Monstroscopy Xbox Review – Masked Heroes, Monsters, and Retro Horror Brawling

Masked heroes and monsters collide in a 1950s horror throwdown

Monstroscopy is the kind of fighting game that sticks out from the pack—not because of its high-speed combos or flashy super moves, but because of how weird, stylish, and strangely niche it dares to be. Developed with a heavy dose of retro horror flair, Monstroscopy blends classic lucha libre culture with grotesque creature design, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience that’s equal parts homage and throwback.

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Monstroscopy

Release Date: Steam: Oct 31, 2023; Xbox One & Series X|S: Jan 31, 2025; Switch, PS4 & PS5: May 16, 2025

Genre: Fighting, Retro, Horror

Developer: Oribeware Games

Publisher: Seashell Studio

Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch

A Cast of Creeps and Champions

Monstroscopy’s roster is nothing if not unique. With sixteen playable characters, it mashes together masked luchadores and classic horror icons—think vampires, mummies, werewolves, and a few entities that defy description. Each character has a distinct moveset and combat rhythm, adding variety to the brawls beyond the genre standard.

Vintage Visuals, Uneven Execution

Monstroscopy is drenched in style. It draws heavily from 1950s Mexican horror cinema and lucha films, rendered in striking pixel art with thick film grain overlays and flickering monochrome filters. Players can toggle between Technicolor and black-and-white stage variants, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

The presentation is dripping with personality, but it’s not without rough edges. While the 2D art pops with charm, the 3D character models—especially in menus and cutscenes—can look flat or awkward. Texture detail is inconsistent, and the constant grain filter, while thematically fitting, may wear thin during longer sessions.

Simple Controls, Surprising Strategy

This is not your typical combo-heavy fighter. Monstroscopy keeps it simple: one button each for attacks, specials, guarding, and taunting. Yet within this stripped-down control scheme lies a surprising amount of strategy.

Each character uses a Monstro Gauge, which fills as you land hits or take damage. Once charged, you can enter Monstro Mode, temporarily enhancing your abilities and unlocking high-damage potential. Special attacks can also be charged for devastating effects, making positioning and timing essential.

While the combat can be fun and punchy, it’s held back by inconsistent hitboxes and occasional input unresponsiveness. More importantly, the lack of a proper tutorial or in-depth move list makes it difficult for newcomers to pick up and master the characters. It’s a fighting game that doesn’t hold your hand—sometimes to its own detriment.

The Verdict

Monstroscopy is a love letter to cult horror and lucha cinema, wrapped in a fighting game that dares to be different. Its unique art style, memorable characters, and strategic mechanics offer a fresh flavor for genre veterans. But uneven polish, and a lack of onboarding tools keep it from reaching its full potential.

Score: 7.5/10

Monstroscopy is a stylish throwback brawler that shines with creativity, personality, and retro horror flair. Despite some rough edges, its unique vision and heartfelt execution make it a memorable standout in the fighting game genre.

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