Monster World IV Japan^[a] is an action-adventure platform game developed by Westone and released in Japan by Sega for the Mega Drive in April 1994. The game title is slightly confusing: It is the sixth game in the Wonder Boy series and the fourth game in the Monster World IV Japan subseries (the other three being Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap/Curse and Wonder Boy in Monster World/Wonder Boy V: Monster World III).

It was later released for the PlayStation 2 on March 8, 2007, as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series under the name Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 29: Monster World Complete Collection.^[b] It was released on the Wii‘s Virtual Console service in Japan on January 15, 2008.

Gameplay – Monster World IV Japan

Monster World IV Japan is a mix of action-adventure, platforming, and RPG genres, in which the player traverses a 2D landscape fighting a variety of monsters as well as interacting with non-playable characters.

Expanding upon previous games in the series, Asha has the ability to swing her sword upward, downward, and forward while in midair, depending on which direction is pressed. She can also use her shield while standing by holding down.

Plot – Monster World IV Japan

The story involves a young girl named Asha, who, upon hearing spirits whisper on the wind pleading for help, embarks on a journey to find and help them. Along the way she becomes the master of a genie and adopts a small monster known as Pepelogoo.

Characters – Monster World IV Japan

• Asha is a young, green-haired girl dressed in Arabian-influenced nomadic gear. Sensitive to the presence of spirits, Asha is able to hear the pleas of the Elemental Spirits coming from Monster World, and ultimately journeys to become a warrior and free them.
• Pepelogoo belongs to a race of small, spherical monsters, who flap their ears to fly. While most Pepelogoos in Monster World are yellow, Asha’s is blue. He is seen as more than just a curiosity to several people in Monster World; as in ancient days, the blue ones had been all but wiped out by people fearful of their magical abilities.
• Purapril XIII, descendant of Purapril from the previous Monster World games, and ruler of the kingdom. In the remake, her name is spelled as “Praprill” and provides a greater role by acting as the narrator to the game’s prologue, as well as giving her boss form a new darker color scheme.
• The Sage of Save is an elderly man who travels across Monster World, popping up in unexpected places, and recording people’s memories. Gameplay-wise, by talking to him, the player can save their progress so far. In the remake, as the player can save on the fly, he offers gameplay advice on the loading screens and in the in-game pause menu.
• The Lamp Spirit is a sarcastic spirit being who resides in an old oil lamp. He becomes Asha’s companion and servant on her quest, which he treats as just another mundane activity he will do before he is (as with several classic genie stories) lost for another one thousand years. He is the one who transports Asha to and from Monster World.
• Elemental Spirits, the four Companions from the previous game:
  • Rotto, a young fire-breathing dragon, grandson to the Elder Dragon, who provided much-needed assistance in-and-around Begonia, the Dragon Village.
  • Shabo, a Grim Reaper-esque wraith who offered aid in the frozen wasteland of Childam, the Darkworld Village.

Overture

Over the Clouds

Arabesque Court in Dream

Main Theme

Stream Sanctuary