Dawn of the Monsters (v1.2.1 & ALL DLC)

Earth’s cities become wrestling rings for skyscraper-sized monsters in this loud, comic-book-styled side-scrolling brawler. Dawn of the Monsters casts players as humanity’s emergency response to the Nephilim, an invading force of grotesque kaiju that tears through familiar real-world locations. The tone is proudly pulpy rather than bleak: every encounter is built around collapsing buildings, oversized punches, and the kind of destruction usually reserved for monster movies. Its manga-inspired presentation gives the campaign a distinctive graphic-novel energy, complete with dramatic panels and exaggerated creature designs.

Players choose between four radically different defenders: the reptilian Megadon, the hulking mech Aegis Prime, the blade-wielding Tempest Galahad, and the crustacean-like Ganira. Missions revolve around advancing through compact stages, pummeling enemy swarms and boss monsters, grabbing opponents, throwing them through scenery, and using destructible objects as improvised weapons. Each fighter has separate strengths, moves, and Rage attacks, while brutal finishers provide a satisfying payoff when an enemy is vulnerable. DNA augments earned through play let you tailor a monster’s performance with upgrades, adding build choices beyond simple button-mashing, and local two-player co-op lets a second defender join the rampage.

What separates it from many retro beat-’em-ups is its commitment to kaiju scale without abandoning the readable, arcade-style flow of the genre. Battles have the straightforward rhythm of Streets of Rage or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, but their towering combatants, monster-on-monster grapples, and environmental wreckage give them a much heavier feel. More than 35 missions offer a substantial campaign, with different characters encouraging repeat runs and co-op making the action livelier. It suits newcomers who want accessible, spectacular brawling, while longtime beat-’em-up fans will appreciate the character variety, upgrade experimentation, and boss-focused monster mayhem.