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Initially
the monsters are trained by your character, Julio.
By selecting the appropriate process for each monster
you ensure they will bond with you and perform to
their full potential. Eventually you can let other
circus performers train your monsters for you as each
trainer will specialize in different techniques. Circus
training devices are a useful tool as they increase
the monsters' stats to get them in shape. New training
equipment can be customized from parts available at
various shops in town. There are three mini-games
that you can play to help train your monsters. They
are all button-mashing games that rely on your reflexes
and timing. One mini-game involves pattern recognition
while another is a rhythm-based music game. The better
you do at these games, the more stats you will earn
for your monster and the better your overall performance
will be.
Combat
can be slow. It blends real-time with turn-based.
Attacks are dependent on how close or far away you
are from your opponent. At first your attacks will
be limited simply because you only have a few moves
at your disposal. You will earn experience in the
form or Anima which you can use to increase your abilities
and add more moves. You will gain Anima from combat
and taking part in the various action sections of
the game such as dungeon crawling. Up to three monsters
can be taken into combat at one time. They all share
the same power source which continually drains with
use, draining faster with the use of more powerful
attacks. The source will replenish itself and will
do so faster if the monsters are lined up in a row,
side by each.
The
multi-player mode also lets you bring in three monsters
at a time for a three-on-three fight to the finish.
It's good clean fun and the pace can be picked up
if your opponent knows what he or she is doing. Don't
expect a lot of replay value from the multi-player
mode but if you have a circle of friends that are
fanatical about this series you'll likely spend more
time trading disks in an attempt to create different
monsters.
The
look of the game has changed. It has a more artsy
look. The exaggerated cartoon-style graphics are gone
in favor of creating a more serious atmosphere reminiscent
of traditional Japanese RPGs. It still has some of
the anime flair but the colors are less vibrant and
the characters are less over-the-top. The conversations
are text-based and where there is spoken dialog you
can tell that the actors' main language is not English.
Monster
Rancher EVO may continue to please hardcore fans of
the series but it's doubtful that it will recruit
many new fans, especially if they've played any of
the previous four games.
Features:
- Create
and unlock hundreds of monsters to raise, train
and battle.
- Perform
in the circus and compete in battles to level up
your monsters' skills and attributes.
- A
fantasy world with circus elements creates a unique
stage for monster breeding.
- Partake
in real-time, three-on-three battles requiring careful
strategizing to create an unstoppable team of monsters.
- Seven
different towns, each with its own story and beautifully
rendered, unique 3D environment.
By
Mike Chasselwaite
CCC
Freelance Writer
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