If I were to preemptively name 2014’s theme, I might be inclined to call it the “year of niche Japanese game releases.” Not only are we getting Danganronpa, Yumi’s Odd Odyssey, Conception II, and Steins;Gate, but now Idea Factory International has announced that they will be bringing their card battling RPG PS Vita title, Monster Monpiece, out in Europe and North America this spring.
I have to say, the idea of a card battling RPG is totally my jam. Unfortunately, Monster Monpiece comes with a little extra, er, baggage. See, the game became notorious last year for its raunchy mini-game called First Crush ❤ Rub that requires players to find monster girls’ “weak points”… and I’m sure you can guess where these weak points might be. If a monster girl becomes sufficiently excited during First Crush ❤ Rub mode, an additional minigame called Extreme Love will be activated. This is probably the most infamous element of Monster Monpiece, as it requires players to grip their Vitas vertically and vigorously rub the front and back touch pads simultaneously. And if you’re still left wondering what these mini-games are all about, here’s a direct quote from Idea Factory International’s Press release to drive it all home: “… we kindly note that we highly recommend you play this portion of the game in private, due to the explicit voices and hand-action during First Crush ❤Rub and Extreme Love.”
Okay, it’s pretty clear that Monster Monpiece is not aimed at me. But from what I understand, beneath its obnoxious exterior is actually a very competent RPG, and I’ve always wanted to see a card battling game come out in English. Unfortunately, though, not only does Idea Factory International feel it needs to highlight the more unsavory aspects of the game (if their first English trailer is any indication), but the company is also in hot water with fans over the removal of a number of the higher level (and thus, less clothed) monster cards from the English release of the game.
I’m really not interested in turning this post into an argument of whether censorship is okay or not, or whether Monster Monpiece is objectifying/sexist/etc. or not (though if you’re wondering, the answers are no and yes, but the discussion is definitely more complicated than single-word responses). Rather, I think it’s important to highlight that despite all this, I’m not only happy that Monster Monpiece is coming out, but I’m actually interested in checking the game out myself. However, the fetishistic gameplay elements and the preoccupation game developers have with pandering towards a male audience is beyond tiresome, and I sincerely hope that if nothing else, Idea Factory International brings one of their parent company’s otome games over next.
The idea that there isn’t a market for games aimed at a predominately female audience is simply absurd, and we need to see more diversity in the games that are localized into English. You know where to find me if you want my list of otome games I want to see come over, Idea Factory!
I’m fine with pervy games in most cases, but in the case of this particular one I’m kind of amazed/surprised anyone would want to do some of the things they’re asked to do while playing it. I mean, who’d want to run the front and back of their Vitas as is depicted in that GIF? Not me!
Other than that, I think it’s interesting that such a game is being localized at all — “censorship” or not. I wonder what kind of audience it’ll find here? Probably not a very large one, but if it’s released digitally it may not matter.
All that said, I really wish some of these companies would release some of the less-pervy-but-still-interesting import-only titles that currently are languishing in Japan — esp. those for the 3DS and Vita.
I don’t know, Bryan – all the people that seem to be interested in the game keep demanding that it really does have a good card battle system underneath all the pervy stuff, but I can’t believe that the majority of the people interested in it are buying it ONLY for that aspect, you know? The first English trailer wouldn’t focus nearly entirely on the rubbing if they didn’t think it was the game’s major selling point. I kind of wish people would just admit they like the pervy aspects of the game rather than trying to “cover it up” by always pointing out the non-pervy elements.
Anyway, I totally agree – I’m really not sure what the appeal of it is, anyway. If you really want to rub your Vita in an erotic fashion, why don’t you, uh, go watch some porn or something?
And of course I agree even more about wanting publishers to release more import titles that would cater to folks like you and me!
I actually didn’t mean to imply that there isn’t some worthwhile gameplay beneath this game’s pervy exterior. There may be–I have no idea. I was just talking about how I don’t understand the particular pervy elements in this game. Rubbing the system like that seems awkward at best, and annoying at worst.
As for bringing us other dating sims, otome games, etc.: YES PLEASE! I really liked Hakuoki and I’m hoping I’ll love Sweet Fuse just as much–if not more. Why aren’t pubs bringing more of that kind of game to our shores?!?
Sorry Bryan, that’s my fault – I know you weren’t saying that but I think I went a little overboard with my comment, haha. What I’m wondering, I guess, is are these people really only playing it for the card battle system that is supposed to be good, or is the pervy minigame actually appealing to some of them? Because I definitely agree that it doesn’t seem all that fun, which is why I suggested that there were more fun/sexy pastimes one could engage in.
And honestly, if we don’t see an otome game from Idea Factory in 2014, I’m going to be very angry! They have a HUGE library and there is absolutely no reason we shouldn’t see a few otome games from them. There’s this game called Amnesia which I just got for the Vita, and it even has an anime series (that’s getting a second season), so I think that would be a great place for them to start!
Nah, you didn’t go overboard! Anyway, you’re probably right that some folks are going to be playing this one for the rubbing, which is all sorts of weird to me. (Although, hey, I really shouldn’t rip on other peoples’ kinks–whatever gets you off is usually motto, as long as it’s not hurting anyone and not illegal.)
Also, YES, I really hope the folks at Idea Factory bring over some more of their games in 2014 and beyond. I really like this style of game and would love to experience more of them.
Thanks for the great comment, Marcus – you always articulate your thoughts so well!
I agree about the perks of reviewing – I have to say that I was interested enough to want to review it (hopefully I’ll be able to), but there is no way I’d ever shell out money for the game myself. I always feel conflicted about titles that are so clearly *not for me* like this one – on one hand I would like to speak out more negatively against them, because there are definitely a lot of factors of the presentation that really bother me, but on the other hand I don’t want to sound like I don’t think it’s okay for people to enjoy “pervy” games or anything. So it’s always hard for me to frame discussions like these in a way that I’m content with!
And I’m totally on board with your views on censorship and this game. In theory, of course, I’m not really keen on censorship, but in the case of this game things are a lot more complex – there’s no way in hell this game would’ve ever come out in European territories with the sexualized underage girls left in. So if people really do want to see these games in English, they’re going to have to make some concessions.
I don’t really need any more games on my plate right now, but I hear Hearthstone is great! I’m not big into the Warcraft universe, though…
Oh, speaking of ero games, have you played Saya no Uta? That’s something I’m really interested in playing, so if you have, I’d be curious to hear what you thought…
Like you mentioned below in your comments, I’m sure part of the ‘appeal’ is the rather um, odd rubbing mechanism and everything else around it. I am a huge card battling nerd and I enjoy anime style art so this one is interesting to me more for that reason than any desire to rub my Vita down in frisky fashion. Like Marcus also mentioned below though, I’m not sure if it is one I will buy or try to nab as a review at this point. I’m interested, just not sure I’m interested enough to buy.
Thank ya! I didn’t mean for the comment to end up being so big but then I started writing and it just happened.
Hopefully you’ll be able to review it! One of the reasons I want to is also so that no one else on said site will be able to pen a review that simply glosses over the more iffy aspects of the game. It’s not that I don’t trust my writing buddies, but most of them don’t tend to be critical of these types of things. Yes, poor gameplay and such, but the presentation might not get examined too much. And yes, it’s really hard to show dislike for games like these without someone thinking you’re a massive prude. Not sure how to get around that one yet. 😛
That reminds me, one thing I heard is that some eroge has characters who are definitely under 18, they are just localized into that age for our markets. It makes sense, but is also kinda squicky to think about.
I’m not a big Warcraft person either! Even so, the card game itself is a lot of fun. I don’t know who all the characters are on the cards but it doesn’t distract from my enjoyment. I just wish the women “heroes” would perhaps not be so posed and not have boob window armor.
Yeah, I played Saya no Uta! It is one of my favorite visual novels for sure. I’m a fan of creepy/weird stuff and this is definitely creepy. The biggest issue I have with the game is the Saya character (on the boxart and such) because she is drawn in an incredibly young way. Like, pre-pubescent/pubescent or whatever. It disturbs the heck out of me – and it probably is supposed to – but that makes it hard to deal with at times.
Hmmm yeah, Saya no Uta definitely seems pretty creepy, but I think it’s too interesting to pass up!
I hear ya. Thanks for your comment!
Oh, did you ever get the game you won?? I sent it ages ago! I hope it didn’t get lost in the mail.
Haha – I did indeed, thank you. Thought I emailed you back on that. meant to email you back on that. My bad – but yes, thanks! 🙂
No problem! Glad to hear it arrived safely
This is one of those games that I’ll play if I get a review code for, but am NOT about to purchase for myself. I guess that’s a “perk” of the job… I can try out something I don’t want to support with my wallet and then tell the world (or the five people who read my reviews) to join me in not buying it. To be fair, I have not played any aspect of the game before nor have I done much research on it but the presentation has got me mentally rooting against it by default. I’m incredibly surprised a game like this would ever come out here (for a *system* no less – not a PC eroge from MangaGamer or JAST). Idea Factory Intl is the publisher right? Is this the first game they’ve published in the West?
The whole censorship debacle is more than a little annoying to me too. I don’t take the perspective of “how dare you censor my game!” because, well, I don’t really care too much in this instance. However, it seems like those most heavily opposed to it need to take a reality check. Here is a game that deals heavily with highly sexual content (art and minigame-wise). If we weren’t in an era of easy digital distribution it would have never left Japan. I suggest those who are getting riotous about this title simply enjoy the fact it’s even going to be made available in English. It’s not as if the only cards that are left are totally tame – they’re still quite naughty.
Anyway…. I love card games…. I’m playing Hearthstone currently! If you’re in the mood for card stuff then maybe that’ll tide you over (it’s free and in open beta now).
PS: There is an Indiegogo project that I feel was inspired by Monster Monpiece and it’s called Schoolgirls Love Tentacles. I do not know why there is this compulsion to necessitate “sexy” pictures of women (or in the case of Monpiece – women who look a bit too youthful) on EVERYTHING. But, there you go.
PPS: I realize this post makes me seem like I’m anti-pervy games or something. That’s certainly not the case since I am slowly working my way through MangaGamer’s catalog and (mostly) enjoying it! It’s just the fact that THIS is what we get, when there are many other games sitting around in Japan that won’t ever come over because they’re not scandalous. Sex sells, yadda yadda but only when it’s women being sexualized, apparently.