Monster Lab

Monster Lab
Monster Lab
Monster Lab.jpg
Developer(s) Backbone Entertainment
Publisher(s) Eidos
Platform(s) Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS
Release date(s) November 4, 2008
Genre(s) Action RPG
Rating(s) ESRB: E10+
Media/distribution Wii Optical Disc, Nintendo DS Game Card

Monster Lab is a video game for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS that was developed by Backbone Entertainment's Vancouver, British Columbia-based studio and published by Eidos.[1] Debuting at the 2006 Comic-Con International convention in comic book form as Mad Science Alliance,[2] the game is described as "Pokémon meets Tim Burton".[3] The player controls a scientist and is helped by three professors to build his own monster. There are 150 parts to build a monster, and 300 items. The Wii version features Wi-Fi online modes. In addition to turn-based combat, extensive use is made of the DS stylus and Wii Remote in monster-building minigames.

This game's original working title as conceived by Backbone was "Mad Science Alliance," not to be confused with the unreleased trading card game of the same name, conceived by Michael Pace and Dan Burton.[4]

Mad Sciences

A main point of the game focuses on the three types of Mad Sciences. They are, mechanical, biological, and alchemical. Three portions of the Castle (your HQ) are the three areas of these sciences. They are the workshop, bio chamber, and arcanium (respectively). The mechanical science makes mechanical parts for your monster. They may be gear and steam powered or shiny and futuristic. The biology science makes living parts, a lot of plants, and things made of human flesh. The alchemical science makes (summons) magic parts for your monsters. Mechanical attacks are strong against biological parts, biological attacks are strong against alchemical parts, and alchemical attacks are strong against mechanical parts.

Reception

The Wii version was nominated for Best RPG for the Wii by IGN in its 2008 video game awards.[5]

References

  1. ^ Official site: http://www.monsterlabthegame.com/
  2. ^ Comic con announcement: http://www.geek.com/articles/games/foundation-9-uses-comic-con-for-ip-launch-20060720/
  3. ^ IGN review: http://wii.ign.com/articles/929/929103p1.html
  4. ^ Official site of trading card game: http://www.monsterlab.com/about.html
  5. ^ "IGN Wii: Best RPG 2008". IGN.com. 2008-12-18. http://bestof.ign.com/2008/wii/7.html. Retrieved 2008-12-19. 
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