Developer: Westone Publisher: Sega Release: 04/01/94 Genre: Adventure
Wonder Boy is a series I grew to appreciate over time. Once they became action adventure games instead of simple platformers the series found its footing and is generally excellent, Monster Lair aside. Wonder Boy in Monster World is one of the best early Genesis titles and a hidden gem if there ever was one. But right as it blossomed they disappeared from the West, leaving the series’ magnum opus in Japan. Monster World IV is a fantastic game and one of the best action adventure games of the 16-bit era.
Asha is a young girl who is sensitive to the presence of spirits. One night she hears the whispers of the four spirits pleading for help and leaves her village to help them. But first she must prove herself as a warrior before she will receive aid from the Queen. A simple story but you are really here for the gameplay and boy does Monster World IV deliver.
Monster World IV is an action adventure game first and foremost as it scales back the RPG elements of the previous games significantly. There is no overworld to explore as there is only a single hub town you return to for all of your adventuring needs. The game’s four primary dungeons are also accessed from Rapadagna with only brief linear platforming segments leading up to each. All health increases come from buying new armor or finding 10 various life drops to earn a new heart. You will not be juggling an inventory of items as there are few and they are all used in the same dungeon you find them. This is a very streamlined experience for sure. Structurally it is a little disappointing. But what it gains makes for a more than worthwhile exchange.
Mechanically the game is significantly better. Asha is a very agile character and has a variety of sword attacks as her disposal. Every fifth attack is a more powerful magic attack which adds a little finesse to combat. Her shield can also block most attacks. By far her greatest asset is her pet Pepelogoo. This blue Kirby like creature follows you everywhere and at the touch of a button will come to Asha’s side. By holding him she can double jump as well as slow fall. He can blow out fires, protect from falling rocks, find invisible doors and hit distant switches. Pepelogoo is an indispensable ally and one that the game makes excellent use of in its various dungeons.
The dungeons are the meat of the game and one of its best aspects. Each dungeon is very long and surprisingly straightforward. There are few branching paths until closer to the end and what few puzzles exist is simple. Yet each excels by focusing on one of Pepelogoo’s skills and an excellent mix of platforming and action. I like that each dungeon introduces a new skill that Pepelogoo has that you were unaware of before. They were they are integrated in each dungeon is excellent and so when you must tackle the second to last (Sky Fortress) without him you miss his presence. Admittedly the late game dungeons run a bit too long for my taste regardless of how much I like them but it does not harm the game overall.
To my surprise Monster World IV is near perfect in terms of balance. It is generous with gold allowing you to upgrade equipment regularly. Armor raises your maximum health and in addition you have a second life bar that grows by collecting life drops. These drops are not rare and allow you to grow it faster than your primary set of hearts. Enemies drop hearts regularly and each dungeon has at least one vending machine to buy more. I only had trouble with one or two bosses and that was due to unclear hit boxes. The only area I had real trouble with was the Sky Fortress, home to platforming challenges so tough your hands will sweat.
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Artistically Monster World IV is one of the strongest games on the Genesis. The developers use the system’s color palette like few others and imbue the game with a level of vibrancy uncommon on the platform. There are many subtle special effects that are impressive such as the rolling background in the Sky Castle and the multi-jointed bosses. The animation is similarly impressive especially on Asha herself. She is bursting with character and simply adorable. Monster World IV does not beat you over the head with its technical merits like a Treasure game, it excels by being a consistently beautiful experience from beginning to end.
In Closing
Monster World IV has it all; fantastic art, a great soundtrack, solid gameplay mechanics and excellent level design. I am absolutely shocked Sega of America did not localize this one as it would have been one of their strongest titles at the time. But hey what do I know, maybe people were clamoring for the Ooze and the X-Perts really bad. I kid. Monster World IV has since been re-released on modern platforms both in its original form and as an excellent remake in Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World. However you play this game, it is great!
