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{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{about|the video game|the Gamera film|War of the Monsters (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = War of the Monsters
| image = WarofthemonstersPS2.jpg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Incog Inc. Entertainment]]{{efn|[[Santa Monica Studio]] assisted on development.}}
| publisher = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]]
| director = Kellan Hatch
| producer = Dylan Jobe
| designer = Eric Simonich<br>Kellan Hatch<br>Dylan Jobe<br>Scott Campbell
| programmer = Bruce Woodard<br>Jeff Limback<br>Mike Badger<br>Dylan Jobe<br>Karl Loveridge
| artist = David Wright<br>Jennifer Fortin<br>Yeon-Seon Kim<br>Steve Argyle
| writer =
| composer =
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<!-- Do not list emulation platforms per template infobox video game -->
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|January 14, 2003|EU|April 17, 2003}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Fighting game|fighting]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''War of the Monsters''''' is a [[fighting game|fighting]] [[video game]] developed by [[Incog Inc. Entertainment]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 2]]. [[Santa Monica Studio]] assisted on development, The game was released on the [[PlayStation 2]] in January 2003 in North America and in April in Europe. An emulated and upscaled version was re-released on the [[PlayStation 4]] in December 2015.
The game is set in the aftermath of an alien invasion of Earth where their hazardous fuels have spawned giant monsters that battle one another in city environments. The game pays homage to ''[[kaiju]]'' films and 1950s [[science fiction film]]s.
==Gameplay==
[[Image:War of the Monsters 1.jpg|thumb|left|Monsters battle in a city environment.]]
In ''War of the Monsters'', players take the roles of large monsters in city environments. The game plays as a fighting game yet works differently from the traditional [[Fighting game#Definition|one-on-one]] structured rounds. Instead, fights can include up to 4 monsters in a [[Fighting game#Multiplayer modes|four-way simultaneous fighting]] structure. The camera is in third person perspective, allowing the player to focus solely on their character.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | pages=6–7}}</ref>
Monsters have two status bars in each game, health and stamina. Like the standard fighting game [[formula]], every time a monster takes damage, their overall Health bar drops until it is completely depleted, resulting in player defeat. Stamina determines how much energy a monster can attack with.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=7}}</ref> The bar drops if a monster picks up another foe or performs a ranged attack. If the bar is full, a monster can perform special attacks, whereas if the bar is completely drained, they become temporarily unable to use basic attacks (they can still throw and attack with items however, which adds energy to the bar and helps an empty bar recover faster).<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=10}}</ref>
Also unlike most fighting games, players are allowed to roam freely within the city area, which allows climbing of jumping from buildings and cliffs. Monsters can use the environment to deal out damage to their foes by making weapons of various objects found within the city, such as [[vehicles]] and [[rubble]] as projectiles, [[steel girders]] and stone columns as clubs and [[radio antennae]] as a spear to impale others, temporarily stunning them.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=11}}</ref> There are also some environment pick-ups, which can increase health or stamina, appearing as green or blue orbs and floating [[radioactive sign]]s.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=12}}</ref> Buildings can be destroyed if a monster directly attacks or is thrown into it. In some cities, taller buildings can topple over sideways that can crush other monsters, killing them instantly.
In the Adventure mode, along with a series of set fights with other monsters, [[Boss (video games)|boss battles]] are also present. They are much larger than the standard playable monsters and required certain strategies to defeat. "Tokens" can also be earned through Adventure mode, which can be spent at the "Unlocks" shop to unlock more cities, monsters, and monster skins. And you also can unlock mini-games like dodge ball or city destruction.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=4}}</ref>
Multiplayer options allow two players via [[split screen (computer graphics)|split-screen]], which can be set to merge into one screen when both players are close enough to fit on the same screen.<ref>{{cite book | year=2003 | editor=Sony Computer Entertainment | title=War of the Monsters instruction manual | publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment | page=5}}</ref>
==
[[Image:War of the Monsters 2.jpg|thumb|right|Each level of the game features a fictional movie poster that includes the game's monsters.]]
The plot is set in the 1950's where a fleet of alien [[flying saucer]] warships invade the [[Earth]], causing massive damage. The scientists of the world's nations manage to create a series of secret weapons, which, when activated, let loose shock waves that short-circuit the saucers and cause them to crash. Unfortunately, the flying saucers were all fueled by a green radioactive liquid, which leaked out as they crashed. Through this, the fuel infects animals, humans, and robots, turning them into giant mutant monsters, creating a war for supremacy among them. The player acts as one of these monsters and battles against the rest in fictional cities across the globe and the remaining UFOs.
The story mode of the game starts out in Midtown Park where a giant mutant ape called [[King Kong|Congar]] defeats a wave of military forces but is fought and defeated by the lead monster.
In Gambler's Gulch, the lead monster also defeats the reptilian beast, [[Godzilla|Togera]]. After Togera's defeat, a military class mech called [[The Iron Giant|Robo-47]] and the military show up and attack the lead monster but are defeated as well. At a military base at Rosedale Canyon, the lead monster is confronted by a horde of irradiated [[Them!|giant ants]] and a mega robot, Goliath Prime. Prime and the ants are all defeated.
In Metro City, the military decide to test their new weapon, [[Mechani-Kong|Mecha-Congar]], on the giant mantis, [[The Deadly Mantis|Preytor]], who was attacking the city. Before they could fight the lead monster appears and defeats them both. The lead monster then travels to Century Airfield and defeats the twin [[dragons]] called [[Q (1982 film)|Raptros]].
Then, at the Atomic Island power plant, the lead monster defeats a swarm of [[The Trollenberg Terror|Kineticlops]], living electrical monsters, by causing a nuclear meltdown. In the resulting ruins, the lead monster must battle a large, three headed plant creature called [[Biollante|Vegon]].
Two Robo-47s stop a UFO attack in scenic Baytown and then try to slay the lead monster. Both are repelled and beaten.
In the Pacific island of Club Caldera, the rock monsters, [[Hercules (1997 film)|Magmo]] and [[Daimajin|Agamo]] fight each other with the lead monster caught in the middle. Both are beaten.
After defeating two robots, [[Mazinger Z|Ultra-V]] at the "Tsunopolis", the lead monster is abducted by a UFO that takes it back to the mothership. There the lead monster has to fend off three [[Mars Attacks!|Zorgulon]]s before being abducted once more when the mothership explodes, causing the UFO to crash into the North American city of Capitol. There, the alien leader Cerebulon attacks in a multi-layered tripod battle suit. After Cerebulon is defeated, the lead monster victor watches as the last part of Cerebulon, a small timid insect-like creature flees. A short movie is shown about the monster's origin depending on who the player chooses. The only exceptions are Raptros the dragon and Zorgulon the alien creature who has their own ending with roar in victory.
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 80/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/war-of-the-monsters/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title = War of the Monsters for PlayStation 2 Reviews | website = [[Metacritic]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39576&tab=review | title = War of the Monsters - Review | author = T.J. Deci | website = [[AllGame]] | publisher = [[All Media Network]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141114210004/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39576&tab=review | archive-date = November 14, 2014 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| EGM = 7.67/10<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1490563,00.asp | title = War of the Monsters | author = EGM staff | magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | publisher = [[Ziff Davis]] | issue = 163 | date = February 2003 | page = 142 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040624202705/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1490563,00.asp | archive-date = June 24, 2004 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_warofthemonsters_ps2 | title = War of the Monsters Review | author = Tom Bramwell | website = [[Eurogamer]] | publisher = Gamer Network | date = April 10, 2003 | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| Fam = 27/40<ref name="fam">{{cite magazine | title = 怪獣大激戦 | language = ja | magazine = [[Famitsu]] | publisher = [[Enterbrain]] | volume = 798 | date = April 2, 2004}}</ref>
| GI = 6/10<ref name="ginformer">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200302/R03.0730.1746.06317.htm | title = War of the Monsters | author = Chet Barber | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | publisher = [[GameStop]] | issue = 118 | date = February 2003 | page = 96 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040227222229/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200302/R03.0730.1746.06317.htm | archive-date = February 27, 2004 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28007.shtml | title = War of the Monsters Review for PS2 on GamePro.com | author = Fennec Fox | magazine = [[GamePro]] | publisher = [[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] | date = January 29, 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050209083352/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28007.shtml | archive-date = February 9, 2005 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| GameRev = B−<ref name="grevolution">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33538-war-of-the-monsters-review | title = War of the Monsters Review | author = G-Wok | website = [[GameRevolution]] | publisher = [[CraveOnline]] | date = February 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150929050513/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/war-of-the-monsters | archive-date = September 29, 2015 | url-status = live | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.4/10<ref name="gspot">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/war-of-the-monsters-review/1900-2908842/ | title = War of the Monsters Review | author = Greg Kasavin | website = [[GameSpot]] | publisher = CBS Interactive | date = January 15, 2003 | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gspy">{{cite web | url = http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/war-of-the-monsters/5538p1.html | title = GameSpy: War of the Monsters | author = Benjamin Turner | website = [[GameSpy]] | publisher = IGN Entertainment | date = January 14, 2003 | access-date = January 31, 2008}}</ref>
| GameZone = 8.2/10<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/war_of_the_monsters_ps2_review | title = War of the Monsters - PS2 - Review | author = Louis Bedigian | website = GameZone | date = January 20, 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081005040858/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20488.htm | archive-date = October 5, 2008 | url-status = live | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.9/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/09/war-of-the-monsters | title = War of the Monsters | author = Jeremy Dunham | website = [[IGN]] | publisher = Ziff Davis | date = January 9, 2003 | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| OPM = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1492815,00.asp | title = War of the Monsters | author = John Davison | magazine = [[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] | publisher = Ziff Davis | date = January 2003 | page = 118 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040619133423/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1492815,00.asp | archive-date = June 19, 2004 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1Score = A−<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://ew.com/article/2003/01/17/war-monsters/ | title = 'Monsters' Inc. (''War of the Monsters'' Review) | author = Noah Robischon | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | publisher = [[Time Inc.]] | issue = 691 | date = January 17, 2003 | page = 86 | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''
| rev2Score = 10/10<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4653.html | title = War of the Monsters | author = Alex Porter | website = [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] | publisher = [[Biglari Holdings]] | date = January 14, 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030201080823/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4653.html | archive-date = February 1, 2003 | url-status = dead | access-date = March 30, 2016}}</ref>
}}
''War of the Monsters'' received "generally favorable reviews" according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mc"/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of three sevens and one six for a total of 27 out of 40.<ref name="fam"/>
Most reviewers praised the game's style and monster roster, being a homage to classic [[Monster film|monster movies]]. ''[[IGN]]'' stated that "the game draws its inspiration from movies like ''[[The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms]]'', ''[[King Kong]]'', and ''[[Godzilla]]'', the characters immediately appear to be inspired by from the great [[Ray Harryhausen]]", going on to say "each of the game's 10 gigantic beasts are as fun to play as they are to look at"<ref name="ign"/> while ''[[GameSpot]]'' said "a slick presentation gives the game the style of an old drive-in movie or news telecast, and it really works well to accentuate the game's retro theme and characters."<ref name="gspot"/> The publication later named it the second-best PlayStation 2 game of January 2003.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129113416/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/020803/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/020803/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Game of the Month, January 2003 | author=((The Editors of ''GameSpot'')) | date=February 8, 2003 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=November 29, 2004 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
''[[GameSpy]]'' was equally impressed, noting the destructible environments, that "WotM captures the joy of destruction more so than any game I've ever played. Did you think knocking over buildings was fun in [[Rampage (arcade game)|Rampage]]? It's ten... no, twelvety times better in WotM".<ref name="gspy"/> ''[[Game Informer]]'', however, complained about certain aspects of gameplay, that "the unblockable attacks are just downright unfair" and that "the lazy camera produces numerous blind spots throughout a battle".<ref name="ginformer"/> ''[[GameRevolution]]'' noted AI issues, that "the monsters routinely demonstrate a strong sense of self-preservation", which they called "extremely frustrating behavior".<ref name="grevolution"/>
During the [[7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''War of the Monsters'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Fighting Game of the Year|Console Fighting Game of the Year]]", which was ultimately given to ''[[Soulcalibur II]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGameAwardType=46 |title=2004 Awards Category Details Console Fighting Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==
* ''[[King of the Monsters (video game)|King of the Monsters]]'', an earlier series of games with a similar plotline.
* ''[[Rampage (series)|Rampage]]'', an earlier series with similar monsters.
==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==
*{{moby game|/war-of-the-monsters}}
[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:3D fighting games]]
[[Category:Incognito Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Kaiju video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2-only games]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Video games set in the United States]]
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