Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 85
  3. Negative: 11 out of 85
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  1. TheDahaka
    Dec 7, 2018
    10
    A superb Metroidvania style platformer and an absolute blast for fans of Wonderboy. This was a long time coming. The devs knocked this one out of the park!
  2. momo_momomo
    Feb 17, 2019
    9
    Amazing, everything I loved about the first, and so much more. They've modernised the series.
  3. DrChocolate
    Apr 25, 2019
    10
    This game was such a surprise. I didn't expect it to be this good.
    Unlike the previous Wonderboy titles, Monster Boy, while a sequel, is an entirely different style of game. It's more of a metroidvania RPG with puzzle platforming. The animation is superb, the combat and magic systems are intuitive and multi-layerd, and despite the cute visuals, the game is sufficiently challenging. Highly    This game was such a surprise. I didn't expect it to be this good.
    Unlike the previous Wonderboy titles, Monster Boy, while a sequel, is an entirely different style of game. It's more of a metroidvania RPG with puzzle platforming. The animation is superb, the combat and magic systems are intuitive and multi-layerd, and despite the cute visuals, the game is sufficiently challenging. Highly recommended.    … Expand
  4. MVGB84
    Apr 18, 2019
    10
    lindo incrivel dificil jogabilidade incrivel e longo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  5. bladex
    Jan 6, 2019
    5
    a terrific looking game absolutely ruined by annoying puzzles.

    it looks and plays great sounds great too the 1st few levels are actually fun to do. than you get to areas like the volcano and it gets so frustrating and annoying. you'll start doing areas where you have to be fast and not make one mistake or your doomed. than there's lots of annoying TIME puzzles meaning you have to    a terrific looking game absolutely ruined by annoying puzzles.

    it looks and plays great sounds great too the 1st few levels are actually fun to do.

    than you get to areas like the volcano and it gets so frustrating and annoying. you'll start doing areas where you have to be fast and not make one mistake or your doomed. than there's lots of annoying TIME puzzles meaning you have to time moves and be fast i absolutely hate these type of puzzles if i knew these were in the game i would never of bought it!!

    also it crashed a few time and it the middle of a puzzle too. i simply cannot forgive this

    dragons trap still remains the BEST wonderboy game of all time. this doesn't come close to beating it.    … Expand
  6. Mixmixi
    May 12, 2019
    0
    More like a $20 title instead of $40. Not recommending paying the full price on this.
  7. Fubuism
    Apr 6, 2021
    10
    Monster boy is excellent and wonderful game, spent around 30 hours in it and I'm still craving for more. It's a simple 2d platformer at start but surprises you with all the depth and variations it has. Story is silly but it's way better than a Plummer trying to save a princess by eating mashroms
  8. frederik1478
    Jan 3, 2023
    4
    I really tried to enjoyed it. I really enjoyed Wonder boy 4 and 2 but couldn't get into this one sadly.

    It was mostly just the character dialogue that wrong way and the art style. I just didn't catch in it at all and I just begin to get boring which is the worst kind of feeling when you're playing a game just been boring.
  9. Generalxxbob
    Apr 1, 2020
    5
    Played the demo for 15 mins and delete it immediately. The fights was bad, slow and boring. Also the character was too big for the scene and feels very slow.
  10. AntiMXT
    Apr 22, 2023
    3
    Nostalgia pop with convoluted controls that just add more menu time/incorrect action entries, inconsistent mechanics, and a brutally slow going metroidvania map, that makes you never want to revisit areas as, the first time around, it throws you miles back after each death because the aforementioned terrible controls missed a crucial button prompt you needed to proceed the action perfectNostalgia pop with convoluted controls that just add more menu time/incorrect action entries, inconsistent mechanics, and a brutally slow going metroidvania map, that makes you never want to revisit areas as, the first time around, it throws you miles back after each death because the aforementioned terrible controls missed a crucial button prompt you needed to proceed the action perfect "puzzles". This makes the old school music just annoying as you hear the same loop a million times over. Graphics are the one saving grace. Frustratingly disappointing. Why are there so many unfun platformers nowadays?… Expand
  11. Peter23Nelson
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Just a lovely sucessor to the wonder boy franchise..and better that I could hope for...
  12. JustJohnB
    Feb 17, 2020
    10
    This is another one of those rare 10s that only come around a few times a year. Everything you can think of - gameplay, music, graphics, story - everything - is perfect. This is truly a wonderful example of what a 2d game can be, and it's worth every penny.

    One note of caution I would offer, however, is that despite its look and style, this game presents a decent amount of real    This is another one of those rare 10s that only come around a few times a year. Everything you can think of - gameplay, music, graphics, story - everything - is perfect. This is truly a wonderful example of what a 2d game can be, and it's worth every penny.

    One note of caution I would offer, however, is that despite its look and style, this game presents a decent amount of real challenge. I don't mean stupid instadeath and mindless repetiveness like a souls game, but actually moments where a sequence or a puzzle will perplex or even stump you for awhile. I can see a modern gamer having a lot of difficulty with this one. You've been warned.    … Expand
  13. ScreamingToad
    Jan 28, 2020
    6
    I can't say that this is a bad game but everything good in it is ruined by bad level design and terrible combat system. Bosses are mostly jokes and gameplay itself isn't satisfying. It could be a good game for portable systems maybe 15 years ago, but today try to avoid this game until it has huge discount.
  14. mrorange159
    Apr 8, 2020
    10
    Those who have played the original on the Sega master system will not be disappointed by this absolute classic of a video game. There is an obvious attention to detail to the art, music, gameplay and content in this game. Let me assure potential buyers reading this that this game is not a cash grab. It is definitely worth a buy for those wanting to reignite childhood memories and thoseThose who have played the original on the Sega master system will not be disappointed by this absolute classic of a video game. There is an obvious attention to detail to the art, music, gameplay and content in this game. Let me assure potential buyers reading this that this game is not a cash grab. It is definitely worth a buy for those wanting to reignite childhood memories and those wanting a traditional platforming experience with RPG elements. I thoroughly enjoyed this game and hope to see more like it in the future. In a world saturated with the same old boring rehashed, repetitive AAA titles this game offers a refreshing and charming experience that will leave you feeling a sense of accomplishment and endearment for the game. To the developers, thank you for reigniting my passion for gaming and thank you for bringing joy to so many people. Best wishes to you all.… Expand
  15. moppen-sherrif
    Jul 9, 2020
    9
    What a superb retro game, i love it! Spend 60 hours and more to get the platinum trophy. Very good graphics, awesome animations, lovely characters and a ton of stages / puzzles.
    The producers took so any love in this game what is full of hand animated details! LOVE IT!!!
  16. Danielibiapina
    Aug 19, 2023
    8
    Very solid plataforming game,true to the legend! Amazing ant tight gameplay.
  17. Mangamanvii
    Sep 13, 2021
    10
    This is an incredible if not perfect metroidvania experience. A lengthy romp through green fields and dungeons that combines the best elements of previous games into one. Highly recommended for fans of the genre and arguably the best we've seen in ages!
  18. Oddlennon
    Nov 17, 2022
    8
    Very fun game with graphics that are pleasing to
    The eye.
    The switching between forms and different fighting styles
    Kept the whole game fresh.
    I’ll be trying out wonder boy now

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best PS4 Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 11, 2019
    90
    What it lacks in storytelling, it makes up with sheer brilliance in something far more important – the gameplay that pushes the 2D platformer genre to its limits. The game sparkles with creativity and the developers’ clear love for games. [03/2019, p.82]
  2. Cubed3
    Jan 14, 2019
    80
    Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom perfectly bridges the gap between old and new, delivering the same style and charm of games from the Master System and Mega Drive, but including the same style of platforming and puzzle solving that have made modern indie titles stand out from the crowd. Essentially, it has captured the heart and soul of the original, and given it a breath of fresh life.
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  3. Impulsegamer
    Jan 11, 2019
    80
    Considering there are not many platforming games on the PS4, this is a wonderful title that is worth picking up. If you haven’t played Wonder Boy, that is another title worth getting into and Monster Boy is a brilliant successor to it. Old school fun is back!
    Read full review
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