Wonder Boy's been getting a lot of love in recent years. We've witnessed successful remake with The Dragon's Trap, an entertaining sequel with Monster Boy, and now, Wonder Boy – Asha in Monster World is drawing closer. Confirmed to launch on April 22nd in Japan, Western players can expect it around Q2 2021 and, thanks to a new trailer, we've got a fresh look at what to expect.
Initially released as Monster World IV back in 1994, Asha in Monster World is a remake of this once Japanese-exclusive entry for the Sega Mega Drive. Developed by Studio Artdink, it also reunites the original staff, which includes the series creator, original composer, character designer and creative manager.
Confirming this will be a faithful remake to the original adventure, publishers ININ released this statement:
[image]Asha is tasked to free the four spirits being confined by evil forces whose origin she discovers throughout her journey. Luckily, she does not have to face this adventure alone, as early on she finds her new companion, a special blue Pepelogoo.
While the story remains true to the original game from 1994, the game is a full remake of Monster World IV, with cell-shaded 3D graphics and 2D gameplay that stays close to the beloved original gameplay as well as enhanced visuals and refined play content. Especially in the event scenes the performance is deepened and the world view is reproduced vividly and colorfully. Plus for the first time in the series, it comes with a character voice - by the popular and talented Japanese voice actress Ai Fairouz.
A physical edition has also been confirmed for Switch - handled by Strictly Limited Games - who've outlined three editions for it.
The naming is a bit confusing admittedly, as your standard release (I.E. just the game) is the "Limited Edition" with 3500 units at €39.99. You've got the "Collector's Edition" for €99.99 with 2500 units, which adds a Monster World map, 2 OSTs, an artbook and more. Finally, the "Mega Collector's Edition" comes in at €179.99 and 999 units, which includes all of the above, plus Asha and Pepelogoo figurines and further merchandise.
As an added bonus, physical copies exclusively contain the original Monster World IV game inside the Switch cartridge. So if you were planning to buy this digitally, just be aware that it isn't coming with it.
Did you enjoy the previous entries? Will you be picking up Asha in Monster World at launch? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 39
I love that they're bringing the series back, and particularly this game is a good one, than most in the West have missed.
I do think it isn't a particularly charming remake, though.
Quite a lot of barebones 3D models in place of what used to be adorable 2D art.
these graphics aren't doing it for me, looks clumsy compared to the original. Unless they do what they did for Dragons Trap and make it so we can switch between old and new school I wont bother with this. Shame, I wanted to play this one for a long time..
This definitely looked improved over the previous trailer that's for sure.
The end of the trailer has a pretty big spoiler though, not sure what they were thinking with that.
Why is it called Wonderboy? Why not Wondergirl? Want to get with the current zeitgeist but not alienate the fans?
@Lordplops Cause Wondergirl sounds too close to Wonder Woman, a trademark own by DC Comic. Lawsuits would come knocking if that would to happen.
I'm excited for this, but that sucks about 4. I hate ordering games from Strictly/Limited/any of them. Oh well, I still have plenty ways to play the original.
Ok this trailer does look better to me than the last one.. still ‘off’ to some extent though. The mega collector’s edition would be more appealing if the remake itself looked better.
The original game is still great and available on a bunch of platforms though.. for those disappointed by how this is turning out, if you haven’t played the original, it’s out there.
Can't wait for this
@Lordplops
Zeitgeist?
In that case it would've been Fabulous Boy!
Jokes aside, they probably just didn't want to rename a direct remake, as to not cause confusion.
In my head each time I look at the collection image the blacked out statue looks like a turd at a glance.
@PhilKenSebben tell me about it. Strictly Limited are one of the slowest boutique publishers out there. There services are so slow it's painful..
Graphics still look a little rough around the edges but will admit that it's a pretty big improvement over the initial reveal trailer.
It looks like a cheap mobile game. To think the first remake (Wonder Boy III) and the base game (IV) were graphically impressive, this one almost feels like a demake.
I agree that it looks still a bit clumsy, but I also agree that it looks way better then the first trailer.
Having the original game physical only is a neat idea, even though I can't get it then.
Already have my physical pre-ordered
@Solomon18 Exactly why I refuse to buy from them. Unless a Metal Slug Anthology, or Gunstar Heroes Collection comes along for switch, and they are the only physical option.
What's the difference between the Monster Boy and Wonder Boy? I'm so lost... now there's a girl as the main character?
Ugh. Including shipping, it practically costs the price of a full retail release to buy this physically. Not happening. I'll just have to do without the port of the original game.
And since it's one of these limited run places, I probably wouldn't get it until 2022 anyway. lol
The only Wonder Boy game I've played, was the remake of The Dragon's Trap on Nintendo Switch. Which admittedly I had quite a bit of fun playing and is why I'm looking forward to this one as well (Monster Boy was good as well).
As a Switch owner, 2021 is looking like it could be a good year for me and we're still in January.
I actually think the graphics are kind of charming, like it's going for a lost PS1/DS/3DS platformer being cleaned up in HD kinda look. I know it's more than likely because of budgetary limitations, but I can dig it.
It does look a lot better.
The frame rate just needs to be on lock.
@RR529 They are great looking and will still look good 10-20 years from now because of its simplicity and cel-shading.
For some reason people have been getting spoiled on pixel/hand drawn sprites and totally crapping on 2.5D looking games (a style I've enjoyed greatly since first experiencing it in early Saturn/PSX games).
Now if this is 30fps, that would be unacceptable IMO but at least I'll have the 60fps original on the cart as well.
Looks better than the previous trailer. I still think I’m better with the original though.
@TDRsuperstar2 so the series started off as Wonder Boy, but eventually changed into the Monster World series with more focus on action. So when they brought the series back as Monster Boy it was because they didn't have the rights to the Wonder Boy name, thus we got the combination of Monster World and Wonder Boy into Monster Boy.
The original game on genesis was called Monster World IV since it was the fourth game in the monster world series (The order is Monster Land, Dragons Trap, Wonder Boy in Monster World, and Monster World IV).
Hopefully this didn't confuse you even further.
I have a feeling in America this might get the limited run treatment. I definitely want that collectors edition.
@Pally356 I hope so. Dont want to pay international shipping on top of $45 for what will be a $30 game on the eshop. But I always buy physical, because I have 3 kids that game too and digital sharing is a mess on Switch.
@Pally356 I think I'm keeping up haha I've played Wonder Boy and it was alright, but I LOVED Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom so maybe I'll just stick with that version of the franchise
I remember the original game on Wii was really fun 😄
Man i do not like that art style. The other 2 looked so amazing with the hard drawn art style but this looks so dull and life less.
I wouldn't sell them short. Monster Land, Dragon's Trap, Wonder boy in Monster World and Monster World IV are more akin to Monster Boy. They have flaws but are pretty good. Definitely give them a look.
This series is very dear to me so sorry if im sounding a bit biased.
@Pally356 Dragon Trap is the one on switch?
I'm really not a fan of what ININ and Strictly Limited have been doing with these frankly CONFUSING releases as of late. As a digital-only Switch gamer (in part because my launch Switch no longer reads game cards), charging astronomical amounts for limited editions that contain exclusive software really grinds my gears. They did it with Space Invaders (digital collection has 3 games, physical collection has 11), they're doing it with Turrican (digital collection has 4 games, physical collections have 10), and they're now locking the OG Monster World IV behind physical only? LAME.
At least Darius you can buy it all digitally, but it's gonna cost you $120... O_____o
I love this saga! It will be mine!
However unlikely, I hope there's an English dub. I never got used to reading text while hearing characters speak in a different language. I especially hate it when I need to read during action sequences like the Senran Kagura games and that Switch game where you control "servant".
Neat. I've been playing Wonder Boy in MW on the Classic, and its a fun little action/adventure.
@TDRsuperstar2 currently there are two wonder boy games on switch in addition to Monster Boy. Wonder Boy Returns is a remake of the first game and is more of a platformer. But Wonder Boy 3 Dragons Trap is similar to Monster Boy
@Isaix @Yanina @shonenjump86 @earthinheritor @Aerona @Rez @Pally356 @Solomon18 Someone called my attention to how similar this is to Goblin Sword that is on sale fromUS5,00 byUS1,99 (but I prefer Goblin Sword than this remake yet), so I am telling you guys if you want get this one on sale.
The frame rate still looks dodgy and I'm not a fan of the graphics personally.
Graphics are beautiful! The character art is faithful. Really impressive.
First game I've looked forward to since SOR4 (the original OST is SICK off topic)
However I thought it was a direct sequel to Monster World IV not a remake?
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