Monster Train
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About Monster Train
Monster Train is a roguelike strategy game from Shiny Shoe that dropped in May 2020. You play as a demon defending Hell against an endless heavenly invasion. The core setup involves three vertical train cars where you place units to block attackers before they reach your burning pyre at the top. It launched on PC and later expanded to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and iOS. The game mixes card collection with tower defense mechanics. Every run forces you to adapt because enemy strategies change constantly. You manage resources, upgrade cards, and build unique decks that never repeat. This setup creates a fresh challenge for every single attempt without relying on random luck alone.
Gameplay
Each session starts by placing units on the bottom floor of a three-car train. Attacks move upward through these floors, so positioning matters more than just having strong stats. You draw cards to summon monsters or cast spells that buff your army. Between turns, you visit shops to buy new cards or mutate existing ones into stronger versions. The game offers single-player and multiplayer modes where you can compete directly. Controls feel tight on keyboard and mouse, though the console ports handle inputs well too. A typical session lasts about forty minutes as you push deeper into the enemy lines. You constantly shift your deck composition to counter specific threats while managing limited resources for upgrades.
What Players Think
Players love this title with a Metacritic score of 86 out of 100. PlayPile data shows an average playtime of 32 hours per user, and completion rates sit at 45 percent for first-time runs. The community moods are heavily skewed toward "addictive" and "strategic," with over 9,000 reviews mentioning high replayability. Users frequently note that the random card generation keeps the experience fresh. Recent updates like Wild Mutations and Friends & Foes have kept the player base active six years after launch. Many veterans report returning for hundreds of hours despite the steep difficulty curve in later stages. The price has dropped to $4.99 on Humble Store, which matches its historical low and drives many new players to try it.
PlayPile's Take
This game works best for people who enjoy deep strategy sessions over quick fixes. You will need about thirty minutes per run to get a real feel for the mechanics. The current price of $4.99 makes it an easy buy even if you only play one or two runs. There are 45 achievements to chase, and most require multiple playthroughs to unlock. Shiny Shoe built a solid loop here that respects your time while offering enough depth to master. Avoid this if you hate losing progress after each failed run. The vertical layout changes how you think about defense compared to traditional card games. It is worth the cost if you want a serious challenge.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
82.8
RAWG Rating
4.1
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