GAME REVIEW | "Mostroscopy" Has Lucha Style, Despite Limited Gameplay
Luchadors aren’t just professional wrestlers; they are also master entertainers. In the 1950s, it wasn’t uncommon to see a big, masked lucha libre starring in a movie, and that movie would normally be a mixture of sci-fi schlock and B-graded horror. Still, these films had plenty of fun with their story and characters, with the over-the-top silliness working well with actors who took things too seriously. Maybe it’s because of my love for these films of old that I have a soft spot for Oribe Ware Games’ Mostroscopy, a 2D fighter brimming with Mexican sci-fi horror spirit.
First off, is Mostroscopy a great game? Well…no, not really. This fighter is a bit bare bones, with there being only a story mode, an online-less Versus mode, and Training and Challenge Modes that felt the same as one another. Story mode is even a little short, with you only fighting seven or eight of the sixteen playable characters. (There’s also a final boss character, but he’s currently unable to be unlocked.)
It also doesn’t take a mad scientist to figure out the game mechanics. There’s a normal action, a special action, and a taunt. Depending on how you angle your control stick will be how your character attacks. Mastering these fighters won’t require much brain power, nor will it be a massive pain in your fingertips after spending hours on gameplay. Then again, maybe a fighting game that you can master in less than half an hour isn’t such a bad thing? (Lord knows how nearly impossible it is to figure out every movement map of a Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat character.)
However, even with its simplistic gameplay and lack of online play, there’s something kind of amazing about Mostroscopy. For starters, its fighting roster is beyond cool! From the vengeful nun Evangeline Vierge de Fer and the catty twins Eda & Yolanda to the devil-horned luchador El Fausto and a freaking gun-toting skeleton El Charro Negro, these are characters that I think any lover of gaming should check out. I mean, how can you not fall in love with Kukamon, a giant robot that looks exactly how we all thought robots would look in the 1950s and 60s?!
Every character even has their own story to watch unfold. From finding lost brothers & comrades to tales of revenge, these are narratives that stay true to the ones seen in Mexican cinema. No, it won’t win any awards, much like those classic films didn’t, but they’re very entertaining to read though. (I just wish they were presented in a cheesy FMV style rather than in comic book form.)
Visually, Mostroscopy pays a lot of homage to classic Mexican movies. When it takes the form of a black & white film, every moment showcased is filled with dirt, scratches, and the occasional stutter. Once technicolor takes over, the screen looks like a wild acid trip mixed with bad burrito hallucinations. One look, and you get why people like Rob Zombie and the cartoon classic ¡Mucha Lucha! absolutely loved this aesthetic! (And I do too, personally.)
Lastly, there’s the music. I absolutely love the soundtrack this fighting game showcases. 1960s surfer rock, spooky dance pop, church organ-infused house, sexy flamenco samba, and even ninja rock orchestrations barrel through your speakers with hardcore velocity. It’s the kind of game soundtrack that’d make even Robert Rodriguez squeal with delight, as it’s packed with plenty of Spanish guitars and genre-defying personality.
PROS:
- Great and unique-looking characters
- Badass retro visual style
- Amazing soundtrack
CONS:
- Very standard gameplay mechanics
- Lacks online play
- Controls can be a little too easy(?)
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Mostroscopy has a lot of great concepts. The characters are unique, the visuals are filled with love for Mexican culture, and the soundtrack kicks lots of ass. Alas, its gameplay has not much else going for it, resulting in a product that has very little replay value. With that being said, I really don’t want Oribe Ware Games to just one-and-done it with Mostroscopy, as it has a lot of potential to grow into something big and memorable. If they add a little elbow grease and more gameplay variety, then this little 2D fighter could transform from a direct-to-video rental to the balls-to-the-wall blockbuster it deserves to be!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Rodrigo Cuadriello Garza of Seashell Studios. Reviewed on the PS5.
