Monster Lab

 DS
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
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  1. AJCk19
    Aug 2, 2023
    8
    We actually have a contender to the big 3 when it comes to handheld virtual pets (pokemon, digimon, monster rancher). This is a turned based wrpg where you create your monster similar to Armored Core style, except with not as many parts, but you combine items to make them. Every single time you do this, you will have to play a mini game. Which is where the ds control scheme comes muchWe actually have a contender to the big 3 when it comes to handheld virtual pets (pokemon, digimon, monster rancher). This is a turned based wrpg where you create your monster similar to Armored Core style, except with not as many parts, but you combine items to make them. Every single time you do this, you will have to play a mini game. Which is where the ds control scheme comes much more in handy than the wii and ps2. These mini games can effect the stats of your final product. As a heads up, you can't really draw or color your parts, they are just as is.

    Speaking of mini games, the game is littered with them. Some easy and some hard, but none the less it is a nice change of pace from consistent battling. When you complete these mini games you get parts and when you defeat monsters you get parts as well. You can create as many monsters as you want, but you can only have active control of one at a time. Keep in mind each monster part has different attributes, attacks, and sometimes come with defense capabilities. The attributes in this game is mechanical, alchemy, and biology. Mechanical is strong against biological, biological is strong against alchemy, and alchemy is strong against mechanical.

    You win a battle by depleting the hp of the body or depleting the hp of all other parts (head, right arm, left arm, legs). Depending on your monster abilities, he/she can attack certain body parts. When a part gets depleted the other monster is not able to use any attacks related to it and if legs get depleted you can no longer FLEE. Each action in battle takes up energy and your robot has a overall energy pool. If you don't have enough energy to perform a action you can recharge or choose to dodge with a little recharge. The only way to recharge health is to head back to base or play a repair mini game at the end of each battle.

    Also, to get a since of how you get around. You actually don't get to see your avatar like in other virtual pet games. You don't even get to walk around. Everything is in first person perspective, with "click this button to go to this room." Kind of similar to the magical school bus. There are about 6 areas you can go to. Once you get to a area, it will have a monopoly board like view of which your robot walks on into different points.

    The other downsides about this game that haven't been mentioned is the low production quality. Honestly, if they had a triple A budget this game could have been a hit. It also would have been nice if they had more attributes based on science instead of only the current 3. You should expect yourself to beat this game under 20 hours. I still recommend to buy this game because it is definitely a hidden gem for your DS library.    … Expand
  2. broken
    Jan 23, 2023
    9
    Very good game underrated. Can be challenging at some mini game or boss if you don't properly craft your monster. Definitively not a game for kids.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best DS Game of 2008
81
#81 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
46
#46 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Boomtown
    70
    The big problem Monster Lab DS has is that, not only does it not play to its own considerable strengths, it actually conceals, distracts from and ignores the very things that stand to make it potentially outstanding.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    62
    It's too bad the stylus-intensive mini-games get in the way too often, giving Monster Lab the air of more of an interactive activity book than an entertaining gaming experience.
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  3. Nintendo Power
    80
    The battles are perhaps a little too easy early on and the AI-controlled enemies are not very savvy, but a slew of fairly challenging minigames(which net you ingredients needed to make more monster parts)will keep your interest piqued while the rest of the game ramps up. [Holiday 2008, p.87]
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