Monster Rancher DS

Game Details:

Monster Rancher DS is a handheld work in the classic monster cultivation series, developed by Tecmo for the NDS platform. Unlike the traditional "CD summon monster" system, this game innovatively uses a stylus and microphone to input text or drawings to generate different kinds of monsters. Players play as monster trainers and, under the guidance of the Monster Association, begin to cultivate, train, and lead monsters to participate in various battles and tournaments.

The main gameplay includes monster summoning, training, feeding, care, battles, and synthesis. Each monster has multiple attributes and skills, and the cultivation direction is free and variable. Through different training menus, rest arrangements, and food feeding, monsters will develop different personalities and combat styles. Battles use a semi-automatic real-time system, where players can issue simple commands in battle to influence the situation, which also tests the monster's AI and state control.

The game has rich content and supports a fusion system between monsters, generating rare or special attribute monsters. There is also an adventure exploration mechanism that allows players to enter maze maps to collect items and discover special monsters. The overall style is relaxed and humorous, suitable for players who like a combination of slow-paced cultivation and battle strategy.

Editor's Recommendation:

Monster Rancher DS, while retaining the core gameplay of the series, has made many innovations for the NDS platform, making it very suitable for handheld players. In particular, the "text input to generate monsters" system brings a strong sense of fun and experimentation, and almost every input can get novel results, making it irresistible. In addition, the game has a rich variety of monsters, and the synthesis system is of high depth, satisfying the player's desire to collect and cultivate a sense of accomplishment. Compared to other monster games, it focuses more on the cultivation cycle and the shaping of monster personality growth, and the overall style is also more friendly and healing. Whether you are a fan of the series or a player who likes Pokémon and Digimon, this game is worth a try.

Game Guide:

In Monster Rancher DS, the summoning system is one of the core features of the game. When summoning using the "text input" or "drawing" functions, it is recommended to try inputting different languages, special characters, and punctuation combinations, such as "DRAGON", "★KING★", "テクモ", etc., which may trigger rare monsters. Trying more combinations will help expand your monster illustration.

In terms of monster cultivation, it is recommended to choose basic types such as "Zuum" (similar to dinosaurs) or "Mocchi" (mascot type) as the starting monsters in the early stages, as they are durable and highly adaptable, and easy to get started with. Training arrangements should follow the rhythm of "training – training – rest" to avoid consecutive training that leads to fatigue and illness. You can observe the monster's status every month and allocate commands reasonably to improve attribute efficiency.

In the battle system, it is very important to familiarize yourself with the attack range of each monster in advance. Some monster skills are for medium or close range only, and controlling the position can improve the hit rate and avoid enemy attacks. It is recommended to prioritize the development of the monster's basic combat power by using training to improve hit rate and speed, and to cooperate with some disturbance or long-range skills to easily win in the tournament.

The synthesis system is the key to advanced gameplay. When a monster's lifespan is nearing its end, you can pass on some of its attributes and skills through synthesis. It is recommended to prepare two monsters with complementary attributes in advance, and adding rare items during synthesis can also change the final form or generate special races.