Despite some minor platforming quibbles, DreamRift's crafted a wonderful number that defies any generic description, and platformer/role-playing/adventure enthusiasts (hah) should definitely check it out.
The more i play it, the more i find this game to be like a mix of ALL the BEST elements from Mega Man to Pokemon to Wonder Boy to Metroid to Castlevania GBA-DS to Adventure Island 4 to Super Adventure Island II to beat'em up games like Dragon Ball Advanced Adventure. All fun i got from these games are combined in ONE. :D Makes me want to try Henry Hatsworth though i absolutely prefer RPG elements to puzzle elements. To me, this game is the PERFECT type of game to suit my gaming needs, visuals, gameplay, music, action, rpg elements. Very addicting!!
One thing I did not like about Monster Tale was the backtracking. You'll revisit each area at least once, and Ellie's not exactly a speed demon. That's okay, though, because the fun of the game's partner mechanic and ease of play far outweigh the annoyance of having to retrace your steps a few times.
With your monster ally at your side, it offers glimpses of something more intriguing, but its most interesting idea is the one that feels frustratingly underexplored. [June 2011, p.101]
Years after retiring my old DS Lite and dedicate myself almost exclusively to 3DS and Switch, I have the pleasant surprise to try this game, by indication of friends. The game is very good, colorful, fun, challenging, with good soundtrack and elements of Castlevania, Metroid, beat'em up, RPG and other genres, in a mixture that works very well.
Monster Tale creates a fun unique combination of Pokemon, Tamagotchi, and the Metroidvania genre. The game has smooth platforming and fluid combat switching between a short range blaster and a close-up melee option that just makes the game feel like such a joy to play. The fun colorful graphics really help in providing an immersive atmosphere to gamers, and the way in which your pets come out on the screen to help you is simple yet effective. The only problems of the game consist with its lack of fast travel and its mediocre soundtrack. Overall Monster Tale is a hidden gem in the DS library that any fan of platformers or Metroidvania style games you should definitely give it a try.
Cons
Lack of fast travel
Mediocre soundtrack
Playing very much like a kid's version of the GBA Metroid games, this is a playable enough little platform-based arcade adventure that's reminiscent of the 16 BIT Wonder Boy games. It's just not a patch on Fusion or Zero Missions.
I was able to play the game halfway. I am bored. It's a very lagging game compared to the year it was released. The Metroidvania and exploration elements are terrible. You always play the same places. Backtracking is too much. Pet development is not fun and pointless. And the pet is very weak. The first bosses are not bad, but the rabbit boss is mediocre. What I like about the game is that the artwork is beautiful.