Game review: Monster Train 2 (Nintendo Switch)

The roguelike genre has gained popularity over the years with games like Returnal and the recently released Elden Ring: Nightreign leading the charge. The roguelike genre is a unique one because it usually involves procedurally generated levels and a permadeath mode. The latter usually means you only have one life, and you have to start the game all over again. 

Roguelikes are usually very hard to play, but they are replayable because each run will feel different from the last one. Personally, I'm pretty useless at roguelikes, but other players have found it enjoyable because of their challenging gameplay. 

The only reason I'm talking about roguelike video games is because I've had to review a new game on Nintendo Switch called Monster Train 2. This is a sequel to the 2020 release of Monster Train, which was also a card-building game with roguelike features. 

I didn't get a chance to play the original Monster Train, but I admire Monster Train 2's presentation. Monster Train 2 actually has a decent story because the alliance of angels and demons has to both defend heaven, which has been taken over by Titans. 

As the player, you control a train that has to travel through heaven and hell as they fight against the Titans and their many minions. Since this is a card-building video game, all combat is turn-based, like an old-school RPG. If you 
don't like turn-based combat systems, you may want to play something else. 

What makes the gameplay in Monster Train 2 addictive is that it will force players to try different strategies because the game is challenging but still enjoyable. This isn't a type of game where you can blindly place cards onto the battlefield randomly and hope for the best. If you want to succeed in this game, you need to have a good understanding of the cards in your deck and how to effectively use them. 

As for the battlefield, all combat takes place in a tower full of rooms. On the left side, you place the characters and warriors you have in your deck to fight. On the right side, the computer AI will out their warriors on the battlefield. 

Much like every other turn-based style video game, the player and the AI will take turns placing their cards on the battlefield. A thing called Ember means you can only place a certain number of cards in each turn. Once you end your turn, the AI will then have its turn, and so forth. 

The aim of the game is to either kill every character in the AI's deck or just kill the main boss. As for the AI, their goal is to kill your Pyre, which is a device that stands at the top of the tower. The Pyre is like your life bar, and you have to protect it at all costs before the AI characters can damage it. 

If you run out of character cards, the Pyre can defend itself and can usually do 45 points of damage when it attacks on its own. The only downside to this is that the Pyre only has a finite amount of health in each round. If you cannot replenish its health in each round, you will die and have to start the game all over again!

In terms of attacking, character cards can only do damage in one turn. As the player, you can aid them with skill cards that may increase their shield or armour. Other skill cards can be used to damage the AI, and I usually use these cards with enemies who have a large amount of health. 

I also like to place cards called 'Shield Stewards' at the front of the line so they can absorb most of the damage that the AI does. The only thing I did not like about the gameplay in Monster Train 2 is that you cannot dodge or counterattack enemy attacks like in more recent RPGs. 

Games like Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 allows players to dodge enemy attacks, which is cool because you don't lose as many health points. Here in this game, you cannot do anything as you just have to bear the brunt of the AI's attacks all of the time…

Much like any other card game, the more you play the better your deck can be. One thing I found helpful was the Room and Equipment cards. For example, one of these cards allowed me to use an extra unit if my party was wiped out on a specific floor. You can also get better and more useful Pyres when you progress as well. 

If you are feeling quite brave, you can play the game's Endless mode to see how long you can survive on a single run. There are also Daily Challenges to try which will feature unique gameplay modifiers each time you log in to play. 

Graphically, Monster Train 2 features cool 2D animation and the monster design is excellent. I cannot comment on the performance of this game on other platforms, but the game ran smoothly on the Nintendo Switch console. 

Overall, Monster Train 2 is an addictive game with great graphics and enjoyable gameplay. If you like roguelikes and card-building games, you should definitely give this game a go. 

Verdict: 8.5/10