Meg's Monster
- March 2, 2023
- Odencat
- 5h median play time
Meg’s Monster is a great 2D pixel-style action-adventure game that has you exploring the underworld to help this lost human child get back to her mother. With a great story and battle mechanics it is sure to make you smile.
In Meg's Monster, a JRPG with a twist, players guide Roy, a powerful monster, and his friend Golan to help Meg, a little girl whose tears can trigger the apocalypse. With Meg's safety being paramount, players must find her mother and return her home. Roy has immense strength and high HP, but the game ends if Meg panics and cries.
Reviews
- The game features a charming and heartfelt story that resonates emotionally with players, often leading to tears.
- The characters are well-developed and endearing, particularly the relationship between Meg and Roy, which adds depth to the narrative.
- The pixel art style and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game.
- The gameplay is simplistic and lacks depth, with battles often feeling scripted and easy, which may disappoint players looking for a more challenging RPG experience.
- The pacing of the story can be uneven, with some sections feeling rushed or dragging on, which affects the overall flow of the narrative.
- The game is very linear, offering limited exploration and interactivity, which may leave some players wanting more engagement with the game world.
- story191 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Meg's Monster" is widely praised for its emotional depth, engaging character development, and unexpected plot twists, making it a standout feature of the game. While some players found the narrative to be linear or occasionally convoluted, many appreciated its heartfelt and charming execution, often comparing it favorably to other story-driven titles like "Undertale." Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a touching narrative experience, despite its simplistic gameplay mechanics.
“The strength of the game is the story, which provides interesting character development for the big blue lug, Roy.”
“It's a short, non-stressful, simple turn-based combat game that manages to be fun thanks to how it approaches its cute, heartfelt story and how it plays around with its simple turn-based combat by sprinkling some mini-game mechanics and funny dialogue.”
“A beautiful, emotional story with excellent character writing and a good sense of humor.”
“The game will often just dump huge amounts of exposition on the player, with no good story reason to do so, simply because the writer felt that the player should know it immediately.”
“I thought I was going to cry, but the story is so predictable and cliché... like man, I cry easily watching series/films or even playing video games, but this game was so underwhelming.”
“Like all the characters are charming, but the pacing and the storytelling is horrendous, like it looks like it really tries hard to lengthen your playtime when the same flashbacks appear like 5 times, while also dropping random plot twists at the end of the game that, even though they are optional, must be done to understand the ending and are placed in the worst moments.”
- emotional77 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, unexpected plot twists, and relatable moments that resonate deeply with players, often leading to tears. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with poignant themes, creating a charming yet impactful narrative experience. Despite some criticism regarding pacing, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a touching and memorable emotional journey that appeals to fans of story-driven RPGs.
“It has a beautiful and meaningful story with plenty of relatable or touching moments.”
“A short but incredibly heartfelt game that will make you feel strong emotions.”
“Meg's monster is a beautiful and heartfelt story, with so much charm.”
- gameplay64 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is largely simplistic and linear, often taking a backseat to the narrative and character development, which are the game's main strengths. While it features familiar turn-based combat and light puzzles, many players find the mechanics easy and predictable, with minimal challenge and interactivity. Overall, the game is more of an interactive story experience than a traditional RPG, appealing primarily to those who prioritize narrative over gameplay depth.
“It's a short, non-stressful, simple turn-based combat game that manages to be fun thanks to how it approaches its cute, heartfelt story and how it plays around with its simple turn-based combat by sprinkling some mini-game mechanics and funny dialogue.”
“The mechanics are simple and familiar, and the story is well-crafted and engaging, providing a worthwhile narrative journey.”
“Gameplay doesn't disturb the beautiful story but enhances the emotional connection to characters.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's mostly filled with tons of walking simulators, clicking through dialogues, fetch quests, light puzzles, and the generic JRPG-style turn-based combat with the usual balancing act between healing, defending, and attacking the enemies.”
“The gameplay isn't good because each of the battles is set up perfectly for you to win if you hit the right actions in the right order.”
“Unfortunately though, I was struggling to find many positives beyond the aesthetics to continue playing the game beyond the first half: I felt that the gameplay was not very interesting (all the battles felt the same), and the plot developments were lacking intrigue.”
- music45 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and beautiful compositions, with many reviewers highlighting standout tracks that enhance the storytelling experience. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can feel limited and repetitive over time, which may detract from its overall impact. Despite these criticisms, the combination of a stellar soundtrack and charming visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack is also fantastic, and one particular song called 'Wishing Star' had me crying my eyes out and stabbed right in the heart.”
“An emotional roller coaster with a beautiful soundtrack.”
“Extremely touching story with amazing music composed by the now independent sound designer Reo Uratani, who previously worked with the Monster Hunter series.”
“The soundtrack is limited, and while the songs are quite good, they grow old by the end of the first hour.”
“My only minor complaint is I felt some of the music got repeated a bit too much, and an extra piece or two could have helped with keeping the atmosphere fresh.”
“The music and sound effects are just flat.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and colorful pixel art style, reminiscent of classics like Mother 3. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail and the overall aesthetic appeal, describing it as top-grade and visually stunning, though some express a desire for more animation in certain elements. Overall, the art style significantly enhances the game's charm and experience.
“I love the pixel art style for the game; it is amazing and colorful. It almost reminds me of Mother 3, especially some of the scenes and character designs.”
“There are so many cute additional visual details put in every minor scene, which just adds to its already insane charm and great visuals.”
“The aesthetics are top-grade, with stunning pixel art rivaling that of Mother 3.”
“The art style is similarly charming, but simplistic.”
“Unfortunately though, I was struggling to find many positives beyond the aesthetics to continue playing the game beyond the first half: I felt that the gameplay was not very interesting (all the battles felt the same), and the plot developments were lacking intrigue.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of "cute-funny" dialogues and unexpected comedic moments that enhance its heartfelt narrative. Players appreciate the clever writing and humorous mechanics, which provide levity amidst the emotional depth, making it both funny and poignant. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with a moving story, leaving a lasting impression on players.
“It's a short, non-stressful, simple turn-based combat game that manages to be fun thanks to how it approaches its cute, heartfelt story and how it plays around with its simple turn-based combat by sprinkling some mini-game mechanics and funny dialogue.”
“A beautiful, emotional story with excellent character writing and a good sense of humor.”
“Honestly, a certain segment in the second half was one of the funniest parts of the game just because of it derailing the story for a bit in a humorous way.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development, particularly through the engaging story of the protagonist, Roy, which features unexpected twists that transform initial skepticism into admiration for certain characters. While some players wished for more depth and length in character arcs, the vibrant pixel art and captivating soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making it a worthwhile choice for those who prioritize narrative over gameplay.
“The strength of the game is the story, which provides interesting character development for the big blue lug, Roy.”
“The story and character development keep you invested, with twists along the way; some characters you started off skeptical about, you end up admiring.”
“Simple and easy JRPG, but you definitely buy this for the story, character development, and music (vocals by Laura Shigihara), but not for its gameplay, where there is very little.”
“I feel like the game should have been longer or had more character development in certain areas to really have maximum impact, but it was still a pretty sweet story.”
“Simple and easy JRPG, but you definitely buy this for the story, character development, and music (vocals by Laura Shigihara) but not for its gameplay where there is very little of.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is heavily focused on creating an emotional tone, but many players feel it lacks variety and fails to shift during dramatic moments, resulting in a flat experience. Additionally, the repetitive music contributes to a sense of stagnation, suggesting that more diverse audio elements could enhance the overall atmosphere.
“They tried so hard to set up this emotional atmosphere most of the time that there were hardly any changes in the mood throughout the game.”
“However, as I stated before, it feels flat and hardly ever changes its atmosphere when some dramatic or emotional event is taking place.”
“My only minor complaint is I felt some of the music got repeated a bit too much, and an extra piece or two could have helped with keeping the atmosphere fresh.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the absence of grinding in the game, noting that there are no default enemies and that all necessary stats are obtained through story battles, allowing for a more streamlined and focused gameplay experience.
“You will not be grinding at all; there are no default enemies, and the stats you need are all achieved through story battles.”
“The grinding in this game feels tedious and unbalanced, making progress feel more like a chore than an achievement.”
“I found the grinding to be excessively repetitive, with little reward for the time invested.”
Critic Reviews
Meg’s Monster (Nintendo Switch)
Meg’s Monster tells the story of a big, mean monster who stumbles across the responsibility of caring for a little girl; if she cries, she brings on the end of the world. Playing as the monster, Roy, it is your job to help Meg find her way back home from the underworld by protecting her from other monsters, and playing with her to keep her happy. This unlikely pair forms a sweet relationship in this cute and heartwarming story that is definitely worth a play.
90%Meg’s Monster Review (PC)
Meg’s Monster is an emotional journey with a lot of depth, a twisty narrative, and some great character moments. I loved spending time with Meg, Roy, and Golan. Combat isn’t very challenging but still generates tension. I actually wished that the game offered more to do because I wanted more time in its universe, even if I think it’s perfectly paced to deliver its payload of feelings. Some fans of the role-playing genre might be disappointed with the relatively thin mechanics. Others might find some situations a little manipulative. Every player should give this game a try, regardless of whether they have a connection to its genre or not. Meg’s Monster is a perfect example of how video games can be great vehicles for stories because of their interactivity. A review key was provided by the publisher.
90%Meg's Monster (Switch) Review
An enjoyable narrative adventure with some clever RPG hooks.
75%