Monster Sanctuary

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. The Games Machine
    Dec 8, 2020
    88
    Monster Sanctuary merges a complex turn-based combat RPG we are used to see in big JRPG productions with metroidvania-style exploration and succeeds in both genres. Pixel perfect jumps alternate with tactical battles down to the last hitpoint, and we’ll need the help of our monsters to overcome difficult areas and solve puzzles. Meanwhile, an interesting storyline compels us as we catch enemy eggs, Pokémon style. So many genres mixed in one game, and such a pretty one to boot! Highly recommended.
  2. RPG Fan
    Sep 13, 2024
    87
    Monster Sanctuary has been out a while, but if you missed out on its original release, it’s worth revisiting. The combination of light 2D platforming and turn-based combat is too good to ignore, and the vast number of monsters, skill combinations, and equipment options make it a strategist’s dream. The fact that the whole thing is presented in gorgeous spritework alongside a popping soundtrack only makes this an easier recommendation. Apart from a few minor quibbles around monster organisation and the endgame grind, there are very few weaknesses to the overall package. Do yourself a favor and make house with these cute guys for a while; they’ll give you an awful lot of enjoyment in return.
  3. KeenGamer
    Aug 3, 2022
    80
    Monster Sanctuary doesn’t tread much new ground when it comes to either platforming or monster training. At the same time, it perfectly combines both concepts together to create an experience that is not only fun, but creative. Players can create monster teams however they like without worrying that they are making a terrible mistake, and can come up with their own strategies. While everything else is normal, it’s a good sign that the game sticks to the fundamentals of what makes a game enjoyable.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Jan 4, 2021
    80
    When you then add in the cute pixel art style, and the astoundingly good chiptune soundtrack, Monster Sanctuary not only blurs the lines between genres, but also between modern and old-school games. The story is a little light, but the gameplay is almost perfect, and this is an excellent monster-taming adventure and Metroidvania game all rolled into one.
  6. Noisy Pixel
    Dec 7, 2020
    80
    Monster Sanctuary might not look like any monster-collecting RPG you’ve seen before, but its blend of genres creates a fun and exciting adventure for hours. The more you put into the game, the more you’ll find to love about it. I do wish there were easier ways to track navigation and some additional options to speed up the battles, but this is a genuinely fun game that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
  7. TheGamer
    Dec 7, 2020
    80
    Monster Sanctuary is a Pokémon game smashed together with pixel-art, JRPGs, and Metroidvanias. If that's not a recipe for an indie game hit, then I don't know what is.
  8. PLAY! Zine
    Jan 8, 2021
    70
    Fun and innovative fusion of Metroidvania and monster taming genre with the fast and surprisingly complex turn-based combat system. Coupled with a huge roster of acquirable monsters and over 20h of gameplay, it is well worth its asking price of only 20$.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best PC Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 43
  3. Negative: 3 out of 43
  1. Vecter
    Dec 14, 2020
    10
    This game reminds me that the future of video games belongs to Indy devs. Pure entertainment, smart and fun gameplay, nice DA. Everything youThis game reminds me that the future of video games belongs to Indy devs. Pure entertainment, smart and fun gameplay, nice DA. Everything you want and need. Just buy this game and enjoy.… Full Review »
  2. MaikelDB
    Dec 21, 2020
    10
    Have been playing this game since its early access release, and it's honestly one of the best games i have played this year. The platformingHave been playing this game since its early access release, and it's honestly one of the best games i have played this year. The platforming is easy but fun. The skill tree and battles have so many ways to approach it. The game let's you experiment around, because skill resetters are very cheap. Game is also very balanced even tho there are 101 monsters that are all usable (generation 1 Pokémon only had like 50 usable pokémon). I really hope that with the recent downfall of Pokémon, people pick this game up and give it a try and it gets the attention that it deserves. If you are thinking about buying this game, just do it. You will not regret it.… Full Review »
  3. SeanD
    Jan 14, 2021
    10
    I am compelled to write this review after seeing how this game doesn't have a single critic review over 88. It's very apparent that the criticI am compelled to write this review after seeing how this game doesn't have a single critic review over 88. It's very apparent that the critic reviews have underrated an excellent indie game while they continue to shill for big-budget releases like Pokemon (the latest installments of which, I must say, are terribly shallow and low-effort).

    Monster Sanctuary is a hybrid of a Metroidvania platformer/adventure game and a Japanese style turn-based strategy-rpg. The platformer aspect of the game is done excellently with it being semi-open at places allowing you to experience the game's 'dungeons' in a non-linear manner. And there are various platformer-puzzles located everywhere that reward exploration and out-of-box thinking.

    But the best aspect of the gameplay is the turn-based battle system, which is somewhat similar to Pokemon, but is has a much faster pace. Also, while it doesn't have the sheer variety of monsters, moves and items that Pokemon possesses now in the eighth generation, Monster Sanctuary makes up for it by having much more depth and customizability of each monster. Instead of being limited to four moves, 1 item and 1 ability, here monsters have an entire skill tree each and are able to get around 40 skills, each of which may be an active or passive skill. And during battles 3 monsters of a side are present simultaneously, similar to the now removed triple battles from Pokemon gen 5, which adds more to the strategy as there are much more possibilities of interactions between different skills of different monsters.

    The biggest difference here is that the game does not reward grinding and overlevelling and instead tries to make it easy to switch monsters every battle without the need to grind them as much as in Pokemon. Furthermore, there's a low level cap that is reached by both the player's monsters as well as the one the player encounters, so overlevelling to brute force through everything with little strategy is not possible. There are many quality of life features that such as being able to reset skills for cheap and being able to level monsters upto the level of your highest levelled monster -1. There is also a crafting system to upgrade items. All this means that there's almost never any bad strategic decisions that can't be rectified easily, unlike in other games where you need to put in considerable time to change your character build or in some cases have to restart.

    The graphics are in a Gameboy Advance era pixel-art style, but are still detailed enough and certainly add to the charm of the game. The sound design in nothing to write home about, but it's serviceable. However, the gamplay alone makes this a must-play.    … Full Review »
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