tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274560874062585311.post2843506952534174093..comments2024-03-28T06:43:37.598-07:00Comments on Gaming After 40: East vs. West: (Wonder Boy III) Monster Lair (1989)StillGaminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18366215127642090500noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274560874062585311.post-2509223415209222392012-06-08T04:31:34.399-07:002012-06-08T04:31:34.399-07:00You've hit on the only "why" I can t...You've hit on the only "why" I can think of -- that Monster Lair was released as an arcade game, just like the original Wonder Boy / Adventure Island, and the constantly shrinking life bar was a good way of keeping players moving forward and eating additional quarters. The shooter levels were the only real addition to the original formula. <br /><br />Wonder Boy in Monster Land was a console title and so had room for exploration and story. Monster World IV has a female protagonist, but I don't think she's related to the Princess in this game. She was just here to provide Player 2 support, and there really isn't anything different about the co-op mode other than some additional firepower, both players still have to maneuver the same way as one.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!StillGaminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18366215127642090500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274560874062585311.post-83506835867243671812012-06-07T20:09:34.355-07:002012-06-07T20:09:34.355-07:00Something that wasn't covered in here, unless ...Something that wasn't covered in here, unless I missed it, is why the sudden change from the gameplay in Wonder Boy in Monster Land, which was moving away from the "Adventure Island"-esque gameplay, to the depressingly-similar-to-Adventure-Island gameplay in Monster Lair. Apart from Wonder Boy 1, I think this was the only other entry in the series to play in that "die as you play" manner.<br /><br />I dunno, I guess cause it's designed to eat up quarters, but it sure didn't impress me a whole lot. If it'd been more like a proper lifebar, ala Joe & Mac, I think it would've done better. It would've been nice if you could choose to play as the Princess without being player 2, as well. She didn't get any other playable roles in the series, insofar as I know. Good article, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274560874062585311.post-73512087499576963872011-12-15T06:26:33.458-08:002011-12-15T06:26:33.458-08:00I am a massive fan of it's cousin, Wonderboy I...I am a massive fan of it's cousin, Wonderboy III The Dragons Trap on the Master System. I think my cousin and I were so hooked (sad) at one time we worked out how the save codes were calculated and were able to invoke cheats etc !Shaunnoreply@blogger.com