PC Critic Reviews

It may take a while for the true depths that Monster Train 2 holds to become apparent, but once you really dig into the minutiae of each deck, the options that present themselves in front of you seem almost limitless, and that’s my impression having only spent a substantial amount of time with two of Shiny Shoe’s fantastic new decks. For fans of the original, or newcomers who didn’t stamp their ticket for the first trip aboard the Monster Train, climb aboard Monster Train 2 right now. And, get comfy as I suspect you won’t be disembarking for a while.

If you loved Monster Train, you’ll really love Monster Train 2. And, if you don't, Monster Train 2 won't successfully change your mind. However, you should consider these games as load-bearing pillars of modern deckbuilders, somehow both accessible and complex, welcoming and daunting, easy and reactive to play but hard and satisfying to master. Monster Train 2 is massive, monstrous, sharp as all hell, and smoother than ever. All aboard!

Monster Train 2 doesn’t just earn its place in the crowded roguelike deckbuilder genre—it sets a new bar. From the intense, multi-layered combat to the unforgettable art and music, every part of the game feels purposeful and polished. It’s rare to find a sequel that not only stands alone but also pushes the genre forward in such a confident, satisfying way.

Monster Train 2 is a masterpiece. It is a unique concept, brilliantly executed, and something anyone interested in the genre should play. It is designed in a way that lets the player do incredibly strange and powerful things while still providing a challenge. It is packed with so much content that the 25-dollar price tag feels like a prank. If you played the first game, you will love the new cards, mechanics, and keywords. If you never played the first, the sequel is better in almost every way and is a perfect place to start. Monster Train 2 is a must-play game.

I didn't come to Monster Train 2 for an engaging story. I came for tense, strategic combat, hours of upgrading and optimizing spells and units, and that uniquely roguelike power fantasy of starting with scraps and blazing your way to the top. The realm of indie roguelikes is competitive and crowded, but despite years of tough competition, Monster Train 2 has strongly reasserted its series as one of the leaders of the pack. In other words, many games are good; few are as good as Hell.

An all-time great deckbuilder gets a sequel worth risking God’s wrath for.

Monster Train 2 is a fantastic upgrade for what was already one of the best deckbuilding roguelites out there. Its new Equipment cards layer on even more ways to build a team of super-powerful monsters, and its five new clans of delightfully weird characters are every bit as ripe for experimentation and unexpected results as the original cast. You can play it dozens of times and not take the same approach twice – and even if you choose the same starting options you have to adapt and think on your feet to make the most of what fate decides to give you. I can easily say right now that its endless challenge and the pleasant surprises I’m still discovering within it will keep me coming back for hundreds of hours.

Let's hope the conductor doesn't come through because Monster Train 2 is a truly first class ride through deckbuilder roguelike heaven. I'm already going off the rails with all the possibilities these smart evolutions to the rules and cards on offer bring, each run teasing me to chase new ways to to master the rails. I'm well and truly on board.

Monster Train 2 capably builds on the original game and improves on it immensely. It leaves the station and only picks up more speed as it goes, so get on board or get out of the way.

I love Monster Train 2 now, and I suspect I’ll love it even more after putting 50 to 100 hours into it. Shiny Shoe did a fantastic job of keeping everything important in Monster Train, not disrespecting the original experience in any way, and implementing new Clans, card types, encounters, and mechanics that keep it challenging in a manageable way. Even the addition of a story is fascinating, considering the original only featured hints at the series’ lore. I love what the team did here, and Monster Train 2 ended up becoming as essential an entry in an roguelike library as the original.