| Monster World IV | |
| Developer: | Westone |
| Composer: | Jin Watanabe |
| Artist: | Maki Ohzora |
| Series: | Wonder Boy/Monster World |
| Platforms: | Mega Drive |
| Modes: | Single-player |
| Genre: | Platform |
Monster World IV is an action-adventure platform game developed by Westone and released in Japan by Sega for the Mega Drive in April 1994. The game title is slightly confusing: It is the sixth game in the Wonder Boy series and the fourth game in the Monster World subseries (the other three being Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap/Curse and Wonder Boy in Monster World/Wonder Boy V: Monster World III). It was later released for the PlayStation 2 on March 8, 2007, as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series under the name Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 29: Monster World Complete Collection. It was released on the Wii's Virtual Console service in Japan on January 15, 2008. An English-language version was released in North America and Europe for Virtual Console on May 10, 2012, with a release on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network to come on May 22, 2012.[1] [2] [3] [4] Monster World IV was the last Wonder Boy game to both be published by Sega and developed by Westone Bit Entertainment. A remake by Artdink, titled Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, was released in May 2021.
Monster World IV is a mix of action-adventure, platforming, and RPG genres, in which the player traverses a 2D landscape fighting a variety of monsters as well as interacting with non-playable characters.
Expanding upon previous games in the series, Asha has the ability to swing her sword upward, downward, and forward while in midair, depending on which direction is pressed. She can also use her shield while standing by holding down.
Asha can summon her pet Pepelogoo to reach areas that she cannot on her own. By holding onto him, she can slow the descent of her jump (via his flying ability) or even perform a double-jump. Pepelogoo can also protect Asha from falling rocks, be used as a platform over lava geysers, and blow out fires that obstruct Asha's progress.
Equipment upgrades are purchased in the hub town. Armor increases Asha's pink life heart meter. Shields increase her defense and give her stat resistances to certain elements, such as fire or ice. Swords increase Asha's attack stats with critical effects depending on the sword.
Some items cannot be purchased and must be found in the temples and caverns that Asha must explore. Healing medicine will restore Asha's health or bring her back to life if she has Pepelogoo. Gold bars can be traded with the rich lady in town for in-game currency. And finally, there are 150 life drops hidden throughout the game. Collecting ten will add a blue life heart to the life meter.
Items can be permanently missed. Once an area's boss is defeated, that area is inaccessible for the rest of the game.
The story involves a young girl named Asha, who, upon hearing spirits whisper on the wind pleading for help, embarks on a journey to find and help them. Along the way she becomes the master of a genie and adopts a small monster known as Pepelogoo.
Monster World IV was included as one of the 42 games on the Sega Genesis Mini. In August 2020, a full 3D remake of Monster World IV, titled Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, was announced. The game, which features 3D graphics, gameplay enhancements, new modes, and voice acting, was developed by Artdink for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. It was released in May 2021 for Switch and PlayStation 4, and in June 2021 for PC, published by ININ Games in the West and G Choice in Japan.[5] [6]