Monster Lab (Wii)

Monster Lab
Developer: Backbone Entertainment Publisher: Eidos Interactive Platform: Wii Released in US: November 4, 2008 Released in EU: November 28, 2008 This game has unused text.

From the makers of Death Jr., Monster Lab is another ghoulish title in which Frankensteinian monsters are stitched together and taken out into the world to wreak havoc on the enemy's crazed abominations, Pokémon-style.

Unused Text

Like Death Jr.: Root of Evil, Monster Lab's English language text is stored in /text/str_en.txt, though it lacks the index file of the former, which gave each string a name. Unused strings conveniently announce themselves as DELETED; this and all control codes are preserved below.

Debug Text

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page. Specifically: Can any of these debug features be enabled in the final game?

A reasonably broad collection of debug strings are peppered all throughout the strings file.

Line 912	Line 1102	Line 1118	Line 1353
DEBUG TEXT: Empty	DEBUG TEXT: Changeable Text	DEBUG TEXT: Generic Number	DEBUG TEXT: Animation Test
Line 1355	Lines 1418-1419	Line 1442	Lines 1449-1452
DEBUG TEXT: Combat Arenas	DEBUG TEXT: DEBUG TEXT DEBUG TEXT: Start DEBUG TEXT Game	DEBUG TEXT: Eidos Quest	DEBUG TEXT: difficulty 1 DEBUG TEXT: difficulty 2 DEBUG TEXT: difficulty 3 DEBUG TEXT: difficulty 4
Line 1455	Line 1513	Line 1555	Line 1560
DEBUG TEXT: This feature has not yet been implemented.	DEBUG TEXT: Map	DEBUG TEXT: Vertical Slice	DEBUG TEXT: NIS Test
Line 1603	Line 1614	Line 1630	Line 1643
DEBUG TEXT: Insert conversation here.	DEBUG TEXT: Prototypes	DEBUG TEXT: Restart Level	DEBUG TEXT: Test Screen

Removed Features

All the fun and interesting ideas that were canned for being too fun and interesting.

Lines 1662-1663
DELETED STRING: ~Trade - Host DELETED STRING: ~Trade - Join
The final game allows players to face off against friends' monsters online, but earlier in development it also would have allowed them to exchange body parts. Dialogue concerning trades also remains in the game.
Lines 4153-4158
Data for Monster Lab is already in Wii Remote memory. Is it OK to overwrite it? Data for <Game Title> is already in the Wii Remote memory. Overwrite data? Data for a game other than Monster Lab is currently in Wii Remote memory. Is it OK to overwrite it? Data for a game other than Monster Lab is currently in Wii Remote memory. Is it OK to overwrite it? Data for another game is currently in Wii Remote memory. Is it OK to overwrite it? Data for another game is currently in Wii Remote memory. Is it OK to overwrite it?
There's no way (or any particular reason) to use the Wii Remote's internal memory. Presumably it would have allowed players to bring their monsters to friends' houses, but the game lacks any form of local multiplayer with which to take advantage of this feature.

Cut Items and Attributes

A few items and a few more item attributes were apparently deleted.

Line 419	Line 452	Line 2543
DELETED STRING: Phoenix Badge	DELETED STRING: Artist Badge	DELETED STRING: Head
These name for cut badges are stored alongside the rest of the game's equipment. Notably, there is also a Phoenix Body part which wasn't cut.		This body part is included with all the other Heads, the rest of which have actual names. Likely a placeholder or test part.
Line 798+
DELETED STRING: Backfire DELETED STRING: Clumsy DELETED STRING: Faulty DELETED STRING: Seeping DELETED STRING: Shielded DELETED STRING: Crippling DELETED STRING: Leeching DELETED STRING: Paralyzing DELETED STRING: Poisonous DELETED STRING: Polluting DELETED STRING: Short Circuit DELETED STRING: Depleting DELETED STRING: Vampiric DELETED STRING: Weakening	DELETED STRING: This part takes some damage on a successful hit. DELETED STRING: Decreases the chances of a successful hit. DELETED STRING: An action selected with this part may fail. DELETED STRING: Charges the enemy's torso on a successful hit. DELETED STRING: Reduces the damage taken to part. DELETED STRING: Decreases the enemy attack damage. DELETED STRING: Drains enemy energy and charge the torso. DELETED STRING: Stuns the target parts. DELETED STRING: Poisons the targeted parts. DELETED STRING: Added damage to parts of the same science DELETED STRING: Decreases the enemy's energy capacity. DELETED STRING: Drains energy from the enemy. DELETED STRING: Heals a small portion of damage delivered. DELETED STRING: Damage increased on attacks to the same part.
Beginning at line 798 is the list of part attributes and their descriptions. Among the used attributes are a variety marked as deleted.

Dropped Quests

Beginning at line 3657 are the names and descriptions of all quests, which includes a variety of dropped ones.

~DELETED STRING: The Haunted House ~DELETED STRING: The Alien and the Swampoliath ~DELETED STRING: The Crypt Keeper ~DELETED STRING: The Junkolean ~DELETED STRING: The Dark Forest Boss ~DELETED STRING: The Four Experimental Monsters of the Ghastocalypse	~DELETED STRING: The Mayor has called on you to take on the creepy Haunted House that has come alive and is causing havoc in the village. ~DELETED STRING: The Alien needs one more piece for his transmitter - help him find and recover it! ~DELETED STRING: Description of Boss Quest 3 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Boss Quest 4 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Boss Quest 5 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Boss Quest 6 ~DELETED STRING: Defeat the Haunted House
~DELETED STRING: Graveyard Quest 5 ~DELETED STRING: Graveyard Quest 6 ~DELETED STRING: Graveyard Quest 7 ~DELETED STRING: Graveyard Quest 8 ~DELETED STRING: Graveyard Quest 9	~DELETED STRING: Description of Graveyard Quest 5 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Graveyard Quest 6 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Graveyard Quest 7 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Graveyard Quest 8 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Graveyard Quest 9
	~DELETED STRING: Description of Swamp Quest 5 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Village Quest 3 ~DELETED STRING: Description of Village Quest 5
~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Haunted House ~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Alien and the Swampoliath ~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Crypt Keeper ~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Junkolean ~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Dark Forest Boss ~DELETED STRING: Journal Entry for The Four Experimental Monsters of the Ghastocalypse

Dialogue

A fairly substantial amount of unused dialogue remains; some is simply earlier wording or alternate scenes, while others were cut entirely.

Lines 4-13
DELETED STRING: ~The Mad Science Alliance wants you!$newlineJoin now! DELETED STRING: ~Perform crazy experiments to bring monsters to life! DELETED STRING: ~Battle rival monsters as you explore the perilous lands of the Uncanny Valley. DELETED STRING: ~Discover secret parts to make the ultimate monster. DELETED STRING: ~Join Today!$newlineJoin the Mad Science Alliance! DELETED STRING: ~The Mad Science Alliance does not assume any liability. We recommend you do not stare at monster. Do not look away from monster. Do not open monster. Monster may spontaneously combust without notice. Product may produce numbness, fidgeting, hysteria, fatigue, puffy-eyes or other random symptoms. Batteries to safely operate this game are not available. Can and will contain traces of nut, milk, fish and by-products. Purchase not recommended without life insurance. DELETED STRING: ~Oh!$newlineThere you are! DELETED STRING: ~Do you always take this long to respond to invitations?$newlineWhat are you? Royalty? DELETED STRING: ~Well?$newlineAre you joining our Mad Science Alliance as an apprentice or not? DELETED STRING: ~There's much work to do and very little time...
Some of this dialogue was repurposed for the intro FMV, where it is spoken rather than displayed textually. The intro fades out early on in the disclaimer: nothing from "Do not open monster" onward is heard. There is some partially obscured text which contains snippets of the disclaimer as well as text which isn't part of the deleted version.
Line 753	Line 1858
DELETED STRING: To select a part, point the Wii$nonbreakingspaceRemote at your monster and Press the A$nonbreakingspaceButton. Now, try selecting a part.	DELETED STRING: You don't have a $arg4.
The final game uses the Nunchuk's analog stick to select parts instead.	Sitting along with the NPC trading dialogue; $arg4 refers to the part the NPC is offering.
Lines 2942-2943
DELETED STRING: Come on, I'll show you how to make a mechanical part that will flatten your opponents! DELETED STRING: Interesting items you've brought back. Your creativity reminds me of me!
Context makes it apparent that these lines were intended for Professor Fuseless.
Line 2951	Line 2953
DELETED STRING: I am Professor Fuseless.	DELETED STRING: These devices can be dangerous... and they aren't cheap!
The used version of this line is nearby: "Thanks! Your help was most appreciated! I am Professor Fuseless."
Line 2958	Line 2964
DELETED STRING: You must use a key ingredient and a secondary ingredient.	DELETED STRING: Fine work on that new part, Apprentice. I.G.O.R. will save the recipe so you can view it later.
Line 3348
DELETED STRING: Here is the ancient translation key to the glyphs: SDFJWOHGSDKEIDKS.
Line 3539	Line 3541
DELETED STRING: Ahhh, there you are! I'm sure you've heard of my genius, but if not, I am Professor Fuseless.	DELETED STRING: Creator of Mongor the Unstable, Vul-Garr the Pointy-Nosed, and Gorbok the Gorbok-like...
These lines seem to suggest an alternate version of the first meeting with Fuseless.
Line 3547	Line 3554
DELETED STRING: Eh, the Troublescope?! Let's go to the Command Room to take a look...	DELETED STRING: My old colleagues were always leaving things lying around!
	Immediately before this line is the used "No doubt there are scrap parts around here for you to use..."
Lines 3559-3567
DELETED STRING: Ok, let's run you through it. Four types of parts make up a monster: DELETED STRING: The Torso. This is the engine of your monster! DELETED STRING:If it stops working, your monster stops working, so keep it in tip top shape. DELETED STRING:Legs. Without legs your monster won't explore, run from danger or kick anything! DELETED STRING:Make sure your legs are sturdy! DELETED STRING:Arms. As you can tell, I'm a big believer in arms! DELETED STRING:They can be used to attack, move obstacles and make shadow puppets! DELETED STRING:Heads. Not as essential as you may think, but they can perform some useful attacks. DELETED STRING:Remember, building monsters is the ultimate expression of our skills as mad scientists!
Line 3570	Line 3580
DELETED STRING:Yes, I.G.O.R., or the Inventory and General Operational Resonator. Impressive.	DELETED STRING: Oh, we can also talk to each other through it, but don't call too often... the rates are a killer!
It's not otherwise explained what I.G.O.R. (essentially, the menu system) stands for.
Lines 3583-3586
DELETED STRING: Yes, there are other Mad Scientists all over the world! DELETED STRING: With the Link you can trade parts, or challenge their creations to combat with your own! DELETED STRING: You can use the link to challenge their creations to combat with your own! DELETED STRING: You can use the link to trade parts with them!
This dialogue refers to trading parts with other players, a feature that was removed (see Removed Features).
Line 3588	Line 3591
DELETED STRING: Just remember some regions won't be open to you until you're a more capable Mad Scientist.	DELETED STRING: Finally, you can select a creature you've conglomerated, and go!
Lines 3599-3600
DELETED STRING: We shall mark it with this badge. You shall receive one when you accomplish specific goals! DELETED STRING: Keep it up! The next monster isn't one of mine, so I can't help you!
Lines 3604-3608
DELETED STRING: More good work, Apprentice! Another goal reached, and now your rank has increased! DELETED STRING: The higher ranks you get, the stronger the parts you can create... and with more madness! DELETED STRING: Enjoy a stroll in Cobbleshire, then meet me in the Command Room when you return! DELETED STRING: You are full of surprises, Apprentice! I see you have located some valuable parts! DELETED STRING: Bring them back to the Castle... we can use them!
Lines 3618-3619
DELETED STRING: Bad monsters are shown in red on the Troublescope. DELETED STRING: Say it with me: Red Bad! Also, you can see the difficulty of each enemy.

Remnants from Other Platforms

The Wii version was developed concurrently with PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS games, and retains several strings from those version which make reference to "touching" objects, memory cards, etc.

Line 1438			Line 1632
Do you want to use DS$nonbreakingspaceWireless$nonbreakingspaceCommunications?			Do you want to resume DS Wireless Communications?
Line 1830		Lines 2955-2956		Line 3558
Press SELECT to view your I.G.O.R.		When you want to open I.G.O.R., touch the button on screen or press SELECT. When you want to open I.G.O.R. use the Select Button.		Touch the Monster Constructor to build a monster.
Lines 4149-4152			Lines 4173-4176
The Memory Card in Slot A is damaged and cannot be used. The Memory Card in Slot A is damaged and cannot be used. The Memory Card in Slot B is damaged and cannot be used. The Memory Card in Slot B is damaged and cannot be used.			The Monster Lab file on Memory Card in Slot A is corrupted. The Monster Lab file on Memory Card in Slot A is corrupted. The Monster Lab file on Memory Card in Slot B is corrupted. The Monster Lab file on Memory Card in Slot B is corrupted.
Lines 4191-4194			Lines 4230-4233
No Memory Card found in Slot A. No Memory Card found in Slot A. No Memory Card found in Slot B. No Memory Card found in Slot B.			Wrong device in Slot A. Please insert a Memory Card. Wrong device in Slot A. Please insert a Memory Card. Wrong device in Slot B. Please insert a Memory Card. Wrong device in Slot B. Please insert a Memory Card.

Miscellany

And here's all the boring assorted deleted text nobody will read.

Lines 44, 205		Lines 147-152		Line 330-331
DELETED STRING: ~PLACEHOLDER		DELETED STRING: ~IDLE DELETED STRING: ~IDLEHURT DELETED STRING: ~IDLETIRED DELETED STRING: ~INJUREHEAVY DELETED STRING: ~INJURELIGHT DELETED STRING: ~INJURESLAM		DELETED STRING: ~PLACEHOLDER!!! DELETED STRING: ~WALKFORWARD!!!
				SOME RATHER EXCITABLE PLACEHOLDERS!!!
Lines 343-344, 665, 681, 1050-1083, 1686-1687, 4029, 4116, 4128, 4236	Lines 347-349	Lines 352-354, 668-670, 684-686, 4048-4050, 4119-4121	Lines 673-678	Lines 1000-1004	Lines 2113-2114, 4124-4125, 4245-4246
UNUSED PAGE	UNUSED PAGE UNUSED PAGE UNUSED SCREEN	UNUSED PAGE UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN	UNUSED PAGE UNUSED PAGE UNUSED PAGE UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN	UNUSED PAGE UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN UNUSED SCREEN	UNUSED PAGE UNUSED SCREEN
Line 687	Line 887	Lines 951-962	Line 972	Line 989	Line 992
DELETED STRING: Grand Hall	DELETED STRING: Haunted Organ	DELETE STRING: Astral Rift DELETE STRING: Haunted Organ DELETE STRING: Element Inferno DELETE STRING: Mystic Maelstrom DELETE STRING: Arm-aggedon DELETE STRING: IQ Injector DELETE STRING: Stitch-O-Matic DELETE STRING: Cardio Chaos DELETE STRING: Weld-O-Tron DELETE STRING: Robo-Evolver DELETE STRING: Hyper-Chopper DELETE STRING: Fusion Compactor	DELETED STRING: (Clue)	DELETED STRING: (Translation)	DELETED STRING: ~HP
Lines 1087-1088		Line 1104
DELETED STRING: ~Action 1: DELETED STRING: ~Action 2:		DELETED STRING: ~This item will be removed from your inventory.
Line 1134	Lines 1138-1139	Line 1148	Line 1155	Line 1158	Line 1358
DELETED STRING: ~Monster Stats	DELETED STRING: ~No Defect DELETED STRING: ~No Enhancement	DELETED STRING: ~Player Data	DELETED STRING: ~Remove	DELETED STRING: ~Speed	DELETED STRING: Attack
Line 1384		Line 1387	Lines 1397-1398	Line 1489	Line 1498
DELETED STRING: ~No monsters available to modify		$buildid	DELETED STRING: ~Combat - Host DELETED STRING: ~Combat - Join	DELETED STRING: ~Inventory	DELETED STRING: ~Labs
Line 1528	Line 1531	Lines 1535-1536	Line 1556	Line 1588	Line 1603
DELETED STRING: ~EnemyMonster	DELETED STRING: ~PlayerMonster	DELETED STRING: ~500 DELETED STRING: ~MSP	DELETED STRING ~New Monster	DELETED STRING: ~Operate!	DELETED STRING: ~Perform
		Relax, it's short for Mad Scientist Points.
Line 1633	Line 1640		Line 1649		Line 1667
DELETED STRING: ~Retry	DELETED STRING: ~Save Game		DELETED STRING: ~Select which monster to modify		DELETED STRING: ~Try
Lines 3721-3723		Lines 3726-3727		Line 3729
~DELETED STRING: Weld the Arm Together ~DELETED STRING: Go Upstairs to the Lightning Tower ~DELETED STRING: Attach an arm to the Monster		~DELETED STRING: Create Mechanical Legs ~DELETED STRING: Show Fuseless Your Findings		~DELETED STRING: Create a Mechanical Head
Lines 3731-3732		Line 3735		Lines 3737-3738
~DELETED STRING: Create a Mechanical Dynamo for the Torso ~DELETED STRING: Bring a Monster to life!		~DELETED STRING: Recycle the Useless Alien Part in the Lightning Tower		~DELETED STRING: Meet Sonderbar in the Bio Lab ~DELETED STRING: Create a pair of Biological Legs.
Line 3740		Lines 3773-3776		Lines 3778-3785
~DELETED STRING: Create Biological Arms.		~DELETED STRING: Investigate The Neverglades ~DELETED STRING: Save the Alien from the Monsters ~DELETED STRING: Find and recruit Dr. Von Sonderbar ~DELETED STRING: Deliver Note to Fuseless		~DELETED STRING: Return to the Neverglades ~DELETED STRING: Investigate the UFO ~DELETED STRING: Crack the Security Code of the UFO ~DELETED STRING: Tell the Alien that the UFO has been unlocked ~DELETED STRING: Get Warpwood ~DELETED STRING: Get Swamp Juice ~DELETED STRING: Get the Leg of a Monster ~DELETED STRING: Return to Sonderbar with the Items
Line 3787		Line 3789		Line 3794
~DELETED STRING: Find the Feeb		~DELETED STRING: Find the Third Piece		~DELETED STRING: Show the Leo Lumiere Your Findings
Line 3798	Line 3888		Line 3930	Line 3978	Line 4030
~DELETED STRING: Smash Pumpkins	~DELETED STRING: Find Se?or De La Sombra in Tombstone Rise		~DELETED STRING:Find the Gearheads	~DELETED STRING: Search the Swamp	DELETED STRING: The Castle
	The 'ñ' character is used elsewhere without issue, as in the used line "Find Señor De La Sombra" nearby.
Line 4040			Lines 4247-4248
DELETED STRING: ~MSP:			DELETED STRING: ~Quality DELETED STRING: ~The weld looks strong.