Monster Sanctuary

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,252 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Monster Sanctuary Game Cover
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"Monster Sanctuary" is a pixelated side-scrolling RPG where players collect, train, and battle monsters. As the heir of a long line of Monster Keepers, you explore the world to uncover a mystery threatening the peace between humans and monsters. The game combines monster collecting, turn-based combat, and metroidvania-style exploration, allowing any encountered monster to join your party.

  • Mac OS
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,252 reviews
story321 positive mentions
grinding395 negative mentions
  • Engaging blend of monster collecting and metroidvania exploration, offering a unique gameplay experience.
  • Deep combat system with extensive skill trees for each monster, allowing for diverse team builds and strategies.
  • Charming pixel art style and enjoyable soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Difficulty spikes in the late game can be frustrating, requiring specific team compositions to succeed.
  • Repetitive backtracking and tedious puzzles can detract from the overall enjoyment of exploration.
  • The story is simplistic and lacks depth, making it less engaging for players seeking a strong narrative.
  • story1,196 mentions

    The story in "Monster Sanctuary" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a straightforward and somewhat generic narrative that serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay. While some appreciate the engaging lore and character development, others criticize it for lacking depth and emotional engagement, often comparing it unfavorably to more complex RPGs. Overall, the story is seen as functional but not the main draw of the game, with many players emphasizing that the gameplay mechanics and monster collection are the true highlights.

    • “To my (quite happy) surprise I really enjoy this game and I think it found its own unique story and gameplay.”
    • “The story catches your attention and it sets itself up for a sequel which I hope it gets as well as having a unique combat system compared to other games in its category.”
    • “The story is simple but engaging, providing a good backdrop to the whole adventure.”
    • “The story is the weakest point of the game, but it's still a stronger story than 'be the very best like no one ever was.' Marduk was an interesting enemy, and seeing his final descent into madness made the build-up worth it.”
    • “The story is incredibly simple and doesn't even really have a message or meaning; just a vehicle to get you from point A to point B so you can catch more monsters and explore the map.”
    • “The story is bland, cliche, and forgettable, with characters that lack depth and a plot that feels like a rehash of many other games in the genre.”
  • gameplay1,002 mentions

    The gameplay of *Monster Sanctuary* is widely praised for its depth and complexity, combining elements of turn-based combat, monster collection, and metroidvania exploration. Players enjoy the strategic team-building mechanics, intricate skill trees, and the unique 3v3 battle system that encourages experimentation and tactical planning. While some find the learning curve steep and the platforming aspects less engaging, the overall consensus highlights a rewarding gameplay experience that surpasses traditional monster-collecting games like Pokémon.

    • “If you enjoyed building teams for competitive battle, Monster Sanctuary has very well-designed mechanics and monster skills that will have you experimenting with the entire roster to find your ultimate team.”
    • “Deep and well-designed mechanics that really encourage tactical play at high levels and allow for lots of great synergistic team-building.”
    • “The gameplay is the perfect mix between simple and complicated; it is very easy to get the hang of it but it also has great depth.”
    • “The aesthetics are cute and interesting, but who has the time to waste on a game for how quirky it looks when the mechanics are immensely bland, boring, and unimaginative?”
    • “The gameplay is so slick and streamlined, especially with the option to speed up battles, but the combat becomes very stale and monster encounters become a chore.”
    • “The game gets quite repetitive really fast, and the gameplay doesn't really deserve more.”
  • music556 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its charm and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly in later areas. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, especially during extended play sessions, with a limited number of battle themes leading to monotony. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, it could benefit from greater variety and memorability.

    • “The music is fantastic and the monsters are pretty unique and each serve their own purpose.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the gameplay always has more to do, and I can't get enough of all the different strategies that every single monster contributes to the game.”
    • “The music is great, the art is charming, the challenge is there and the game does not penalize you.”
    • “But it can get stale hearing the same music on loop and running around forever.”
    • “The absolute worst thing about the game is the music, which is always playing, is far too short so you hear it loop constantly, and is very annoying.”
    • “The music in the first couple areas as well as the battle theme are honestly just not very good.”
  • graphics418 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which many players find beautiful and nostalgic, reminiscent of classic 16-bit games. The visuals are noted for their fluid animations and cohesive design, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience. While some critiques mention a lack of variety in environments, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail in character and monster designs are highlighted as standout features.

    • “The pixel graphics look gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics and art are beautiful and fluid, and the fighting is intuitive and actually fun.”
    • “The pixel graphics are charming, and the sound effects are punchy and satisfying.”
    • “The only zone I liked was the forgotten world, since it had way more creative graphics and the mushrooms as platforms were a cute idea compared to the bland repetitiveness of the other areas.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
  • grinding412 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the late game. While some appreciate the game's mechanics that minimize grinding, such as monsters hatching at levels close to the player's highest, others feel that the need for grinding to optimize team compositions and gather resources can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as having a balance of grinding that may appeal to dedicated players but can frustrate those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “Surprisingly not grindy for a game that has levels and a lot of monsters.”
    • “Encounters are visible while walking around and you can avoid them most of the time, so exploring isn't tedious.”
    • “Your new creatures start close to your max level, no grinding, very pleasant.”
    • “The game started out ok and I love the art style, but the game is too grindy and the mechanics get old.”
    • “I went ahead and got every achievement of the game, because apart from the atrocious 6 vs 6 battles in the story and the amount of grinding needed to upgrade equipment, the game can actually be fun.”
    • “The end game is an absolute grindy chore, and destroyed my enjoyment and just left me feeling frustrated.”
  • replayability107 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, enhanced by features such as New Game+, randomizer modes, and various challenge options like permadeath and nuzlocke-style runs. Players appreciate the non-linear gameplay, diverse monster viability, and team-building mechanics, which encourage multiple playthroughs with different strategies and team compositions. Overall, the combination of engaging mechanics and additional modes provides a rich and varied experience that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “The game also has inbuilt new game+ and randomizer options, as well as a few other challenge options, allowing for quite the replay value.”
    • “Thanks to the non-linearity, the fact that nearly every monster is viable, and the alternate game modes, it has lots of replay value.”
    • “The new game+ features are an awesome bonus and having other modes such as randomizer and permadeath also make the replayability endless.”
    • “While the storyline does not change, the variability in your monster teams makes it immensely replayable.”
    • “There's not quite enough variety in monsters to provide a lot of long-term replayability, but it's worth the asking price for the first playthrough alone.”
    • “The game does have some replayability, but I burnt out after the 6th new game.”
  • optimization39 mentions

    Monster Sanctuary offers a robust optimization system that encourages players to refine their team compositions and strategies to maximize performance in battles, as loot and rewards are directly tied to how well players execute their tactics. While the game allows for experimentation with various monster builds, achieving optimal performance often requires a deep understanding of synergies and skill trees, which can feel overwhelming at times. Overall, the game runs smoothly with minor graphical issues, providing a satisfying experience for those who enjoy strategic team optimization.

    • “With a unique 3-on-3 monster battling system that boasts some of the most intricately crafted turn-based mechanics of the genre, you'll find yourself refining your strategies and exploring skill trees to maximize your performance in battle to get the best drops possible.”
    • “Combat also has a mechanic that ranks your performance after each fight, and earning a five-star rating in a battle will force rare items to drop, which is a really nice incentive to really explore the creature skills and gear, and build your perfect team.”
    • “Monster Sanctuary's optional and post-game content demands optimized team building and getting into the meta.”
    • “On the one hand, that does encourage some experimentation until you find a strategy/team that works best for you, but on the other hand, it does mean that unless you want to re-run that optimization 100 times over throughout the game, you are going to end up capturing creatures you won't ever bother even looking at because the time sink to learn/adapt each one's full skill tree is pretty massive.”
    • “Personally, I'm not a big fan of the battle score system because you get basically nothing if you don't consistently achieve 5-star battles, which usually requires a fairly well-optimized party.”
  • humor27 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the quirky and funny monster designs, as well as the ironic and cliche character interactions that add a layer of comedic charm. Many reviews highlight the amusing gameplay mechanics and the entertaining dialogue, which contribute to an overall lighthearted and enjoyable experience. The blend of humor with strategic gameplay keeps players engaged and laughing throughout their adventure.

    • “The story is okay, the characters are so cliché and stupid they become funny in an ironic way.”
    • “I tried to play this game like a Pokémon game only to get my whole glass cannon team bodied by a funny gorilla dude with a goat head.”
    • “The side characters are a bit bland, but the main NPCs are very fun to talk with, and the conversations can get pretty funny at times.”
  • atmosphere24 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive quality, with hand-crafted landscapes and a diverse musical score that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the distinct atmospheres of various regions, from lush forests to somber underworlds, complemented by vibrant artwork and fluid animations. While some find certain areas a bit generic, the overall ambiance effectively transports players into a captivating fantasy world, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The musical score deserves praise as well, seamlessly blending with the game's atmosphere and enhancing the sense of wonder as you traverse through diverse realms.”
    • “The soundtrack, a beautiful symphony of chiptunes, complements the atmosphere perfectly, further immersing me in the game world.”
    • “However, it does tend to get a bit generic most of the time, which might add to the feeling of comfort, but my favorite moments were when the game tried something new, like the Asian-inspired sun palace where you journeyed into its aqueducts to raise a tower into the sky, or the sickly, somber atmosphere of the underworld, refreshingly not the brimstone kind.”
    • “I wish there was more atmosphere to each location.”
    • “The atmosphere set by the scenery and music really manages to 'transport' the player to the game's fantasy world, and get them excited to go on an adventure with some monster pals.”
  • emotional21 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding the narrative lacking depth and emotional engagement, leading to a sense of tedium. While there are heartfelt moments and a wholesome community, many felt that the emotional connections to characters and storylines were rare, resulting in a bittersweet experience that left some players feeling more relieved than fulfilled upon completion. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable mechanics and community support, but struggles to deliver a consistently engaging emotional journey.

    • “I genuinely shed a tear when I beat the final boss because I knew I was about to be done with the storyline.”
    • “It wasn't the most innovative narrative, but it was heartfelt and served its purpose in driving the exploration and battles.”
    • “This made me feel much more involved and invested in my monsters’ development than I ever did in Pokémon, and lends more credence to the idea you are actually training them.”
    • “I wish I liked this game more; the story is very boring, and the environments make it a slog to play.”
    • “The emotional depth is lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters.”
    • “I expected a gripping narrative, but instead, I found it to be flat and uninspiring.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably inconsistent, with some characters receiving meaningful growth, particularly rivals and main antagonists, while many others lack depth and backstory, leading to a disconnect in emotional engagement. While the character designs are praised for their charm and appeal, the overall narrative fails to provide sufficient development for a majority of the cast, resulting in missed opportunities for impactful storytelling.

    • “2 of these friends, especially your asshole 'rival' gets pretty good, solid character development.”
    • “Will actually gets a decent amount of character development and screen time.”
    • “And the story is actually quite engaging, with decent character development for your rivals and main antagonists, and a couple of neat plot twists here and there.”
    • “Something happens, so I'm supposed to care because everyone else in the game does, but there isn't any character development to get me to try to care.”
    • “There is an attempt at some character development, but it's grating.”
    • “For example, at one point there is a revelation about a family member of an NPC you meet at the beginning of the game - introducing some information about them beforehand in the game would've given some impact to the revelation and created character development for the NPC, which was otherwise very lacking.”
  • stability14 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting no significant bugs or glitches, even on low-end systems. However, some users note that being in early access means there are still occasional minor issues and potential for more serious bugs that could affect save files. Despite these concerns, the game is described as smooth and well-polished, making it a solid experience for most players.

    • “It runs great on low-end systems too.”
    • “New content is not buggy and feels clean and finished.”
    • “Although it's early access, what's there is perfectly playable, bug-free, and well-polished.”
    • “> Early access, so there are still a number of bugs/glitches and many of them can soft-lock your save file or game progress.”
    • “Bugs and glitches can be very frustrating or disheartening, especially if they're the kind that can ruin an entire save file, but from my experience the devs are more than willing to respond and help fix these issues.”
    • “While still in early access, I have yet to encounter any bugs, glitches, crashes, or instances of gross game balance issues.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    Monster Sanctuary is praised for its lack of monetization schemes, such as loot boxes and microtransactions, which allows players to enjoy the game without the pressure of additional costs. This focus on quality over profit-driven tactics is highlighted as a refreshing change in an industry increasingly dominated by monetization strategies from larger publishers. Overall, players appreciate the game's integrity and the depth it offers without financial barriers.

    • “No loot boxes or monetization system, nice PvE, nice personalization.”
    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “Over the past decade or so, the video game industry has shifted from making quality games to making monetization schemes with operant conditioning systems attached.”
    • “As the big AAA publishers pivot toward monetization, the job of producing quality has fallen on the small studios and independent devs. As a customer, you'll get more of whatever you pay for - whether that's huge corporations pinching off an Anthem or Fallout 76 and then trying to put their hands in your pocket, or two nobodies producing a superior product out of their garage.”
    • “It's not infected with loot boxes and microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

29hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
15-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 56 analyzed playthroughs

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