Monster Train: First Class Review – One Hell Of a Ride

There are very few games that are as small as Monster Train: First Class that can boast as high of a score as this little gem does. While there is admittedly not that much to do in the game, what you do get to do is addicting and extremely fun. With elements of a trading card game, idle combat game, and even a board game, there is much to enjoy. Let’s hop abroad the last hope in Hell and see what makes this rogue-like deck-building game such a great title for more than just card game fans!

Intro – Highway… I Mean… Railway To Hell!

Monster Train is a deck-building game very similar to some you might find on any app store. Although small it is a true powerhouse in it’s own right. Boasting a unique concept, fun graphics, and addictive fast-paced gameplay, there’s not much to complain about with this title. Despite it having a relatively short “story”, it’s content makes up for what it lacks in its overall length.

The gist of Monster Train is a battle for the fate of Hell. The “Monster Train” is carrying the Pyre containing the last remaining flames of the Underworld. You’re tasked with summoning the trains many defenses against the attacking armies of Heaven. The goal is to boost your deck with various beasts and plentiful spells from the depths of Hell to face-off with Heaven’s forces and defend the pyre. The choices you make as you navigate the gates of Hell determine how successful you are at delivering the flame.

Story – Not Much To It, But Fun As Hell

There is truthfully not a whole lot going on with the story in Monster Train: First Class. You collect monsters, spells, and upgrades as you travel through Hell to reignite the flames after Heaven attacks. With some unique characters from both realms, and really epic combat, the story lies in the actions you take throughout each run. A nicely animated intro video tells you most of what you need to know about the conflict before you take over and run the train through each of the nine gates.

All-in-all the story is simple, but has its own unique take on the Heaven and Hell war. The player takes control of the forces of Hell, instead of Heaven, giving the typical “bad guys” a little time in the limelight for once. Whether or not the Monster Train makes it to its goal is all up to your strategy and choices, as well as whether or not you’re strong enough to take on the crazy bosses of Heaven.

Gameplay – One Hell Of A Run

The mechanics of Monster Train: First Class are super simple, and even easier to learn. The strategies behind the cards take a little more getting used to, but come pretty easily as well, with a little in-game research or trial and error. Aboard the Monster Train, you control the denizens of Hell by summoning them to one of the three tiers of the train. On the fourth tier lies the Pyre, the sacred flame you must protect to ensure Hell’s survival. As you navigate board game-like levels, and collect new monsters and upgrades for the ones already in your deck, you gain access to more powers and even more possibilities.

Applying various spell effects and card combos can help bolster your team while they defend the Pyre against multiple waves of enemies, and usually one big boss per battle as well. Add armor, attack power, and health points to your creatures to make them stronger each turn, and use the power of certain cards to use the trains own defenses against your enemies. There are many, many possible strategies to contemplate, providing a reason to go back to this game after beating it, even with it being pretty short.

Graphics and Sound – Hell To The Yeah!

This particular element of Monster Train: First Class is perhaps the best. The graphics are flawless from the character designs to the special effects. The sounds are equally epic and help blend the environment and action together seamlessly. For such a small game, you can tell they knew they had to captivate with the visuals and sound. That goal was met, and exceptionally so. The colors, effects, and level designs all work perfectly together. The characters are expertly illustrated and the combat effects add a nice level of intensity.

Simplicity is Monster Train’s best feature and it shines through with how simple, yet detailed, the entire game is. Sure it’s no blockbuster masterpiece with some historic graphics and off the wall gameplay, but it’s damn good for what it is. The graphics and sound add so much to a small yet enjoyable title.

Replay Value – Through Hell And Back Again

In order to become a great strategist in Monster Train: First Class you HAVE TO replay the game. A lot. There are upgrades, characters, and more that can only be accessed by completing, or failing, multiple runs through the gates of Hell. Building your deck also comes with playing more than once, both by learning unlocking new creatures and trying different strategies. Although a lot of the replay is the same, you have various choices and monsters to make it interesting on each new playthrough.

Despite a short “story” the action makes each new run fun. Experimenting with different choices on your way through the gates offers different upgrade options and access to different cards. Really it’s hard to run out of things to do even if each playthrough is close to the same as the last. This is one of the only semi-repetitive games that I actually enjoyed playing over and over!

Conclusion – See You In Hell!

To be honest I’ve probably only played maybe three other titles as short as Monster Train: First Class that deserve as much praise. Realistically a game this small should not be this good, but the developers over at Shiny Shoe sure made it work. Monster Train: First Class blends trading card and idle action perfectly and earns a high score in all areas except one. The graphics and overall concept are the best highlights of this hellacious and highly addictive game!

Overall Monster Train: First Class boasts great graphics with addicting gameplay to score in at a well-deserved 8 out of 10. A short story doesn’t hinder its exceptional gameplay, and at $30 you get a great title without having to break the bank. I’d say this trip to Hell is well worth it for anyone who enjoys strategic deck-builders with awesome graphics, addicting gameplay, and an abundance of characters!