Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Reviews

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is ranked in the 37th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
May 30, 2021

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.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2021

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.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2021

Even if you bounced off the original for whatever reason, I do feel that Asha in Monster World is a much more approachable way to experience this wonderful adventure, and for those who are fans of the original and worried this would drain the charm out of it, there’s no need to fear on that front, either, as there’s plenty of charm here to go around! Definitely one of the biggest surprises of the year for me, and one that makes me honestly hope Monster World III gets a similar treatment!

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9 / 10.0
Jun 18, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World presents a fun and well-constructed experience. It denotes an excellent work by the producer in updating the technical and visual part, keeping some of the mechanics of the original game. Overall feeling of the project is that you are an elderly person in a rejuvenated body! Despite some minor flaws as a whole, it is noteworthy and respects the legacy of the SEGA classic.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2021

the best way to replay one of the great SEGA titles

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2021

Wonder Boy - Asha in Monster World is a charming remake with a lot of heart, bring an old adventure to a new generation.

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8.3 / 10.0
Jun 2, 2021

‎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

8.3 / 10.0
May 31, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a brilliant modernised remake of the 1994 classic, Monster World IV. I personally found the story to be enjoyable, the visuals were beautiful and colourful, and the soundtrack made the experience much more exciting and adventurous. The few changes, such as the save mechanic, makes the game more accessible and user-friendly, yet removes the challenge and programmed frustration we see in the original, so you may or may not like the minor alterations. Speaking of, if you buy the game physically then you also get the original game free (on the Switch cart or via a code with the PS4 version). If you like classic action platforming games but want something a bit more visually appealing than retro pixel-art, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is for you!

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8.2 / 10.0
May 21, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a lovely game through-and-through so if you like the idea of getting lost in a lighthearted old-school adventure that's full of fun surprises then you'll enjoy every second of this adventure.

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8 / 10
May 29, 2021

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.

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8 / 10
May 25, 2021

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.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 21, 2021

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.

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4 / 5.0
May 31, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World improves upon Monster World IV in every way.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 5, 2021

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.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2021

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.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World remasters a classic game for a new generation to experience and it’s a great one to check out. The visuals and soundtrack are wonderful and Asha and her companion Pepelogoo are very charming. It can come across as a little simple if you’re well experienced with platformers and some of the puzzle design is outdated and annoying. Despite those things I recommend it to fans of side-scrolling platformers as I think you’ll have a good time with it.

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Hey Poor Player
Pernell Vaughn
4 / 5.0
Jun 1, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World does a wonderful job of rekindling my love of the Monster World franchise and reminding me exactly why I fell in love with it in the first place. While the remaster doesn’t bring any new ideas to the table, it does put a wonderfully charming new coat of paint onto a game that deserves to be seen and enjoyed by a new audience. Old fans of this game should be pleased with the treatment it received, while newcomers can expect a classically crafted platformer adventure that’s short in duration but massive in charm. And I’m going to add in here that if you play this game and enjoy it, I beseech you to check out the other games in the Monster World line and Monster Boy in the Cursed Kingdom. You’ll thank me, and yourself, for having done so!

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4 / 5.0
Jun 28, 2021

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an entertaining game that plays faithfully to the 1994 Sega Genesis original. It has some mishaps with its new 3D look, but it’s still worth exploring once more.

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77 / 100
May 29, 2021

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.

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75 / 100
May 27, 2021

Wonder Boy - Asha in Monster World is a pretty decent remake for one of the most beloved Sega Mega Drive's games. A must have to all Wonder Boy fans out there.

Review in Spanish | Read full review