Monster Sanctuary

 Xbox One
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8

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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Feb 8, 2021
    7
    Monster Sanctuary is a new retro RPG that brings the retro nostalgia of the glory days to a modern console generation. It takes bits and boops of the SNES classics and combines them in a low key version of the classic formula. There is a lot to like in the way Monster Sanctuary is built, and the nostalgia it provides just enough dopamine to entertain fans of the history. Unfortunately,Monster Sanctuary is a new retro RPG that brings the retro nostalgia of the glory days to a modern console generation. It takes bits and boops of the SNES classics and combines them in a low key version of the classic formula. There is a lot to like in the way Monster Sanctuary is built, and the nostalgia it provides just enough dopamine to entertain fans of the history. Unfortunately, memories are most of what it brings to the table and not much way in the refreshment elements. There are certain gameplay elements that you might not expect to mesh together, but end up making a surprising amount of sense after the fact. Both Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow are similar in the fact that they are also Metroidvanias where you collect abilities from monsters to make progress and improve your characters skill set. Pokemon games have hidden Machine moves that allow you to reach previously inaccessible areas as well. Monster Sanctuary, from Moi Rai Games builds on that by making your Monster Keeper who not only gets artifacts that augment their abilities, but uses their monsters to explore. I like Monster Sanctuary for what it tries to accomplish but I just wish I liked the execution as much as the main concept. I could see the attempt to culminate into a better cohesive experience, but instead each different ingredient feels incomplete or misses the mark of what makes each of the mixed genres it pulls from so compelling as partial ingredients ultimately making up an ok dish, not an exceptional one for your Xbox One.… Expand
  2. Dronewolf
    Dec 27, 2020
    4
    It's basically a mash up of Pokemon and a Metroidvania. Not a bad thing mind, I enjoy both types of games.

    It starts off strong, quite enjoyable, the battles are slow (And the devs even knew this by putting an option to speed up battles in the options). Exploration okay, but nothing new. I like the aspect of collecting monsters to fight your battles, but the boss battles are slow. Even    It's basically a mash up of Pokemon and a Metroidvania. Not a bad thing mind, I enjoy both types of games.

    It starts off strong, quite enjoyable, the battles are slow (And the devs even knew this by putting an option to speed up battles in the options). Exploration okay, but nothing new. I like the aspect of collecting monsters to fight your battles, but the boss battles are slow. Even on x2 speed. Elemental weaknesses don't appear to work in your favour as you do little damage anyway. Boss characters can attack more than once in a turn and they hit hard and ultimately what lets the game down. 4/10 seems fair as there is a bit that needs fixing. Mainly the boss battles and balancing. I would say try it for yourself as it is free on Game Pass, but pay cash to play it? No.    … Expand
  3. kd1993
    Aug 9, 2021
    8
    Brilliant pokemon-esque game with platforming and metroidvania elements. Unlike pokemon, all fights are 3v3, allowing any team to be viable, since it's much more about how they work with each other rather than just raw power. It's easy to spin up a new addition to your team too, since the eggs you're gifted start off near the level of your main team. The light/dark shifting elements whichBrilliant pokemon-esque game with platforming and metroidvania elements. Unlike pokemon, all fights are 3v3, allowing any team to be viable, since it's much more about how they work with each other rather than just raw power. It's easy to spin up a new addition to your team too, since the eggs you're gifted start off near the level of your main team. The light/dark shifting elements which come in to the game about half way through add another layer of strategy. Must play for fans of the genre.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2021
    85
    There is no denying that Pokémon was a strong inspiration, but Monster Sanctuary has its own identity, a vast, beautiful world, and many diverse creatures to catch. The game is unique, because the developers managed to combine turn-based combat with a traditional 2D metroidvania. Do not fear the platforming sections though, as they won’t break your fingers like Ori and the Blind Forest does. [02/2021, p.39]
  2. TheXboxHub
    Dec 22, 2020
    70
    Despite its cute visuals and some great moments of exploring the game’s world, Monster Sanctuary on Xbox feels relatively hollow. There is plenty of content to keep the most dedicated of min-maxing enthusiasts busy, especially if one ventures into online battles against others, but the game owes too much of its identity to the past. If it leaned more into the unique metroidvania ideas, had a more interesting story, and felt less like homework, Monster Sanctuary would have been something truly special.
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  3. Xbox Tavern
    Dec 15, 2020
    80
    Monster Sanctuary blends the two genres of Turn-Based RPG and Metroidvania into a beautiful 2D pixel art game. Although turn-based battling with monsters that you raise and care for is the heart of the game, the Metroidvania exploration ain’t bad either.
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