Hello, everyone! My name is Panda, and welcome to the PGN Arcade.

Today, we’re diving into a hidden gem of a game: Monster Train. While this review focuses on the PC experience, you’ll be happy to know that Monster Train is also available on Xbox One and iOS, making it accessible to a variety of gamers.

Quick disclaimer: In my video review of this game, I was feeling under the weather, so some parts may have “scuffed” commentary. That said, let’s break down what makes Monster Train a must-play!

Gameplay

At its core, Monster Train is a strategic, luck-based card game that pits you against a series of dark-souls-inspired bosses and monsters. Your mission is to defend your train by strategically deploying units across multiple floors to fend off waves of enemies. The ultimate goal? Protect the “Pyre,” located on the 4th floor, from being destroyed.

As you progress through the game, bosses with unique abilities arrive to test your strategies. Defeating them requires careful planning and an understanding of their mechanics. Some abilities might feel, to put it bluntly, a bit “BS,” but that only adds to the challenge and fun.

The game rewards good decision-making as your deck evolves with the choices you make. As you advance, it becomes easier to craft a cohesive strategy that gives you the upper hand. Place your units wisely, adapt to the game’s RNG elements, and maximize your chances of victory.

Story

The story of Monster Train is fairly straightforward and doesn’t take center stage. It serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. Instead of spoiling any details here, I suggest watching my accompanying video review—or better yet, experiencing it for yourself!

Visuals and History

Monster Train is a roguelike deck-builder developed by Shiny Shoe and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. The game first launched on May 21, 2020, for PC, followed by an Xbox One release on December 17, 2020, and an iOS version on October 27, 2022.

Visually, Monster Train is a standout. Its polished animations and unique 2D/3D hybrid art style breathe life into its dark-fantasy world. Vibrant graphics and detailed character designs immerse you in the game’s environment, making each battle feel dynamic and engaging.

Controls

One of Monster Train’s strengths is its intuitive controls, which make it accessible to both seasoned players and newcomers.

• Left-Click: Select and drag cards onto train floors.
• Scroll Wheel or Up/Down Buttons: Navigate between floors of the train.

The simplicity of the controls allows you to focus on strategy and gameplay rather than wrestling with mechanics.

Sound

The sound design in Monster Train is phenomenal. Picture the energy of Doom’s soundtrack but with an even more refined, atmospheric tone. Each level and boss fight features unique tracks that ramp up in intensity as you progress.

The soundtrack is so good that I’ve opened the game just to listen to the music—it’s that much of a vibe! If you’re planning to play Monster Train, I highly recommend immersing yourself in the audio experience.

Overall

In conclusion, Monster Train is a fantastic game that blends strategy, stunning visuals, and an incredible soundtrack into one addictive package. While the game has a few minor bugs, they don’t detract significantly from the experience and will likely be patched in future updates.

With over 40 hours logged on Steam (and it felt like much more!), I can confidently say that Monster Train offers tremendous replayability. Its “Convent” difficulty system ensures that each run feels fresh and increasingly challenging. Whether you’re a fan of roguelikes, card games, or just looking for a new challenge, Monster Train is worth your time.

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