Master of Monsters
Encyclopedia
Master of Monsters is a turn-based strategy game created by Japanese software developer System Soft (now System Soft Alpha) for the MSX
and NEC
PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive
(Genesis), Sega Saturn
and PlayStation
. While it never garnered the same success as its System Soft stablemate Daisenryaku
, the game has garnered a loyal following over the years. Its success in the US market on the Sega Genesis proved sufficient for a sequel on the Saturn
, an anime
art-style enhanced PlayStation version titled "Disciples of Gaia" with a Japanese RPG
feel.1
Today, System Soft Alpha has returned the game to its strategy-based roots, and the 2 titles (I, and "Final" - but not II) 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 (3 and 4) were made for Japanese Windows and harken back to the deep strategic gameplay of the NEC PC9801 versions (as opposed to the more casual Genesis and PlayStation versions). Available for 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 (the original game, updated and with expansion packs added in), and 真・マスターオブモンスターズ Final. There was also a spin-off of the game targeted towards the younger audience titled Masumon Kids, and there is now a cell-phone based version of the game available for the popular cell phone game market in Japan.
http://www.ss-alpha.co.jp/products/index.html
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.
The Sega Mega Drive / Genesis version had a surprisingly sophisticated soundtrack for its hardware and may be recognized as one of the best soundtracks for that system. It was composed by Hayato Matsuo
.
There exists a bug within the Sega Genesis version of the game that can be exploited to essentially guarantee a win. One of the tiles on the bottom row of the screen can be occupied and when it is, no monster but those owned by the player sitting on the tile can move during their turn. A computer controlled monster can theoretically land on the tile, preventing players from moving their monsters as well, but this is a rare occurrence and is typically followed by the creature moving onward toward its targeted opponent next turn, resulting in only one turn lost to players involved.
David White, creator of the Open Source
Turn-based strategy
game, Battle for Wesnoth
cites Master of Monsters as an inspiration.
MSX
MSX was the name of a standardized home computer architecture in the 1980s conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, then Vice-president at Microsoft Japan and Director at ASCII Corporation...
and NEC
NEC
, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
PC8801 later ported to a variety of consoles and PCs including the PC Engine, NEC PC9801, Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
(Genesis), Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
and PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
. While it never garnered the same success as its System Soft stablemate Daisenryaku
Daisenryaku
is a long-running series of strategy games by SystemSoft and SystemSoft Alpha in Japan. SystemSoft Alpha performs development for all console Daisenryaku games while the parent SystemSoft writes Windows and Macintosh editions.-Main series:*Gendai Daisenryaku...
, the game has garnered a loyal following over the years. Its success in the US market on the Sega Genesis proved sufficient for a sequel on the Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
, an anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
art-style enhanced PlayStation version titled "Disciples of Gaia" with a Japanese RPG
Role-playing game (video games)
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
feel.1
Today, System Soft Alpha has returned the game to its strategy-based roots, and the 2 titles (I, and "Final" - but not II) 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 (3 and 4) were made for Japanese Windows and harken back to the deep strategic gameplay of the NEC PC9801 versions (as opposed to the more casual Genesis and PlayStation versions). Available for 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 (the original game, updated and with expansion packs added in), and 真・マスターオブモンスターズ Final. There was also a spin-off of the game targeted towards the younger audience titled Masumon Kids, and there is now a cell-phone based version of the game available for the popular cell phone game market in Japan.
http://www.ss-alpha.co.jp/products/index.html
Gameplay
Gameplay involves the player (or multiple players) summoning and moving monsters around a board in order to capture towers and eventually defeat the computer or human controlled opponents. Moves are based on a hexagonal board structure, such that every tile on the board is adjacent to six other tiles. Other notable features involved the large variety of monsters, upgrading ("leveling up") of veteran units, and perhaps most importantly, the 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
Role-playing game (video games)
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
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
Daisenryaku
is a long-running series of strategy games by SystemSoft and SystemSoft Alpha in Japan. SystemSoft Alpha performs development for all console Daisenryaku games while the parent SystemSoft writes Windows and Macintosh editions.-Main series:*Gendai 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.
The Sega Mega Drive / Genesis version had a surprisingly sophisticated soundtrack for its hardware and may be recognized as one of the best soundtracks for that system. It was composed by Hayato Matsuo
Hayato Matsuo
is a Japanese video game and anime composer, arranger and orchestrator. He has worked on titles such as Front Mission 3, Final Fantasy XII, the Shenmue series, and Magic Knight Rayearth. Inspired by his mother, a piano teacher, he graduated from the music composition department of Tokyo University...
.
There exists a bug within the Sega Genesis version of the game that can be exploited to essentially guarantee a win. One of the tiles on the bottom row of the screen can be occupied and when it is, no monster but those owned by the player sitting on the tile can move during their turn. A computer controlled monster can theoretically land on the tile, preventing players from moving their monsters as well, but this is a rare occurrence and is typically followed by the creature moving onward toward its targeted opponent next turn, resulting in only one turn lost to players involved.
David White, creator of the Open Source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
Turn-based strategy
Turn-based strategy
A turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
game, Battle for Wesnoth
Battle for Wesnoth
The Battle for Wesnoth, or simply Wesnoth, is a turn-based strategy game with a fantasy setting, designed by David White and first released in June 2003. In Wesnoth, the player attempts to build a powerful army by controlling villages and defeating enemies for experience. White based Wesnoth...
cites Master of Monsters as an inspiration.