Monster Train 2: PS5 Review

Developed by Big Fan Games
Published by Big Fan Games
Platform: PS5

The deckbuilding world of games has taken off recently thanks to the success of Balatro, a game that really helped break through the mainstream.

And so it is with Monster Train 2, the latest from within the genre to head into the world of deckbuilding and to enliven fans who get their kicks from the ilk.

Essentially putting you on board on a train and giving you the cards to build a group of heroes to battle those bad guys who want to stop you reaching your destination by attacking the power crystal on your train, Monster Train 2 goes for simplicity to ensure replayability.

However, unless you're familiar with these games, it's quite difficult to pick up and play, no matter how beautifully presented it is. Particularly given there's the roguelike elements of the game, it makes it hard to apply what you think you learned from a previous outing before taking it all on again.

Combat-based turns require patience and perhaps a degree of strategy, and while Monster Train 2 does its absolute best to get those who don't know on board, it does take a bit of time to finally fall into the game's MO and appreciate what's going on here.

Across three floors, you have to fight and if you can't defeat the bad guys, they move up a level, heading to the train's Pyre Heart which is essentially your lifeblood. Building up a decent deck and unlocking new cards helps - but it's hard to fully recommend a game that takes too much time to really work out what's happening.

It looks great and plays well - but unless you're a fan of these types of games, it will largely leave you cold and wondering what exactly the point of it is. So, it's your decision if you want to climb on board this train - but while there's creativity and variety within, you may feel this is one ride you want to get off from.