During the recent “Bilibili Game First Look” gathering in Shanghai, we had the chance to explore an early version of Monster Fantasy and speak with its creators at JOTOYO. Inspired by the Monster Hunter and Animal Crossing franchises, Monster Fantasy is an upcoming RPG that seeks to merge intense hunting mechanics with laid-back, life simulation features. The demonstration centered mainly on the game’s combat, highlighting the four available classes and their unique fighting approaches, but we also inquired about the “cozy village life” aspect of the title.
Given that Monster Fantasy’s appeal stems from combining two genres that seldom intersect (and often attract different player groups), one of our initial queries was whether those who favor life simulation gameplay would be compelled to engage with the action. JOTOYO clarified that this is not the case. The developers stated that it will be entirely possible to enjoy the game without personally fighting monsters, thanks to the village’s NPC system.
Villagers are crafted to feel like “companions” that players can personalize by assigning them various classes. This implies that you can have NPCs accompany you into battles for assistance, or even dispatch them to hunt monsters and collect crafting materials on your behalf. This setup allows you to bypass combat and instead concentrate on managing the village. For instance, the developers mentioned that you could operate as a blacksmith while relying on NPCs skilled in combat to handle the hunting.
The life simulation component of Monster Fantasy also revolves around making villagers feel more like real individuals rather than standard NPCs. According to the developers, each character follows their own daily schedule, exhibits different behaviors based on the time of day, and features a relationship/affinity system. The aim is to enhance the game’s cozy life appeal by introducing NPCs that players can form emotional bonds with. For example, if you become close to a shopkeeper, they might offer you discounts or occasionally present you with gifts.
While the developers intend to introduce dozens of NPCs throughout the game, you’ll have the option to select your preferred ones to reside in your village and gradually cultivate friendships with them. The demonstration at Bilibili Game First Look showcased a settlement that was already thriving, but in the full game, players will start with a barren area, constructing homes and commercial structures before inviting NPCs to settle in.
For those who are curious, the developers also confirmed that romance is something they are exploring, though they emphasized that they have not yet determined whether romantic relationships with NPCs will be included in the final version.
Regarding the combat difficulty, rather than incorporating difficulty settings, JOTOYO’s current strategy is to let players fine-tune the challenge through character progression and crafting. Better equipment will simplify hunts, and notably, not all gear will necessitate defeating monsters. The team stated that some powerful equipment will instead be obtainable through non-combat activities like minigames, offering players who are drawn to the game’s more relaxed content alternative methods to enhance their characters.
As for the game’s overall scale, JOTOYO mentioned that Monster Fantasy’s duration will largely hinge on how players engage with it. Those aiming to experience everything, including the main story, combat, resource gathering, crafting, and villager interactions, can anticipate over 50 hours of gameplay. Conversely, players focused on mastering the action systems are likely to derive even more hours from the game. At launch, the developers are planning to feature approximately 50 boss monsters.
Monster Fantasy is currently in development for PC (Steam).