Monster-hunting games are nothing new, but Monster Fantasy is trying to approach the formula from a slightly different angle. Developed by Jotoyo, the newly revealed RPG combines large-scale monster battles with a variety of life simulation activities, creating an experience that blends action and relaxation in equal measure.

A World Beyond Monster Hunting

Set in the kingdom of Eldoras, Monster Fantasy places players in a colorful fantasy world filled with monsters, villages, and explorable regions. While hunting powerful creatures remains a major part of the gameplay, players are also encouraged to take part in everyday activities around the world.

The game includes mining, fishing, woodcutting, farming, cooking, crafting, and home-building systems. Rather than moving from one hunt to another, players can spend time gathering resources, improving their property, and interacting with the game's inhabitants.

Building a Life in Eldoras

One of the game's standout features is its focus on village life. More than 100 NPC villagers populate Eldoras, each with their own personalities and stories. Players can build friendships, participate in community activities, and contribute to the growth of local settlements.

Monster Fantasy also includes a creature-taming system. Defeated monsters can be recruited as companions, evolved into stronger forms, and even used as mounts to travel across the world. This feature adds another layer of progression beyond simply crafting stronger weapons and armor.

Familiar Inspiration From Monster Hunter

It's difficult to look at Monster Fantasy without noticing similarities to Capcom's Monster Hunter series. Players track giant monsters, engage in action-based combat, gather materials, and craft better equipment to tackle increasingly difficult encounters.

The game offers several combat classes, including Warrior, Archer, Mage, and Martial Artist, giving players multiple ways to approach battles. Combined with cooperative multiplayer support, the hunting experience feels heavily inspired by the formula that Monster Hunter popularized over the years.

That said, Monster Fantasy appears to be adding enough of its own ideas to avoid feeling like a direct copy. The emphasis on life simulation, village management, and monster companionship creates a different pace compared to more combat-focused hunting games.

A Mix of Two Popular Genres

What makes Monster Fantasy interesting is its attempt to bridge two audiences. Fans of monster-hunting RPGs will likely appreciate the large-scale battles and progression systems, while players who enjoy cozy games may find themselves spending just as much time mining ore, decorating homes, or fishing by the river.

Whether the game can successfully balance both sides remains to be seen, but its combination of action RPG mechanics and life simulation features gives it a distinct identity among recent fantasy releases. For players looking for a monster-hunting game with a more relaxed atmosphere, The game could be worth playing. But judging by the trailer, it looks a little too similar to Monster Hunter (almost like a carbon copy). Still, it's still in development, so we'll see how it turns out.