About You Are the Monster
"You Are the Monster is about as pure as it gets"
Robin, former PC Gamer magazine editor
"You Are the Monster" is the epitome of cathartic gaming experiences, offering a profoundly uncomplicated joy in smashing cities to bits. The game's simplicity is both its strongest suit and most noticeable limitation. Players choose a giant monster, such as the intriguing Kraken (a cross between a lobster, octopus, and minivan), and embark on a rampage through densely populated cities. The controls are intuitive, with destruction being as simple as walking into objects, whether they be cars, scenery, or unfortunately, civilians. The latter's terrible evasion skills only add to the comedic destruction, as they seemingly gather to watch the mayhem rather than flee.
Quick Facts — You Are the Monster
| Developer | null |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release Date | June 18 (Early Access) |
| Genre | Action |
| Price | null |
Developed by an unnamed solo developer and set for an Early Access launch on PC on June 18, "You Are the Monster" promises a six-month polishing period based on community feedback. This scrappy one-man project shows its barebones nature through licensed assets but makes up for it with its core gameplay appeal.
The game falls under the Action genre, with a focus on city destruction and monster customization. Despite its simplicity, the title has garnered attention for its unique approach to the monster sim genre, drawing comparisons to GTA's wanted level system in its escalating law enforcement response to player actions.
Key Features and Gameplay Experience
The joy of "You Are the Monster" lies in its features, each designed to enhance the destructive experience:
- City Destruction: The core of the game, where players can smash through cities with ease, enjoying the simple yet satisfying destruction mechanics.
- Monster Customization (Upgrades): As players progress, they unlock upgrades for their monsters, including enhancing the three special attacks each monster boasts. For example, the Kraken's ability to suck in civilians or its powerful ground slam, which annihilates everything in its radius.
- Special Attacks: Each monster comes with three unique special attacks (e.g., ground slam, sprinting charge) that are crucial for fending off the escalating military response, from police to airstrikes. These attacks, however, come with long cooldowns, requiring strategic use.
- Endless Mode: Unlocked upon completing a run with a monster, offering endless destruction possibilities.
The gameplay experience is deeply influenced by these features. For instance, the wanted level system, akin to GTA, introduces a layer of strategy amidst the chaos. As destruction escalates, so does the response, forcing players to balance aggression with caution, especially when health is concerned. Healing is rare and comes from health orbs dropped by slain civilians, making each decision to use a special attack a thoughtful one to avoid taking unnecessary damage.
What This Means for Players
Despite being "pretty slight" in its current form, "You Are the Monster" offers a unique selling point in its genre - pure, unadulterated fun. The lack of frills and direct approach to gameplay are refreshing, even if the licensed assets and overall polish are lacking. The community's desire for "bigger monsters" and larger-scale destruction hints at the game's potential for growth.
Robin's appreciation for the game's simplicity encapsulates its appeal: sometimes, less is more, especially when "less" involves smashing a city with a giant, mutant minivan-octopus hybrid. With its Early Access launch imminent, fans of destruction sims have a lot to look forward to, especially with the promise of improvements and new features based on feedback.
Criticisms and Future Outlook
Criticisms of the game include its somewhat lacking licensed assets and the overall slightness of the experience. However, these are overshadowed by the game's direct joy and the developer's commitment to a six-month development period post-launch, indicating a potential for significant growth.
A key suggestion from players, including Robin, is the introduction of "bigger monsters" capable of destroying more substantial structures like buildings, which would elevate the destruction scale. This, coupled with community-driven development, positions "You Are the Monster" for a promising future in the gaming landscape.
As the game prepares to launch into Early Access on June 18, players eager for a cathartic smashing experience would do well to keep an eye on its development. With patience and the right community feedback, "You Are the Monster" could grow into something truly monumental - a game where stomping on buildings becomes the new standard in monster sims.