Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 49 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

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews
graphics8 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features bright and colorful 3D graphics, along with expressive animations that enhance the overall experience.
  • It is a faithful and polished remake of the original Monster World IV, with quality-of-life improvements such as the ability to save anywhere and carry multiple life potions.
  • The soundtrack is enjoyable, with both remixed and original music options available, adding to the nostalgic charm of the game.
  • The gameplay can feel simplistic and lacks depth, with some players finding it too easy and linear compared to modern platformers.
  • Certain design choices, such as long animations and clunky controls, detract from the overall experience, making it feel dated.
  • The game is relatively short, taking only 3-4 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their bright, colorful, and cartoonish aesthetic, which enhances the overall charm and appeal. While many reviewers appreciate the vibrant visuals and expressive animations, some express disappointment over the lack of graphical options and enhancements, feeling that the visuals, though improved from the original, do not fully capitalize on modern capabilities. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's experience, making it visually engaging despite some critiques regarding depth and options.

    • “The new 3D polygon graphics are bright and colorful, and Asha's expressive animations will put a big smile on your face while you play.”
    • “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.”
    • “The new art style for the remake features a striking color palette, which, along with the simple character designs and new cutscenes, makes it feel like playing a cartoon.”
    • “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.”
    • “This was supposed to be a remake of a 16-bit game, but it feels like an 8-bit game with fancy graphics.”
    • “Graphics are nothing special but are improved from the original game.”
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered soundtrack for its pleasantness and fidelity to the original Mega Drive tracks. While some players appreciate the catchy melodies and experimentation in the compositions, others feel that the repetition of motifs and limited variety can detract from the experience, especially in longer play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, though it may not fully resonate with everyone.

    • “The new arranged music is also wonderful.”
    • “Very pleasant to listen to and accurate to the original songs from the Mega Drive version.”
    • “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.”
    • “The original soundtrack was already really solid, with a lot of really interesting tracks with neat experimentation like odd time signatures, which helps keep them interesting despite a lot of them sharing the game's main leitmotif.”
    • “For the most part that is okay if the game has several songs it can switch between for different areas and you don't stay too long in one area (unfortunately, this happens a few times in the game).”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay is generally solid, with responsive controls and enjoyable progression, though some mechanics, like bouncing off enemies, can be frustrating during boss fights. While the remake introduces quality-of-life improvements and a unique companion mechanic, many players feel it doesn't quite match the gameplay experience of the previous title, "Dragon's Trap." Overall, the nostalgic charm and new gameplay elements contribute positively, but some aspects may feel dated or less engaging compared to earlier entries in the series.

    • “As for the gameplay itself, everything controls as it should.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, the progression is solid, the bosses are solid.”
    • “Perhaps the most unique aspect of the gameplay is the introduction of a companion, a blue creature called a pepelogoo, who allows you to glide, double jump and solve a number of interesting puzzles.”
    • “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.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story of "Asha in Monster World" is characterized by its light fantasy elements and straightforward narrative, focusing on Asha's quest to free four spirits from evil forces. While the plot lacks depth, it is enhanced by charming visuals, adorable voice acting, and humorous moments, making it a nostalgic and enjoyable experience for players. Overall, the simplicity of the story allows for a fun platforming adventure without the burden of complex twists or relationships.

    • “This was such a charming revisit that enhanced the story and characters with the new visuals and adorable voice acting.”
    • “The straightforward, yet tried and true story, its lovable and cute characters, and the old-fashioned gameplay all add to its nostalgic charm.”
    • “When you compare this remake and its original to the Dragon's Trap and its original, the kind of light fantasy storytelling with minimal depth is mutual between them.”
    • “There is a story in Asha in Monster World, but I never cared much for it - but to my liking they actually kept it super-basic so I didn't need to care about any twists or convoluted relationships to enjoy my Zelda-ish platforming romp.”
    • “Rather than play as the titular 'Wonder Boy', you play as Asha – a girl on a quest to free four spirits confined by evil forces.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with a limited number of levels that extend playtime through repetitive combat and backtracking. The combat often feels unengaging, and the need to reload saves after mistakes adds to the overall annoyance of the grinding experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The second dungeon is tedious backtracking galore and the third dungeon is heavy on puzzles.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game features a blend of humor and seriousness, with a satisfying plot that includes numerous comedic moments. Its characters, including the enemy monsters, are visually amusing and likely to resonate well with younger audiences, enhancing the overall retro gaming experience.

    • “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 in the closure of the Wonder Boy saga.”
    • “The characters, including the enemy monsters, are comedic and funny to look at, which will appeal to many, especially younger audiences.”
    • “Funny enough, I got the first passcode correct by accident on the first try.”
  • emotional2 mentions

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

    • “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 enhancing the game's atmosphere, especially in the 2.5D areas, which contribute to engaging platforming experiences.

    • “The developers did a fantastic job of enhancing the original game's atmosphere, particularly the 2.5D areas, which make for some interesting platforming.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The combination of sound design and visual elements creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you put the game down.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The remake's character development is enhanced by a vibrant new art style and simple designs, complemented by engaging cutscenes that create a cartoon-like experience, enriching the overall narrative and emotional depth of the characters.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming more complex as the plot progresses.”
    • “The interactions between characters are rich and meaningful, making their growth feel authentic and rewarding.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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