Rating
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World
Asha, the warrior protagonist of the game, is involved in a serious incident that will affect the survival of her world. Our green-haired heroine doesn’t have to save the world all alone, and sets off on an adventure with her cute flying friend, the blue Pepelogoo. Asha and the Pepelogoo have to work together to become the heroes the world needs th...
Details
- Released
- April 22, 2021
- Developer
- Artdink
- Genres
- Action · Platform · Role-playing (RPG)
- Publisher
- G Choice, ININ Games
- Platforms
- PC · PS4 · Switch · PS5 · Xbox Series X|S
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Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Wonder Boy - Asha in Monster World is a charming remake with a lot of heart, bring an old adventure to a new generation.
Nearly three decades later, the gameplay of Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World still holds up. And perhaps more importantly, it reminds us that there’s something timeless about a hero or heroine who never wavers in the face of danger.
While some aspects of Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World have been dragged into the modern era, like its hand-drawn cartoon-ish graphics and orchestral soundtrack, others have stayed firmly in 1994.
Whether or not you’ve played the original, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an adventure worth going on. Its gameplay might be old-fashioned, but it’s just as engaging as ever, offering a nice little distraction from the latest AAA blockbuster. Are better side-scrolling adventure games out there? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make this any less worth your time.
While undoubtedly rudimentary, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World remains a solid action platformer suitable for all ages.
Attractive and charming animation makes Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World appear to be a modern game, but don't be fooled. A lack of modern conveniences-autosave, a map, etc.-places Asha squarely in the old-school department. Blistering boss fights, meandering levels, and a very weird-feeling double jump all combine to make Asha in Monster World a fun game to visit, but only fans of the classic franchise will want to stay.
The fun of playing these games, especially these days, lies in the director, Ryuchi Nishizawa, whose approach to genre was one of precise and genial disregard.
The Wonder Boy / Monster World series is one I’ve never experienced, with its origins spanning back to arcades in the mid 1980’s. After a sprinkling of
Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World is a fully remastered version of 1994 platformer Wonder Boy IV.
There’s also a glaring aesthetic update that I think only few will find sightly. Graphically, I think the 16-bit style of the original Monster World IV holds up quite well, but I also don’t mind the flashier, more bubbly appearance of the remake. It’s a bit incongruous with the more traditional design, but overall kinda cute.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an exceedingly bland experience. This remake trades heavily on the 90s nostalgia factor, but fails to consider that, with the original only released outside of Japan in 2012, few will have played Monster World 4 in order to have any feelings of nostalgia about it. Sadly, all those playing the game for the first time will find little to get excited about.
