Sometimes a game comes along that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It might not feel like anything special when you first start playing it, but by the end, you are left with a feeling of sadness simply because you know you will never get to play it for the first time again. These are games that will forever be etched into your memory, and will welcome you with a strong sense of nostalgia whenever you think back to your time with them.
These are exactly the type of games developer Odencat likes to create, and Meg's Monster is no exception.
Meg's Monster is a 2023 story-driven adventure game which incorporates RPG and puzzle-solving elements into its gameplay. It is a short title, only lasting around five hours, but it manages to completely captivate those who are willing to give it a chance. On the surface, it is a simple story of a young girl and her monster friend, but players will quickly discover there is more to it than meets the eye. It is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking adventure, and players really owe it to themselves to experience it at least once.
The Story of Meg and Her Monster:
Meg's Monster begins with an adult Meg returning to a mysterious lab from her childhood. She can't remember exactly what happened there, or why the red star in the sky invokes such a nostalgic feeling, but she hopes returning will bring her some answers. It is at this point where the story takes a shift back in time, and we as the players get to experience it from the beginning.
When the true story opens, we are introduced to a strange creature named Roy. Roy lives in a place dubbed the Underworld, where monsters rule, and the existence of humanity is knowledge reserved for a select few. As a part of a deal, humans do not interfere with the Underworld, and monsters remain inside of it. It is this balance that is supposedly key to maintaining peace within the world, and the pact set in place should never be broken. But then Meg appeared.
After discovering Meg alone and abandoned in one small corner of the Underworld, Roy takes it upon himself to look after her and return her to her mother. Initially, he couldn't care any less, but when Meg begins to cry and Roy begins to burn hot, he is informed by his friend Golan that there is more to the girl than meets the eye. Apparently, she has the power to bring ruin to the world, and her cry will ultimately lead to the world's destruction. This becomes reason enough for Roy to ensure she returns to where she came from, but that doesn't mean he is happy about it.
Throughout the course of the story, Roy, Meg, and Golan navigate the Underworld and learn more both about each other and the world they live in along the way. Golan clearly knows more than he is letting on, serving as a guide for Roy, but where Meg's mother has gone remains a mystery to all. Of course, being a human puts Meg at risk of being devoured by the other monsters, but Roy will never let that happen. As their relationship progresses throughout the story, the two become inseparable, and their adventure ultimately leads them to discoveries they never would have imagined.
The "Not Quite" RPG Gameplay:
Meg's Monster is an adventure game that mixes itself with an RPG. At its core, the main battle gameplay feels almost like a parody of none other than Pokémon, but the reality is it is something unique.
The vast majority of the game is spent reading dialogue, exploring small areas, and fighting enemies. Locations can be chosen on the map, but are limited by the story itself. Sometimes side areas open up and allow for sub-stories to be viewed, but for the most part, progression is completely linear. Once inside a chosen area, however, players can use Roy to explore the maps, speak to characters, and even solve puzzles. Eventually, battles will be triggered as well, but even these are more like "puzzles" rather than being your typical turn-based battle.
Once in a fight, Roy has 99,999 health and can basically withstand anything. Meg, on the other hand, gets upset when Roy is hurt, and her happiness rating drops. Her rating hitting 0 means a Game Over, and the only way to prevent that is to take a moment to play with her in battle. As the story progresses, Roy will unlock toys for Meg to play with, and this becomes his main way of keeping her happy in a fight. Some toys heal more of her rating than others, while others also buff Roy for a set amount of turns. Roy himself also can defend against larger hits, and sometimes unique, battle-specific actions become available as well.
When it comes to attacking, Roy can only punch the enemy, but he can spend points to land harder hits. Thankfully, each turn grants him one additional point to use, with his medium hit only requiring one point and his strongest needing two. This means Roy will be using his heavy-hitting attacks more often than not, and this becomes key to chipping away at enemies' health bars.
Although Roy does level up and get stronger with each encounter, his actions in each fight are fully controlled by the game, and there is always a "right" way to approach each battle. It requires a little tactical input, as one would expect from a turn-based RPG, but for the most part, the answer to winning a fight is very obvious. It mostly comes down to using an attack, playing with a toy once Meg is feeling sad, attacking again, and then using the special fight-specific action when the game allows it. Almost all actions, outside of attacking, are limited-use as well, with fights typically going through all allowed usages before you win. As long as you do what the game directs you to, the battles are no problem at all.
This is the main gameplay loop of Meg's Monster, with Roy visiting areas, cutscenes playing out, and fights happening at key moments. The actual puzzles are very few and far between as well, with each of them being unique due to the addition of new gameplay mechanics. Even so, puzzles are not the main focus here, as the story is what remains front and center from beginning to end. It is the reason to play Meg's Monster, with the gameplay elements themselves simply serving as a medium to further advance the story. And that works to the game's advantage.
Should you play it?
Meg's Monster is an unforgettable and deeply heartwarming tale of a young girl and the powerful bond she forms with a monster. While its simple gameplay and RPG mechanics effectively propel the narrative forward, it is the overarching mystery and the charming cast of characters that truly resonate and leave a lasting impact.
If you are looking for a short narrative experience that you will be able to look back on with fond memories, then look no further. Meg's Monster is a must-play title, and players will not leave disappointed. It may not be a massive RPG adventure, but it accomplishes far more with its brief runtime than many games ten times its size even aspire to achieve.
VERDICT: Essential
Reviewed on PC
Review Copy was Provided
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