Monster Crown
- October 12, 2021
- Studio Aurum
- 7h median play time
Get on SteamIn Monster Crown, a dark monster taming RPG, you'll explore a gloomy world, forming pacts with creatures to enhance their powers. Make challenging decisions thatctionally and morally shape your journey, while engaging in strategic turn-based battles. With the ability to breed, fuse, and chain monsters, Monster Crown offers depth and replayability in your quest to rule over or protect the land.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Great monster designs with a unique breeding system that allows for extensive customization.
- Nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Pokemon games, with a darker and more mature storyline.
- Active developer engagement with the community, providing regular updates and bug fixes.
- The game is plagued with numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
- User interface is clunky and unintuitive, making navigation and menu management frustrating.
- Difficulty balancing is inconsistent, with wild monsters often being significantly stronger than intended.
- story320 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and poorly executed. While some appreciate its darker themes and potential for depth, others criticize it for being disjointed, simplistic, and plagued by bugs that hinder progression. Overall, the narrative struggles to engage players, often feeling like a weak point compared to the gameplay mechanics and monster breeding features.
“The story unfolds through engaging dialogue and intriguing plot twists, immersing players in a world filled with political intrigue and secrets waiting to be unraveled.”
“The story is surprisingly dark and adult, so if you want more adult themes in your Pokémon games, this is made for you.”
“This game has awesome monster design and I'm loving the story so far.”
“The story feels really disconnected and all over the place.”
“The absolute weakest aspect of this game is its story and its characters.”
“The storytelling is disappointingly poor, forced, and sequential events don't make sense.”
- gameplay220 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Monster Crown" is a mixed bag, featuring a standout breeding mechanic that many players find enjoyable and innovative, allowing for extensive customization of monsters. However, the game suffers from numerous bugs, poor performance, and a lack of clarity in its mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. While it captures nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic Pokémon games, the execution is often marred by technical issues and a simplistic combat system that leaves some players wanting more depth.
“The gameplay of Monster Crown is challenging and rewarding.”
“The breeding mechanic is phenomenal and provides me with endless fun hybridizing species.”
“It's addicting, collecting as many monsters as possible to build the best team, and the breeding system is much more in depth than other monster collecting games, which is a much appreciated departure from other games that have similar mechanics.”
“It's a poorly made and bug-riddled ripoff of Pokémon/Digimon, only worse, and in JRPG format, with bad writing and bad gameplay. I mean, I guess this is slightly better than an RPG Maker asset flip, but to some extent, it's a little difficult to tell the difference.”
“The concept is good; it's a monster tamer with the unique gimmick of being able to combine every monster together with unique sprites. However, the actual gameplay is horribly flawed, boring, and monotonous.”
“I felt the combination of the lackluster elements of the gameplay and the bugs greatly outweighed any of the positives this game had going for it, and it was not worth my time to finish it.”
- stability189 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder the overall experience. While some users find the game enjoyable despite its issues, many describe it as a "buggy mess" that can be nearly unplayable at times, with problems ranging from visual glitches to game-breaking errors. Overall, the game's lack of polish and persistent technical issues overshadow its potential, leading to a general recommendation to wait for further updates before diving in.
“The dev is constantly putting out patches and really wants to make sure this is bug free.”
“The devs have a huge road ahead of them making this bug free.”
“I do like the ideas they have in the game; I just hope they improve and make sure the core mechanics of the game aren't buggy in Monster Crown 2.”
“The game is a buggy mess, from text overlapping, missing UI, some UI that looks like it's made from Word '98, bugs when using items, bugs when using the scout feature, and bugs when buying/selling at the vendor creating a black screen.”
“It's incredibly buggy, and everything from the UI to movement is cumbersome.”
“Overall, this game is a buggy mess in a semi-playable state with an uninteresting story and content.”
- graphics119 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a nostalgic homage to retro 8-bit aesthetics reminiscent of early Pokémon titles, featuring charming pixel art and monster designs. However, numerous graphical glitches, UI issues, and a lack of resolution options detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration among players. While some appreciate the retro style, many find the execution lacking, with inconsistent visuals and bugs that hinder gameplay.
“Monster Crown visually captures a distinct retro-inspired pixel art style that complements the game's dark atmosphere.”
“The graphics remind me quite a bit of Pokémon Gold era graphics, and the pixel art is charming and nostalgic.”
“The graphics are nice, especially the pixel art two-dimensional graphics, which evoke a sense of nostalgia for classic gaming.”
“There are tons of UI bugs and graphical glitches, but nothing game-breaking.”
“The graphics are glitchy, where you'll be in a room, but you can see another house or map off in the distance, which you're clearly not supposed to be able to see.”
“If developers want to get paid the same kind of money as real game developers who know how to do graphics properly, they need to learn how to do graphics properly.”
- music74 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a nostalgic chiptune soundtrack reminiscent of classic Game Boy Pokémon titles, with some tracks being enjoyable while others are criticized for being repetitive or grating. Players have noted issues with music not transitioning properly between areas and volume inconsistencies during battles, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many appreciate the retro aesthetic and find the soundtrack to be a highlight, enhancing the game's charm.
“The hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack further enhances the immersive experience, setting the mood and providing an eerie backdrop to the journey.”
“The music is incredible and very nostalgic; the monsters are all very unique.”
“What first drew me to this game was the solid monster designs and the fantastic music that had given me a nostalgic trip back to Pokémon Gold and Silver.”
“Unless it’s for the nostalgia, I wouldn’t think too highly of most of the music in this game.”
“It's your generic 8-bit music that doesn't have many tracks, so they're often reused.”
“The soundtrack is also quite ear-grating - perhaps some people like it and this comment is subjective, but it doesn't really suit the pixel world being depicted.”
- grinding67 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant and often tedious aspect of the game, with many players expressing frustration over the slow experience gain and the necessity to grind for levels to progress, especially against over-leveled bosses. While some players find ways to mitigate the grind through mechanics like turning off experience sharing, the overall sentiment is that grinding detracts from the enjoyment and pacing of the game, making it feel repetitive and time-consuming.
“There's a lot of grinding involved, but it feels rewarding.”
“You'll need a second life for all the grinding, but it's worth it for the progression.”
“The grinding can be intense, but it adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
“The biggest annoyance is grinding; by the time I got to the second main town in the desert, only one or two of my team were at level 10, and finding monsters to grind against to try and get high enough to defeat the chief is a chore with the difficulty spike of him constantly switching monsters.”
“Grinding is just disrespectful of a player's time, and when the main story often leaves you in a town where you have to fight a boss with monsters that are 15-20 levels higher than yours, the only choice is to grind.”
“I found myself stuck in situations constantly where the only solution is to sit through tedious and unfun grind to try and level up my monsters, only to give up because getting a monster to level 80+ is way too time-consuming and boring.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 45 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is currently criticized for being poor, with numerous performance issues, bugs, and glitches that significantly detract from the overall experience. While the mechanics and potential of the game are appreciated, players report frustrating problems such as stuttering, invisible walls, and unresponsive controls, indicating a need for substantial improvements. Overall, many users advise against playing until these optimization issues are addressed.
“Actually a good monster tamer game, with nice mechanics and the controls are optimized for a pixel game in my opinion.”
“Leaning into the unique breeding system and interesting monster designs is a smart move and I can see a lot of room for deep optimization among hardcore fans.”
“Don't recommend in its current state, the performance is abysmal.”
“There is so much potential, depth, and enjoyable mechanics in this game but so much of it gets completely squandered by the poor performance which still plagues the game.”
“I've been stuck in place once I exited a cave, eggs not hatching for a long time, glitched dialogue just by spamming the talk button, numerous visual bugs, can't complete a quest concerning a certain prisoner, not getting achievements, and some performance issues.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Players highlight "Monster Crown" as highly replayable due to its vast array of monsters, each with multiple forms, and an open world filled with secrets and randomization options. The inclusion of challenges like Nuzlocke further enhances its replayability, making it a game that players can enjoy repeatedly. Overall, the game offers a rich experience that encourages exploration and experimentation.
“By far my favorite monster taming game. Monster Crown just ticks all the boxes I've wanted in this type of game, with hundreds of monsters, each having six vastly visually different forms that match their type. The world itself is open to explore from shortly after the start, and the game has randomizer options for replayability or Nuzlocke challenges.”
“Great world with lots of replayable things in it.”
“This lends great replayability to the world, as you can log in for a little bit, wander around, see a trainer, then gawk at the cool or bizarre random monsters on his team.”
“By far my favorite monster taming game. Previously, I would have said the Siralim series, but Monster Crown just ticks all the boxes I've wanted in this type of game. Hundreds of monsters, each with six vastly visually different forms that match their type. The world itself is open to explore from shortly after the start, and the game has randomizer options for replayability or Nuzlocke challenges.”
“Plenty of hidden secrets to improve replayability and give extra things to do.”
- humor7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding moments of funny dialogue and unexpected situations, while others feel that the overall experience is marred by bugs and frustrating difficulty. Despite these issues, there are instances where the game's humor shines through, leading to a mixed reception regarding its comedic elements.
“Funny thing is, I got a refund on this game a few years ago, then bought it again recently because I couldn't remember what it was I disliked about it.”
“I'm certain this has been exploited to hilarious effect.”
“Great game, funny and well made.”
“I like the game; it would be enjoyable, but it's so riddled with bugs that it's not funny.”
“The humor tries too hard and often falls flat, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“While the game aims for a comedic tone, most of the jokes miss the mark and feel forced.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Monster Crown is characterized by its retro-inspired pixel art and haunting soundtrack, which together create an immersive and eerie experience. While the game's dark tone and monster design are praised, technical issues and glitches detract from the overall enjoyment, leading some players to liken their experiences to a creepypasta narrative. Despite these flaws, there is optimism for further development and enhancement of the atmosphere in future updates.
“Visually, Monster Crown captures a distinct retro-inspired pixel art style that complements the game's dark atmosphere.”
“The hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack further enhances the immersive experience, setting the mood and providing an eerie backdrop to the journey.”
“Monster Crown is an odd monster-catching game that hearkens back to the good old days of Pokémon RBY, but due to a combination of its deliberately eerie, slightly off atmosphere and a monumental amount of design quirks and glitches, every playthrough I've done so far ends up reading like a Pokémon-inspired creepypasta.”
“I was charmed by the monsters and atmosphere, but it's just too buggy.”
“The breeding, the design of the monsters, and the bit darker atmosphere are well balanced, but the typings were a bit boring at first.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a lack of character development, noting that the characters and their personalities are unremarkable and unengaging. However, the originality of the character and monster designs is praised, with comparisons made to earlier Pokémon aesthetics, suggesting a more creative approach than some contemporary titles. Overall, while the visual aspects are commendable, the depth of character development is notably absent.
“Character designs, monster designs, locations, and so much more with a wonderful soundtrack as icing on the cake.”
“The monsters have a sort of earnest originality to them that reminds me of the very first Pokémon before they went down that dark road of commercial success.”
“I do think this is leagues above Temtem due to the much more original art direction it takes with character design.”
“There is no character development, there are no interesting or outstanding personalities, there's nothing compelling about these characters at all.”
“The monsters have a sort of earnest originality to them that reminds me of the very first Pokémon before they went down that dark road of commercial success and turned into the heaving corpse of a dumpster fire of character design that they presently are.”
“That said, I do think this is leagues above Temtem due to the much more original art direction it takes with character design.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Monster Crown is priced at $15, which some users feel is steep compared to older AAA games, leading to mixed feelings about its value. While it may come off as a cash grab, players appreciate the genuine passion behind the game, distinguishing it from other titles that exploit the market. Overall, the monetization strategy elicits a nuanced response, balancing between potential enjoyment and perceived cost.
“Monster Crown has the cash grab price of $15 USD, for which you could easily get any number of older AAA games.”
“I can't hate it or definitively tell you to avoid it, because while it is hit or miss, when it hits it hits really well; and at least you can tell that it has some genuine passion and love for the genre; and at least isn't a plagiarizing cash grab banking off of the growing anger towards modern-day Pokémon made by people who just want your money like Palworld.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While some reviewers find the emotional aspect of the game lacking and merely functional, others express nostalgia and joy, recalling childhood experiences with monster-catching games. Despite its unfinished story, "Monster Crown" evokes a sense of wonder and excitement reminiscent of earlier gaming experiences.
“I grew up playing Monster Rancher, Pokémon, Digimon World, etc. Monster Crown is unfinished, its story is bare-bones, but even still, it made me feel like a little kid again catching and breeding monsters to see what new ones I'll get.”
