Wonder Boy in Monster World

[RMA]

Thoughts please! Read Damos review and the user comments on www.vc-reviews.com and could do with hearing any negatives as I loved Dragons Curse / Monster Land but never played this.

[Drake]

It's basically more of the same as Dragon's Curse (After all it is the sequel), though this time all of your armour has different uses, instead of you having different forms. Also, the town area of the game is gigantic.

If you've played Super Adventure Island II, this game is incredibly similar to it (Though I prefer SAI2 - Come on Hudson!).

[iNma]

I'm biased as I love all the Wonder Boy games. Succumb to the devil on your shoulder, download it!

[Dazza]

DO IT!

[Kevin]

I have already downloaded Dragon's Curse and enjoy it. How is this game compared to Dragon's Curse?

[Macfly77]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I have already downloaded Dragon's Curse and enjoy it. How is this game compared to Dragon's Curse?

Compared to Dragon's Curse, it has better graphics (as could be expected from a Genesis game) but the soundtrack is (IMHO) not quite as memorable.
The "levels" are a little longer and better designed (the level design wasn't exactly bad in Dragon's Curse, but the way the game handled the enemies was kinda boring - one enemy, then two of the same kind, then maybe three, then one and a different one, then one and two of the other kind, and so on...), but the game is less original (no more transformations - except for one; in order to reach different areas, you need to collect certain items) and, while the game is highly playable, the sword could use to have a longer range.
To conclude, I will say that I have played Dragon's Curse through several times in one form or the other (the other being Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap) and was quite happy to discover (I knew about it, I just had never played it) a very worthy successor on the Virtual Console.
If you liked Dragon's Curse, there is no reason why you won't enjoy Wonder Boy in Monster World thoroughly (especially once you get used to the sword).

[Kevin]

Thanks for the input. I'm gonna download this tomorrow.

[RMA]

*Done.

If it's half as good as yous guys last recommendation (Kirbys Adventure...throw away but FUN) and Dragons Curse I'll be a happy bunny.

[PresidentLeever]

I'd give it a 7/10. It's a good game overall, but it's a somewhat disappointing sequel to Dragon's Curse/Wonder Boy III: Dragon's Trap.

These are some notes I typed down after finishing it:

Pros (+)
- Cute, colorful gfx with a good mix of old & new.
- Great music with some nice remixes of old songs in just the right spots.
- The magic is better implemented; it's more varied and enemies have different weaknesses.
- Different weapon choices makes the gameplay deeper.
- Several towns with classic fantasy locals.
- The companions is a good idea.
- Better level design overall than in the prequels.
- The addition of mini-bosses.

Cons (-)
- The control is a bit lacking and feels stiff. Shion moves slowly and cant attack upwards/downwards though he sometimes needs to.
- The water level is boring and lacks a boss.
- Too short and too easy, the world is actually smaller than in all the other games of the series.
- Steep difficulty curve in the end, with a super annoying last boss.
- You can only transform into a pygmée instead of the different animals. As a pygmée, you have nearly zero attack range.
- Lame story..
- Shield-magic is pretty much useless because it blocks outside your own reach.
- Your followers are pretty weak. One of them just distracts you.
- There's no good use for all the money you gain in the end, and you gain a Lot.
- Only 1 Save slot...
- The inventory can be used only in a standing position. It's not possible to change equipment while jumping, climbing or swimming.

[Joxe]

Seems like I'm the only one that doesn't complain about the sword range, I think it's pretty normal. The game is worth a download though, it's a really nice game.

[Mendez]

I'd download it for 600 points, I'm spending too mnuch on the VC lately to pay 800 points though...

[PresidentLeever]

Joxe: I said the attack range was poor in pygmy form only.. For the rest of the game you can always use a spear instead.

[Joxe]

Ah, haven't got into Pygmy form yet then. The only thing I'm having problem with on WB is enemies that jump at you, it's impossible to avoid them with the sword, and nearly impossible with the spear since you need to do that special skill.

[PresidentLeever]

I see, well that's one of the best parts of the game, esp. if you liked mouse man in the prequel.. but you'll have to use your companion and proceed slowly in that part because it's pretty tough.

Shion isn't very agile, but IIRC you could use the spin-move in midair? Otherwise you could try using some magic on those enemies.

[Joxe]

It was only usable on while standing on the ground, otherwise it just became a normal "thrust" if you attacked in air. But it's nice that it's hard on some points, otherwise it would just be wasted money.
One problem is that on the PAL version it's like playing with Widescreen setup since the black borders around the screen is really large, at least compared to my other games.

[link64]

Originally Posted by Joxe

It was only usable on while standing on the ground, otherwise it just became a normal "thrust" if you attacked in air. But it's nice that it's hard on some points, otherwise it would just be wasted money.
One problem is that on the PAL version it's like playing with Widescreen setup since the black borders around the screen is really large, at least compared to my other games.

If they can remove the borders on SNES games why cant they do it on mega drive games.

[Joxe]

Maybe it takes more work to do that. Nintendo want to show themself at the top of the world by fixing the faults in games, but SEGA isn't working on them, just releasing them. You don't notice the borders after a while so they aren't really a problem.

[link64]

Originally Posted by Joxe

Maybe it takes more work to do that. Nintendo want to show themself at the top of the world by fixing the faults in games, but SEGA isn't working on them, just releasing them. You don't notice the borders after a while so they aren't really a problem.

They could at least put up a different coloured border like the super gameboy ones.

[iNma]

Originally Posted by link64

They could at least put up a different coloured border like the super gameboy ones.

Or even XBLA games. It's patently possible.

[Sektor]

Has dragons curse got 'SHOPPING PLEASE' in it?

And the pig that serves you?

[ICEknight]

Originally Posted by PresidentLeever

- The control is a bit lacking and feels stiff. Shion moves slowly

You're using a European Wii, I guess? Blame Nintendo's lack of 60Hz support for the VC (I mean it, tell them over the phone).

- There's no good use for all the money you gain in the end, and you gain a Lot.

There is, you just haven't found the ultra-secret room for wasting your expensive charmstones.