Monster Rancher EVO

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Apr 13, 2006
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 4 out of 16
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  1. GameSpy
    70
    It keeps everything that fans love about the series and adds more to the experience. Although gamers looking for a deep experience may find the game lacking in some respects, casual gamers looking for a refreshing adventure won't be disappointed.
  2. Worth Playing
    69
    What we have here is a game that tries to hit all of the bases and instead misses every last one. It doesn't measure up as a Monster Rancher game, it doesn't measure up as a standalone RPG, and it doesn't measure up as a worthwhile PlayStation 2 title so far into the system's run.
  3. IGN
    65
    Trying to grow the concept of the Monster Rancher series is a fine idea, but an unbalanced system of monster upgrades, minimizing the core franchise concept of tournaments and skewing the difficulty level thanks to the "RPG-like" adventure stages isn't the best way to do it.
  5. eToychest
    65
    While it is still possible to enjoy the game on its merits, the player can expect to be frustrated by long hours of tedium thanks to the problems with the breeding system.
  6. GameSpot
    64
    It's true that the series wasn't gaining a lot of momentum before, but in its new form, Monster Rancher EVO dilutes the basic activities that made Monster Rancher endearing in the first place, and it's not particularly great as an RPG, either.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    62
    Monster Rancher EVO may continue to please hardcore fans of the series but it's doubtful that it will recruit many new fans, especially if they've played any of the previous four games.
  8. DarkStation
    60
    Neat ability to create monsters from discs, but repetitive gameplay will please only its hardcore fans.
  9. GamingTrend
    59
    Unless you have the patience of a monk, you’ll be better off getting one of the previous games in the series and playing that.
  10. Deeko
    55
    It offered up an RPG element, a deeper plotline and the chance to take monsters on more interesting adventures; however, it didn't do any of these things WELL and worse than that, it seemed to remove many of the elements that made the originals so damn fun to play.
  11. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    Monster Rancher Evo would've easily succeded in attempting to build a stronger RPG element, but as it stands, the game just falls short of offering a complete RPG experience. [July 2006, p.75]
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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. Wheelchair
    Apr 8, 2008
    4
    As a die-hard fan of the Monster Rancher series, I practically cried after I actually got to playing this. The first few hours were fun, butAs a die-hard fan of the Monster Rancher series, I practically cried after I actually got to playing this. The first few hours were fun, but that's only because I spent them resurrecting monsters from discs, and even that is lacking due to the pitiful number of monsters in this game. The characters were practically made of paper, and the villians scream "Team Rocket". The entire story of the game seemed thrown together at the last minute, and they completely dissected the concepts of training, raising, and battling monsters. Why would Tecmo do this? Now none of the good, new MR games(MRDS and MRO) will make it here.… Full Review »
  2. JerimiahW.
    Oct 3, 2006
    3
    I completly agree with KoriDragonic, and I'm very disapointed; this is for everyone, I have been a Monster Rancher fan from the I completly agree with KoriDragonic, and I'm very disapointed; this is for everyone, I have been a Monster Rancher fan from the begining, and this game at best! deserves to be titled "MR kids edition". Please do not do this again Tecmo; knowing what I know now, I wouldnt want this game if it was givin to me.… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Jun 12, 2006
    7
    Don't get this game if you can't handle RPGs. Just one thing to say...this game is a total change from the other monster ranchers Don't get this game if you can't handle RPGs. Just one thing to say...this game is a total change from the other monster ranchers but I think it is for the better.… Full Review »
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