Today sees the launch of Monster Crown, a monster-taming RPG that's looking to give Pokémon fans an alternative take on the genre on Switch.
If you've read our full review, you'll know that Monster Crown is a decent effort but one that, in our opinion, ultimately feels like "a jankier and less addictive version of the oldest Pokémon games". Still, if you find yourself really pining for those good old 8-bit Pokémon days, it may well be worth a look.
To help convince you, Soedesco has released a brand new launch trailer (up above) which goes into detail on some of the things you can expect to find in the game – like breeding over 200 base monsters, making pacts with monsters for shelter in exchange for their protection, and journeying to restore balance on Crown Island. The title was in Early Access on Steam for a year, slowly but surely becoming the game it is today with more than 40 updates being added along the way.
Jason Walsh, founder of the game's developer Studio Aurum, has shared the following on the game's release:
"As a kid who grew up playing monster taming games, the idea of making my own and one day releasing it to the world was something I didn't dare dream. But thanks to the love of our backers and support of SOEDESCO, this dream has become a reality. If you want a truly content packed monster taming game, this is the game for you."
Launching today, Monster Crown is available on the Switch eShop for $29.99 / £26.99. Let us know if you plan on giving Monster Crown a try in the comments below.
Comments 28
The trees look rubbish!"
I'm looking forward to this one, though because I'm getting a physical copy it looks like I won't get the chance to play it until next year.
It's unfortunate timing to be honest, with brand new Pokémon games on the way just next month, and in January.
Nah. Not enough time anymore to spend on a "maybe' like this.
Donno much about the game quality but I really, really do like the Gen 2 Pokemon inspired sprites.
@RupeeClock The physical comes out November 2nd here in the States. Amazon has it up for preorder if you're interested.
I would like to play the game but after reading 2-3 reviews, I think I will pass for the moment.
@PoliticallyIncorrect
I'm looking to acquire a European copy, which for some reason hasn't been listed anywhere other than Play-asia.
I placed an order on Play-asia for many other things and included Monster Crown, but was notified that it was pushed back from October 12th to February 2022.
However looking at Play-asia now, they actually have the EU copy in stock and ready to ship today?
https://www.play-asia.com/monster-crown/13/70esld
Not sure what's going on there.
@RupeeClock I don't blame you for wanting one from your own region. I would as well. I'd order that then. Good luck!
No, thanks.
Give us all of the GB/GBC/GBA Pokémon games on a Switch cart, and maybe we’ll talk business.
who ordered a new Pokemon game off wish dot com?
$30 it too rich for my blood, especially with the remakes next month. But I'll probably get on sale eventually
""As a kid who grew up playing monster taming games, the idea of making my own and one day releasing it to the world was something I didn't dare dream. "
You haven't, you've created a Dollar Tree ripoff of Pokemon. This isn't your "own".
I want this physical for Switch and Xbox. Have really wanted a decent pokemon alternative with online options, which Nexomon does not have.
@CovidBarbie In Pokemon games you don't get a unique Pokemon species for every possible breeding pair, leading to thousands of playable monsters. That is the core mechanic in this game and it's clearly an ambitious one. There's also some Shin Megami Tensei influence in that you're "contracting" the monsters instead of capturing them.
Whether or not it executes those ideas well, I don't know. But it's pretty dismissive to say it can never be a developer's own game if it in any way resembles Pokemon.
@Meteoroid It's a maybe for me for a few reasons, 1 it's a totally new IP, and any game that I have never played an entry in that series or even another title from that developer fits the "maybe" bill for me.
And the fact is that I am working full time and it's a rather tiring job. So my time to game is much much more limited. Even though in terms of hours it's not much more than my previous job it is MUCH more tiring and stressful.
Because of that, I have to pick and choose what I want to use my time on much more.
This game is probably worth a shot, if you have the time to risk investing in it. I just would rather go with something I am much more confident that I will enjoy in my free time.
@CovidBarbie Anyone who immediately writes a game this ambitious off as what you said clearly has no idea what they're talking about...like you.
I despise when unique monster games are written off as a Pokemon clone, especially since all Pokemon did was take taming stuff from Dragon Quest V and SMT and just made it more popular.
Wasn't it not too long ago people WANTED Pokemon to fail? And now that there's more mongames people either say "OH EM JEE IT LOOKS TOO MUCH LIKE POKEYMAN ZERO OUT OF 10" or are just "OH EM JEE NOBODY WANTS THIS"
How dare you. You are only perpetuating the stereotype that games that even play slightly like Pokemon can't be their own thing. I especially say how dare you that Monster Crown isn't original - I've known the dev ever since the game was a concept on Reddit and I knew people who can actually appreciate mongames would enjoy it even then!
@CharlieGirl As someone who has a monster in this game, I am not sure why you're so dismissive of it. I have large amounts of faith in this game; it did well in Early Access and I only foresee it doing better and better from here.
Imagine paying $30 for a scuffed Pokemon lookalike, Instead of getting an actual Pokemon remake with Diamond / Pearl.
Hard pass. I'll wait until the real Pokemon games release.
"Monsters aren't interested in friendship or anything silly like that"
Careful not to cut yourself on that edge.
I do like the alternate forms and the combining of the monsters. That's all very cool and ambitious. But they've done themselves a mischief with the visuals, harking back to the sprites of Gold & Silver, it just accentuates any comparisons. And with several prominent monsters already appearing as very on-the-nose 'inspired by' (whether they are or not) that only accentuates the initial impression of it being a bit of a knock-off Pokémon game.
Got to catch all of them!
(ok they're not this bad!)
Still, that aside, I wish them the best and hope that they do well enough for a sequel to really push their own identity both in gameplay and visuals.
Holy god, I just saw the price tag for this. Hopefully this dies a quiet death like every other Pokemon knock off.
Do NOT buy this game on Switch, at least until there is an official patch. The game runs extremely poorly in handheld, constant frame stuttering. Audio plays on top of itself when monsters level up at the same time. There is input lag, stats are not explained and have cryptic symbols, a ton of technical issues. Maybe its fine on Docked but I dont use my Switch docked. And this is a pixel art game, there is no excuse.
Stay far away.
Every Pokémon thread on this site for the past three years: Boooooooooo!!! This game sucks! Stop giving GF money!!! Vote with your wallet!!!
Every non-Pokémon monster collecting game thread: Booooooooo!!! This game sucks!!! It isn’t Pokémon!!!
@Onett That is wonderful to hear. Thanks for letting me know. I am looking forward to trying it out after the update.
@Onett Hopefully it'll be worth the wait. The game seems very promising assuming the technical issues are resolved. I didn't even get a chance to really get into the game to judge anything yet.
@Fiskern Cringe dialogue like that makes this a hard pass. Makes it pretty obvious this was made by a NeEt Pokemon fan who feels guilty for liking a "children's game."
I think it's also Monster Crown that has cringey monster typing, although I can't remember exactly. So many of these Not-Pokemon me-too's are riddled with edgy design that tries way too hard.
Maybe these game devs should realize that one of the main reasons why Pokemon is such a huge brand is because of its lighthearted, cozy charm.
@CovidBarbie little harsh, lets see your games.
@HXLXIII When did I claim to have made my "own" game?
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