OpenCritic
Steam
A sequel of the 2020 strategy, card game and roguelike hybrid. In Monster Train 2 we take control over angels and demons, exploring hell, heaven and the abyss on board the titular train. We participate in turn-based battles and the sequel introduces new types of cards, new challenges and new events.
Monster Train 2 is a sequel to the 2020 game that combined elements of strategies, card games, and roguelikes, telling a story of the war between heavenly and hellish forces. The sequel was developed by the authors of the original, namely the independent American studio Shiny Shoe.
Story
The action of Monster Train 2 takes place after the events depicted in the original. After heaven was conquered by powerful beings called titans, the angels had no choice but to form an alliance with the demons. Sworn enemies must cooperate to defeat their common foes before they can bring about the destruction of the entire world.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Monster Train 2 is based on the scheme developed for the first installment of the series.
Riding the train through the afterlife
Adventure leads us through hell, heaven and the abyss, which we traverse on board the titular train. While looking at maps presented from a bird's eye view, we choose routes leading through successive nodes, where battles with opponents and random events await us. After each journey we end up at the headquarters of the Sabbath, which is a special node serving as a base of operations, and also providing us access to characters pushing the plot forward.
The game allows us to unlock and modify new train parts, so over time we can customize it to individual preferences.
Combat, opponents, cards and units
The battles presented from the side take place in turn-based mode, on three-level arenas. We play cards representing specific units, attacks and items.
On the list of clans represented by our subordinates, five new ones appear, each of which is equipped with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses as well as a fighting style. As we progress, two new types of cards are added to our deck: room cards (which strengthen our train and give us a strategic advantage over enemy forces) and equipment cards (by asg them to individual units, we provide them with various bonuses).
Challenges, hearth cores and travel journal
The game offers a series of challenges that test our skills. In addition to the dimensional challenges, with new mutators (gameplay modifications) and cosmetic rewards for their completion, there are daily challenges enriched with online rankings, through which we can boast about our achievements.
The so-called heavenly alcoves deserve a separate mention. They are random events involving various guests, sometimes enriched with elements from outside the Monster Train universe. The game also implemented hearth cores, each of which provides a unique functionality (they also play an important role in the story). The icing on the cake is the travel journal, which serves as a source of information about enemies, collectible targets, or even completed challenges.
Game modes
We can play Monster Train 2 alone or in multiplayer mode over the Internet.
Endless mode
The game has implemented an Endless Mode, in which we travel routes without a finish line, trying to survive as long as possible (which is complicated by the gradually increasing difficulty level). We can compare the statistics of subsequent rides with the results of other players.
Videos and Screens
[1:02] Monster Train 2 - Launch Trailer
[1:00] Monster Train 2 - Clans Reveal Trailer
DualShockers: 9 / 10 by Michael Manning
No matter your preferred playstyle, the myriad gimmicks and game plans provided by Monster Train 2 will keep things fresh as you fight your way through the legions of Heaven.
Worth Playing: 9 / 10 by Chris "Atom" DeAngelus
Monster Train 2 is pretty much everything a sequel should be: bigger, better, more refined, and more fun to play. Some of the mechanical changes are more akin to sideways upgrades, but even then, I preferred the new way once I got used to it. There's so much genuine enjoyment to be had with the game that I could barely put it down and stop playing. If I didn't have other titles to move on to, I would probably still be playing Monster Train 2. Fans of the original or fans of roguelike deck-builders will find a lot to love, and it's easily a must-play for fans of the genre.
Paste Magazine: 8.8 / 10 by Elijah Gonzalez
It may not reinvent the wheel, but Monster Train 2’s clever modifications ensure this train keeps chugging along smoothly.
The main pros of the game
- Expanded Gameplay Mechanics: Players appreciate the introduction of new mechanics such as Room Cards, Equipment Cards, and activated unit abilities, which add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
- Diverse Clans and Customization: The addition of five new clans, alongside the return of old ones, offers a variety of unique playstyles and strategies, enhancing replayability.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Features like an undo button, better icon readability, and a more diverse starting lineup of train stewards have been well-received.
- Engaging Visuals and Soundtrack: Many s noted the improved graphics and enjoyable music, which enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Challenging Gameplay: The game is described as tougher than the original, making victories more satisfying and encouraging players to engage with its mechanics deeply.
The main cons of the game
- Art Style Changes: Some players find the new art style to be less appealing compared to the original, describing it as more self-serious and busy.
- Camera Perspective: The camera is more zoomed in, which restricts visibility across multiple train floors, requiring players to scroll more frequently.
- Deployment Phase Issues: Players expressed concerns about deploying units blind, leading to suboptimal setups against unknown enemy formations.
- Complexity for New Players: Some reviews mention that the game may be overwhelming for newcomers due to the complexity of new mechanics and lack of a simple introduction for new players.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s
- Lack of Modding : s noted the absence of modding capabilities, which could enhance replayability and community engagement.
- Boss Variety: Some players feel that the mid-run bosses lack variety compared to the first game, and there are calls for more diverse boss encounters.
- Visual Novel Style Cutscenes: A few players expressed a desire for more engaging animations in the story segments, as the current implementation feels flat.
- Synchronized PvP Runs: Some s miss the competitive element of synchronized runs from the first game, which added a unique dimension to gameplay.
Summary
- Overall, while Monster Train 2 retains the core elements that made the first game popular, it introduces numerous enhancements and new features that have been largely praised by players, despite some criticisms regarding art style and gameplay complexity for new players.
Summary generated on:
Monster Train 2 Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Shiny Shoe
Publisher: Big Fan Games
Monster Train 2 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-4670K / AMD FX-4350, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 760 / Radeon R7 260X, 3 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-9600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1080 / Radeon RX 5700, 3 GB HDD, Windows 11 64-bit
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