Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuary

Monster Sanctuary

Moi Rai Games Team17 December 7, 2020
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79

Metacritic

81

OpenCritic

Strong

87

IGDB

81STRONG

OpenCritic Score

28
Reviews
82%
Recommend
81
Top Critics Avg

Score Distribution

90-100
5
80-89
11
70-79
2
60-69
2
50-59
0
<50
0

"An expansive and content-packed game, Monster Sanctuary would be easy to criticise as a grind if we didn't find that said grinding was never really necessary to enjoy it. It's a difficult one to review because a lot of what this reviewer personally found a little boring is exactly what's going to appeal to its core audience of number-crunching statisticians. While Monster Sanctuary's is a little plain at the outset, the right people will find it one of their favourite games of the year. It's a total timesink, but that's a term that implies said time is being wasted, when it really isn't. Every fight is pushing your team forward, and the potential for maximising the efficiency and power of your squad is seemingly infinite. It can feel more like organising a spreadsheet than playing a game at times, but it's impossible to deny that it's an accomplished game with a lot to offer - and that's without even taking it online to battle other players. If you like min-maxing, feel free to add a point or two to the score below."

Nintendo Life70 Read full review →

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About Monster Sanctuary

Monster Sanctuary is a pixel art adventure from developer Moi Rai Games that landed on December 7, 2020. Published by Team17, this title merges creature collecting with classic Metroidvania exploration across PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux, and Mac. You control a young guardian tasked with saving the world from corruption while befriending strange beasts. The game presents itself as a side-scrolling RPG where every new monster adds to your roster and changes how you approach fights. It feels like a love letter to older turn-based strategy games but updates the formula for modern players who want deeper tactical options without sacrificing fast-paced platforming mechanics.

Gameplay

You move through interconnected zones using standard jump and attack controls while scanning for hidden paths and collectibles. Combat triggers on contact with enemies and shifts to a distinct turn-based system where you select moves from a grid menu. Each monster possesses unique abilities that scale with your level, requiring you to manage team composition carefully during long dungeon crawls. Battles often last longer than standard action games because positioning matters more than reflexes. You can fuse monsters to create hybrids with new stats and skills. The single-player campaign offers dozens of hours of content, though multiplayer modes let you test strategies against others. Sessions usually involve backtracking through familiar areas with new abilities to reach previously inaccessible zones.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows a very engaged player base with an average completion rate of 84 percent. The community rates the title highly at 79 out of 100 on Metacritic, and user reviews frequently cite the combat depth as a highlight. Average playtime sits around 35 hours for main story completion, but achievement hunters often spend over 60 hours chasing all 50 available trophies. Community moods lean heavily toward "satisfied" and "challenged," with players praising the strategic layer in turn-based encounters. Some users note the difficulty spike near mid-game bosses, yet 92 percent of recent reviews remain positive. The price point on sale often drops to $2.99, which drives up value perception among budget-conscious gamers who want a full experience without premium costs.

PlayPile's Take

Monster Sanctuary delivers solid value at its current lowest price of $2.99. It suits players who prefer tactical decision-making over twitch reflexes and enjoy building complex monster teams. The 50 achievements provide clear goals for completionists, and the 35-hour runtime offers substantial content for the cost. You should skip this if you dislike turn-based systems or find pixel art visuals unappealing. The game does not hold your hand through tough fights, but that challenge feels fair given the mechanics. It stands out as one of the better indie RPGs available on modern consoles and remains a strong recommendation for strategy fans seeking depth over flash.

Game Modes

Single player, Multiplayer

IGDB Rating

86.6

RAWG Rating

3.6

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Screenshots

7

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