Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Reviews
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.
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.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World does its job as a platformer, and nothing more. That is to its detriment but also to its benefit. Unimaginative platforming is balanced by the rousing puzzles. Being a faithful remake, you can feel the age.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an enjoyable reimagining of an underappreciated 1994 classic that leaves some room for improvement.
At the end of the day Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World is a no-frills remake that at times feels a little rough around the edges but ultimately does a well enough job in modernizing the 1994 classic.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World improves upon Monster World IV in every way.
Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World is almost a 1:1 modern version of classic title from 1994, and this works in its favor and against it. It's short, with a simple level design and maybe a little too linear, but also funny, fast paced and with a great soundtrack.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Unlike many remakes glutting the market, the existence of Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World makes complete sense. After all, many gamers in the west never got to delight in what is likely the best entry in the Wonder Boy/Monster World series. How does this fancy remake play? Imagine for a second that Zelda II: Return of Link was good. That'll get you pretty close.
The Wonder Boy renaissance continues with Asha in Monster World, a full remake of Monster World IV that brings our heroine and her platforming abilities to a new audience. This time around, it seems as though even copious amounts of style and charm can't make up for long hallways and minimal direction.
Though some mechanics haven't aged gracefully, Wonder Boy is still a lively and charming remake.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a decent remake of Monster World IV. It won’t replace it, since it doesn’t do everything better, but it does enough to improve on the foundation. The new features added make for a more enjoyable experience, but the developers could have gone further to make Asha’s adventure more than the sum of its parts.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a wonderful remake that still manages to keep the charm of the original. It might not be the biggest release this year but it's one that's worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of the series, the original or the genre.
Wonder Boy Asha in Monster World is a fun action-platforming adventure, but very much feels like a game of the 90s with a splash of paint.
Not as good as The Dragon's Trap or Shantae series but still a pretty solid retro platformer.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Asha in Monster Land revamps a Sega classic with gorgeous new graphics and plenty of old-school design, for better or worse.
It's debatable as to whether or not playing this remake would trump playing the original, which makes the remake feel a little less special. Luckily, if you go physical, you can make that decision for yourself. Either way, this remake is good, even if it's overall lower in the rankings of Wonder Boy revivals.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World seemed to me to be a pretty solid game, and a pretty faithful remake. The fact that he's so conservative with the source work is something I quite appreciate, mainly because playing Monster World IV officially on this side of the pond hadn't been easy, though perhaps some additional content would have been good for him. With moderate difficulty, which varies depending on how much you prepare, a striking appearance, and a design that reflects the heart artdink put into the work, it's a pretty unique experience and I hope it finds its place among new and old. If you're a fan of Wonder Boy/Monster World,or if you're a fan of action-adventure games in general, this is a game you shouldn't miss.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Whether or not you’ve played the original, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an adventure worth going on. Its gameplay might be old-fashioned, but it’s just as engaging as ever, offering a nice little distraction from the latest AAA blockbuster. Are better side-scrolling adventure games out there? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make this any less worth your time.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a rather short, at times archaic, but incredibly enjoyable adventure, which for many may turn out to be a nostalgic return to the past. If you're no stranger to games like Klonoa, Tombi and Brave Fencer Musashi, you can try it.
Review in Polish | Read full review
The remake could've done much more to the original experience, the faithfulness to the original formula makes it hard to enjoy the game with its limited and very simple combat and outdated game design.
Review in Arabic | Read full review