-futuristic setting and an interesting storyline, with just the right amount of twists and humor.”
    • “The style and hilarious interaction between characters makes me feel like I'm truly watching a sci-fi movie!”
    • “Game doesn't come up with anything extra new, but the magic in this game is in its retro sci-fi stylization, funny and enjoyable, long enough story with twists, puns, plenty of jokes and interesting characters.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic 80s aesthetic and classic sci-fi vibe, reminiscent of Star Trek, which immerses players in beautifully designed environments. Reviewers highlight the combination of retro visuals, engaging soundtracks, and thoughtful themes that create a unique and memorable experience, making the game feel warm and inviting. Overall, the attention to detail in the atmosphere significantly enhances the gameplay, earning it high marks from players.

    • “The immersive and atmospheric environments, coupled with the game's thought-provoking themes, create a unique and memorable experience that lingers with you long after the game is over.”
    • “You can feel how much care and love was put into this aspect of the game, creating a very unique and warm atmosphere that immediately makes the game likable.”
    • “The retro-quality atmosphere of the game makes this an amusing and calming experience, where you shoot lizard-like monsters.”
    • “The atmosphere and the whole production quality is magnificent!”
    • “The atmosphere and aesthetics are very well done.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable and strategic enough to warrant multiple playthroughs, others feel limited by the small number of maps and game modes. The campaign offers around 40 hours of content, but the desire for additional maps and modes is a common theme among reviewers, suggesting that enhancements could significantly improve replay value.

    • “There is high replayability, but it would be nice to have a few more maps.”
    • “Very interesting and lots of strategy to be had, but minor bugs and limited play modes; however, it is very replayable.”
    • “The game is cheap for the amount of fun and replayability - $13.”
    • “Not much replay value.”
    • “40 hours for the full campaign, more or less, perhaps limited replay value unless you want to try different builds/weapons.”
    • “Really hope they add more game modes or maps for the game modes as 1 map per game mode and only 3 game modes really dampens the replayability.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and frustrating, particularly during challenging missions and boss fights. While some players find the gameplay solid and addictive, the repetitive nature of certain levels and the need for precise execution can lead to a sense of chore-like gameplay, diminishing overall satisfaction.

    • “It's just obnoxious and makes the game a tedious loop of reloading checkpoints and even entire levels sometimes just because you didn't position or play the level the right way.”
    • “I feel like the gameplay was solid, but they went from satisfying to tedious when facing the last 'boss'; especially the last mission felt like a chore and ended in the most unsatisfying way possible.”
    • “The turn-based action after 25 hours of playtime has not greatly improved beyond tedious, but the strategy in general is addictive with many areas needing tightly planned.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few bugs and glitches reported. While some users express frustration over a history of buggy releases and insufficient support, the game is still considered enjoyable and not fundamentally flawed.

    • “First, they get into a habit of releasing buggy games with little to no support.”
    • “Not because it's bad, or unfun, or a buggy mess... it's in fact none of those things.”
    • “A few bugs and glitches, but apart from that, great game!”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, with users noting that the game's multiplayer component is lacking and does not align with the advertised features.

    • “It looks more like a cash grab since the multiplayer is dead.”
    • “It doesn't match the advertisement at all.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game is praised for its unique and heartfelt emotional tone, resonating deeply with players and creating a memorable experience.

    • “The game has a unique, heartfelt vibe that truly resonates with players.”
    • “I was deeply moved by the emotional depth of the characters and their stories.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional moments, enhancing the overall experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the character design and presentation are enjoyable, there are noted flaws in the overall character development, suggesting that it may not fully meet players' expectations.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
    • “Each character has a unique backstory that adds layers to their personality, making the overall experience more immersive.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, users report mixed experiences with optimization, with some attributing poor graphical performance to their own hardware rather than issues within the game itself.

    • “I will admit graphical performance was bad for me, but I'm sure that was on my hardware and not on the game itself.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

20hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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