Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX

Stop the presses. The game series that seems to have been forgotten is making a triumphant return into the fray; Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is arriving for the modern-day consoles. You'd be forgiven if you wouldn't know how to feel about it. Plenty of gamers wouldn't even have been alive when these two life simulation classics were released.

Regardless, one of the OGs of monster breeding is back. The two games included in the package received critical acclaim in their hay day as one of the most engaging sim games on the market. However, let's not forget that these two little numbers are over two decades old. Do they still play well in a 2021 rerelease?

Returning to the Farm

Taking a step back in time to reignite the joy spread by Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is an exciting prospect for some. But for the many, it's leaping into the unknown. Many younger players won't understand why this series is a significant part of life sim gaming history. It's because it doesn't match today's aesthetics and mechanics of today's games.

However, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX isn't a plain rerelease of the games. It's been contemporized to be palatable for those more aligned to modern gaming. The gameplay consists of breeding, raising, trading, and fighting monsters on a farm for those who haven't played them. The narrative and characters are the main difference between the two, with competitive mechanics changing slightly.

The gameplay is straightforward but done well, but if you played the games, you'd already know that. What matters is if Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX play well on modern platforms. The mechanics are timeless and curate some of the most fun out of a simulation game seen in a generation. The answer is yes, these games are still thoroughly enjoyable.

Suppose new players approached the two games, understanding that they were the root of many modern simulators. In that case, they'd probably enjoy them too. The nostalgia generates the most content here, but it can be played from multiple perspectives. Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is still as engaging, exciting, and immersive as ever, with added features like online trading to keep players interested.

The Jolly Monster Rancher

Arguably, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX planted the seeds for video game series like Pokemon and Digimon to succeed. However, there's something more relaxed and pleasant about the Monster Rancher franchise. You can enjoy gameplay without the pressure of competition or meeting an end goal.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Still brilliant gameplay with some mechanical improvements
• Monster trading is available online
• Online multiplayer inclusion benefits the game

Cons:

• No noticeable visual improvements
• The battle interface is still a bit cluttered