Just last month, Chinese developer JOTOYO provided a first look at the early build of Monster Fantasy, their forthcoming RPG that combines hunting mechanics with cozy life simulation aspects. For those who missed the hands-on session, the creators have since released a trailer showcasing the gameplay.
Since its debut, the trailer’s content—particularly its hunting sequences—has sparked comparisons to the Monster Hunter series, with some critics suggesting the similarities might be too striking. Beyond the core concept of battling large creatures, observers noted the long sword and bow weapon animations as strikingly familiar. These observations led the development team to address the issue in a recent FAQ post on Steam.
Although the JOTOYO team acknowledges that Monster Hunter served as a significant inspiration, they clarify that Monster Fantasy aims to emphasize the interplay between diverse gameplay systems and the novel experience they create. According to the developers, hunting large monsters constitutes “only one part” of the gameplay, resulting in a distinct overall experience compared to the Monster Hunter series.
The developers’ vision for Monster Fantasy is to craft a fictional world where players can become fully immersed and enjoy living “beyond hunting and combat.” This notion is reinforced by JOTOYO’s comments during our recent interview: It’s entirely possible to complete the game without engaging in hunting, allowing players who prefer non-combat activities to focus on village upkeep and NPC interactions.
That said, the developers note that the content showcased is still in early development stages, and they are actively refining the designs based on recent feedback. While the road to a full release remains lengthy, the team has pledged to incorporate these adjustments in future playtests. They also assure that more new footage and content will be shared moving forward to better highlight the unique aspects of Monster Fantasy.
Monster Fantasy is currently in development for PC (Steam).