Platform(s): PS5 (version reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre: Metroidvania, Search Action, Exploration, Side-Scroller

Legendary’s MonsterVerse is perhaps the only other multimedia cinematic franchise besides the Marvel Cinematic Universe that’s been able to thrive and expand. While the MonsterVerse has had titanic success with its mainline movies and even the underrated Apple TV+ series Monarch Legacy Of Monsters, it’s had a horrible run on the video game side of things, with mostly mobile tie-ins and 2023’s infamous Skull Island Rise Of Kong.

Fortunately, 7Levels’ Kong Survivor Instinct is the only exception to that, turning out to be the only decent (but still not great) attempt at making a MonsterVerse game.

King Kong Ping Pong Sing-Along In Hong Kong

Kong Survivor Instinct is a simple game that gets straight to the point. It’s a 2.5D side-scrolling action-adventure game that combines realistic platforming, challenging combat, and Metroidvania-style exploration. The protagonist is David Martin, a single dad in search of his daughter who’s gone missing in the middle of a Titan attack, which eventually turns out to be a clash between Kong and the Spider Titan known as Scylla. The game is short and sweet, lasting only about five or six hours for a single playthrough.

The highlight and best part of Kong Survivor Instinct is its exploration. You’ll move through ruins of buildings, apartments and houses while jumping across and all kinds of platforming stuff, as well as solving puzzles and unlocking doors. The general movement of the character feels fluid and responsive, which is exactly what a game like this needs since that’s what you’ll be doing most of the time. Scavenging also feels rewarding and satisfying, which is elevated by a simple yet intuitive level design. What I don’t like about many Metroidvania games out there is how you can easily get confused and lost, so you’ll have to keep checking the map. I know that this is a trope or mechanic in Metroidvania games but it’s also the reason why I’m not fond of them. Thankfully, the levels in Kong Survivor Instinct are fun to explore but also not confusing, so it’s great for casual players who don’t want the usual complex Metroidvania level designs.

Another highlight of Kong Survivor Instinct is seeing the Titans in action feel suitably epic. The developers nailed the sense of scale required to make the Titans look like the larger-than-life kaiju that they are. Plus, this game features the Spider Titan Scylla heavily, so fans of the MonsterVerse will definitely appreciate that. Unless you have a phobia of spiders, if that’s the case, be warned that you’re going to have to fight a lot of spiders (the spawn of Scylla!) in this game.

All that being said, Kong Survivor Instinct does have a lot of flaws too. The worst part of the game is its combat, which is not something any game wants to have. It’s the opposite of the movement and platforming, as the combat and fighting feel janky and unresponsive. You can block and parry enemy attacks, but they don’t feel precise and there’s even a lag of sorts. As a result, combat would usually involve me spamming the grappling button, which makes combat feel a lot less fun.

Another weakness of Kong Survivor Instinct is its narrative, story and plot. It takes place shortly after 2021’s Godzilla Vs Kong and it features certain characters from 2019’s Godzilla King Of The Monsters, such as Charles Dance’s Alan Jonah (though the actor doesn’t reprise his role in the game). I’m a Monsterverse fan who has kept up with all the latest movies and even the spinoff series, but the plot in Kong Survivor Instinct just didn’t feel exciting or interesting to me because it felt so far removed and behind from everything that’s already happened in the Monsterverse, especially after the events of 2024’s Godzilla X Kong The New Empire.

Mostly For Monsterverse Fans

Ultimately, Kong Survivor Instinct plays well enough (with the exception of its janky combat), but it probably won’t be for anyone but the most die-hard Monsterverse fans who are looking for even more lore and expansion of this universe. If you’re not a Monsterverse fan or if you’re not a fan of kaiju in general, there are loads of other better Metroidvania games out there that are more worth your time.

PROS

• Exploration feels fun and satisfying.
• Level layouts are designed well enough that you won’t have to keep looking at the map just to find where you’re supposed to go (which is an issue in other Metroidvania games).
• The graphics and visuals look pretty good, delivering a proper sense of scale for the kaiju and Titans like Kong.
• Scylla the Spider Titan!

CONS

• The combat is the worst part of the game and it’s janky as hell.
• The narrative and plot feel outdated and inconsequential for MonsterVerse fans.

FINAL SCORE: 60/100

Review copy provided by the publisher. Kong Survivor Instinct is now available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.