I am not a Monster
- September 27, 2018
- Cheerdealers
- 25h median play time
Get on SteamIn "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
Reviews
- The game features a charming retro sci-fi aesthetic, reminiscent of classic 60s and 70s sci-fi, with engaging visuals and sound design.
- The gameplay combines tactical turn-based mechanics with social deception elements, creating a unique experience that can be enjoyable, especially with friends.
- The story is entertaining and filled with humor, providing a nostalgic feel that appeals to fans of the genre.
- The multiplayer aspect is largely dead, making it difficult to find games without a dedicated group of friends, and the game relies heavily on player interaction.
- The save system is frustrating, as it only allows for checkpoint saves, forcing players to restart levels if they need to take a break.
- Gameplay can feel unbalanced and overly punishing, with some mechanics leading to frustrating experiences, particularly for new players.
- story64 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its captivating narrative, engaging dialogue, and retro sci-fi aesthetics that evoke classic pulp fiction. However, some players criticized the pacing, excessive dialogue, and lack of meaningful character progression, which detracted from the overall experience. While the story is often described as fun and immersive, issues with save mechanics and mission design have left some players frustrated.
“The game's 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.”
“A fun story, fantastic art direction, and great soundtrack.”
“The story is funny and well-realized; it has all the necessary elements of the classic sci-fi pulp fictions and movies of the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s.”
“I don't know what details and other positive aspects of the game people find interesting and positive in reviews, but I forced myself to find something positive and found absolutely none. I just could not stand the never-ending stupid dialogues, oversimplified gameplay, unlikable characters, and forced storytelling.”
“The most frustrating aspect is not being able to save at a checkpoint. If you want to play at all, you have to commit to completing a multi-battle mission (which could take over an hour or more) or else you will have to start over.”
“They must've completed the visual design and said, 'forget the game mechanics and story and everything else.'”
- gameplay63 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring tactical challenges reminiscent of XCOM, with some players appreciating the depth and variety of mechanics, while others criticize its rigid design and frustrating elements. Many reviews highlight the balance between strategic planning and immersive puzzles, though some find the difficulty spikes and simplistic mechanics off-putting. Overall, the game offers engaging moments but suffers from inconsistencies that may alienate casual players.
“From deciphering codes to solving riddles, each puzzle presents a new challenge that adds depth and variety to the gameplay.”
“This is a gem: well polished, fun story, great setting, great visuals and sounds, lots of ingenious gameplay elements, and a surprisingly long campaign for the price tag.”
“Gameplay is solid as well.”
“The game's difficulty level can be challenging at times, requiring careful planning and strategy, which may not be appealing to players who prefer more casual gameplay.”
“Rigid gameplay design that hampers any creative solution you may come up with.”
“Strange gameplay decisions that are neither logical nor game enhancing, but crippling to any strategic behavior.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro sci-fi aesthetics, drawing inspiration from classic 20th-century sci-fi and early television series like Star Trek. While many players appreciate the unique art style and nostalgic visuals, some find them dated or underwhelming, and there are criticisms regarding the game's construction and balance that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, contributing to the game's atmosphere and appeal, despite some technical shortcomings.
“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.”
“Graphics and art style are very nice: if you are a fan of old Star Trek and classic sci-fi movies, you will be amused by the many jokes and quotes of the genre!”
“The graphics and visual effects may not be cutting-edge, and some players may find them dated or underwhelming.”
“Fun in multiplayer, but the campaign cutscenes have garbage graphics.”
“It's like it can't decide what it wants to be - classic film pulp or early 90s pixel graphics.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its classic retro aesthetics, effectively evoking the feel of early 20th-century sci-fi and 80s television, enhancing the overall atmosphere. While many reviewers appreciate the thematic use and fitting style of the soundtrack, some note that it can be repetitive. Overall, the music, alongside the visuals and art direction, contributes significantly to the game's nostalgic charm and immersive experience.
“Classic retro aesthetics, sounds, and music that is reminiscent of Flash Gordon, early 20th century sci-fi pulps, and TOS Star Trek episodes, as well as basic turn-based strategy action akin to XCOM and multiplayer online!”
“A fun story, fantastic art direction, and great soundtrack.”
“The art style is awesome, and the music fits perfectly.”
“The soundtracks are too repetitive.”
“Visuals, music & atmosphere: -atmospheric/stylish/retro sci-fi soundtracks/voices/graphics/visuals ... got them all!”
“The style of the game and the entourage with music is generally a separate story; music and art with voice acting are made at an excellent level.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and heart, with many reviewers highlighting the engaging interactions between characters and the retro sci-fi aesthetic that enhances the comedic experience. The story is described as well-realized and reminiscent of classic sci-fi pulp fiction, featuring unique characters with amusing backstories. Overall, the humor is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The style and hilarious interaction between characters makes me feel like I'm truly watching a sci-fi movie!”
“The story is funny and well-realized; it has all the necessary elements of the classic sci-fi pulp fictions and movies of the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s.”
“The characters are living beings with funny background stories and unique personalities.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautifully designed environments and immersive settings that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of thought-provoking themes, retro sci-fi elements, and high production quality, which together create a unique, memorable, and calming ambiance that resonates long after gameplay.
“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.”
“Beautifully designed environments that draw you into the game's world and immerse you in its atmospheric setting.”
“The atmosphere and the whole production quality is magnificent!”
“The retro-quality atmosphere of the game makes this an amusing and calming experience, even while shooting lizard-like monsters.”
“The atmosphere and the whole production quality are magnificent!”
“Visuals, music, and atmosphere are key elements that contribute to the overall experience.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game has a few bugs and glitches, it remains enjoyable; however, there is a concern about the developers' tendency to release games with stability issues and insufficient support.
“They have developed a habit of releasing buggy games with little to no support.”
“There are a few bugs and glitches, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The game suffers from frequent crashes and stability issues.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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 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.”
“The way the game explores each character's backstory adds layers of depth that enhance the overall experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious after extensive playtime, with the turn-based action not evolving significantly. However, the addictive nature of the strategic planning required in various areas keeps players engaged despite the repetitive gameplay.
“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.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, making the game more of a slog than an enjoyable experience.”
“After countless hours of repetitive tasks, the excitement of the game has faded, leaving only a sense of obligation to continue.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment with the monetization aspect, noting that it does not align with the advertisements, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction.
“It doesn't match the advertisement at all.”
“The in-game purchases are way too expensive for what you get.”
“I feel pressured to spend money just to keep up with other players.”
