Dawn of the Monsters is part Kaiju movie and part anime. It invokes classic movie series like Godzilla as far as the monster designs go. It also feels a lot like Neon Genesis Evangelion. That’s because the plot revolves around these monsters descending onto Earth called the Nephilim.
The Nephilim, in religious texts, refers to angels. Angels were the name given to the enemies in Neon Genesis Evangelion. The game is a mixture of many genres and it wears its inspirations as well as its heart on its sleeve. Does Dawn of the Monsters go beyond inspirational material? It’s a good question but for now, let’s focus on giving players some tips, to begin with.
8 How Co-Op Works
Dawn of the Monsters supports up to two players at a time. This is a local couch co-op game only. For those without anyone else around in the house or apartment, this might be disappointing. Online is crucial in current times like this but all is not lost.
Thankfully the game is not impossible to finish without a co-op partner. Things will be easier as there are no set difficulties but players shouldn’t worry about the challenge too much.
7 Heroes To Favor When Playing Alone
If players do have to battle through Dawn of the Monsters without a co-op partner then there are two heroes they should favor. Ganira is a monster that can summon an AI partner with one of its first specials. It also has a strong attack that strikes enemies from a distance due to its arm extension.
This attack also pulls enemies toward the player. Tempest Galahad uses a lot of guns, keeping players away from a safe distance. Both are good but Ganira’s AI partner is OP.
6 Pick Up Objects Liberally
One of the most fun things about a Kaiju film is watching environments get destroyed. It is even better in a game since players can control the action. Doing so will not benefit players in this game but there is one thing they should be aware of. Buildings and other objects can be used as weapons.
Before they get stomped on by enemies, make sure to use these objects as soon as possible. It’s also good to know that they can be thrown. Objects pack one heck of a punch so don’t forget.
5 Favor Health Finishers Over Powers
As players progress through the game, they will unlock new techniques. For the most part, they can use normal and heavy attacks. There are also the aforementioned specials. These moves deplete a set number of slots underneath the health bar.
These slots will refill as players deal damage. While it may be tempting to use these specials liberally to finish stages faster, don't. Save these energy slots for health takedowns instead. Pressing B, on the Switch version of the controller setup, will drain life from enemies. The more power the Vamp stat has, the more health players will drain.
4 Save Cataclysm Attacks For Bosses
There is another special attack at the disposal of players in Dawn of the Monsters. It is sort of like a Limit Break in the Final Fantasy series. It takes a while to charge up the Cataclysm meter which is why it shouldn’t be used casually.
Once full, it can be used at any time. It is a wise decision to use this meter at the end of a stage like during a boss fight. It’s also not a bad idea to use it if players are getting overwhelmed by enemies and are about to die. Again, just don’t waste it because it is more than likely that it can only get filled once per stage.
3 Enemies To Favor
If players keep getting overwhelmed by enemies then there are a couple of tricks to keep in mind. First, whenever a ranged monster appears, head towards them. There is nothing worse than getting picked off from a distance even if the attacks are not that strong.
Secondly, if enemies are coming at players from both sides then head toward either the left or right side of the stage. Make enemies come toward you. This is a basic tip that can be applied to most brawlers.
2 Don’t Forget About Dodging
Most old-school brawlers, or even modern ones, do not have dodge buttons. Blocks are about as good as it gets. However, Dawn of the Monsters does have a dedicated dodge button. It might not be always at the forefront of the player’s mind.
The game is filled with giant Kaijus and thinking about them dodging may not come naturally. They are big clunky weapons of destruction. Get over that stigma. The dodge is crucial especially if players are going at it alone. Dodging out of the way or toward attacks are both good ideas.
1 Gear To Favor
There is no leveling-up system in Dawn of the Monsters like in a brawler with RPG elements. However, players will collect parts after every mission. The better they score then the better their parts will be. They will be randomized but their tiers will always be the same. It’s like how colors work in looter RPGs.
The better the color, the higher the gear. While having good defense and attack stats on a piece of gear is good, always try to prioritize boosting the Vamp stat. To reiterate, this helps drain more health from enemies during finishers.
Dawn of the Monsters was released on March 15, 2022, and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.