Monster Strike

File:MonSt Gameplay.jpg

Monster Strike has been compared to competitor Puzzle & Dragons and other freemium puzzle games in that the player battles waves of monsters to collect them, fuse them, and evolve them and earn gold and other items through gameplay to get stronger monsters, and build a list of friends with monsters to use as well. What sets it apart is that rather than being a tile-matching video game, the player aims and flicks their monsters around on a field, similar to billiards/pool,{{cite web|url=http://www.148apps.com/reviews/monster-strike-review/|title=Monster Strike Review|publisher=148apps.com}} bumping off of walls and enemies to perform damage. Colliding the currently in play monster with any of the allied monsters activates {{nihongo4|Bump Combos|友情コンボ|Yūjō Konbo|"Friend Combos"}} that set off explosions, energy beams, or projectiles to perform damage on opponent monsters. Every turn, numerous counters on enemy monsters count down to launch various attacks that deal damage or add hazards to the field. Player monsters often have other unique passive abilities to counter these hazards, or may have passive abilities that cause greater damage to particular kinds of enemy monsters. Some monsters also have gauges that when it is launched at the right time, it activates a secondary gauge ability as well as slightly increases their attack strength. Each of the player's monsters also has its own counter, which allows the player to activate the monster's {{nihongo4|Strike Shot|ストライクショット|Sutoraiku Shotto}} attack to perform more damage. The final battle of each Quest Mission features a Boss monster that has a moving critical hit point. Monster Strike also offers co-operative play for up to 4 players.{{cite web|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/monster-strike-review-543908/|title=Monster Strike – Indie app of the day|last=Hindy|first=Joe|work=Android Authority|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.imore.com/popular-japanese-physics-rpg-monster-strike-now-available-english|title=Popular Japanese physics RPG Monster Strike now available in English|work=iMore|last=Sage|first=Simon|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-date=October 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029030052/http://www.imore.com/popular-japanese-physics-rpg-monster-strike-now-available-english|url-status=dead}}

Quests in the game are divided into Solo and Co-Op and then Normal and Event. Event Quests are only available for limited periods of time and often feature rare monsters that are powerful or that can be used in the Ascension of other monsters. Completing the levels of a quest awards the player monsters, catalysts, and coins. In Normal Quests, for completing the penultimate level in the quest, players are awarded a rare catalyst and for completing the final level, they are awarded an Orb as well as unlocking a Bonus Level featuring the experience-increasing or high-selling turtle monsters. A Mission Log is also given to players to reach certain goals in Quests to win other Catalysts, Orbs, or experience-increasing monsters. A third set of Quests are available in the Temple of Heroes. Clearing any of these awards the player {{nihongo4|Ableberries|わくわくの実|Wakuwaku no Mi|"Exciting Fruit"}} that gives one of the player's monsters an additional stat bonus. Initially, only certain Hatcher monsters could have an Ableberry. Later, the ability for rare Event Quest monsters to have Ableberries was added, but only if the player has Max Luck on two copies of the same monster. A Tower of Champions event is also occasionally run in Japan, providing an increased challenge for players to win rare monsters and prizes. A similar event was held in the North American version of the game for Christmas 2015.

Each monster has its own HP, Attack, and Speed statistics. The player's three monsters' HP and their friend or helper's monsters' HP are combined for a total HP. Attack determines how much damage the player's monster does to enemy monsters and Speed determines how fast (how much distance) the monster travels in a single turn. These values are increased by fusing monsters together to gain experience, or using special stat-only increasing monsters. There is also a {{nihongo4|Luck|ラック|Rakku}} value, symbolized by a four-leaf clover, that determines the possibility of obtaining bonus prizes at the end of a Mission. Luck can only be increased by fusing two of the same monsters together, or monsters in the same evolutionary line; fusing two Red Smydras or a Red Drake and a Red Smydra will both cause Luck to increase. An additional Luck Skill was added to the game, allowing certain monsters to either have a critical hit or a shield to prevent damage on one turn.

After raising a monster to its maximum level, the player can {{nihongo4|Evolve|進化|Shinka}} them through the use of {{nihongo4|Evolution Catalysts|進化アイテム|Shinka Aitemu|"Evolution Items"}}. Players can also {{nihongo4|Ascend|神化|Kamika}} their monsters into even more powerful forms through the use of other monsters with specific Luck levels. {{nihongo4|Divination|獣神化|Jūshinka}} is a combination of the two evolutions, giving the monster a second tier to their Strike Shot and a second slot for an Ableberry.

The game also features {{nihongo4|Hatchers|ガチャ|Gacha}} that the player spends either Friend Points (earned through choosing another player's monster to complete a level) for fairly common monsters or Orbs for rarer monsters. The main Hatcher cycles through a series of different sets of monsters that have an increased availability, with the rarest found during the {{nihongo4|Legend Series|獣神祭|Jūshinsai}} events. The Friend Hatcher is sometimes used for giving out rare Event monsters for collaborations, such as with Line Corporation and Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan. The Japanese edition of the game has also featured a special Hatcher to commemorate the release of Godzilla requiring special Godzilla Sharls to use it. Collaborations have also been made with Lawson's convenience store chain, Monster Hunter Big Game Hunting Quest, Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!, Game Walker, Parasyte, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rebuild of Evangelion, Love Live! Sunshine!! and Ultraman.{{cite web|url=http://hobby.dengeki.com/news/227325/|title=【ウルトラマンとモンストがコラボ！】7月15日（金）の開始に先駆け、参加型キャンペーン実施中|publisher=hobby.dengeki.com|language=ja|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016}}

The game has an in-game store to purchase Orbs that are used to continue lost Missions, expand the number of the player's available saved monsters, restore Stamina used to play Missions, or use them in the game's Hatcher to earn powerful and rare monsters.{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Monster+Strike/review.asp?c=62244|title=Monster Strike review|work=Pocket Gamer|last=Rich|first=Rob|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}}

The game was created by former Capcom game designer Yoshiki Okamoto. Monster Strike was originally released in Japan in September 2013, and by November 2013 it was credited with saving Mixi, originally a social media network, under the XFLAG brand, after the app became popular in the iOS App Store.{{cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/monster-strike-game-saves-mixi/|title=How Monster Strike saved 'Japan's Facebook' Mixi|work=Tech in Asia|last=Toto|first=Serkan|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/59185/mixi-how-monster-strike-is-turning-around-the-fortunes-of-japans-social-star/|title=Mixi marvel: How Monster Strike is turning around the fortunes of Japan's s – Pocket Gamer.biz – PGbiz|first=Glen|last=Fox|date=May 30, 2014|work=pocketgamer.biz|access-date=October 30, 2014}} In September 2014, it was announced that a North American version and a South Korean version would be released.{{cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/mixi-monster-strike-america/|title=Monster Strike: Mixi's billion dollar game comes to America|work=Tech in Asia|last=Corbin|first=David|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2014}} South Korean support ended on November 30, 2016,{{cite web |last1=Cinderboy |title=Monster Strike – Top Japan mobile game falters in America and Korea |url=https://mmoculture.com/2016/08/monster-strike-top-japan-mobile-game-falters-in-america-and-korea/ |website=MMO Culture |date=August 27, 2016}} while North American support ended on August 1, 2017.{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Jennifer |title=Monster Strike Smartphone Game's English Version Shuts Down in August |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-01/monster-strike-smartphone-game-english-version-shuts-down-in-august/.115535 |website=Anime News Network |date=May 1, 2017}}

A theme song for Monster Strike titled {{nihongo4|"Hippare! Monster Strike"|ヒッパレ！モンスターストライク|Hippare! Monsutā Sutoraiku|"Pull! Monster Strike"}} was written by Nagae Kuwabara (lyrics) and Riichiro Kuwabara (composition) and performed by Hironobu Kageyama. Kageyama performed it live for the first time at the Monster Strike first anniversary event at the Nico Nico Douga live house nicofarre on October 25, 2014, and the song was later released for sale on October 29.{{cite web|url=http://www.monster-strike.com/news/20141027_1.html|title=2014.10.27 【追記:10/29】モンスト主題歌「ヒッパレ!モンスターストライク」（影山ヒロノブ）配信スタート！ |work=モンスターストライク(モンスト)公式サイト|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=November 24, 2014}}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 75%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/868733-monster-strike/index.html |title=Monster Strike for iOS (iPhone/iPad) |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 24, 2018}}

| PG = 6/10

| TA = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2014/11/03/monster-strike-review/ |title='Monster Strike' Review – Billiards And Dragons |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=November 3, 2014 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=July 24, 2018}}

| rev1 = Android Authority

| rev1Score = 7.5/10

}}

With the English language version's release, a reviewer for Android Authority said that the game was fun, but similar to other games on the market, and had concerns about the length of the game's tutorial levels. On Pocket Gamer, the reviewer found the game not challenging, as there did not seem to be any strategy, and as it is easy to earn Orbs (the premium currency), he could easily use the Hatcher to get better monsters, resulting in just a wait for the Stamina to refill and fuse monsters, until you run out of gold to fuse and space in the Monster Box.

During July{{ndash}}September 2014, the game grossed {{¥|19.4 billion|link=yes}} ({{US$|161 million|long=no|link=yes}}) in content revenue, about 90% of Mixi's total income for the quarter.{{cite news |last=Soble |first=Jonathan |title='Monster Strike' Gives Former Social Media Giant Mixi a Second Act |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/29/business/international/monster-strike-gives-former-social-media-giant-mixi-a-second-act.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 28, 2014}} The game's revenue increased to {{¥|30 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|30000|JPN|year=2014|round=yes}} million|long=no}}) in the next quarter, October{{ndash}}December 2014.{{cite news |title=Smartphones Bring New Golden Age for Japan's Games Industry |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/a04102/ |work=Nippon.com |publisher=Nippon Communications Foundation |date=April 9, 2015 }} It overtook Puzzle & Dragons as Japan's highest-grossing mobile app in late 2014, and its revenues exceeded {{¥|40 billion}} ({{US$|333.8 million|long=no}}) per quarter during January{{ndash}}March 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-05-13-monster-strike-drives-900-per-cent-profit-growth-for-mixi|title=Monster Strike drives 900 per cent revenue growth for Mixi|work=GamesIndustry.biz|date=May 13, 2015}} By March 2015, Monster Strike had been downloaded more than 30 million times and had daily revenues of $3.8 million.{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/05/12/monster-strike-makes-3-8-million-daily-and-could-be-japans-second-billion-dollar-mobile-game/|title=Monster Strike makes $3.8 million daily – and could be Japan's second billion-dollar mobile game – GamesBeat – Games – by Dale North|work=VentureBeat|date=May 12, 2015}} During April{{ndash}}June 2015, the game's revenue increased to {{¥|47 billion}} ({{US$|378 million|long=no}}) per quarter.{{cite news |title=Monster Strike passes $4 million in daily revenue |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-08-19-monster-strike-passes-usd4-million-in-daily-revenue |work=GamesIndustry.biz |date=August 19, 2015 }} By June 30, 2015, daily revenues reached $4.2 million.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/japanese-mobile-game-monster-strike-making-4-2m-a-day/0210247|title=Japanese mobile game Monster Strike making $4.2m a day|magazine=develop-online.net|date=August 19, 2015 }} During April{{ndash}}December 2015, the game grossed approximately {{¥|{{#expr:150*(90/100)}} billion}} ({{US$|{{#expr:1.36*(90/100)}} billion|long=no}}), roughly 90% of Mixi's sales during the period.{{cite news |title=What Is Mixi Planning to Do after Monster Strike? |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/116373 |work=Tokyo Business Today |publisher=Toyo Keizai |date=May 2, 2016}}

It was the highest-grossing mobile game of 2016, earning a revenue of $1.3 billion for the year, more than Pokémon Go and Clash Royale.{{cite news |title=Worldwide game industry hits $91 billion in revenues in 2016, with mobile the clear leader |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/12/21/worldwide-game-industry-hits-91-billion-in-revenues-in-2016-with-mobile-the-clear-leader/ |work=VentureBeat |date=December 21, 2016}}{{cite news |title=2016 Year in Review: Digital Games And Interactive Media |url=https://www.docdroid.net/RPwDoyG/superdata-year-in-review-2016.pdf |access-date=September 7, 2018 |publisher=SuperData Research |date=December 2016}} Monster Strike earned another {{US$|1.3 billion|long=no}} in 2017, when it was the year's third highest-grossing mobile game, behind Arena of Valor and Fantasy Westward Journey.{{cite web|title=2017 YEAR IN REVIEW: DIGITAL GAMES AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA|url=http://strivesponsorship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SuperData-2017-year-in-review-digital-games-and-interactive-media.pdf|publisher=SuperData Research|date=January 25, 2018}} In Japan, the game grossed {{JPY|104.1 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|104100|JPN|round=yes}} million|long=no}}) between January 2017 and October 3, 2017.{{cite magazine |title=課金売上トップは『モンスト』、勢いを増す『FGO』―『ファミ通モバイルゲーム白書2018』12月12日発売 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201712/08147606.html |magazine=Famitsu |date=December 8, 2017 |language=ja}} By May 2018, the game had over 45{{nbsp}}million players worldwide.{{cite news |title=Monster Strike publisher Mixi plots $900m investment in biz dev and M&A over next five years |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/68124/mixi-plots-900m-investments/ |work=Pocket Gamer |date=May 17, 2018}}

The game's popularity has led to a partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to issue VISA credit cards in Japan in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://toucharcade.com/2015/07/10/monster-strike-credit-cards/|title=How Big Is 'Monster Strike' In Japan? Check Out These 'Monster Strike' Credit Cards|date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=toucharcade}}

By October 2018, the game grossed over {{US$|7.2 billion|long=no}} worldwide, surpassing Puzzle & Dragons to become the highest-grossing mobile app of all time.{{cite news |last=Spannbauer |first=Adam |title=Monster Strike Revenue Passes $7.2 Billion, Making It the Highest Earning App of All Time |url=https://sensortower.com/blog/monster-strike-revenue |work=Sensor Tower |date=October 23, 2018}} The game grossed a further {{JPY|101.6 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|101600|JPN|round=yes}} million|long=no}}) in Japan during 2019,{{Cite web|url=http://game-i.daa.jp/?2019年アプリ収益予測|title=2019年アプリ収益予測|website=#セルラン分析/ゲーム株『Game-i』|language=ja|date=January 12, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020}} bringing the game's total revenue to at least {{US$|8.13 billion|long=no}} {{as of|2019|lc=y}}. It was the world's second top-grossing mobile game during the 2020 New Year period, behind only fellow JRPG title Fate/Grand Order.{{cite news |last1=Jordan |first1=Jon |title=It's a JRPG 1–2 as Fate/Grand Order and Monster Strike head global top grossing chart |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/data-and-research/72370/fate-grand-order-monster-strike-head-global-top-grossing-chart/ |access-date=April 12, 2020 |work=Pocket Gamer |date=January 16, 2020}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Monster Strike

| image =

| caption =

| developer = XFLAG

| publisher = XFLAG

| designer =

| composer =

| engine =

| platforms = Nintendo 3DS

| released = {{Video game release|JP|{{Start date|2015|12|17}}}}

| genre = Puzzle, role-playing, physics, strategy

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}A RPG version of Monster Strike for the Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on December 17, 2015. It features characters and stories introduced in the anime. Characters based on Japanese YouTubers Tomotake "Max" Murai, former CEO of Japanese iPhone news and reviews site AppBank, and beatboxer Hikakin, who both do Let's Play videos of Monster Strike, are featured in the game as NPCs.{{cite web|author=Sato|title=Monster Strike 3DS Gets A magical Girl Monster And Celebrity Youtuber Guests|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/10/14/monster-strike-3ds-gets-a-magical-girl-monster-and-celebrity-youtuber-guests/|website=Siliconera|date=October 14, 2015 |publisher=Sato|access-date=October 14, 2015}}

Before the launch day, XFLAG announced that they had shipped over one million copies of the game, making it the highest selling Japan-only 3DS release of all time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/monster-strike-over-1-million-units-shipped-in-two-days-more-screenshots/|title=Monster Strike: over 1 million units shipped in two days, more screenshots|last=Lite_Agent|date=December 21, 2015|website=Perfectly Nintendo|access-date=March 19, 2019}} The game debuted in Japan at the No.1 spot in the weekly sales chart based on figures by Media Create, selling a total of 437,903 copies, and dethroning Monster Hunter Generations after a three-week streak in the top spot.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/media-create-sales-for-week-51-2015-dec-14-20-top-30/|title=Media Create sales for Week 51, 2015 (Dec. 14 – 20) [Top 50]|last=Lite_Agent|date=December 25, 2015|website=Perfectly Nintendo|access-date=March 19, 2019}}

{{Main|Monster Strike (anime)}}

A web anime adaptation of Monster Strike premiered on October 10, 2015, on YouTube. The series' ending theme is a cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You" performed by Japanese vocalist Gloria.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-12/monster-strike-mobile-rpg-gets-tv-anime-3ds-port-in-2015/.88082|title=Monster Strike Mobile RPG Gets TV Anime, 3DS Port in 2015|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 15, 2017}}

A second season of Monster Strike has been announced and premiered on April 1, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-17/monster-strike-anime-2nd-season-reveals-cast-visual/.113556|title= Monster Strike Anime's 2nd Season Reveals Cast, Visual|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 26, 2017}} On YouTube, the anime series had been watched 100{{nbsp}}million times by August 2016, and over 200{{nbsp}}million times as of June 2017.{{cite news |title="Monster Strike" Web Anime Viewed Over 200 Million Times Worldwide |url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/06/20-1/monster-strike-web-anime-viewed-over-200-million-times-worldwide |work=Crunchyroll |date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220005/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/06/20-1/monster-strike-web-anime-viewed-over-200-million-times-worldwide |url-status=dead }}

The Monster Strike anime got its first spin-off on May 3, 2017, with the A Rhapsody Called Lucy -The Very First Song- OVA episode. This leads into the MSonic! D'Artagnyan's Rise to Fame special mini-series that premiered on June 14, 2017. Both A Rhapsody Called Lucy and MSonic! are set in a separate continuity from the main Monster Strike anime.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-07/monster-strike-anime-gets-special-episode-for-golden-week/.115786|title= Monster Strike Anime Gets Special Episode For Golden Week|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-25/monster-strike-gets-new-5-episode-idol-spinoff-anime-special/.116593|title=Monster Strike Gets New 5-Episode Idol Spinoff Anime Special|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 17, 2017}}

Mixi released an English version of Monster Strike for North American and Australian markets in 2014. It was marketed on online websites such as on Facebook.{{Cite web|last=Jordan|first=Jon|date=February 19, 2016|title=Mixi hooks up with Facebook for US marketing push for a localised Monster Strike|url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/62774/monster-strikes-us-push/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=pocketgamer.biz}} However, Mixi ceased marketing in August 2016,{{Cite web|last=Jordan|first=Jon|date=August 16, 2021|title=Mixi suspends Monster Strike's US marketing; pivots to focus on China|url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/63755/mixi-suspends-monster-strikes-us-marketing/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=pocketgamer.biz}} with English eventually being shut down in August 2017 due to both competition in those markets.{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2017-05-01|title=Japan's massive mobile hit Monster Strike shutting down English version|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/1/15499554/monster-strike-english-version-shutting-down-ios-android-mobile|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Kemps|first=Heidi|date=2017-08-06|title=Why Japanese mobile sensation Monster Strike failed in North America|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/08/06/why-monster-strike-failed-in-north-america/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}

{{Portal|Japan|Video games}}

• Puzzle & Dragons
• Puzzle & Dragons X
• Monster Strike (anime)
• Monster Strike The Movie

{{-}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|http://www.monster-strike.com/}}

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