Monster Rancher 4

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2003
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. Into Liquid Sky
    100
    You'll get out of it what you put in. You can get into the game fairly quickly, but the real rewards come from investing time in the exploration and monster-developing aspects of the game.
  2. GamingTrend
    90
    This iteration of the franchise makes a multitude of improvements on an already great formula, and they’ve made gold… Pure gold.
  3. Armchair Empire
    87
    RPG fan or not, Monster Rancher 4 gives everybody a little taste of something.
  5. IGN
    85
    From the enhanced battle system and refined training regiment to an all-out RPG story mode and altered visual approach, it's a much different game than its predecessor. But more importantly, it's a whole lot of fun.
  6. Game Chronicles
    85
    The innovative monster-creating facet alone will surely entertain for hours and leave a lasting impression on any newcomers to the series.
  7. Deeko
    85
    Though the graphics leave a bit to be desired, the soundtrack is dull beyond belief and the menu systems are a bit difficult to simply pick up and play, the overall game mechanics are rock solid and the advancements made to the series are incredible and well thought out.
  8. GameZone
    84
    The overall element remains intact … train, fight, adventure ... but you can also do more personal area customization and once again cross breed which can add hours and hours to the gameplay.
  9. GameNow
    83
    The coolest addition is the ability to raise more than one monster at once, adding a level of strategy to picking the monster you enter in a particular competition. [Jan 2004, p.60]
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  10. Game Informer
    83
    Holding true to its heritage, Monster Rancher 4 is a wildly addictive game that is capable of sucking away your life in no time flat. [Dec 2003, p.145]
  11. Cheat Code Central
    80
    More engaging and just like the monsters that it features, it's an evolution in progress.
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  12. GamePro
    80
    While the story line is relayed in a disappointing series of 2D images and conversation captions (no animated cut-scenes or voice acting), and even the fights don't push the PS2 to its graphical limit, the interactive gameplay is entertaining enough to make up for it.
  13. PSM Magazine
    80
    The best Monster Rancher yet, with more RPG elements. [Holiday 2003, p.40]
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  14. GameCritics
    80
    I hate Monster Rancher. No other series turns me into such a complete vegetable, helpless to do anything but sit in front of my PlayStation 2 devoting hours upon hours the way this one does.
  15. Game Over Online
    77
    The game lacks the necessary bells and whistles that contemporary gamers have come to expect from their digital entertainment but it’s hard not to like MR4’s simplistic, RPG style, monster fighting mechanics nonetheless.
  16. GameSpot
    74
    The series is definitely starting to show its age, at this point, and only a fan could overlook some of the game's shortcomings. In the end, however, the formula still works.
  17. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Although it boasts a host of innovations that are supposed to set it a breed apart from its predecessor, Monster Rancher 4 never captured me in the way MR3 did.
  18. GMR Magazine
    70
    By upping the number of creatures in a stable, Tecmo has dramatically quickened the game's pace, with only a minimal trade-off in terms of the number of menus a trainer must plod through. [Jan 2004, p.60]
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  19. eToychest
    70
    A great game that is held back by a few problems, and a training system that will push your average gamer.
  20. GamerFeed
    70
    It grew on me! MR4's an addictive battle monster game that's amazingly deep and a lot of fun.
  21. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    63
    It's still Monster Rancher, though, and it's still great for fans like me, but it's not the step forward I was craving. [Jan 2004, p.142]
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  22. Edge Magazine
    40
    With no real sense of connection with your monsters, or of engagement with the clumsily delivered plot, there is little here to help the game overcome its tendency towards charmless, chore-based repetition. [Jan 2004, p.106]
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Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best PS2 Game of 2003
83
#83 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27
  1. iKen
    Apr 14, 2020
    8
    Played on PlayStation 2.
    Gameplay: GREAT.
    Story: GOOD.
    Graphic: GOOD.
    Music/Sound: GREAT.
    Dialogue: GOOD.
  2. shootingstars99
    Aug 29, 2019
    10
    This is the best monster collection series, bar none, and has been for years. It's way better than Digimon, Pokemon, Neopets or the demonThis is the best monster collection series, bar none, and has been for years. It's way better than Digimon, Pokemon, Neopets or the demon collecting in the Shin Megami Tensei series of games. This game is an absolute blast! Being able to raise multiple monsters can be somewhat of a challenge at first, but the game is all about finding the balance between raising a strong monster, and raising the strength of your bond with said monsters.

    The battle system is creative, and learning which attack range is your monster's strong suit and maintaining distance and staying out of your opponent's optimal range is something akin to a fighting game. The tournament aspect of the game is really fun, and keeps the game from being just a pet raising simulator. The adventure mode is also a blast, it nets you new skills and traits, and also feels like a cool RPG dungeon crawler.

    Also, the disk reading system for creating new monsters to this day still blows my mind. Going through your CD and game catalog to see what monsters you end up with is super fun and a welcomed system to the game (If you own any other Tecmo games, you will probably find some sweet easter eggs if you pop them in)!

    This game does a bunch of different styles, and does them all just right, this a game you can come back to for years upon years and it still feels fresh.    … Full Review »
  3. JoeK.
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Great Game! I love how in boss battles there are team moves and i love riding the monsters I also really like how the the combinations Great Game! I love how in boss battles there are team moves and i love riding the monsters I also really like how the the combinations (Naga/Plant) have more varying features I suggest buying this game.… Full Review »
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