Monster Harvest Reviews
It is rather disappointing how Monster Harvest introduces an interesting concept but gives such a watered-down implementation of everything it tries to do. The combat couldn't possibly be any more basic. Farming is pretty much a one-click task that you eventually automate. The tiny stamina bar forces you to go to bed or waste money to restore stamina if you want to really get the most out of a day. With the two core gameplay mechanics of this game feeling half-finished, there isn't much else for you to really do that brings any entertainment. This game desperately needs a long term goal that players need to really invest in the game in order to reach. In its current state Monster Harvest feels more like an early access game that isn't quite finished yet.
At the end of the day, Monster Harvest is a good game that a little too closely resembles Stardew Valley and does not execute its Pokèmon-like mechanics cleanly or uniquely enough. Fortunately, it’s mostly visually beautiful with nice music and more than plenty to do.
Monster Harvest is a simple but engaging farming sim with an interesting twist that makes a good first impression, but ultimately suffers from bugs and the weight of its own ambition.
If on the one hand Monster Harvest gets it right in certain aspects, such as its farming system and its beautiful aesthetics, on the other hand we have superficial combats and performance errors hampering the journey, which ended up disappointing me a little. Anyway, it's undeniable that the title offers fun and has creative ides, which when combined, as well as Uncle Spark's ingenious mix of plants and animals, can entertain players of different styles at the same time.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The game is just missing too many staples that other farming sims feature. There is little main story, no NPC interaction, a near featureless battle-system, no side quests, and barely any small intermediary goals throughout the game.
Monster Harvest has the potential to be an excellent game. It has a fun premise, interesting points to the town and the story, and a beautiful open world to explore. However, it feels more than a little superficial and feels aimless in its execution of the story points. Hopefully, some updates to the game in the future bring out its fullest potential.
Monster Harvest feels like it wants to set itself apart from its counterparts in the genre, and there is undeniable potential here. However, I felt like I was playing an early access game despite being fully released. So much of the world feels like fundamental revision and polish are missing, and I can’t see myself revisiting Planimal Point anytime soon.
If Monster Harvest had invested some more time in any of the major aspects of the game, like the combat system, the relationships, or the story loop, the other issues might have been forgiven. Since I found myself bored with the gameplay and confused about my purpose in Monster Harvest, I can’t rate the game any higher than a 6 out of 10. There are too many missing elements for this game to really stand up to the other farming simulators on the market.
Monster Harvest is part of a growing genre that tries to combine farming sims like Harvest Moon with creature collecting like Pokemon. Unfortunately, by trying to cram as many different mechanics as possible into one tiny title, Monster Harvest pared them down to their basest level in an effort to offer a nibble of many things but never a filling feast. As for the bugs it launched with, those will soon be addressed with promised patches, but when it comes to gameplay, Monster Harvest still feels like it needs a little more time to grow. A lot more depth on all fronts will turn this garden variety game into a bumper crop; with enough time, I have faith the developers will find the balance Monster Harvest needs to achieve greatness.
Monster Harvest hardly innovates in its farm simulator function and does not work well in its combat system. Not every mix can work out well and there are better alternatives on the market.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Overall, Monster Harvest is a very interesting spin on the very crowded farming simulator genre. The gameplay concept has great potential for an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the execution missed its mark in too many places, including but not limited to the main monster component, such as the oversimplified battles, bugs, interface and font issues, and limited content. It appears that the developers are currently working on patches to address issues, but it remains to be seen if the game will see its full potential realized. For now, feel free to skip this harvest.
Overall Monster Harvest is an average entry into a genre that, for the most part, is oversaturated with average entries. It tries to emulate the genre patriarch and does a respectable job in terms of the farming mechanics, overall feel, and presentation. The town, the folk, and the whole monster thing hold the game back, however. There is very little reason to invest your time and money into such a temporal vacuum when that game is merely adequate.
Monster Harvest is a mostly forgettable title that will only really appeal to those who are incredibly fond of the genre.
Maple Powered Games has something here that I can just feel waiting to be mined out of this block of coal. If there's anything that's clear after my time with it, it's that Monster Harvest needed an Early Access period. In its current state, it's hard to recommend Monster Harvest. Fans of its genre inspirations will find little to enjoy in the game's interpretations of either gameplay style. Those looking for some winning combination of the two will walk away empty-handed. But I want to believe they can figure it out.
Monster Harvest focuses on farming and leveling your monsters. While the idea is fresh, there wasn’t much content within the game and the two ideas didn’t really mix that well. Few glitches were found that proved some of the gameplay experience to be ruined, NPCs made me feel even lonelier and the festival feature was not the most comfortable event to enjoy either. Felt like I was playing an unfinished game.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Not respectful of time, and not quite it's own game yet.
Monster Harvest is a welcome mix between farming games and turn-based little monster battles, using an artistic style consistent with the project and with a traditional and very well executed gameplay model. It's fun, addictive and challenging without seeming punitive or overly complicated.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While Monster Harvest offers a unique perspective on the farming sim, it follows along with the genre norms too closely to really set itself apart.
Monster Harvest could have been a very good game, but due to the laziness of the creators came out crapiszon, which should be avoided with a wide arc!
Review in Polish | Read full review
Monster Harvest is a nice mix between Stardew Valley and Pokemon but it’s missing some stuff that makes both of those other games great.