Monkey Punch (GB) (Monkey Punch (GB))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Monkey Punch (GB)
Date:	16/04/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay, Graphics, Audio

Disadvantages: Some moral concern regarding story

"Monkey Puncher" is a video game released for the Gameboy Color in 2000 by Event Horizon Software. It is a fuse between both a strategy and roleplaying game. I was not able to immediately locate an age rating but would suggest this as being suitable for all ages.

The story begins by presenting the characters, a brother and sister, as feral youth; their mother has passed away and the father is absorbed in his work as a sportsman. A local criminal gang wants to take from the community their respectable sport and successfully take the father and children hostage. In a bid to escape, the brother and sister must take up their father's noble profession and train a prize monkey in the sport of boxing. Gameplay handles very much like a virtual pet. The player will encourage the monkey in training to build his statistics and can either praise or discipline his effort (or lack there of). It is also required to feed and care for the monkey to keep him in fighting shape. At random intervals, the player will be challenged to a fight by a computer for further progression in the boxing ranks. The fighting is very simple as the player has minimal control over the fight. The player is only able to offer advice and guidance through simple menu commands before battle, and will be shown a simulated fight.

The graphics are very detailed and colourful which makes good use of the available console technology. I did find some areas to be poorly detailed and could have used more effort on behalf of the developers. In the actual fight sequences, there is a generally repetitive crowd image with the same characters tiled throughout the display. There are few musical scores and sound effects in this game but each feature an acceptable bitrate and were pleasant to listen to.

Despite the slightly odd and even morally troublesome premise, Monkey Puncher offers an extended and engaging play to a player. I would recommend this game to a prospective buyer.

Summary: Thumbs up