Be honest; if you suddenly gained the resources to grow and clone massive ancient monsters, there'd probably be less altruism and science, and more rampaging through the streets screaming "How do you like me now?!" In LittleGiantWorld's simulation time management game Monster Corp, however, you have to act like a grown up and be responsible with your newly-grown beasts... which, naturally, means trying to make a profit. It's your job to run an accident waiting to happenUHIMEAN facility where people can come and view these creatures, while simultaneously managing hunts to get new DNA types to make more beasties. You have certain goals to meet each month, both cash and visitor related, and you'll also be in charge of hiring hunters and sending them out into the world to track down rumours of monsters, hoping to bring back monster juice and other supplies. This is fairly important, since to create a monster you'll not only need its DNA, but specific items (such as eggs) before you can actually grow one; you can check each monster's requirements on the monster information screen through the clipboard icon.

Of course, there's a bit more to it than that. You can only hunt at the start of each month, and the rest of your time is spent managing the facility. Each monster needs to be cleaned, fed and cared for according to its specific needs, you'll need staff to help with the upkeep and keep visitors safe, there's a market to buy or sell monsters and new DNA and more. You'll even find secondary items you can equip on your showcase beasts to give them a boost, and also be able to purchase advertising to help drive more visitors to your expo hall. Just use the tabs on each screen to navigate between selections and pay attention to your secretary/scientist/token blonde girl's advice, since she'll guide you through the basics. The building, test tube, and clipboard icons during regular gameplay cycle you through the different locations and menus; the expo hall is where you can place your monsters for display and where visitors will pay to be (use the [WASD] or click and drag to move around), the laboratory is where you create new creatures, and the manage screen lets you do everything from set ticket prices to view your statistics and inventory. If things are moving too slowly for you, try clicking the round green 1x, 2x, and 3x buttons on the top right to speed up game time. Just keep an eye on your monthly goals; fail to meet them, and you'll have to replay the stage until you do.

Monster Corp has a lot going for it, from its appealing cartoony style (apart from the teeny-tiny text), easy to pick up gameplay, and intriguing concept; who amoung us wouldn't jump at the chance to have our very own bloodthirsty creatures of legend? (And then immediately work on engineering tiny red and white balls to fit them into.) Unfortunately, it also starts to feel a little repetitive after a while, and the tutorial glosses over the finer points of the game so that you'll probably figure more out experimenting on your own. After a while, the lack of any real specific goal other than "make X amount of money" ceases to be a motivator, and Monster Corp's staying power for you will depend on your need to catch (or grow) 'em all and purchase the top tier of absolutely everything. While the gameplay doesn't feel quite as developed as it might have been, however, Monster Corp is still a weirdly appealing little title packed with charm and well worth experimenting for anyone who loves mythological beasts and profit. Yes, by all means pack those squishy, tasty, defenseless humans into a room full of monsters contained by flimsy enclosures! What could possibly go wrong?

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