Meg's Monster is an indie game that was released on March 2nd, featuring a linear narrative that tells the heartwarming story of a grumpy monster from the Underworld who helps a lost little girl find her way home.
In this game, players take on the role of Roy, a hulking ogre who resides in the Underworld, a land inhabited by monsters and mutants who feast on humans. The story begins when Roy and his best friend Golan come across a lost little girl named Meg. Their world is turned upside down when they learn that Meg possesses an incredible power - if she cries, the world will literally end.
The game does not lie about “the end of the world” part.
The story of Meg's Monster follows a classic formula where a grumpy and cold-hearted monster learns to care for a young child. While it may be predictable that Roy, the protagonist, will eventually soften and become attached to Meg, the game's execution of the story is masterful, making every aspect of the narrative feel natural and authentic.
The 2D pixel-style characters, with the efforts of the development team, display extremely delicate expressions. Players can easily judge whether the characters are happy, sad, or trapped in some indescribable complex conflict through the changes in those few pixels. There is no voice acting in the game, but different tones of "beep beep" sound effects will be played when characters are talking. These sound effects present sharp, bright, or low-pitched styles according to the characters as if they were given voice-overs.
A screenshot of Meg’s Monster.
The game maintains a steady and engaging pace throughout its 4–5-hour story. As the story progresses, players gradually become immersed in Roy's perspective, experiencing the ups and downs of a novice parent's babysitting journey and will develop an emotional connection with the various characters in the story.
In addition, Meg's Monster's story contains many unpredictable moments, including clever twists and callbacks that we won't reveal here. However, it's safe to say that the 5-hour journey, filled with laughter and tears, will be unforgettable for many players.
A screenshot of a review of Meg’s Monster
Meg's Monster features a turn-based combat system commonly found in RPGs. Some of the UI settings are reminiscent of the Pokemon series. Roy is very powerful, but if he gets hurt, Meg's mood will drop. Therefore, Meg's mood gauge is the true indicator of health. The game's combat is simple yet strategic, requiring players to balance their attacks, healing, and defense in order to overcome challenges.
A screenshot of the combat in Meg’s Monster.
With each victory in battle, Meg and Roy become physically and mentally stronger, much like leveling up in an RPG. However, Meg's Monster is not actually an RPG. The game's battles are fixed in the main storyline, and there is no common RPG mechanic of "grinding" or gaining stat improvements through side quests. This means that each battle's conditions are predetermined by the developers, allowing them to turn battles into another form of storytelling in Meg's Monster.
The side quests in Meg’s Monster are essentially stories for supporting characters that supplement storytelling.
By turning Meg's mood gauge into a health bar, players can more effectively quantify how Roy protects Meg. In some specific battles, players will encounter various interesting mechanics, such as rapidly tapping the fists icon that appears on the screen as if comparing the speed of their attack rushes. These specific mechanics also work well with the emotional climax of the story.
Meg's Monster's music is also a crucial part of its storytelling. The game's music perfectly matches the atmosphere of the story, especially the soothing, childlike, and somewhat melancholic theme song "Wishing Star", which will hit players' most vulnerable spots. In the game's Steam reviews, many players shared their praise for the music.
Of course, this is also due to the Meg's Monster team's emphasis on the soundtrack. They invited Reo Uratani to compose the game's music. Reo Uratani worked at Capcom for 10 years as a sound director for several Monster Hunter games and left in 2019 to establish his own company, REI MUSIC. In addition, he also produced many tracks in various video games, including the popular music action game Hi-Fi Rush.
A screenshot of the Message from the Composer.
In conclusion, Meg's Monster is a heartwarming and emotional journey that takes players on an unforgettable adventure. It is a must-play for those who enjoy a good story and want to experience a game that's both charming and touching. With its delightful characters, captivating plot, and emotional music, Meg's Monster is a true gem waiting to be played.