Always Sometimes Monsters Reviews
The alleys of Always Sometimes Monsters hide both trash and treasure alike
For now we will say that Always Sometimes Monsters is best described more as an interactive story rather than a video game. There simply isn't very much video game about it. Instead you try to guide your character forward during the strangest and often darkest point of their entire life.
Always Sometimes Monsters again shows up that 'game' is a word whose time is done. There is nothing playful about this experience – it's a mixture of repetitive tasks that riddle your fingers with despair and increasingly-depressing plots. This then is a 'life failure' simulator, like Cliff Harris's sandbox Kudos 2. Like that, it's compelling, enlightening and moving – but hard to call 'fun'.
Always sometimes monsters is a peculiar title. It manages to tell an interesting story, which is lucky considering it is little more than an interactive novel.
Always Sometimes Monsters is as real as it gets, which is impressive for a traditional pixel RPG presentation. Many situational scenes can both be larger than life and still reflect it perfectly, all in an overall goal that can be befuddled by personal interests or sudden needs.
The road to the final scene is filled with hundreds of crossroads where there usually isn't a right or wrong choice, with morality usually being in the eye of the beholder. The lack of modern visuals and extremely minimal sound might discourage people from trying it out, but those perceptive enough to do so will discover a game with a great replay value, especially when compared to its low price.
'Always Sometimes Monsters' is an RPG-maker game that impresses with its choice-based narrative and effective writing, despite some tedious grinding sections and basic pixel art.
Indie developer Vagabond Dog and edgy publisher Devolver Digital have put together a visually charming, audibly impressive, but otherwise unfulfilling little title that I doubt I would return to. The 9 hour journey from beginning to end is a tumultuous one, filled with depressive tendencies, impossible choices, monotonous repetition, and nary a decent character in sight.
If you've played Vagabond Dog's hit on PC before, you won't find any new material in this release of Always Sometimes Monsters, as it's the exact same thing. But if you haven't played it , or if you want to give it another shot with maybe another way of tackling your decisions, it's the kind of game that gives a lot more to you than just “playing a game – it might even help someone if they're going through a similar situation. One thing's for sure, it's a game that's definitley worth playing.
Always Sometimes Monsters is a hefty adventure in which you will spend around 10-12 hours before you can get to one of its endings. The good news for trophy hunters is that all trophies are unmissable and are awarded through story progression, so be sure to enjoy your time with the game since you don't have to worry at all about the trophy list. The bad news for trophy hunters is that this one does not have a Platinum trophy, but hopefully that is not a deal-breaker for you since you'd be missing out on a great journey.