Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 40 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Game Cover
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In "Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World," players join Asha and her flying companion Pepelogoo on a mission to save their world from a grave threat. Featuring side-scrolling action that is both lighthearted and challenging, players must work with Pepelogoo to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in their quest to become heroes. The game offers a variety of action-packed levels for an exciting adventure.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews
graphics7 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • A very faithful and polished remake of the Genesis classic, with vibrant graphics and a catchy soundtrack.
  • Quality-of-life improvements, such as the ability to save anywhere and carry multiple life potions, enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The game features memorable characters and enjoyable animations, making it a charming experience for fans of the series.
  • The game suffers from clunky controls and some animation flaws, which detract from the overall experience.
  • Many players found the gameplay to be simplistic and lacking in depth, with a short playtime of only 3-4 hours.
  • The remake is criticized for being too faithful to the original, missing opportunities for meaningful improvements and modern gameplay elements.
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising their charm and quality, describing them as bright, beautiful, and cute. However, several users expressed disappointment over the lack of customization options and full monitor support, suggesting that while the visuals are appealing, they do not fully elevate the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight, but they fall short in providing modern enhancements expected from a remake.

    • “The game is fun, with great graphics and catchy music.”
    • “The graphics were bright, beautiful, and razor-sharp; however, like so many titles recently I cannot understand how or why the developers did not allow full 16:9 monitor support.”
    • “This was such a charming revisit that enhanced the story and characters with the new visuals and adorable voice acting.”
    • “This was supposed to be a remake of a 16-bit game, but it feels like an 8-bit game with fancy graphics.”
    • “If you wanted graphics options, sorry but there aren't any.”
    • “Despite the rough visuals of the game, the controls never really feel as stiff as you'd think from looking at footage of it, which was honestly surprising.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the catchy and interesting tracks, particularly the original soundtrack's experimentation with odd time signatures. However, others noted that the music can feel repetitive and sometimes doesn't fit the game's scenarios, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it may not fully satisfy all players, especially those comparing it to other remakes.

    • “The original soundtrack was already really solid, with a lot of really interesting tracks featuring neat experimentation like odd time signatures, which helps keep them engaging despite many sharing the game's main leitmotif.”
    • “Very nice remake, fun with a catchy soundtrack.”
    • “The game is fun, with great graphics and catchy music.”
    • “Sometimes, the music doesn't entirely fit with the scenario, and other times it feels like you are listening to the same track throughout most of the game.”
    • “It does have similar visuals, music, and gameplay, but that's about where it ends.”
    • “Aimw is first and foremost a remake of a 1994 game; the differences and upgrades are nothing out of this world, but they do make for a smoother experience.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay of the original game has been criticized for its frustrating mechanics, particularly during boss fights, while the remake attempts to address these issues with quality-of-life improvements and new gameplay additions. Despite some positive aspects, such as solid progression and enjoyable boss encounters, many players feel it falls short compared to the more acclaimed "Dragon's Trap" remake. Overall, while the gameplay is generally solid, it lacks the unique enjoyment and polish found in other entries in the series.

    • “The gameplay is solid, the progression is solid, the bosses are solid.”
    • “And the quality of life and new gameplay additions also add to the experience; both versions of Asha and Pepe's journey are my favorites in the Wonder Boy series. I enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to replaying.”
    • “Let's discuss some remake changes that the developers included to try to improve the gameplay, rather than aesthetic.”
    • “The main problem lies in the gameplay of the original game.”
    • “The idea of bouncing off enemies while taking no damage is an annoying mechanic that gets you boxed in during some boss fights; the ice wizard boss feels especially dated as a 'last one to lose all health' challenge.”
    • “This is nothing to complain about, but most would probably agree that the dragon's trap is still infinitely better than this in terms of gameplay.”
  • story4 mentions

    The story of the game is characterized by light fantasy elements and minimal depth, similar to its predecessor, but it stands out for its charming narrative and humorous moments. The remake enhances the original's plot and characters through improved visuals and voice acting, providing a satisfying and nostalgic experience for players. Overall, it offers a short yet enjoyable journey that concludes the Wonder Boy saga effectively.

    • “Truth be told, it is also my second favorite in the Wonder Boy/Monster World franchise ('Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap' is still #1 to me) and I had fun reliving Asha's epic quest all over again.”
    • “Judging the game as a purely retro game, it really stands out as one with excellent controls, a short but satisfying plot full of humorous moments and a bit of seriousness, and the closure of the Wonder Boy saga.”
    • “This was such a charming revisit that enhanced the story and characters with the new visuals and adorable voice acting.”
    • “When you compare this remake to its original, the kind of light fantasy storytelling with minimal depth is mutual between them.”
    • “This was such a charming revisit that enhanced the story and characters with the new visuals and adorable voice acting.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    The grinding in the game is characterized by a lack of engaging content, with few levels that feel stretched out through tedious combat and excessive backtracking. Players find the experience frustrating, as the combat can be either mindless or monotonous, and the need to reload saves after mistakes adds to the overall tedium.

    • “The game has few levels, but pads time within each level: there is a tutorial level, four tedious and mostly boring main levels, some decent intermittent action in the town, and the final level.”
    • “Combat and progression are especially hit and miss, as enemies are usually either mindless or tedious to fight through.”
    • “It's tedious to load the previous save, but it is also devastating to waste all the elixirs collected in the early game on an arguably easy segment you are learning because the pepelogoo feels like it.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring a satisfying plot that balances comedic moments with a touch of seriousness, enhancing the overall retro experience. Players appreciate the cleverness of the humor, which contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “Funny enough, I got the first passcode correct by accident on the first try.”
    • “Judging the game as a purely retro game, it really stands out with excellent controls, a short but satisfying plot full of humorous moments, and a bit of seriousness that provides closure to the Wonder Boy saga.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its overwhelming cuteness and wholesomeness, creating a lighthearted atmosphere. However, some players noted a confusing translation issue that detracted from the overall experience.

    • “A super easy platformer overloaded with cuteness and wholesomeness.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has limited replayability, with a short playtime of only 3-4 hours and little incentive to revisit once completed.

    • “This is a big no-no, and one cannot confuse this with replayability.”
    • “Remember, the game is only 3-4 hours long and has basically no replay value.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the developers for successfully revitalizing the game's atmosphere, especially in the 2.5D areas, which enhance the overall experience and provide engaging platforming elements.

    • “The developers did a fantastic job of enhancing the original game's atmosphere, particularly in the 2.5D areas, which create an engaging platforming experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing players into a beautifully crafted world filled with detail and charm.”
    • “Every element of the environment contributes to a rich and captivating atmosphere that keeps players enthralled throughout their journey.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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