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Master of Monsters

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Master of Monsters
PC-9801 cover art
DeveloperSystemSoft
PublisherSystemSoft
ComposerHayato Matsuo
PlatformsMSX, PC-8801, Sharp X1, PC Engine CD, PC-9801, Genesis
Release
GenreTurn-based strategy
ModeSingle-player

Master of Monsters[a] is a turn-based strategy game developed by SystemSoft for the MSX and NEC PC8801. It was ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine CD, NEC PC9801, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. While it never had the same success as its SystemSoft stablemate Daisenryaku, the game garnered a loyal following. Its success in the North American market on the Sega Genesis proved sufficient for a sequel on the Sega Saturn, and an anime art-style enhanced Sony PlayStation version titled Disciples of Gaia with a Japanese role-playing game feel. Master of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia was released in 1998.[1]

Gameplay

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Gameplay engages players by permitting them to summon and move monsters around a board in an effort to capture towers and to eventually defeat the opponents (which are controlled either by other humans or by the computer program). Moves are based on a hexagonal board structure, such that every tile on the board is adjacent to six other tiles. Other notable features were the large variety of monsters, upgrading ("leveling up") of veteran units and control of a "Master" character who, if killed, can end the game for that player.

The focus of the game is strategic, despite the fantasy-type characters that might imply an RPG element. Other than the existence of the Master character and magic in the game, the gameplay is very similar to System Soft's more hardcore modern warfare strategic wargame series Daisenryaku, with the exception that some versions of the Master of Monsters (such as Master of Monsters – Final) series allow equippable items, weapons and armor.

Comparisons

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The later Lords of Chaos by Julian Gollop of Mythos Games shares many of the same elements of summoning and tactics, along with the earlier title Chaos from 1985. David White, creator of the open-source turn-based strategy game The Battle for Wesnoth, cited Master of Monsters as an inspiration.[2] Master of Monsters was also compared to later games such as the role-playing video game series Pokémon (which also revolves around commanding monsters) and the real-time strategy game StarCraft.[3]

Versions

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System Soft Alpha returned the game to its strategy-based roots, and the two entries in the Master of Monsters series as originally popularized on the NEC 9801 PC were updated by System Soft Alpha with new graphics and gameplay features. Two more sequels were made for Japanese Windows. Released on Japanese language Windows-based systems, the remakes include マスターオブモンスターズIII Special Edition, マスターオブモンスターズ4 ～光と闇の争覇～, Master of Monsters Value Edition, and 真・マスターオブモンスターズ Final. A spin-off of the game targeted towards the younger audience was titled Masumon Kids. A mobile version of the game was released in Japan.[4]

An updated version named Master of Monsters SSB was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows on 26 June 20 only in Japan.[5]

Re-release

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On 25 August 2025, D4 Enterprise published the PC-9801 version of Master of Monsters Final on Project EGG.[6]

The PlayStation version was re-released by Hamster Corporation as part of Console Archives. It was released for PlayStation 5 on 14 May 2026, and for Nintendo Switch 2 on 15 May. The re-release only supports the Japanese version regardless of region published.[7][8]

Reception

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RPGFan gave the Sega Genesis version a negative review, finding the game "excruciatingly repetitive".[9]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Japanese: マスターオブモンスターズ, Hepburn: Masuta obu Monsutazu

References

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  1. ↑ "ASCII Entertainment Software to Release Master of Monsters: Disciples of Gaia". asciient.com. 28 May 1998. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "The History of, and Philosophy behind Wesnoth (2003 original)". Wesnoth.org. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  3. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (17 June 2008). "Top 10 Renovation Games". IGN. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Vi". Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. ↑ Romano, Sal (25 March 2025). "Master of Monsters SSB launches June 26 in Japan for PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 30 April 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "プロジェクトEGG，「マスター・オブ・モンスターズfinal（PC-9801版・Windows10対応版）」が本日配信". 4Gamer.net. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 30 April 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  7. ↑ Yarwood, Jack (13 May 2026). "This Week's 'Archives' Releases Are Universal's 1982 Dig Dug Clone 'Mr. Do!' & A PS1 Strategy Game From 1997". Time Extension. Archived from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "ファミコン『ドラえもん』も！ コンソールアーカイブス始動。第1弾としてFC『忍者龍剣伝2』とPS『クールボーダーズ』が2月6日より順次発売【Nintendo Direct】". Famitsu (in Japanese). 5 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Catalyst (24 December 2000). "Master of Monsters Review". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
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