MONARK Review Summary

Interesting and well-written characters: The characters are noted for being full of personality, interesting, and well-written, with deep development.

Engaging and well-developed story: The game features a captivating and well-developed story that players find engaging and intriguing. The plot is praised for being thought-provoking and rich.

Enjoyable and strategic gameplay: Players find the gameplay to be enjoyable, immersive, and strategic. The combat mechanics are particularly highlighted for being satisfying and well-executed.

Unique and enjoyable battle system: The battle system is noted for being fresh, unique, and enjoyable, with strategic depth.

Great music and OST: The game's music, including its OST and boss battle tracks, is highly praised by players for being amazing and compelling.

Excessive grinding required: Many players find the amount of grinding required to progress or achieve 100% completion to be excessive and tedious, requiring significant time investment.

Poor graphics and character models: The graphics and character models are frequently criticized for being poor, outdated, and lacking in quality and expressions.

Difficult and frustrating puzzles: Puzzles are noted for being difficult, time-consuming, and lacking clear clues, leading to frustration among players.

Rushed ending and dialogue issues: The ending feels rushed, and dialogues are often criticized for being poorly executed or too long with pauses.

Poor optimization and performance: The game is criticized for poor optimization, leading to low FPS and performance issues even on high-end hardware.

Turn-based tactical combat system: The game features a complex and strategic turn-based combat system that incorporates tactical elements and free movement. Players appreciate the depth and strategic planning required in battles.

Story-rich JRPG gameplay: The game is a traditional JRPG with a strong emphasis on story-driven gameplay. Players enjoy the rich narrative and character development throughout the game.

Unique combat mechanics: The combat system includes unique mechanics such as 'awake', 'mad', and 'resonance' abilities, which add depth and variety to the battles. Players find these mechanics innovative and engaging.

Character progression and skill upgrades: The game features a robust character progression system with skill trees and skill upgrades. Players appreciate the depth and customization options available for character development.

Grinding and repetitive gameplay: Some players find the gameplay loop monotonous and grindy, with repetitive combat mechanics. This can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game for some players.

FPS and performance issues: Multiple players report problems with low FPS, stuttering, and general performance issues across various hardware setups. These issues affect the overall gameplay experience significantly.

Game crashes and bugs: Several users have encountered game crashes and bugs that disrupt the gaming experience. These issues are widespread and impact players on different platforms.

Steam Deck compatibility issues: There are specific issues related to the Steam Deck, including character naming problems and general compatibility issues. However, some users report stable performance with Proton GE.

Resolution and FPS limits: The game has resolution and FPS limits, with some users reporting being locked at 1080p and 60 FPS, which may not meet the expectations of players with high-end hardware.

Animation and modeling issues: Players have noted issues with facial animations and poor modeling, which affect the visual quality and immersion of the game.

Recommended for JRPG and strategy fans: This game is highly recommended for fans of JRPGs, especially those who enjoy strategic gameplay and unique, niche titles. It is particularly appealing to veterans and fans of the Persona series.

Wait for a discount: Many reviewers suggest waiting for a significant discount before purchasing the game. It is often recommended to get it on sale for better value.

Worth playing for story and music: The game is praised for its engaging storyline and unique gameplay. The music, particularly the boss themes, is also highlighted as a strong point.

Comparisons to other games: Some reviewers compare the combat and tactical elements to other games like Scarlet Nexus and Caligula Effect. Preferences vary, with some favoring other titles over this one.

Cautious recommendation for casual players: The game is recommended with caution for casual players. It may require patience and a liking for grinding and darker themes.

Community fair range: $15.00 - $30.00.

Game completion: 350.0h.

Story completion: 60.0h.

Endgame: 80.0h.

The game has a slow and repetitive start but becomes more fun as players progress and unlock new skills, although the fun drops towards the end.

Reported time to anchor: 1h.

Friction: slow plot; repetitive gameplay; grindy nature.

Challenge-Seeking Grinder: Strategic and methodical, willing to grind to overcome challenges. Motivation: Enjoys the challenge and tactical depth of the game. Stance: buy.

Persona Fan: Story-driven, enjoys the thematic depth and character development. Motivation: Enjoys the narrative and thematic elements similar to Persona. Stance: buy.

Budget-Conscious Gamer: Casual, enjoys the game but is mindful of spending. Motivation: Seeks value for money and prefers to buy games on sale. Stance: sale.

Steam Deck: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key issues with the game's compatibility and usability on the Steam Deck. Primary concerns include difficulties with keyboard input, which hinders game progression, and stability issues such as crashes during text input. Users also express a strong preference for the convenience and portability of the Steam Deck over traditional PC gaming. While the game runs fine out of the box, the need for additional hardware or workarounds to fully enjoy the game on the Steam Deck is a significant friction point.