Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Reviews
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World earned its reputation decades ago as a fun action platformer, but this new remake does nothing to hide how much this classic has degraded with age.
The Wonder Boy series gets yet more current-gen love with this big-hearted remake.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World improves upon Monster World IV in every way.
Overall, there are parts of Asha in Monster World that are a little rusty, and the end product could've used more than just the tweaking we ended up getting. While fans of the Mega Drive game may enjoy revisiting it, they may also be disappointed that there's not a whole lot that's new. Still, the elements that made it such a classic in the first place - the endearing protagonist, the delightful game world - are still present, and all of that still holds up brilliantly even after nearly thirty years.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a basic platformer that never holds your excitement, with mechanics that just don't work anymore.
The fun of playing these games, especially these days, lies in the director, Ryuchi Nishizawa, whose approach to genre was one of precise and genial disregard.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an exceedingly bland experience. This remake trades heavily on the 90s nostalgia factor, but fails to consider that, with the original only released outside of Japan in 2012, few will have played Monster World 4 in order to have any feelings of nostalgia about it. Sadly, all those playing the game for the first time will find little to get excited about.
I also have to stress that Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World isn't a bad game. Some of the backtracking got annoying, but mostly it's just monotonous. The mechanics are tight enough, I just can't help but shrug at the final product. I'm always happy when an old title is given new life, but that doesn't mean I'm going to end up loving it.
The least accomplished of the recent spate of Wonder Boy games but it still retains a certain charm and offers plenty of reasons for the franchise to continue.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a game that knows how to entertain but without surprising, a lively title that can return a handful of carefree hours. The lack of any playful flicker, however, does not distinguish it from many exponents of the genre. The 3D graphics show a remarkable use of cel shading, but suffer from ubiquitous stuttering. Asha in Monster World is a decent remake, then, that lacks the restoration work done on his "colleagues", shows a little 'too much the weight of the years.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Those wanting to compare the new version of the game to the original can do so if they buy the retail version, which comes with a download code for the original Monster World IV. For the few improvements there have been, though, I'd recommend sticking with the remake; the game just seems more refined even if it does keep most of the '90s tropes. As an (almost) bug free experience, those looking for a more traditional game will love it. However, those who prefer modern platformers will probably want to avoid it.
The lack of autosave feature, primitive bosses and orthodox platforming feels like a something from the past. But at the same time, there's nothing wrong with the idea of bringing back old, but visually updated classic. Hardcore fans definitely can appreciate a game like this.
Review in Russian | Read full review
I honestly don't know if Wonder Boy IV was a real blast in 1994 since I could not play it then. What I know is that Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is not a blast today. It's kinda average in everything it does, but what I really can't bear is how the new art style feels like a significant downgrade over the magical 16-bit pixel art.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a solid remaster and a fun action-platformer. Its protagonists are incredibly endearing and its simplicity is very charming. I recommend it to anyone with a craving for tough retro gameplay wrapped in a cute package. Just don’t go in expecting anything particularly long or deep.
Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World is a gorgeous remake of a much overlooked Sega platforming adventure classic that everybody should play. It's that simple.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a fantastic remake. While the save system feels as though it is painfully stuck in the past, every other aspect of the game is lovingly remade. For newcomers and longtime fans alike, this is a great adventure that you will certainly fall in love with.
Wonder Boy - Asha In Monster World is a polished port.
Attractive and charming animation makes Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World appear to be a modern game, but don't be fooled. A lack of modern conveniences-autosave, a map, etc.-places Asha squarely in the old-school department. Blistering boss fights, meandering levels, and a very weird-feeling double jump all combine to make Asha in Monster World a fun game to visit, but only fans of the classic franchise will want to stay.
In the end, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a mediocre game. Uninspired level design, frustrating movement controls, and permanently missable power-ups all contribute to a lackluster experience. When I think the best part of the title is the cute butt dance Asha does when she opens a chest, you know things are bad. Just play Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap or Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom instead.
Not the best possible remake for a Mega Drive classic largely unknown to Western players. After the good rehearsals seen during the technical remake of The Dragon's Trap, Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World struggles to impress in the same way. A gameplay that does not have the courage to dare, a difficulty too calibrated downwards and an unpired 2.5D graphic look leave a certain bitter taste in the mouth once you reach the credits.
Review in Italian | Read full review