Hey everyone! I’ve spent the last week barreling down the tracks of Monster Train, Shiny Shoe’s fiery deck-builder meets tower defense roguelike, and I’m excited to share my cozy take. Whether you’re a fellow chill gamer or someone looking for a friendly intro to card-based strategy, here’s what I found.
Overall Impressions
Monster Train sets you up as a conductor on a hellbound locomotive, defending three vertical floors against waves of angels and other divine interlopers. Right away I was hooked by the multi-layered battlefield – it feels fresh compared to the single-lane slugfests in games like Slay the Spire. I love how it keeps you on your toes without ever being overwhelming. The core idea of mixing tower defense with deck-building is clever and it mostly delivers fun, strategic runs.
That said, some folks (and I agree) notice that runs can start to feel similar after a while. The unlockable Chthonic Chronicles modes and increasing Corruption levels help shake things up, but once you hit a certain milestone, you might crave a bigger narrative twist or new mechanics. Still, for me it’s a solid “very positive” experience overall and a great gateway into roguelikes for casual players.
Gameplay Mechanics
Monster Train’s turn-based battles play out across three floors: lower, middle, and the pyre room on top. You draft units and spells between battles, place them on any of the floors, then watch them clash. I love mixing clans—say, the fiery Hellhorned with the frozen Awoken—and hunting for sweet synergies. Relics add another layer, rewarding creative combos or giving you passive boosts like extra card draws or armor generation.
What works really well is how intuitive it feels. I found the RNG (randomness) to be kinder here than in some peers; card draws can tilt your run, but clever deck-building and relic choices often smooth over bad luck. A few players have mentioned the final Divinity fights can feel underwhelming, and I do agree the last boss sometimes swings on randomness more than strategy. But those moments didn’t ruin my fun—they just reminded me to adapt sooner.
Story and Characters
If you’re looking for a deep, branching tale, you won’t find one here. Monster Train’s story is more a framing device: you’re a conductor escorting the last ember of Hell’s furnace while thwarting angelic upstarts. Flavor text in card copies, little scrolls between runs, and clan art snippets give you lore glimpses, but it’s lightweight.
I actually like that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The clans (Hellhorned minotaurs, Awoken merfolk, Stygian Guard skeletons, and Melting Remnant spirits) each have a tiny personality in the cards and art. Once you spot a new clan power or read a relic’s back‐story, you feel a small thrill. It’s not Mass Effect, but it’s enough to keep you curious about that next run.
Visuals and Graphics
Artistically, Monster Train is a treat. The vibrant 2D art pops on each card, and unit animations are snappy without being flashy. I especially love the steam-and-flame effects on the Hellhorned units—they glow nicely against the cool blue of the angels. The UI is clean, letting you zoom in on cards and shop relics without feeling cramped. Overall, it’s polished, charming, and does wonders for the cozy, slightly spooky vibe.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack mixes industrial percussion with haunting choral bits, which somehow fits a “train through hell” theme perfectly. I found myself tapping along to the beat while waiting for my turn. Sound effects—cards slamming down, fiery roars, angelic trumpets—add nice flavor, and a few key lines of voice work (like the final Divinity taunt) hit just right. The only minor gripe is that some loops can feel repetitive during long sessions, so I’d pop on a podcast or chill playlist now and then.
Difficulty and Replayability
Monster Train never lets you get too comfortable. You pick a Corruption level (COV) that boosts rewards and enemy strength, and unlockable modifiers (no healing, limited card tiers) keep things spicy. After a dozen runs, I ramped up to COV 10 and started experimenting with new clans. It’s definitely got that “just one more run” pull.
Player reviews echo this: many love the gradual difficulty ramp and variety of deck types, though some feel the overarching arc gets a bit samey. Personally, I found new clan mixes and challenge runs (like the Chthonic Chronicle variants) enough to keep me coming back. The recent DLC “Crystals of Rage” adds more cards and relics, too, which is a nice bonus if you crave more content.
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
Monster Train. Created by the small Canadian indie studio Shiny Shoe, first launched into early access on Steam in November 2019. The development process was heavily shaped by player feedback. The game evolved with adjustments to difficulty, the addition of new clans, and expanded relic pools. The team shares monthly development blogs that delve into behind-the-scenes topics like card balancing, unit design, and art direction. Community involvement has always been central—they’ve even hosted special events where fans could vote on new card art.
Since its official release, Monster Train has continued to grow under the support of publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment. Players have enjoyed a steady stream of free updates as well as the paid Crystals of Rage DLC, which expanded the game’s strategic options. Mod support through Steam Workshop adds even more replay value, empowering fans to create their own clans, relics, and more. This ongoing support and openness to community creativity have helped Monster Train maintain a loyal and active player base.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Monster Train is a cozy yet strategic trip through infernal landscapes. It nails the sweet spot between approachable and challenging, with addictive deck-building and neat vertical battlegrounds. A few runs can blur together, and the story stays in the background, but the vibrant art, snappy gameplay, and endless replay hooks make it worth the ticket. If you’re looking for a friendly roguelike deck-builder with a twist, hop aboard this train—you won’t regret it!
