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Monster Tale - Stand aside Samus and Soma, Ellie's the new heroine in town.

TomaToma Registered User regular
edited March 2011 in Games and Technology
The other monster-raising game to come out for the Nintendo DS.

monster-tale-01.jpg

Join Ellie as she gets transported to a monster-filled world, corrupted by bullies that enslave monsters to do their bidding. The only way for Ellie to solve the problem is to befriend the monster "Chomp" and start beating the crap out of everything with her satchel. Also, she has a mega buster.

Quick Look thanks to the Giant Bomb crew

Screenshots
Monster-Tale-106-copy_1273605329.jpg

monstertalee3impressions.jpg

Features!
- Metroidvania: Backtrack to your heart's delight, beating up everything in your path
- Ellie: Satchel things, then combo away
- Chomp: He likes to eat or play with everything you send to the bottom screen, and also enjoys beating things up!
- Bosses!
- Satchels!
- Monster upgrade system with levels and new abilities!
- Hopefully a more balanced difficulty than Hatsworth!

I really do want to promote this game, since I've not heard a peep from this anywhere else. It's a shame it comes out at the end of the DS life cycle, with so little fanfare. If you were a fan of Henry Hatsworth, it's worth giving this gem your support.

This is supposedly out now, but good luck tracking it down if you didn't pre-order. The Gamestop I went to didn't get any copies due to no pre-orders, which is a rant saved for another time or place. Heck, I'm still looking to pick this up where I can, but I'll still spread the word in the meantime.

monster-tale-02.jpg

tomapop.gif

PSN: Toma84
Toma on
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Posts

  • chiasaur11chiasaur11 Never doubt a raccoon. Do you think it's trademarked?Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Not all the Hatsworth guys, I would assume. Since, well, one of the leads left to form 2D boy, right?

    chiasaur11 on
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  • RenzoRenzo Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Looked for it at Target today. No luck. And there are no copies at any Gamestop in a 100 mile radius. :(

    Renzo on
  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Renzo wrote: »
    Looked for it at Target today. No luck. And there are no copies at any Gamestop in a 100 mile radius. :(

    It's available on the GS site, and on Amazon... Best Buy lists a release date of 22Mar, though.

    Shadowfire on
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  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I am digging the art style. I figure I'll pick it up from Amazon since Gamestop isn't carrying it around here.

    harvest on
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  • NorfairNorfair Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I'm intrigued by the screenshots and the Metroidvania comparison, but leery because of Henry Hatsworth; that game was fucking brutal and just way too hard at the end. Also my backlog is huge as it is. Still, this game will probably be impossible to find later. Hm.

    Norfair on
  • TomaToma Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    From early reviews and impressions, the difficulty seems reigned in, which is a good change of pace. I still kind of hope there's a New Game+ mode in it like Hatsworth, though.

    Biggest knocks against the game are due to its backtracking, not difficulty.

    Toma on
    tomapop.gif

    PSN: Toma84
  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Yea, I think I'll have to go to Amazon in order to get this.

    It looks very fun...but yea, Hatsworth, for as much as i liked the game, was probably one of the most brutal games for the DS.

    Brainiac 8 on
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  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Wait, this is out now? Man, this thing didn't show up on many radars at all.

    And Henry Hatsworth is an absolute gem if you haven't played it... which, ah, most of the universe hasn't.

    cloudeagle on
    Switch: 3947-4890-9293
  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    cloudeagle wrote: »
    Wait, this is out now? Man, this thing didn't show up on many radars at all.

    And Henry Hatsworth is an absolute gem if you haven't played it... which, ah, most of the universe hasn't.

    And anyone who wants to play it will absolutely enjoy the silly adventure of Henry Hatsworth...that is until they reach the sewer, which is the longest, hardest, cheapest, and most brutal level in any platformer in the history of platformers. :x

    Brainiac 8 on
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  • elevatureelevature Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I've never heard of this but I loved Hatsworth. Looks like I'm going to have to track a copy of this down.

    elevature on
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  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Brainiac 8 wrote: »
    cloudeagle wrote: »
    Wait, this is out now? Man, this thing didn't show up on many radars at all.

    And Henry Hatsworth is an absolute gem if you haven't played it... which, ah, most of the universe hasn't.

    And anyone who wants to play it will absolutely enjoy the silly adventure of Henry Hatsworth...that is until they reach the sewer, which is the longest, hardest, cheapest, and most brutal level in any platformer in the history of platformers. :x

    It's best for your sanity if you pretend the game ends at the end of World 4 and the bonus levels don't exist.

    But how can you pass up crap like this?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRyIvHKGOWU

    cloudeagle on
    Switch: 3947-4890-9293
  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    The Singing Sailor = one of the greatest bosses in history. :lol:

    Brainiac 8 on
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  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    What is the song that is playing during that fight?

    Magus` on
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  • TomaToma Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Magus` wrote: »
    What is the song that is playing during that fight?

    "Banson's Aria" I believe. They had the soundtrack for free download online. I wonder if it still is up there on the site.

    Toma on
    tomapop.gif

    PSN: Toma84
  • Magus`Magus` The fun has been DOUBLED! Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    It is!

    Magus` on
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  • echo 78echo 78 Title Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I picked this up Saturday at Best Buy (they were selling it early I guess). Needless to say, this is the only game I've been playing on my DS all weekend.

    This game is so much fun to play. Its like Metroid, but better :D (IMO of course)

    My only fear is that I'll beat it before I get all the forms of Chomp... after about 4 hours I'm already 30% through the game.

    echo 78 on
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  • VeganVegan Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I wasn't interested until I watched the quick look. It looks cool! I also expect it'll be 10 dollars within a few months.

    Vegan on
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  • DirtyDirty Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Renzo wrote: »
    Looked for it at Target today. No luck. And there are no copies at any Gamestop in a 100 mile radius. :(

    Currently working at Target. Sometimes, games come in, but for whatever reason, they don't get added to a sales planner, which means they just rot in the backroom until they go clearance. I only bring this up because this is one of those games (I noticed a single copy when I was looking for something else).

    The system they have for stocking games is downright retarded at times.

    Dirty on
  • TomaToma Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Went by a Gamestop last night, and while they displayed the game out as "out now" and on the New Release shelf, they said they had no idea when they'd be getting it in stock.

    Short story: Amazon/WalMart purchase it is, then.

    Toma on
    tomapop.gif

    PSN: Toma84
  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Sheesh, this thing is getting a stealthier release than Henry Hatsworth did. And that one was pretty stealthy.

    cloudeagle on
    Switch: 3947-4890-9293
  • CrabhammerCrabhammer Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Henry Hatsworth is one of my favorite DS games. I watched the quick look for Monster Tale on Giant Bomb a week or so ago and it looks absolutely awesome. It's actually kind of convenient that Pokemon, Okamiden, and this all come out right when the 3DS does. Now I can play something other than Pilotwings and Nintendogs on it, even if they're just DS games.

    Crabhammer on
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  • RakaiRakai Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Another DS game I need to get and I still have a sizable backlog to get through. There are too many good games I say!

    Rakai on
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  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I've just beaten the first boss and I can already tell this is going to be really fun to play. The animation is impressive and very nice, the pet monster is cute (for now), and Ellie's vocalizations are appropriate and cool.

    harvest on
    B6yM5w2.gif
  • DyvionDyvion Back in Sunny Florida!!Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Metroidvanias are my favoritest type of game! It's a classic side scrolling Action RPG w/ puzzles! I must haves it! I must!

    Dyvion on
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  • harvestharvest By birthright, a stupendous badass.Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Ok, about an hour in you get to the first REAL boss, who fucked my shit up proper. Glad to see there's a benefit to grinding in this game, as you can buy upgrades from the trader if you can spare the money (they're expensive).

    harvest on
    B6yM5w2.gif
  • echo 78echo 78 Title Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    harvest wrote: »
    Ok, about an hour in you get to the first REAL boss, who fucked my shit up proper. Glad to see there's a benefit to grinding in this game, as you can buy upgrades from the trader if you can spare the money (they're expensive).

    Haha yeah the same thing happened to me. I had to actually think strategy for the first time lol.

    I just got to third boss and she is not easy. Look's like I'm going to need some upgrades.

    There is so much backtracking in this game...

    echo 78 on
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  • Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I've never heard of either of these...


    ...and I just bought both of them.

    Magic Pink on
  • TomaToma Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Finally acquired my copy. Going to have to update the OP a bit, but not for now while there's Chomps to raise!

    Initial impressions:
    - Yup, this is by the Hatsworth guys
    - Yup, controls just like Hatsworth
    - Using Chomp's abilities as secondary/customizable attacks is quite fun
    - Loving the monster designs
    - Feels like Chomp is a good extension of Ellie's fighting, instead of being just another character on screen. There's an actual incentive to use him, since Ellie doesn't gain XP.

    Toma on
    tomapop.gif

    PSN: Toma84
  • TomaToma Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So I haven't really confirmed this for myself, but apparently, if you somehow level up Chomp's current form to level 30, but haven't unlocked all the branching paths, they become locked out. Saw this on a couple other forums and wonder if it's actually true since you can level up through items.

    Oh yeah, and the forms are part of the completion percentage, for those of you who demand 100%. Wonder if there will be a New Game+ like in Hatsworth.

    Toma on
    tomapop.gif

    PSN: Toma84
  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    You... you actually finished Hatsworth?

    Truly you are a god among men.

    cloudeagle on
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  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Cloud, I finished Hatsworth too. It's doable, just extremely difficult. You should power through the final area, as the final boss and ending are worth it.

    Brainiac 8 on
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  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I died in the sewer level over and over and over and asked myself if this kind of pain was truly worth it.

    Erf. Tell you what, I'll try to make it to the end if you finally give B-K: Nuts and Bolts a try. :P

    cloudeagle on
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  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    cloudeagle wrote: »
    I died in the sewer level over and over and over and asked myself if this kind of pain was truly worth it.

    Erf. Tell you what, I'll try to make it to the end if you finally give B-K: Nuts and Bolts a try. :P

    But I don't want to play with Legos...it's teh kiddy. :(



    :P

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  • XagarathXagarath Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    No sign of a European release, and importing tends to get me hit with customs charges half the time.

    Xagarath on
  • DyvionDyvion Back in Sunny Florida!!Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Found a copy over here, played through this weekend. 14 hours for 99.7% complete. Because I turned left instead of right at the end. (Grrr)

    Unlocked all of chomps forms. Never found a wall of difficulty. No new game plus as far as I can tell. Was lots of fun.

    ... Drill Mister and Heal II are my favorite abilities.

    Dyvion on
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  • Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Love the game but I really wish Chomp didn't get XP from attacking critters. My inner grind whore kicks in and now I don't let Ellie kill anything which is slowing gameplay way way down.

    Magic Pink on
  • RembladeRemblade Pobodies Nerfect. Shepherd RepublicRegistered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I got this game last week because of this thread. I haven't put it down yet. I'm in over 7 hours and only at about 56% done (according to the game). I love this game, Ellie is such a bad ass. My new favorite heroine.

    Remblade on
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  • BillmaanBillmaan Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Magic Pink wrote: »
    Love the game but I really wish Chomp didn't get XP from attacking critters. My inner grind whore kicks in and now I don't let Ellie kill anything which is slowing gameplay way way down.

    Chomp gets XP as long as he gets an attack in; he doesn't have to land the killing blow. Just make sure Chomp connects once, then go to town with Ellie.

    Billmaan on
  • Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Billmaan wrote: »
    Magic Pink wrote: »
    Love the game but I really wish Chomp didn't get XP from attacking critters. My inner grind whore kicks in and now I don't let Ellie kill anything which is slowing gameplay way way down.

    Chomp gets XP as long as he gets an attack in; he doesn't have to land the killing blow. Just make sure Chomp connects once, then go to town with Ellie.


    Yeah, I just figured that out. But most of the critters still only take one shot right now so very little has changed. Plus my bracelet just got ammo. :(

    Magic Pink on
  • XagarathXagarath Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Imported. Time to wait.

    Xagarath on
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