Monster Rancher 3 (known in Japan as Monster Farm 3 (モンスターファーム3, Monsutā Fāmu Surī)) is the third game in Tecmo's Monster Rancher series. It is the first game in the series for the PlayStation 2.

Monster Rancher 3
North American PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)Tecmo
Publisher(s)Tecmo
SeriesMonster Rancher
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: March 22, 2001
  • NA: September 25, 2001[1]
Genre(s)Life simulation game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

edit

This game uses cel-shaded graphics to give the game a more cartoon-like feel. However, the player may still generate monsters by inserting a disc into the PS2. Furthermore, Monster Rancher 3 is the first game in the series to allow players the ability to generate monsters based on past discs, as well as monsters already bred. As an example, once a monster has been bred, from that point on one can simply generate them from their Monster Encyclopedia, saving the player unnecessary time and trouble having to remember and find discs that generated various monsters. Also, Monster Rancher 3 is the first and currently only Monster Rancher game to allow players to trade monster data. By inserting memory cards for both players, it is possible to transfer monsters in one player's Monster Encyclopedia to another player's file.

Reception

edit

The game received "generally favorable reviews", albeit less than the previous two games in the series, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] Eric Bratcher of NextGen called it "A unique, absorbing game that needs to expand its vision in order to live up to its revolutionary roots."[10] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[5]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 6/10, 7/10, and 8/10.

References

edit
  1. ^ IGN staff (September 25, 2001). "Five New PS2 Titles Ship". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Monster Rancher 3". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Miller, Skyler. "Monster Rancher 3 - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Johnston, Chris; Mielke, James "Milkman"; Mollohan, Gary (November 2001). "Monster Rancher 3" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 148. Ziff Davis. p. 210. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "モンスターファーム [PS2]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Reiner, Andrew (November 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". Game Informer. No. 103. FuncoLand. p. 100. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  7. ^ Torres, Ricardo (September 21, 2001). "Monster Rancher 3 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Padilla, Raymond (November 10, 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 15, 2004. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  9. ^ Smith, David (September 27, 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Bratcher, Eric (December 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". NextGen. No. 84. Imagine Media. p. 108. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Steinman, Gary (November 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 50. Ziff Davis. p. 155. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Reyes, Francesca (November 2001). "Monster Rancher 3". PSM. No. 51. Imagine Media. p. 46. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
edit