Monster Train 2

Game InformerCharles Harte

9.25/10

"No two runs are the same" is an oft-spoken line in reference to roguelikes, and it has perhaps never been more true than with Monster Train 2. With five new Clans, new card types, and a side mode of dimensional challenges, every run is distinct, but combat never becomes less satisfying. Despite some cutscenes that leave much to be desired, Shiny Shoe has crafted one of my favorite roguelikes of the year so far, improving on the previous title in every way.

MonsterVineTom Ravencroft

Sometimes, games sound deranged when you explain them, but when they come together so elegantly in gameplay, it’s almost impossible to sound sane about them, especially when they’re so good you want to rave like a lunatic. To start from the beginning, you have a train full of dragons and demons and fairies and mad scientists and mushroom people and you’re trying to storm Heaven (like, THE Heaven) and fight angels and LISTEN HERE INDIE ROGUELIKE DECKBUILDERS DON’T NEED TO MAKE A LOT ...

Worth PlayingChris "Atom" DeAngelus

9/10

Monster Train 2 is a full-scope deckbuilding sequel with all new clans, new enemy factions, new challenges, new modes and more!

Checkpoint GamingCass Barkman

9/10

I’m midway through a run. My train barrels along the divine tracks, and heaven streaks past in the background. I carefully coordinate my motley assortment of dragons, angels and welps across its three levels, only for titanic enemy forces to come barging through the entrance. Spells fly, numbers flash endlessly back and forth – initially, my forces seem overwhelmed, but a few rounds in and the number of buffs on my units begins to exponentially accumulate. By the time the boss arrives –...

XboxEraJesse 'Doncabesa' Norris

8.6/10

Running A Train

Analog Stick GamingJeff Young

8.5/10

Monster Train 2’s variety and content does wonders for repeated runs, even back to back to back until you've lost track of time. The upgrades, equipment cards, and the synergies between the clans make for a very entertaining game, despite the forgettable story and character moments.

GameGrinDylan Pamintuan

8.5/10

Monster Train 2 is a great expansion for the ideas and mechanics of the previous game, with tons of replayability baked in to provide hours upon hours of fun. It’s worth going off the rails on this crazy train.

GameSpewKim Snaith

8/10

Monster Train 2 is a solid upgrade over what was already an excellent roguelike deckbuilder. New features, new character classes, new cards and a new story all make the experience richer and deeper than ever before.

Metro GameCentralNick Gillett

8/10

An effective expansion of the original’s deck-building roguelite structure, that adds lots of enjoyable new features and becomes one of the few games to rival Slay The Spire.

TechRaptorParker Johnson

8/10

Monster Train 2 provides a bottomless toolbox for deckbuilder fans to tinker with, and finding exciting combinations is a blast. The resistance you're up against can start to feel mundane, but the ways you take them on seem limitless.

Gideons GamingGaming Gideon

Unscored

Monster Train 2 is a deck building game that is packed full of content, at least in part by including half of the content from the first game. Beyond that, it’s a better polished and more refined version of Monster Train. While it still features a few of the first games flaws, it’s pretty much an ideal sequel for this genre of game.

Rock Paper ShotgunEdwin Evans-Thirlwell

Unscored

Still, that's more of a wider, philosophical objection to the genre than a criticism of Monster Train 2 in particular. If you have no such hoity-toity qualms, this is as bountiful an experience as you could ask for. Each victorious raid on heaven produces a shower of unlockable cards and items that you can put immediately to the test. If you're weary of raiding the main campaign for cards, there are bespoke puzzle-campaigns via dimensional portal back at the starting depot, where you can test...