Monstro: Battle Tactics
- September 1, 2014
- Retrocade.net
Get on SteamMonstro takes the traditional tRPG gameplay and reconstructs it into a completely deterministic, logical experience with a twist of tactics. All of this is spiced up with ridiculous, tongue-in-cheek lore and approachable difficulty.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Monstro: Battle Tactics features excellent tactical gameplay with a focus on puzzle-solving, offering a variety of challenges across multiple campaigns.
- The game boasts charming graphics, humorous writing, and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Players appreciate the lack of RNG, allowing for strategic planning and the ability to undo moves, making it accessible for both casual and dedicated puzzle enthusiasts.
- The game lacks character progression and RPG elements, which may disappoint players seeking a deeper narrative or character development.
- Some levels can feel unfair or overly difficult, leading to trial-and-error gameplay rather than pure puzzle-solving.
- There are minor technical issues, such as missing apostrophes and typos, as well as a desire for audio to mute when the game is minimized.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by straightforward tactics-style mechanics integrated into a puzzle format, showcasing a unique blend of creativity. However, it may not satisfy players seeking a deeper strategic experience akin to traditional titles like Fire Emblem, and some mechanics, such as the pause feature during enemy attacks, could detract from the overall flow. Overall, the game's brevity and innovative approach are highlighted as its key strengths.
“That brevity may in fact be this game's greatest gameplay strength.”
“Having said most of what I can say about the gameplay, I feel like special mention must be made of the creativity on display.”
“The type of gameplay on display here would not appeal to everybody; those looking for a strategy game of more substance - especially if one is after that elusive PC equivalent to a proper Fire Emblem game - would be soundly disappointed.”
“One mechanic I'd definitely recommend turning off is the one where when enemies attack your units, it pauses the game and you have to click for the attack to go through.”
“This is really a puzzle game using some mechanics from tactics-style games.”
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and serves primarily as a humorous backdrop, poking fun at traditional tactics games rather than providing a deep narrative or character development. While some players found the lighthearted approach amusing, those seeking a substantial storyline will likely be disappointed. Overall, the story is entertaining in a superficial way but lacks depth.
“Story: somewhat amusing story which I did not expect at all.”
“It's entertaining and I chuckled at several of them, but if you're looking for an engaging storyline with deep characterization, this isn't it.”
“I don't mean an actual plot because there is barely a story, there aren't really characters and stuff, but the overarching narrative basically makes fun of tactics style games.”
“Unlike many strategy games, you won't find much of a story here.”
“There's an excuse plot for why these monsters and humans are fighting each other, and it's not taken seriously at all.”
“I don't mean an actual plot because there is barely a story; there aren't really characters, and the overarching narrative basically makes fun of tactics-style games.”
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, fitting the overall mood and enhancing the experience, though it can become distracting during fast-paced gameplay. Players appreciate the pleasant soundtrack and the availability of a free soundtrack DLC, which complements the game's humorous writing and graphics. Overall, the audio elements contribute positively to the tactical gameplay, despite some minimalistic audio settings.
“An excellent tactical game with funny writing, pleasant graphics, and music (don't forget to grab the free soundtrack DLC), volume sliders, speed settings, zoom in/out, and plenty of challenges in achievement form if simply completing the 4 campaigns (20 levels each, plus 8 tutorial levels) on their own isn't enough.”
“Tl;dr it's pretty and has neat music; go give it a try if you want to unrustle your gray matter a little~”
“General graphics/audio: very barebones, you basically get to toggle fullscreen, lighting & shadows (I have no idea why in the hell anybody would turn off lighting and shadows unless they were trying to run this on a rig from 20 years ago), music and SFX.”
“The music fits the general mood of the game quite well, and I absolutely love the writing on display at the start of every map - the sardonic narrator constantly going on about how these battles are ultimately the work of skygods in search of cheap entertainment, while gleefully trivializing the actual fight.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their vibrant sprite-and-tile artwork, featuring bold colors and distinct designs that enhance the visual experience. While some users note the overall graphics and audio options are quite basic, the pleasant aesthetics and engaging environments, such as lush grass and icy tiles, contribute positively to the gameplay.
“The sprite-and-tile artwork of the game is fantastic, with a nice bold choice of color, sprites that don't just sink into the background, lush grass tiles and chilly ice tiles and everything else in between.”
“An excellent tactical game with funny writing, pleasant graphics and music (don't forget to grab the free soundtrack DLC), volume sliders, speed settings, zoom in/out, and plenty of challenges in achievement form if simply completing the 4 campaigns (20 levels each, plus 8 tutorial levels) on their own isn't enough.”
“The graphics are vibrant and engaging, making the game visually appealing and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The graphics are very barebones; you basically get to toggle fullscreen, lighting, and shadows. I have no idea why anyone would turn off lighting and shadows unless they were trying to run this on a rig from 20 years ago.”
“The graphics are extremely simplistic, offering minimal options for customization. It feels like a game from a bygone era.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humorous writing, which adds a delightful touch to the tactical gameplay experience. Players also appreciate the combination of pleasant graphics and music, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
“An excellent tactical game with funny writing, pleasant graphics, and music (don't forget to grab the free soundtrack DLC).”
“The humor in the game adds a delightful layer to the tactical gameplay, making each level enjoyable.”
“The witty dialogue and humorous scenarios keep the gameplay light-hearted and entertaining.”
