14 DAY TRIAL // 
How much can someone sacrifice to keep both strangers and loved ones safe, especially if the threat results from the deeply unethical actions of someone else? It’s a hard question to deal with and one that video games normally do not try to tackle. It’s even rarer to get an answer that’s emotionally resonant.
Meg’s Monster takes some classic role-playing game ideas and imbues them with new life. It does not aim for mechanical depth and doesn’t want its players to explore the lore of a massive universe. It chooses to focus on a small group of characters and show how their relationships shift and grow under pressure. It then delivers a big surprise and asks players to re-examine their assumptions before it unfolds the second half of its narrative.
The game is developed and published by Odencat. I played it on Steam for the PC. It is also offered on the Xbox Series X and S, the Nintendo Switch, and the Xbox One. The title uses classic role-playing elements and turn-based encounters to tell a very good story.
It all starts with a girl named Meg, who visits an abandoned laboratory and remembers how she traveled to a place called the Underworld when she was younger. Mysteriously abandoned there, she is found by a pair of mutants named Roy and Golan.
The first has the bulk of a hippopotamus and one arm like a lobster’s claw, uninterested in much other than eating his favorite Magic Tar. Golan, his bro, is more worldly and looking for opportunities. Meg’s crying is judged to be able to start the end of days, so the two friends resolve to make sure that she does not shed tears.
The quest is to find out more about the mother Meg was separated from and reunite them as quickly as possible. This is easier said than done in the Underground, where human meat is highly sought after and a group of powerful mutants is working to limit interaction between this place and the surface world.
Meg’s Monster has a great story to tell, with one major twist, a few smaller ones, and a lot of interesting characters to interact with. It touches on a lot of themes, ranging from found family and the power of playing to questions of responsibility and the nature of friendship. It starts off in classic fantasy space and then evolves in unexpected ways while earning its twists (there’s one big reveal near the end that feels forced).
The writing manages to be funny at times, without trying too hard, while also offering sequences filled with emotion. There’s a natural feel to most of the conversations that’s charming. It takes a lot for a video game to make me tear up and Meg’s Monster has managed to do it twice, despite not being a very long experience.
Mechanically, this is a role-playing game with turn-based encounters. The three protagonists visit locations, interact with other characters, investigate points of interest, and sometimes simply stay in Roy’s spartan house and talk. There are side activities that don’t matter much to the core story but are easy to deal with and give more insight into the universe.
The big gameplay tweak in Meg’s Monster is that combat is not about hitpoints or mana use. Roy is a tough and powerful fighter and he is very hard to hurt. But when he takes a hit, it affects Meg emotionally and she moves close to crying. To counter this, players need to use toys during their turn. This calms her and also gives Roy bonuses. Golan isn’t directly involved in most of the fights.
Gamers quickly gain access to two more powerful attacks and some engagements require careful use of the Guard move. There are also some boss battles that introduce other battlefield interactions, including a few Quick Time Event-like sequences. There’s not enough of them to be annoying, which is a relief.
In the second half of the game, players will also have to do some light puzzle-solving. It adds some variety but mostly exists to give insight into how relationships have developed and how the unlikely trio can work to support each other. The final third of the game also features some neat variations to the combat, which reflect the characters's thinking and reasons to fight.
Meg’s Monster is a rare video game that’s more than the sum of its parts. It’s very confident in the storytelling department and manages to land its emotional beats. It has a clever take on classic mechanics and uses it in interesting ways. It can be played in two sessions and has a clear moment that invites players to take a break and reflect on what has happened.
Maybe some extra ideas for the combat encounters could add to the engagement. Some of the relationships move a little too fast. But these are minor criticisms for a confident game that has a clear core idea and makes it shine.
Meg’s Monster uses pixel art to great effect. The main trio gets the most attention but every character that makes an appearance, even if only for one scene, is unique. The same level of attention is given to the locations and the battle sequences. Characters are not voiced but manage to say a lot with the tone of their chirps. The soundtrack enhances almost every moment of the experience and contributes a lot to the extra dose of emotion toward the end.
The Good
- Good narrative
- Emotional moments
- Combat design
The Bad
- A few too many coincidences toward the story’s end
- Some QTEs
- Battle soundtrack needs variety
Conclusion
Some fans of the role-playing genre might be disappointed with the relatively thin mechanics. Others might find some situations a little manipulative. Every player should give this game a try, regardless of whether they have a connection to its genre or not. Meg’s Monster is a perfect example of how video games can be great vehicles for stories because of their interactivity.
A review key was provided by the publisher.
