Monster Rancher

"Can you become a master breeder?"

Before I begin, I would like to say something: This is NOT a Pokemon rip-off! It is very different from Pokemon(I know that since I play both) and it came BEFORE Pokemon. How can it rip-off something that didn't even exist yet? Anyway, on with the review!

Gameplay:10/10
Monster Rancher is very fun to play, all you have to do is get a monster through either the Market,Shrine,or by combing 2 other monsters and have it work for money and stats. When it is strong enough, you battle in the official tournaments!(The non-official battles are a waste of time) Sounds easy,right? Wrong! If your monster isn't loyal enough to you, hasn't been trained enough or in the right stats,or is simply out-classed it can be very hard to win,and it can be hard to win even if you've done everything right! Most actions take 1 week, but expeditions and Training take 4. You have to make every week count as most monsters will die at about five years old, unless you feed them one or more of the three lifespan increasing items.

Controls:10/10
If you have problems with the controls, I suggest you re-read the instruction book about two hundred times. Everything's straight-forward,it's mostly menus anyway(don't be put off by that,though!), and the battles have an in-game control help which tells you how to move, attack, etc. Oh, and the analog control does NOT work for this,so leave it off!

Storyline:5/10
The only real storyline in this game is that you're a Breeder who is trying to become a Master Breeder. Nothing more.

Replayablility:10/10
This game has no end unless you make it to the last week of year...nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine(9999).(It takes about thirty minutes to go one year further, so...) Plus you can raise two hundred and fifteen different monsters,go on expeditions,and start a new game from square one if you want so it will take a while to do everything.

Addiction:10/10
All Monster Rancher games a very addicting, and this one is no exception. Be sure to leave some time for the more important things, like eating and sleeping. ^_-

Rent or buy?
If you're a fan of the other Monster Rancher games or sims in general then I say BUY! Otherwise rent it and see if you like it.

Well look at the time! I've got to go looking for that Go..erm,I mean lifespan increasing item found in Har...erm,I mean in one of the expeditions. Bye everyone!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/26/02, Updated 12/26/02