Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Cross-platform, 1987)

Release date: Wednesday 15th July 1987

Platforms: Master System, NES, PC Engine, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Arcade

Published by: SEGA, Activision

Developed by: Westone Bit Entertainment, Hudson Soft

Genres: Action, RPG, Platformer, Metroidvania

Story Drive📖 12/20
Accessibility🚪 11/20
Depth🤿 14/20
Challenge💀 16/20
Duration⌛ 15/20
Freedom🌎 10/20
Review Scores
8xCCE
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 8
Very ambitious for a game released in 1987, it was no joke back then to make such intricate levels, and implement metroidvania-style mechanics.
The Flair: C
The game looks and sounds great. Special mention goes to the boss sprites and shopkeepers, who are given a charmingly somber touch behind the counter.
The Feel: C
Despite being a bit rough around the edges, it's one of the very first titles to gracefully introduce intricate metroidvania mechanics, and it does so in a very neat, effective way.
The Fuel: E
Sumptuous level design full of secrets, varied and clever boss encounters, and a slightly ominous story that works pretty well in the end.
Great
84
Classic Score
Conclusions
Wonder Boy in Monster Land was a milestone that helped define a genre. It's pretty, fun, and complex in the best possible way. However, its harsh difficulty and unhelpful nature make it really hard to jump into and even harder to progress without any help, thus tarnishing the title a bit.
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Cross-platform, 1987)
Badge Cabinet
Release date: Wednesday 15th July 1987
Platforms: Master System, NES, PC Engine, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Arcade
Published by: SEGA, Activision
Developed by: Westone Bit Entertainment, Hudson Soft
Genres: Action, RPG, Platformer, Metroidvania
Trait Chart
Story Drive 📖 12/20
Accessibility 🚪 11/20
Depth 🤿 14/20
Challenge 💀 16/20
Duration ⌛ 15/20
Freedom 🌎 10/20
Review Scores
8xCCE
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 8
Very ambitious for a game released in 1987, it was no joke back then to make such intricate levels, and implement metroidvania-style mechanics.
The Flair: C
The game looks and sounds great. Special mention goes to the boss sprites and shopkeepers, who are given a charmingly somber touch behind the counter.
The Feel: C
Despite being a bit rough around the edges, it's one of the very first titles to gracefully introduce intricate metroidvania mechanics, and it does so in a very neat, effective way.
The Fuel: E
Sumptuous level design full of secrets, varied and clever boss encounters, and a slightly ominous story that works pretty well in the end.
Conclusions

Wonder Boy in Monster Land was a milestone that helped define a genre. It's pretty, fun, and complex in the best possible way. However, its harsh difficulty and unhelpful nature make it really hard to jump into and even harder to progress without any help, thus tarnishing the title a bit.

Great
84
Classic Score