Monster Sanctuary

Name: Monster Sanctuary
Rating: 8 (12704 reviews)

Developer: Moi Rai Games

Publisher: Team17

Dec 7, 2020

Visual

pixel
side scroll

Structure

ability gated
exploration
interconnected map
non linear
fast travel

Combat

permadeath
turn based

Features

companion combat
cosmetics
difficulty options
equipment
leveling
map markers
randomizer
skill tree

Themes

fantasy

Sub-Genre

Summary

Monster taming meets metroidvania. Collect, train and battle monsters in a lovely side-scroller pixel world.

Last updated September 28, 2026

Where to play

- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
- Steam Deck
- Steam
- Demo
Nintendo
- Switch
PlayStation
- PS4
Xbox
- Series X|S
- One

Resources

Links

Shattered Divinities

Developer: 白石组

Publisher: TrueColor Games

May 15, 2026

95%

Very Positive

959 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- companion combat
- difficulty options
- fantasy
- map markers
- RPG
- Differences
- action
- contact damage
Crystal Project

Developer / Publisher: Andrew Willman

2022

92%

Very Positive

2,600 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- pixel
- fast travel
- difficulty options
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- randomizer
- RPG
- turn based
- Differences
- third person
- voxel
- Has Hub
- Has Overworld
- class system
- multiple characters
- 3D
- isometric
- Semi-Linear
Fortune Summoners: Secret of the Elemental Stone

Developer: Lizsoft

Publisher: Carpe Fulgur LLC, Lizsoft

2009

86%

Very Positive

83 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Demo Available
- exploration
- pixel
- side scroll
- companion combat
- cosmetics
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
Dust: An Elysian Tail

Developer: Humble Hearts

Publisher: Humble Hearts, Microsoft Studios

2012

95%

Overwhelmingly Positive

19,083 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- companion combat
- difficulty options
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- Differences
- hand drawn
- parry
Unepic

Developer: Francisco Téllez de Meneses, @unepic_fran

Publisher: A Crowd of Monsters, Eastasiasoft, EnjoyUp Games, Ninagamers Corp., UnEpic Games

2011

91%

Very Positive

8,189 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- difficulty options
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- map markers
- RPG
- Differences
- item gated
- action
- multiple endings
Dewdrop Dynasty

Developer: Goodgis

Publisher: Firith Studio

Jul 21, 2026

80%

Very Positive

246 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- cosmetics
- equipment
- map markers
- Differences
- new releases
- boss gated
Indivisible

Developer: Lab Zero Games

Publisher: 505 Games

2019

71%

Mostly Positive

3,745 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Demo Available
- ability gated
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- companion combat
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- Differences
- hand drawn
- Co-op
- multiple characters
- New Game+
Valdis Story: Abyssal City

Developer / Publisher: Endlessfluff Games

2013

84%

Very Positive

2,716 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- difficulty options
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- skill tree
- RPG
- Differences
- item gated
- action
- parry
- multiple characters
Princess

Developer: DV

Publisher: David Vecchione

2022

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- RPG
- turn based
- Differences
- item gated
- action
- multiple endings
- top down
GunGirl 2

Developer / Publisher: BlueEagle Productions

2010

92%

Very Positive

176 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- difficulty options
- equipment
- leveling
- RPG
- Differences
- Free on Steam
- item gated
- contact damage
- Ranged Combat
- gore
- multiple characters
- post apocalyptic
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Developer: adglobe, Live Wire

Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive

2025

95%

Overwhelmingly Positive

18,866 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- companion combat
- difficulty options
- equipment
- fantasy
- leveling
- map markers
- RPG
- Differences
- hand drawn
- boss gated
- post game
- action
- corpse run
- parry
- boss rush
- gothic
- isolation
- multiple endings
- New Game+
- post apocalyptic
- steampunk
- Souls-like
Horde of Viscount

Developer / Publisher: Swiggins Studios

Apr 11, 2026

100%

Positive

17 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- Demo Available
- pixel
- side scroll
- difficulty options
- equipment
- leveling
- randomizer
- RPG
- Differences
- Co-op
- multiple endings

Monster Sanctuary

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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