What’s the Rush, Snorpork? Monster Racers Review

The longevity of the Pokémon series is a testament to its masterful design. For nearly a dozen years, monster wranglers have been collecting, trading, and skirmishing their way through a multitude of homogenous iterations, repeatedly succumbing to the same well-engineered hooks. Although the last five (or so) excursions through Game Freak’s familiar world have offered fulfillment, they have also been accompanied by a growing yearning for significant innovation. While recent release Monster Racers doesn’t have the marketing push which elevated HeartGold/SoulSilver to the top of the sales, in some ways the title outperforms its competition.

For pocket monster gathering veterans, many of the title’s mechanics will feel affably familiar. From the endearing cultivation of a stable of creatures, nested series of competitions across a variety of venues, and procurable items which let players access new district, the game unapologetically pinches the Pokémon formula. Smartly, Monster Racers targets the famous franchise’s most antiquated element – its battle system. Whereas, Pikachu and Squirtle still square off via a simplistic turn-based battle system, the fleet-footed beasts of Monster Racers clash in real time. For Poképlayers that have ever found themselves on auto-pilot, habitually “scratching” or “growling” at opponents, the small change makes a vast difference. 

Players expecting a compelling impetus for the game’s expedition may be disappointed; Monster Racers‘ delight is found in the steps of the journey, rather than the anticipation of a specific destination. After choosing a name and gender, participants pick one of three monsters to start their budding collection, and begin their possess of nurturing a band of nimble beasts. The game’s voyage  spans across eight different parts of the world, as player trek through a variety of competitions, town, and dungeon exploration. Using actual locations allows Monster Racers to embed the dialog with local vernacular- one running gag has the game’s protagonists unable to understand a slang-slinging Aussie. Overall, the game’s conversations are kept refreshingly light, allowing the action to influence the pace of the title.

As the game’s moniker succinctly implies, these beasts have a propensity for sprinting. Forgoing the frustrating random battles typical of the RPG-light genre, Monster Racers presents small, swinging orbs which wisely allow for evasion. If player do come in contact with the yellow icons (or prompt a competition via a conversation with a NPC) they will instigate a brief contest to declare a champion. The actual races don’t feel far removed from Sonic the Hedgehog‘s platforming, as players leap to avoid obstacles or gaps in the ground. Being first to cross the finish line or moving far ahead of an opponent will reward players with coin and experience, while losing will cost monsters a ‘will’ star. Lose too many of these and your creatures will suffer a debilitating humiliation, forcing a revitalizing recharge at the nearest town clinic. Monster Racers is at its best when the title’s momentum is darting along – alas, some areas of the game will present a succession of confrontations which make the game feel a bit grind-happy. 

Monster Racers strongest visual component t is the game’s energetic cast of creatures, who are well drawn and amusingly animated. Towns and dungeons suffer from a bit of asset reuse, as players will see walkways composed of identical rocks and flora; occasionally, a walkway that appears to be traversable will prohibit progress, which may draw the ire of younger gamers. The game’s soundtrack is brimming with spirited tunes; unfortunately, a bit of distortion was evident when using headphones or listening on the DSiXL’s speakers.

With a solid mixture of light role-playing ,exploration, and team building, elevated by enjoyable two dimensional  racing, Monster Racers has nearly as many charms as it has animals. Just don’t make the mistake of assuming the title is a substandard Pokéclone- by incorporating bits of action, Racers leaves competitors like Spectrobes, Fossil Fighters and the Digimon series stunned at the starting line.