Monster Tale

Monster Tale is a must-have for anyone who loves either the 2D Mega Man, Metroid, and "MetroidVania" games.

Unless your game library must be free of anything resembling a kids' title, you must have Monster Tale in your DS collection.

It's a simple, cartoony design that pulls together the fantasy world the developers have created, and it works really well. All in all, this is not a game to be missed if you're not ready to abandon your well-worn DS for the shiny new 3D version.

Monster Tale introduces a deep, satisfying facet of gameplay into one of the most tried and true formulas in gaming history. There are parts where it feels like it's a slave to the ancient ways of backtracking and suspiciously-placed save points, but none of the sore spots are pronounced enough to cause any serious problems.

This is a game that has clearly been crafted with love and respect for what video gaming is.

Assuming you know what you're getting into -- namely, a meaty and occasionally tough action platformer in the 16-bit vein -- there's a lot to love about Monster Tale. It's brimming with detail; the monster evolution mechanics offer plenty of customization and variety; and all in all it's a wonderful homage to the classic games that clearly inspired it.

A solid mix of platforming and virtual-pet raising, but with a bit too much step-retracing. [May 2011, p.57]

Monster Tale is a whimsical, colorful 2D adventure that's sure to please with its engaging combination of exploration, pet raising, and action.

One thing I did not like about Monster Tale was the backtracking. You'll revisit each area at least once, and Ellie's not exactly a speed demon. That's okay, though, because the fun of the game's partner mechanic and ease of play far outweigh the annoyance of having to retrace your steps a few times.

Sure, you may grow a little tired of the backtracking after a few hours, but by focusing on upgrading Ellie and Chomp's powers, you'll still have a blast. [March 2011, p.90]

Monster Tale is a fantastic action game stinted by pedestrian exploration. Fortunately, consistently engaging combat and pet evolution systems temper the game's overreliance on backtracking, and its pleasant visuals and soundtrack suit the game well.

A colourful and breezily enjoyable adventure that's impossible to dislike.

Clocking in at roughly eight hours, it's a pretty short ride – padding and all. The constant backtracking became quickly annoying, but the solid mechanics and attention to detail won me over in the end.