Summary
While Oribe Ware Games definitely has a clear vision for Mostroscopy, the execution is sorely lacking. The gameplay feels inconsistent, imprecise, and janky. Throw in the rough and unappealing visual style, and this is one 2D fighter that simply isn’t fit to step into the ring.
Developer — Oribe Ware Games
Publisher — Oribe Ware Games
Platforms — Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Steam
Code Provided by Publisher
While I’m not a video game developer myself, I have to imagine that one of the most complex types of video games to create is a 2D fighter. These titles require frame-perfect animations and programming to deliver the high-speed gameplay and action that fans of the genre expect.
The highly technical design and gameplay is probably why we don’t see many indie-made 2D fighters. Challenging development be damned, however, as Oribe Ware Games certainly gave it the old college try with their game Mostroscopy. Unfortunately, this game is an example of why 2D fighters aren’t often seen on the indie side of the industry.
Mostroscopy isn’t the catchiest title in the world for a game, but the game’s theme is certainly unique. The visual aesthetic of the setting and each character is heavily inspired by Mexican luchador and horror films from the 50s. As a result, you have luchadors going toe-to-toe with sea monsters, robots, vampires, and a few more.
As someone who constantly desires more unique visual styles in their games, I love the idea! However, the unique theme is sullied by a frightfully ugly art style. The game’s 2D splash art for characters and Story Mode cutscenes aren’t awful, but they aren’t enough to make up for the character models you control when playing.
One could probably argue that the hideous 3D models are a touching tribute to the schlocky monster movies of the 1950s. One could, but one shouldn’t. Whether it was an homage to rubber suits and old filmmaking techniques or not, these models have poor texturing, odd proportions, and character designs that range from uninteresting to hideous.
Yes, monsters should be hideous, but not in a way that makes them look half-baked. Stages are equally unappealing and offer barely any visual interest. It’s a nice touch that you can play on each stage in either black and white or Technicolor, but the constant old-film effect only feels irritating as time goes on.
The saving grace for the art in Mostroscopy is its animations. A heap of thought was put into each character’s animations to make sure they move distinctly from one another. In some cases, they actually look really great!
Kukamon is a giant freezer robot with some of my favorite personality-filled animations. One of its moves involves Kukamon opening its chest as chunks of ice fly out toward its opponent. This lighthearted and wacky energy is most evident in the game’s animations, and it makes the actual act of playing feel much better than it really is.
Controls are generally responsive in Mostroscopy, but it’s got plenty of jankiness. Hitboxes are all over the place, some animations happen way too fast or too slowly, and, on occasion, my character would stop responding to button inputs.
Additionally, Mostroscopy went for a unique approach and tried to deliver a game that combines the format of a traditional 2D fighter with some of the control scheming of Super Smash Bros. Being able to access one’s special attacks without directional inputs sounds nice, but the Smash Bros. style of button pressing makes 2D fighting combos much more uncomfortable to pull off.
As a result of the general jank and strange button decisions, no fight in Mostroscopy was ever much fun. Whether trying to crack off combos or simply poking at an enemy, I constantly felt as if I was fighting the game itself rather than my virtual opponent.
Fourteen different fighters, fourteen stages, and a Story Mode campaign is an impressive amount of work. However, each of the game’s campaigns is brief, uninteresting, and plagued by the gameplay and visual issues addressed above.
While Oribe Ware Games definitely has a clear vision for Mostroscopy, the execution is sorely lacking. The gameplay feels inconsistent, imprecise, and janky. Throw in the rough and unappealing visual style, and this is one 2D fighter that simply isn’t fit to step into the ring.
