Monster Train similar games & best alternatives
Monster Train
2020
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Quick resume
Monster Train is a strategic roguelike deck building game with a twist. Set on a train to hell, you’ll use tactical decision making to defend multiple vertical battlegrounds. With real time competitive multiplayer and endless replayability, Monster Train is always on time.
Global score
96/100
Genres
Strategy, Card & Board Game, Indie, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Role-playing (RPG)
Pros
- Highly replayable with diverse clan combinations
- Strategic depth and creative deck building
- Accessible yet challenging difficulty curve
- Engaging fantasy theme and music
- Strong progression and unlock systems
Cons
- Limited narrative and story depth
- Some rng frustration at higher difficulties
- Visual style may not appeal to all
- Minimal multiplayer and social features
- Repetitive map structure
Motivations
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Autonomy4
"Players have significant control over deck building, card upgrades, and strategic decisions during runs, including choosing clans and customizing cards."
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Competence4
"The game offers a challenging skill curve with strategic depth in deck building and combat, rewarding effective play and mastery."
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Competition1
"While there is a multiplayer mode and leaderboards, most play is focused on individual runs and personal progression."
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Continuation5
"Highly replayable with hundreds of hours reported, daily challenges, and progression systems that encourage habitual play."
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Cooperation-4
"Gameplay is primarily single-player focused with minimal cooperative elements; multiplayer modes are limited and not central."
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Creativity4
"Strong emphasis on creative deck building, card upgrades, and combining clans to experiment with strategies."
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Domination-3
"Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk in reviews."
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Escapism5
"Players use the game for stress relief, distraction, and immersive fantasy experiences, including personal emotional support."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."
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Experimenting5
"Encourages trying new clan combinations, card synergies, and strategies with each run."
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Exploration1
"Some exploration of new card combinations and challenges, but map and environment are relatively fixed."
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Expression2
"Players can customize decks and upgrade cards, but limited cosmetic or avatar personalization."
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Fantasy4
"Strong fantasy theme with demons, angels, and imaginative settings inspired by hell and mythology."
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Fellowship-3
"Mostly solo play with limited social or community interaction beyond optional challenges."
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Growth4
"Players develop skills in deck building, strategy, and game mechanics over time with a learning curve."
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Health-4
"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention during runs; not suited for passive or background play."
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Intimacy-4
"Minimal social interaction or emotional connection with others; primarily individual experience."
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Leadership-4
"No evidence of leadership roles; players act independently without managing others."
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Progression5
"Strong progression through unlocking cards, clans, upgrades, and difficulty levels."
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Relaxation3
"Provides flow and tension release, though some difficulty spikes can cause frustration."
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Sensation3
"Enjoyable visuals and music provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."
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Status1
"Some recognition through achievements and leaderboards, but mostly individual focus."
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Story-2
"Minimal narrative; story is light and mostly background flavor rather than immersive plot."
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Strategy5
"High strategic depth in deck building, unit placement, and resource management."
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Thrill3
"Tension and excitement from challenging runs and boss fights, with risk and reward dynamics."
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Value4
"Players report high value for time invested with extensive content and replayability."
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Violence3
"Combat involves defeating enemies with spells and units; fantasy violence is a core mechanic."
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Survival4
"Players must manage threats and resources to protect the pyre and survive through runs."
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Where to buy
Last update: 06/03/2026