The first Monster Rancher game was by far my favorite of the series for many reasons. Ever since the 2nd game the game design has become more and more childish; not to say that I want to see blood and gore, but I definitely do NOT want to see the Nagas devolve into some kind of ridiculous looking chibi-style snakeboy (nor do I want this for any other monster). The majority of the fan base for the Monster Rancher series came from the first or second game and has had a cult following since then. So why have the developers been making the games geared more towards little kids? I understand that they want more/new people to play but I would think that the better idea would have been to keep the people who already play happy. Popularity would come from those players suggesting the game to other people, but instead they have just been losing everyone. I have played each game from the series up until EVO. I have heard too many disappointing things about this game, plus the previous disappointment from the last couple games, to even consider buying it. Not to also mention that they have removed one of my favorite monsters from the game, Worms, along with the Monols, Apes, etc. Wouldn't you think that progressing the game onto a more powerful system would allow you to keep all of the previous monsters from the early series? I wish that the game developers would just quit trying to make these games so different. I loved the nameless fill-ing-the-blank rancher idea. Hell, if you must have some character running around on the screen then make a character creation when beginning a new game so that the rancher remains personal to the player. I also miss the freezing and combining of retired monsters as well as the fact that they DIED, not burst into a bunch of fireflies which apparently everyone is just fine with because it's better than death somehow or whatever other stupid animation they added in. As far as EVO goes, the series is Monster RANCHER, not 'Monster's in the Circus that Train for Battles Through Performances'...I want my ranch back, ALL of the monsters, MYSELF as the breeder, and less childish game designs. Otherwise, I fear I may never play any game from this series again (if they even make another one after EVO).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: The Undivine,

I agree with alot that you are saying, I do feel like the new ones were not tested by actual game players. My son and myself have been fans of monster since it first came out he just turned 8 and is really saddened to have finnally gotten evo only to find out that its too difficult for him to play because the new training system its really too complicated for him. I too feel irritated by this new style of monster training, I could see that being part of maybe a compitition but not to have it be everyday training is just garbage. I did love the new images, its like all the characters are made of silk and its just beautifly drawn and colored, but to decide not to ave thier mouths move is sjust lazyness on the part of the animators lol. thanks for listening to my rant, if you would like someone to test future games my son and me would love to be your game testers to give you a feel for waht your fans would think.

Tecmo, you ruined a great game. Monster Rancher reached it's peak with Monster Rancher 2. Monster combinations, simple yet fun monster raising and training, and it really gives you the feeling of being a rancher raising your own monsters. I remember buying MR3 but it was so different from 2 that I returned it because it was just a bunch of useless fluff I didn't want. I just want to unlock monsters from discs, raise them, play the occasional mini game but not have it drift off from the orginal game, battle with my monsters, freeze my aged monsters, and combine/breed them to make stronger offspring. Apparently though I guess it's asking for too much (rather too little).

Yes... You all remember me long time ago. It has been almost 10 years. I just had my PS 1. Saw my friend play MR2 and I fell in love to it. Suezo, durahan, cinder bird, mocchi, zuum, beaclon, zila, white mocchi, dragon... I still remember those names. ONE of the BEST GAME that I HAD EVER PLAYED... Colt...Yes, our assistant... But, MR3 for PS2, why did TECMO destroy it ? I was so confuse to play it. It was very weird playing system. I didn't like MR3. Until now, MR2 is always in my heart, remember that I was a happy child who playing MR2.

I didn't think 3 and 4 were that bad, different yes. The only thing that ticked me off about 3 was that you couldn't breed, the monsters went by region which sucked because it took away one of the whole points of Monster Rancher. When Evo came out I didn't get it right away because well I'm cheap and like to wait till the price goes down. Then I heard all the horrible reviews for it and waited even longer. Just recently I finally gave in and got, just because I'm such a big fan, and wanted to chop my hand off for picking it up. A circus? What the heck kind of storyline is that? I didn't play for more then an hour or two before I gave up because the 'training' is too complicated and everything they tell you makes no sense. I now use the game as a platform to raise my ps2 up so my wireless controller card doesn't fall out.

The Monster Rancher style seemed to youthen as the original fans got older.

It tried to be a pokemon which its not. It has its own flavor and charm. Things pokemon doesn't (like pixies! <3 )

And EVO lacked real tournaments and I had to spend WAY too much time dungeon crawling.

I'm playing Monster Rancher 2 again now. (in between playing World of Warcraft :P ) I decided to pick it up again for some nostalgia of my favorite game of all time.

I understand these sentiments with games like Monster Rancher Advance and Monster Rancher Advance 2. EVO wasn't the greatest either, but it was far from the worst. Funny how you say kiddy graphics, yet Monster Rancher used extremely kiddy job animations when you put them to work. Monster Rancher 2 is my favorite. It had the widest selection of monsters. Monster Rancher 4 is my next favorite in the series. There isn't anything "kiddy" about the way it looks. And the addition of optional adventures was fantastic. It kept to the core of the series by utilizing a ranch. The very best aspect of Monster Rancher 4 was the fact that you could raise and train 5 monsters at once.

I loved Monster rancher 2. i playing 4 atm and i feal like it is lacking more than it has to offer. less breeding options is a huge down side. no ability to store a monster for later use, forcing me to play the monsters i have till they 'die' or abandon them early never to use them again. not being able to see a monsters stats or even name when i create it from a disc. in future games you might consider adding monster types rather than removing some. just a thought. i mean when a sequel to a game is released on a newer, far superior, game system, i think we all expect MORE from the game. so why is the game less? i can raise 5 monsters at once.. i really like that, i do. but i would sacrifice it if it is taking up so many resources that you cant fit in better menus and more monsters.

then again, if another monster rancher was released, with the old style(ranch, not circus) i'd buy it even though i know it would have less monsters and i'd be frustrated by menus.

i played monster rancher 2 and monster rancher battle card in playstation.and monster rancher 3,4. in playstation2. monster rancher was one of my favorite game. so i played it all.
they're are plenty of monster breeds in monster rancher2.
yes if you like best storyline then its monster rancher2.

but if you like better graphics and gameplay then its monster rancher 4. even though they remove the revive option at the laboratory. you can still use it for combining monsters.

well there are many differences but its still a great game. by the way i still dont have the Monster rancher EVO. its hard to find here in Philippines. and oh i also watched the monster rancher tv series when i was a 15 yrs old my favorite monster in the game is tiger. well from my experience monster rancher2,3,4 is a great game. different yes. fun yes.