Difference between revisions of "Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters"

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[[Image:Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - EU.jpg|thumb|256x256px|European box.]]
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{{Video Game
 +
| Title            = Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
 +
| Image           = Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - EU.jpg
 +
| ImageDescription = NES - Europe - 1st edition.
 +
| Developer        = {{VideoGameDeveloper|Nintendo}}, {{VideoGameDeveloper|Tose}}
 +
| Publisher        = {{VideoGamePublisher|Nintendo}}
 +
| PublishedYear    = 1991
 +
| PublishedMonth  = 11
 +
| PublishedDay    = 05
 +
| Platforms        = {{Platform|Game Boy}}
 +
| Genres          = {{VideoGameGenre|Metroidvania|Metroidvania}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Platformer video game|Platformer}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Platform shooter|Platform shooter}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Shooter|Shooter}}
 +
| Themes          = {{MediaTheme|Adventure}}, {{MediaTheme|Cartoon}}, {{MediaTheme|Fantasy}}, {{MediaTheme|Mythology}}
 +
| Series          = [[Kid Icarus (universe)|''Kid Icarus'']]
 +
| Distributions    = {{VideoGameDistribution|Commercial}}
 +
}}
  
'''''Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters''''' is a platform action adventure game developed by [[Nintendo|Nintendo R&D1]] and [[Tose]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Game Boy]] 0n 1991-11-05. Although the game is the second title in the [[Kid Icarus (universe)|''Kid Icarus'' series]], which started in Japan, the game strangely did not see a Japanese release. The game takes place in Angel Land, where the goddess Palutena has charged the angel Pit to travel to the Underworld and work his way back up to Angel Land as training to become strong enough to find and use three sacred treasures. With these, he might become strong enough to defeat the evil demon who is threatening the land, Orcos.
+
'''''Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters''''' is a platform action adventure game developed by [[Nintendo|Nintendo R&D1]] and [[Tose]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Game Boy]] on 1991-11-05. Although the game is the second title in the [[Kid Icarus (universe)|''Kid Icarus'' series]], which started in Japan, the game strangely did not see a Japanese release.
 +
 
 +
The game takes place in Angel Land, where the goddess Palutena has charged the angel Pit to travel to the Underworld and work his way back up to Angel Land as training to become strong enough to find and use three sacred treasures. With these, he might become strong enough to defeat Orcos, the evil demon who is threatening the land. Really, the game is more of a remake than a sequel, but it does have one major change, the elimination of [[ratchet scrolling]].
  
 
==Personal==
 
==Personal==
I have always wished that ''[[Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story]]'' was a better game. I love the idea of it, but it has too many flaws which prevent me from enjoying it fully. After learning that there was a sequel made for Game Boy, I tried it out, but, after finding it very similar to the NES game, I didn't give it a fair shake. However, after learning that Game Boy titles are generally easier than the NES games they're based on, and once again seeing this title high on people's favorite for the platform, I decided to try it again. So, I played the game through and beat it on 2019-12-14.
+
{{VideoGameStatus
 +
| Own      =
 +
| CantOwn  =
 +
| Won      = Yes.
 +
| CantWin  =
 +
| Finished = 2019-12-14.
 +
}}
  
==Status==
+
I have always wished that ''[[Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story]]'' was a better game. I love the idea of it, but it has too many flaws which prevent me from enjoying it fully. After learning that there was a sequel made for Game Boy, I tried it out, but, after finding it very similar to the NES game, I just assumed it was a cheap port and didn't give it a fair shake. However, after learning that Game Boy titles are generally easier than the NES games they're based on, and once again seeing this title high on people's favorite for the platform, I decided to try it again. So, I played the game through and beat it.
I don't own this game, but I've beat it.
 
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
Line 17: Line 38:
 
* Rather than be a sequel, the game is more like a refined and simplified version of the original with the majority of the rough edges smoothed out.
 
* Rather than be a sequel, the game is more like a refined and simplified version of the original with the majority of the rough edges smoothed out.
 
* The game isn't nearly as grueling as the original. It offers far more health refreshers (they even drop from enemies occasionally), hearts are more plentiful, and, probably the most important, you can no longer die from falling.
 
* The game isn't nearly as grueling as the original. It offers far more health refreshers (they even drop from enemies occasionally), hearts are more plentiful, and, probably the most important, you can no longer die from falling.
* Player control has been improved quite a bit. You don't have a strange floaty jump, and you can now use your weakened wings to glide as you fall, slowing your descent and allowing more control over where you land.
+
* Player control has been improved quite a bit. You don't have a strange floaty jump, and you can now use your little wings to glide as you fall, slowing your descent and allowing more control over where you land.
 +
* I much prefer the camera panning around the wrap-around stages rather than have the player warp from one side of the screen to the next.
 
* The key, which allows you to reenter a door, is a very helpful item.
 
* The key, which allows you to reenter a door, is a very helpful item.
 
* The manual is very detailed.
 
* The manual is very detailed.
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
* Although the graphics are passable, their large size only allows a tiny window of the game world to be visible. This makes it very easy to accidentally fall into spikes or other hazards.
+
* Although the graphics are passable, their large size only allows a tiny window of the game world to be visible. This makes it very easy to accidentally fall into spikes, monsters, and other hazards.
 
* The thief monster was brought back. He's not quite as horrible as in the first game because he's a little easier to avoid, and items are cheaper to buy-back, but it's still annoying.
 
* The thief monster was brought back. He's not quite as horrible as in the first game because he's a little easier to avoid, and items are cheaper to buy-back, but it's still annoying.
 
* The mapping system is still underwhelming. By the time you have found the map, pencil, and torch, you've already probably explored half the fortress anyway, and, since they don't even show room types or exits, it's not that useful. However, at least in this game, you don't have to buy all three items, they can be found in centurions.
 
* The mapping system is still underwhelming. By the time you have found the map, pencil, and torch, you've already probably explored half the fortress anyway, and, since they don't even show room types or exits, it's not that useful. However, at least in this game, you don't have to buy all three items, they can be found in centurions.
Line 38: Line 60:
 
==Media==
 
==Media==
 
===Box Art===
 
===Box Art===
All regions use this box art. Although the cartoon is quite childish, it's quite fitting to how the game plays, both from the in-game graphics and overall mood. Also, the Eggplant Wizard looks like he's nicely stoned.
+
All regions use this box art. Although the cartoon is quite childish, it's quite fitting to how the game plays, both from the in-game graphics and overall mood. Also, the Eggplant Wizard looks like he's pleasantly stoned.
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Line 46: Line 68:
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - USA - Manual.pdf|English manual.
+
Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - USA.
 +
Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - USA - Manual - Rev 1.pdf|Manual - USA - Rev 1.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 70: Line 93:
  
 
===Videos===
 
===Videos===
{{#ev:youtube|iBc0ywBktHw|256|inline|Longplay.|frame}}
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{{YouTube|iBc0ywBktHw|Longplay.}}
 +
 
 +
==Play Online==
 +
{{PlayOnline|https://www.retrogames.cc/gameboy-games/kid-icarus-of-myths-and-monsters-usa-europe.html|Game Boy}}
 +
 
 +
==Representation==
 +
{{Representation
 +
| Media                      = Video games
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterStatus = Fail
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterNotes  = There are even fewer women then in the first game.
 +
| BechdelTestStatus          = Fail
 +
| BechdelTestNotes            = Women never talk to each other.
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterStatus    = Fail
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterNotes    = Being set in mythological Rome, everyone is white.
 +
| QueerCharacterStatus        = Fail
 +
| QueerCharacterNotes        = There are no clearly queer characters.
 +
}}
  
 
==Credits==
 
==Credits==
Line 95: Line 134:
  
  
[[Category: Games]]
 
[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: 1991 Video Games]]
 
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Adventure, Action, Strategy]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Adventure, Action, Strategy]]
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Metroidvania]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Platform Shooter]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Genre - Shooter]]
 
[[Category: Media Theme - Fantasy]]
 
 
[[Category: Game Mechanic - New Game Plus]]
 
[[Category: Game Mechanic - New Game Plus]]
[[Category: Game Boy Games]]
 
[[Category: Games I've Beaten]]
 
[[Category: Video Games That Fail the Bechdel Test]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:02, 7 March 2024

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters

Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monsters - GB - EU.jpg

NES - Europe - 1st edition.

Developer Nintendo, Tose
Publisher Nintendo
Published 1991-11-05
Platforms Game Boy
Genres Metroidvania, Platformer, Platform shooter, Shooter
Themes Adventure, Cartoon, Fantasy, Mythology
Series Kid Icarus
Distribution Commercial

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters is a platform action adventure game developed by Nintendo R&D1 and Tose and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy on 1991-11-05. Although the game is the second title in the Kid Icarus series, which started in Japan, the game strangely did not see a Japanese release.

The game takes place in Angel Land, where the goddess Palutena has charged the angel Pit to travel to the Underworld and work his way back up to Angel Land as training to become strong enough to find and use three sacred treasures. With these, he might become strong enough to defeat Orcos, the evil demon who is threatening the land. Really, the game is more of a remake than a sequel, but it does have one major change, the elimination of ratchet scrolling.

Personal

Own?No.
Won?Yes.
Finished2019-12-14.

I have always wished that Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story was a better game. I love the idea of it, but it has too many flaws which prevent me from enjoying it fully. After learning that there was a sequel made for Game Boy, I tried it out, but, after finding it very similar to the NES game, I just assumed it was a cheap port and didn't give it a fair shake. However, after learning that Game Boy titles are generally easier than the NES games they're based on, and once again seeing this title high on people's favorite for the platform, I decided to try it again. So, I played the game through and beat it.

Review

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
6 6 4 5 4

Best Version: Game Boy

— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • Rather than be a sequel, the game is more like a refined and simplified version of the original with the majority of the rough edges smoothed out.
  • The game isn't nearly as grueling as the original. It offers far more health refreshers (they even drop from enemies occasionally), hearts are more plentiful, and, probably the most important, you can no longer die from falling.
  • Player control has been improved quite a bit. You don't have a strange floaty jump, and you can now use your little wings to glide as you fall, slowing your descent and allowing more control over where you land.
  • I much prefer the camera panning around the wrap-around stages rather than have the player warp from one side of the screen to the next.
  • The key, which allows you to reenter a door, is a very helpful item.
  • The manual is very detailed.

Bad

  • Although the graphics are passable, their large size only allows a tiny window of the game world to be visible. This makes it very easy to accidentally fall into spikes, monsters, and other hazards.
  • The thief monster was brought back. He's not quite as horrible as in the first game because he's a little easier to avoid, and items are cheaper to buy-back, but it's still annoying.
  • The mapping system is still underwhelming. By the time you have found the map, pencil, and torch, you've already probably explored half the fortress anyway, and, since they don't even show room types or exits, it's not that useful. However, at least in this game, you don't have to buy all three items, they can be found in centurions.
  • I would have appreciated a bit more uniqueness to the game rather than have it follow the original so closely. I love most of the refinements, but all the levels are laid out the same, the items are the same, and the enemies are the same (though renamed).
  • The enemy rooms are even more pointless than in the first game. At least in the original, each Specknose yielded a large heart, here, the bats only give half hearts. And, since you can farm hearts very easily in every map, there is no need to ever enter the monster rooms.
  • Once again, Pit isn't allowed to use the sacred treasures, making them unimpressive rewards for defeating the fortress bosses. However, the fortresses are so much easier this time around, you shouldn't expect much.
  • Shops still lock their doors after you leave, a terrible business tactic, but, at least in this game, they let you buy more than one item!
  • The first three bosses are very similar to each other, and I wish the first form of the final boss wasn't the same at the third boss.
  • The game's story is ridiculous and contrived.
  • For some reason, Toru Osawa was not involved in this game, despite creating the original.

Ugly

  • It's very easy to accidentally waste a key on a room you didn't want to re-enter. A simple confirmation prompt would have fixed this, or, better yet, don't lock the door in the first place.

Media

Box Art

All regions use this box art. Although the cartoon is quite childish, it's quite fitting to how the game plays, both from the in-game graphics and overall mood. Also, the Eggplant Wizard looks like he's pleasantly stoned.

Documentation

Maps

Videos

Longplay.

Play Online

Game Boy

Representation

Strong female character?FailThere are even fewer women then in the first game.
Bechdel test?FailWomen never talk to each other.
Strong person of color character?FailBeing set in mythological Rome, everyone is white.
Queer character?FailThere are no clearly queer characters.

Credits

The game doesn't have credits, but these are the personnel involved who gamers have identified.

Role Staff
Executive Producer Hiroshi Yamauchi
Producer Gunpei Yokoi
Design Masafumi Sakashita
Programmer Hideyo Kawaguchi

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-StrategyWiki.png  Link-GameFAQs.png  Link-TCRF.png