Do a humorous narrative, collection of trophies and challenges, and a badass protagonist make up for a shockingly short adventure?

Carl Walker -

“Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess” is a “Doodle Jump”-esque platform game that recently made it’s way from the Playstation Network to the Xbox Live Indie Games. After already gathering up a bit of a reputation for itself, hopes were high for my play through of the game.
“Monsters” pits you as Duke, a Vampire who takes no attitude from anyone. He’s trying to rescue the princess that went missing from his castle and was (probably) stolen by monsters.
You must jump vertically up a series of platforms chasing the monsters, and suplexing them hundreds of feet into the ground. It handles quite well, and looks really pretty but with only five levels in the Story Mode, it’s not really as impressive as you would hope. The game implements a combo system which rewards you with bigger and better finishing moves according to how many platforms you manage to land on without touching the same one twice. You can also wall jump for extra technique and leverage. The stages and enemies are varied, but with a length shorter than even some throw away apps on the iPod, in the grand scheme of things you can’t feel anything but underwhelmed.

The challenges and trophies give the game a bit more replayability, but you really want the length to be in the story mode and not the secondary parts of the game.
All of that aside though, what you do get for your money is a well designed, enjoyable and funny platform game, with a protagonist that I would be rather happy to see crop up in other games.

Custard Trout -

“Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess” (definitely) made me laugh.

This simple game is a wonderful blend of humour and ice climber-style game play.
We follow Duke, who’s trying to save his princess, who he believes was stolen by monsters.

By mixing a little bit of text and short cinematics, Mediatonic are able to give us an understanding for Duke, he’s a bad-arse kinda guy who wants his princess back, he’s quick to judge and pretty full of himself.

In order to save the “delightful” princess you must battle a range of monsters climbing towers, caves, and waterfalls! In order to defeat all of the enemies you must double jump into their head three times, by climbing up platforms to reach them, obviously the platform layout changes, as does the boss pattern.

The game is pretty short, but the story pushes you to play until your thumbs are sore. No matter how frustrating it can get. The game is also jam packed with extras, such as in game awards and a scrap book to fill. The scrap book reveals little pieces of back story, such as where the princess is from, and what she is princess of.

I’m not sure if it’s the upbeat text or the crazy “Dracula-techno” soundtrack, but this game is great and with all the extras it’s a brilliant game for a little price!

Games: Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess, Platforms: Xbox Live Indie Games, Genres: Platformer, Publishers: Mediatonic, Developers: Mediatonic