Monsters & Memories – How’s It Looking?
After jumping into a couple of Monsters & Memories (M&M) playtests, one around this time last year and again this past weekend, I’m genuinely impressed with the progress. It’s clear that the team behind this game isn’t just building a nostalgic MMORPG, they’re crafting something personal, transparent, and truly community-focused.
What makes M&M stand out is its humble origin. The entire game is being developed by part-time devs and freelancers in their spare time, with zero funding from players and a total spend so far of just $105,000 over four years. That’s unheard of in today’s MMO landscape.
The Experience So Far
I’ll be honest, I’ve come to realise this style of MMORPG might not be for me. I’m stuck in a strange place where I don’t quite want something this punishing and retro, yet I find most modern MMOs too soft and easy. My golden age was somewhere between 2005 and 2015. That said, I still respect what Monsters & Memories is doing, and I think it’s absolutely going to land for the right audience.
If you’re someone who’s sick of the hand-holding, the flashy effects, and the race to max level, then this might be your next home. Monsters & Memories is clearly aimed at fans of early EverQuest and MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) games where challenge, community, and the journey mattered much more than endgame meta or cosmetics.
Rough Around the Edges, But Full of Charm
Let’s be clear, this game looks retro, and it feels retro. The graphics are primitive by modern standards, but they’ve got a nostalgic charm that grew on me fast. The interface and animations scream EverQuest 1999, but that’s entirely the point. This isn’t a game trying to modernise the genre, it’s trying to reclaim it.
And while the combat isn’t flashy or fast-paced, it’s strategic, slow, and deliberate and honestly, that’s something I’ve grown to appreciate. You’re not leaping around with particle effects and dodge-rolls; you’re thinking, planning, and reacting with purpose.
Hardcore Mechanics and Social Roots
M&M doesn’t pull any punches. Dying means dropping everything you’re carrying. If you accidentally attack an NPC or pull too many mobs, you’re going to have a bad time, and retrieving your body might be even riskier. But this is what makes the world feel real, tense, and memorable.
There’s also a heavy emphasis on grouping. Solo play is possible, but not optimal. If you’re going out to a dungeon, you’ll want friends. The slow pace of combat and regen gives you time to actually talk to people which a forgotten art in today’s MMOs. The game even includes MUD-style social commands like /look and /inspect, to really take players back in time but also making things a lot more challenging.
Transparency, Passion, and Promising Foundations
The dev team are incredibly transparent and deeply engaged with their community. They livestream development regularly, share updates on what every dollar has been spent on, and offer free public tests. There’s no cash shop, no monetisation push, just a planned monthly sub on launch with included content updates, with other options to support such as tipping, and physical merch.
The game is currently targeting Early Access in Q1 2026, and while it still has a long road ahead, the foundations are solid. There’s clear passion here, a genuine “built by gamers for gamers” ethos that’s hard not to admire. It feels like a hobby project in the best possible way, not a corporate cash grab, but a labour of love.
Challenges Ahead
That said, there are obvious challenges. M&M will be competing for a similar audience as Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen and even EverQuest itself. These are players who likely no longer have 6+ hours a night to grind mobs for a 2% XP bar increase, and games like Pantheon already offer a more modernised take on the same nostalgic principles.
And while M&M isn’t aiming for mass-market appeal, it may still struggle with player retention if the early experience is too punishing or underdeveloped at launch.
Final Thoughts
Monsters & Memories is shaping up to be something rare: a true throwback MMORPG, unapologetically old-school, and driven by community, challenge, and respect for the genre’s roots. It’s not trying to modernise or compromise, it’s trying to recapture a feeling.
It might not be the game I personally stick with, but I’ll definitely be watching it closely. The vision is strong, the team is transparent, and the passion is palpable. For fans of EverQuest, MUDs, and the social sandbox days of MMO history, this might just be the most authentic project on the horizon.
