Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

War of the Monsters thrives on its straightforward yet deeply satisfying melee combat. Players choose from a roster of giant creatures—each with unique movesets and strengths—and duke it out across sprawling, fully destructible cityscapes. The core fighting mechanics balance simplicity (basic punches, kicks, jumps) with depth (charged special attacks, grab combos, environmental weapon pickups), so newcomers can jump right in while veterans can master timing and strategy.

The variety of game modes keeps the action fresh. Adventure mode guides you through a series of thematically linked battles and boss fights, sprinkling in cutscenes that reinforce the game’s B-movie sci-fi charm. Free For All and Elimination allow for free-for-all skirmishes between up to four players, while Endurance tests how long you can last against waves of enemies. Mini-Games offer fun diversions—think racing through obstacle courses as your monster or competing for high scores in timed destruction challenges.

Pickups are a vital ingredient in each match. You’ll find health kits, energy cubes that fuel your special moves, and fuel rods that let you summon devastating screen-filling attacks. Weapons range from battered automobiles to streetlamps and telephone poles. This environmental interaction amplifies the chaos of each brawl and frequently turns the tide of a battle—especially in two-player couch fights, where grabbing a stray car can mean instant domination.

Progression is handled smartly through tokens earned in Adventure mode. These unlock a trove of extras: alternate monster skins, new arenas, and even bonus mini-games. This sense of continual reward adds replay value without ever feeling grindy. Saving after each level means you can jump in for a quick fight or binge-through the entire arcade-style campaign at your own pace.

Graphics

On its original platform, War of the Monsters pushed the hardware to deliver impressively detailed, 3D city environments. Skyscrapers shatter realistically, streets crack beneath your monster’s weight, and fiery explosions send debris flying in all directions. Even today, these effects hold up thanks to a vibrant color palette and dynamic lighting that capture the game’s comic-book aesthetic.

The monster designs borrow heavily from 1950s and ’60s sci-fi horror tropes: you’ll find everything from Godzilla-esque titans to squishy blob creatures, each animated with a flair that makes them feel weighty and alive. Costumes and paint jobs are often over-the-top, leaning into the campy premise, and they pop against the ruined urban backdrops. Camera angles shift dynamically during special moves and big hits, providing cinematic flair throughout each fight.

While the textures can feel a bit blocky by modern standards, this retro charm adds to the game’s identity. The arenas span famous cities and landmarks—Tokyo, New York, Central City—each with its own architectural quirks. From moonlit observatories to apocalyptic wastelands, the stages keep visual repetition to a minimum. Environmental hazards like crumbling statues and stray missiles also contribute to the spectacle.

Story

The narrative in War of the Monsters is delightfully old-school B-movie fare. An alien armada invades Earth, humans develop experimental weapons, then things go awry when mysterious liquid from shattered UFOs mutates into giant beasts. It’s a classic “science experiment gone wrong” setup, perfect for framing monster melees without bogging down the pacing.

Adventure mode stitches this premise together with comic book–style cutscenes. Each banner panel introduces a new stage or boss, complete with tongue-in-cheek captions and monster close-ups. These snippets aren’t award-winning writing, but they enhance the game’s campy atmosphere. You get just enough context to care about why you’re smashing through Tokyo or battling on the lunar surface.

Boss battles serve as story milestones, offering a fitting crescendo to each act of the campaign. Defeating an alien warlord or mutated behemoth not only grants tokens for unlocking extras, but also propels you to the next chapter in the unfolding alien catastrophe. It’s a simple framework, but it elegantly balances narrative progression with nonstop monster mayhem.

Overall Experience

War of the Monsters stands out as a love letter to monster movies and early arcade fighting games. Its blend of fast-paced combat, destructible environments, and unlockable goodies makes for a compelling package that’s easy to recommend. Whether you’re playing solo through the quirky Adventure mode or battling friends in local multiplayer, the game delivers moments of chaotic fun in spades.

One potential drawback is that the core combat loop can grow repetitive if you stick to only one mode for too long. Luckily, the robust selection of arenas, character skins, and mini-games provides enough variety to keep you coming back. The save-anywhere system means you can mix things up without losing progress, so you’re never stuck grinding the same fight repeatedly.

For fans of giant monster brawlers, sci-fi camp, or just pure couch-co-op brawling, War of the Monsters remains a standout title. It captures the spirit of vintage creature features while delivering tight controls and gratifying feedback. If you crave an accessible yet surprisingly deep fighting experience framed within delightful B-movie trappings, this game is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10