Monster Train

Monster Train is a strategic deck-building game set in a dark fantasy world where players take on the role of a demonic overlord defending their train from heavenly invaders. Combining elements of roguelike progression and turn-based combat, the game challenges players to build powerful decks, upgrade their units, and navigate a multi-level train filled with minions and traps. With its unique vertical battlefield and cooperative multiplayer modes like Hell Rush, Monster Train offers a fresh twist on the deck-building genre, blending deep strategy with a gothic aesthetic and a dynamic soundtrack.

Monster Train: A Masterclass in Roguelike Deckbuilding and Infernal Strategy

Introduction: The Last Ember of Hell

In the pantheon of roguelike deckbuilders, Monster Train (2020) stands as a towering inferno—a game that not only refines the mechanics of its predecessors but also ignites them with a fresh, hellish brilliance. Developed by the indie studio Shiny Shoe and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment, Monster Train is a strategic tour de force that challenges players to defend the last burning pyre of Hell aboard a multi-level train, the Boneshaker, as it hurtles toward the frozen heart of the underworld. With its vertical combat system, deep lore, and an intoxicating blend of chaos and control, Monster Train is more than just a spiritual successor to Slay the Spire—it’s a bold evolution of the genre.

This review will dissect Monster Train with surgical precision, exploring its development, narrative depth, gameplay innovations, artistic vision, and lasting impact on the gaming landscape. By the end, it will be clear why Monster Train is not just a great game, but a defining moment in the history of roguelike deckbuilders.

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Development History & Context: Forging the Boneshaker

The Studio and Vision

Shiny Shoe, a small but ambitious studio based in the United States, emerged from the shadows with Monster Train as their debut title. The team, led by game director Andrew Krausnick and art director Yujin Kiem, sought to create a game that would push the boundaries of the deckbuilding genre. Their vision was clear: to craft a game that was both accessible and deeply strategic, with a unique vertical combat system that would set it apart from its peers.

The studio’s approach was methodical. They drew inspiration from Slay the Spire but were determined to carve their own path. The result was a game that retained the addictive core of deckbuilding while introducing a multi-layered battlefield—a train with three vertical floors—that demanded players think spatially as well as strategically.

Technological Constraints and Innovation

Monster Train was built using the Unity engine, a choice that allowed the team to iterate quickly and efficiently. The engine’s flexibility was crucial in realizing the game’s vertical combat system, where players must defend multiple floors simultaneously. This innovation was not just a gimmick; it fundamentally altered the way players approached deckbuilding, forcing them to consider unit placement, floor synergy, and defensive positioning in ways that horizontal deckbuilders never could.

The game’s development was also marked by a commitment to accessibility. The team implemented full controller and keyboard support, a large UI scaling option, and colorblind accessibility features, ensuring that Monster Train could be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible.

The Gaming Landscape at Launch

Monster Train launched on May 21, 2020, into a gaming landscape that was already saturated with deckbuilding games. Slay the Spire had set the standard, and titles like Griftlands and SteamWorld Quest were vying for attention. Yet, Monster Train managed to stand out, thanks to its unique vertical combat, rich lore, and the sheer depth of its strategic possibilities.

The game’s release was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its innovative mechanics, addictive gameplay loop, and the sheer variety of its clan combinations. It quickly became a darling of the indie scene, earning nominations for awards like Best Strategy/Tactics Game at IGN’s Best of 2020 and Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: The War for Hell’s Soul

The Plot: A Frozen Hell and a Broken Covenant

At its core, Monster Train is a story of survival and rebellion. The game is set in a version of Hell that has been frozen over by the forces of Heaven, led by the tyrannical Seraph. The once-burning pyres that powered Hell’s infernal engines have been extinguished, leaving the demonic clans scattered and desperate. The player takes on the role of a sentient fragment of the last remaining pyre, tasked with reigniting the fires of Hell and restoring balance to the underworld.

The narrative unfolds through a series of battles aboard the Boneshaker, a train that travels through the nine rings of Hell. Along the way, players encounter a cast of characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. The game’s lore is delivered through flavor text on cards, artifacts, and in-game events, creating a rich tapestry of history and conflict.

The Characters: Champions of the Clans

Monster Train features a diverse cast of champions, each representing one of the game’s five (later six) clans. These champions are not just gameplay mechanics; they are fully realized characters with their own personalities, strengths, and weaknesses.

• The Hellhorned: A clan of brute-force demons led by champions like the Hornbreaker Prince and the Shardtail Queen. Their units are aggressive and powerful, embodying the raw fury of Hell.
• The Awoken: A clan of sentient plants and vines, led by champions like The Sentient and Wyldenten. Their units are resilient and regenerative, reflecting the enduring power of nature.
• The Stygian Guard: A clan of aquatic warriors and mages, led by champions like Tethys Titansbane and Solgard the Martyr. Their units excel in spellcasting and frost-based attacks, embodying the icy depths of Hell’s frozen seas.
• The Umbra: A clan of shadowy entities that consume morsels to grow stronger, led by champions like Penumbra and Primordium. Their units are versatile and adaptable, reflecting the ever-shifting nature of darkness.
• The Melting Remnant: A clan of wax-based creatures that can reform after death, led by champions like Rector Flicker and Little Fade. Their units are ephemeral but resilient, embodying the cyclical nature of life and death.
• The Wurmkin (DLC): A clan of crystalline beings that harness the power of echoes, led by champions like Glareminder and Symphony of the Soul. Their units are strategic and precise, reflecting the ancient wisdom of their kind.

Each champion has multiple upgrade paths, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences. Whether you prefer brute force, tactical precision, or spellcasting prowess, Monster Train offers a champion that fits your approach.

Themes: Betrayal, Redemption, and the Cycle of War

Monster Train is not just a game about fighting angels; it’s a story about the consequences of war and the struggle for survival. The game’s lore is steeped in themes of betrayal and redemption, with characters like Fel, a former ally of Hell who betrayed the Covenant to join Seraph, and Herzal, the architect of the Boneshaker who sought to atone for his past sins.

The game’s narrative also explores the cyclical nature of conflict. The Last Divinity DLC introduces the concept of a time loop, where the battles between Heaven and Hell are doomed to repeat endlessly. This theme is reinforced by the game’s roguelike structure, where each run is a new attempt to break the cycle and restore balance to the underworld.

Dialogue and Worldbuilding

The dialogue in Monster Train is sharp and evocative, with each character’s voice reflecting their personality and motivations. The flavor text on cards and artifacts is particularly noteworthy, offering glimpses into the game’s rich lore and the histories of its characters.

The worldbuilding is equally impressive. The nine rings of Hell are each distinct, with their own environments, enemies, and challenges. From the frozen wastes of the Stygian Guard’s domain to the shadowy depths of the Umbra’s lair, each ring feels like a living, breathing part of the underworld.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: The Art of Infernal Warfare

Core Gameplay Loop: Defending the Pyre

At its heart, Monster Train is a game about defending the last burning pyre of Hell. The pyre is located on the top floor of the Boneshaker, and the player’s goal is to prevent the forces of Heaven from reaching it. To do this, players must summon units, cast spells, and use artifacts to fend off waves of enemies across the train’s three vertical floors.

The game’s combat is turn-based, with players and enemies taking alternating turns. Each turn, players draw a hand of cards, which they can use to summon units, cast spells, or activate special abilities. Units can be placed on any of the three floors, but they can only attack enemies on the same floor. This vertical combat system is one of Monster Train’s most innovative features, forcing players to think strategically about unit placement and floor synergy.

Clan Synergy and Deckbuilding

Monster Train features a deep deckbuilding system that allows players to mix and match cards from two different clans. Each clan has its own unique playstyle, and combining them can lead to powerful synergies. For example, pairing the Hellhorned’s brute-force units with the Stygian Guard’s frost-based spells can create a devastating combo that freezes enemies in place while dealing massive damage.

The game’s deckbuilding is further enhanced by its artifact system. Artifacts are powerful items that can be found or purchased during a run, and they offer a wide range of effects, from boosting unit stats to granting special abilities. Some artifacts are clan-specific, while others are universal, adding another layer of strategy to the game.

Progression and Unlocks

Monster Train features a robust progression system that rewards players for completing runs and achieving high scores. As players progress, they unlock new clans, cards, artifacts, and challenges, ensuring that each run feels fresh and exciting.

The game also features a Covenant system, which increases the difficulty of runs as players progress. Higher Covenant levels introduce new challenges, such as reduced floor capacity, increased enemy stats, and more powerful boss encounters. This system ensures that Monster Train remains challenging even for experienced players.

Multiplayer and Community Features

Monster Train includes a multiplayer mode that allows players to compete against each other in timed challenges. Players can share their run seeds with friends, allowing them to compare scores and strategies. The game also features a community challenge system, where players can create and share custom challenges with the wider community.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Journey Through Hell

Setting and Atmosphere

Monster Train’s setting is one of its strongest assets. The game’s version of Hell is a frozen, desolate wasteland, where the remnants of the underworld’s once-great civilization struggle to survive. The Boneshaker itself is a marvel of infernal engineering, a train that travels through the nine rings of Hell, each with its own unique environment and challenges.

The game’s atmosphere is dark and oppressive, with a sense of urgency that permeates every run. The player is constantly reminded that they are the last hope for Hell, and that failure means the complete annihilation of the underworld.

Visual Direction

The art style of Monster Train is a blend of dark fantasy and steampunk, with a heavy emphasis on gothic and infernal imagery. The game’s character designs are particularly striking, with each clan having its own distinct aesthetic. The Hellhorned are brutal and demonic, the Awoken are organic and vine-like, and the Stygian Guard are aquatic and icy.

The game’s environments are equally impressive, with each ring of Hell featuring its own unique visual theme. From the frozen wastes of the Stygian Guard’s domain to the shadowy depths of the Umbra’s lair, each environment is richly detailed and immersive.

Sound Design and Music

The sound design in Monster Train is top-notch, with each card, unit, and spell having its own distinct audio cue. The game’s music, composed by Jordan Chin, is a standout feature, with a haunting, atmospheric score that perfectly complements the game’s dark setting.

The soundtrack is a mix of orchestral and electronic elements, with tracks that range from slow, melancholic pieces to fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled battle themes. The music dynamically shifts to match the intensity of the gameplay, creating a truly immersive experience.

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Reception & Legacy: A Game That Burns Bright

Critical and Commercial Reception

Monster Train was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Reviewers praised its innovative vertical combat system, deep strategic gameplay, and rich lore. The game holds an 86 on Metacritic and has been nominated for multiple awards, including Best Strategy/Tactics Game at IGN’s Best of 2020 and Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

Commercially, Monster Train was a success, selling over 500,000 copies within its first year. The game’s popularity was further boosted by its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, which introduced it to a wider audience.

Influence on the Genre

Monster Train has had a significant impact on the roguelike deckbuilding genre. Its vertical combat system has inspired other developers to experiment with new ways of presenting deckbuilding mechanics, and its deep lore and character-driven storytelling have set a new standard for narrative depth in the genre.

The game’s success has also paved the way for its sequel, Monster Train 2, which was released in 2025. The sequel builds on the foundation of the original, introducing new clans, mechanics, and a continued story that expands on the lore of the first game.

Community and Modding

Monster Train has fostered a vibrant and dedicated community. The game’s modding support has allowed players to create custom clans, cards, and challenges, further extending the game’s replayability. The community has also been instrumental in providing feedback and suggestions, which have been incorporated into the game’s updates and DLC.

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Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Strategy and Storytelling

Monster Train is more than just a game—it’s a masterclass in roguelike deckbuilding, a testament to the power of innovative gameplay mechanics, and a richly detailed world that invites players to explore its depths. With its vertical combat system, deep lore, and addictive gameplay loop, Monster Train has earned its place as one of the greatest deckbuilding games of all time.

The game’s legacy is secure, with its influence already being felt in the genre and its sequel promising to build on its success. For fans of strategy games, deckbuilders, and rich storytelling, Monster Train is an essential experience—a journey through Hell that is as rewarding as it is challenging.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10 – A Hellish Masterpiece

Monster Train is a game that will be remembered for years to come, a shining example of what the roguelike deckbuilding genre can achieve. Whether you’re a veteran of Slay the Spire or a newcomer to the genre, Monster Train is a journey worth taking. All aboard the Boneshaker—Hell awaits.