Wonder Boy in Monster World, in Japan known as Wonder Boy V: Monster World III, is a 1991 platform action-adventure game, developed by Westone. Originally a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis game, it was later ported for other consoles. The Master System version was released in 1993.
Plot[]
Western manual:[]
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Priscilla, and I'm from a village called Alsedo, located in Monster World. I'd like to tell you of the recent happenings in my village and the surrounding area.
Alsedo is a lovely, tranquil place- or was, until recently. I'm an aide to the Queen, a kindly girl who's wise beyond her years. I've helped to keep the peace here for several hundred years now. Life has been, for the most part, very pleasant.
One day, though, the monsters came to my village and turned it upside down. The Queen decided to go to Purapril, a neighbouring town for help, but discovered that Alsedo wasn't the only place that had been terrorized by the monsters. They were everywhere- the villagers live each day fearing for their lives...
The Queen, realizing that she and the citizens of Monster World are powerless against the monsters. is desperately hoping for someone to step forth- a hero- someone with courage, strength and wisdom. Are you the hero? Is that why you've come? Are you the one to return peace to this embattled land? I beg of you- do what you can. I can no longer stand to see the sadness in the face of the Queen..."
In game:[]
"Monster World was once a peaceful region. Then, the peace was shattered by an invading army of monsters. A young man named Shion vowed to defeat them and make his land peaceful again."
Gameplay[]
Mega Drive[]
Wonder Boy in Monster World has the player take control of Shion, as he fights the armies of monsters that have invaded Monster World. The gameplay acts like a platformer game with action RPG elements, such as the ability to equip weapons, spells and items and talk to NPC villagers around town.
Shion is able to equip two types of weaponry:
- A sword which has short range, but can be equipped alongside a sword which will autoblock attacks at a certain height.
- Polearms like a short spear or trident which have a longer range, but cannot be used alongside a shield. Shion is able to defend himself with a shield like attack by spinning the polearm in front of himself with this weapon, but not automatically.
Defeating monsters with these weapons will cause them to drop either coins or hearts. Hearts will restore Shion's health, whilst the coins can be used to purchase upgraded equipment such as armour of boots that affect Shion's running speed, new weapons, items such as potions or elixers or powerful magic spells that can be equipped and unleashed in battle. These spells have a set number of uses before they can no longer be performed which differs from spell to spell.
There are also inns that charge 20 coins for a stay, but will completely restore Shion's health and magic spell cast number after spending a night, as well as save the game, a new feature to the series.
Shion is accompanied on his quest at various points by dungeon specific companions.
- Priscilla; A fairy who works for Queen Eleanora. She will help Shion, by occasionally dropping a healing heart and attacking enemies, causing them to stop in their tracks.
- Hotta: A dwarven child Shion rescues from some tribesman. He is able to find secret entrances within the ruins, allowing Shion to find hidden treasures. Occasionally he will dig up coins whilst exploring.
- Shabo: A demon familiar holding a scythe. He will occasionally deal damage by throwing scythes at enemies.
- Lotto: A newborn dragon who hatches from an egg. He will attack enemies with his fire breath.
Master System[]
The Master System version , whilst largely faithful to the original, has a few differences due to technical limitations:
- The companions no longer appear or travel alongside Shion.
- The short spear is no longer an early obtainable weapon for Shion. Polearms like the trident still appear as equippable weapons later.
- Some bosses have been simplified, for example Gragg and Glagg the second dungeon's bosses now only spit one boulder at a time.
- Less monsters in certain areas.
Development[]
Reception[]
Trivia[]
- The game's protagonist, Shion, starred in the Wonder Boy section for Fleetway's Sonic the Comic. These strips took place after the events of the game.
- Shion's companions also appear in Monster World IV and it's remake Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World.
- Hudson developed a TurboGrafx-16 CD version of the game known as The Dynastic Hero. Shion is replaced by a hero known as Dyna who wears a stag beetle styled suit of armour.
- Tectoy reskinned this game as a vehicle for Monica's Gang in Brazil, known as Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros. This is the third Wonder Boy title to receive this treatment in Brazil after Wonder Boy in Monster Land and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap.
Gallery[]
External links[]
|
|