Monster Train 2 is a seriously incredible deck-builder

Taking all the good about Monster Train and just making it a whole lot bigger, Monster Train 2 is an excellent deck-building game. Disclosure: key provided by the developer.

I have far too many hours to count across many different deck-builders and yet, Monster Train 2 might now be my actual proper favourite in the genre because there's just so much about it to enjoy. Thanks to all the content and the way you play through it, along with the endless mode you really could just put this on that list of games you would take with you onto a desert island. It will keep you going on and on forever, with each play-through feeling thoroughly fresh and exciting.

The sheer amount of options you're constantly presented with and the brilliant way it blends different genres together. It's not just a deck-builder, it's also a bit tower defence too which is what really helps set it apart from the likes of Slay the Spire (that's also just brilliant). Monster Train 2 is all about keeping your train moving by protecting your Pyre at the top.

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In most deck-builders of this sort, you're given a few creatures and then your attack cards to battle across a single floor per level (think Slay the Spire again). Unlike others though, in Monster Train 2 you battle across multiple floors at the same time, positioning your creatures in each of them to prevent enemies boarding the train to reach your Pyre at the top. So in that sense, it's a bit like you're playing multiple games at the same time.

The battles go on in multiple waves of enemies boarding your train, until their champion arrives for you to kill or be killed. The battle system itself is quite clever too.

At the start of your turn you can place down more creatures in each floor up to a cost limit, use a spell to take down enemy health, buff up a creature with an item and so on. Then when you end your turn, it’s like an auto-battler as each team fights and enemies move on up the floors towards your Pyre. Your Pyre has its own health and attack power, so it’s not the end if enemies get to the top (they will often), it’s about wearing them all down as much as you possibly can.

Between battles you'll be actually moving your train between stations. This is where you then get to pick between different tracks, each of which have their own set of locations to use like merchants to upgrade cards or purge cards, event locations to pick between options and plenty more.

Pictured - Monster Train 2 on Desktop Linux

The upgrade system is ridiculous, as you can really make some insanely powerful cards. A fun quick example is the Pyreclasm spell card that causes a lot of explosive damage. I upgraded it to give even more damage, then i paid to make it cost less to use but it would be consumed (only use once per battle), but then pay more again to remove the consumed status and so end up with a single very powerful card ready to help destroy a boss.

Pictured - Monster Train 2 on Steam Deck

And then, on top of all that, I was able to duplicate the card. I just love the masses of options and upgrades you can do.

Really, I'm barely able to scratch the surface of what the game features and what I think about it in this article. I don't really do hyperbole but I really do think it's one of the best deck-builders ever made. More than a little overwhelming at the start though, especially the way it just throws you in at the deep end with a few helpful hints, it's more like a trial by fire getting into it but it's absolutely worth it.

The greatest thing though? It has an undo button! Hooray! Begone miss-clicks of doom! It winds back to the start of the current turn, giving you a chance at a do-over. Lovely.

If you loved the first game, you'll feel right at home with this as it's basically a no-brainer to go and pick up. For everyone else who just like deck-builders, you can forget about being on the fence — you'll love it too. Works to perfection on Desktop Linux with the latest Proton 9.0-4 and is a thoroughly good time on Steam Deck too (Valve rated it Deck Verified). Haven't had any crashes and performance is perfect.

Game Highlights:

• An Innovative Multi-Tiered Battlefield: Each floor serves as a different stage of defense as enemies board and climb your train, fighting to smash your Pyre and cut your trip short. Thoughtfully deploying units to each floor can make the difference between an early demise or a valiant victory.
• Run-altering Variety: Power your train with a range of Pyre Hearts, each carrying distinct offensive or defensive advantages, and align your battle tactics carefully to make the most of them. Unlocking Pyre Hearts not only provides another way to customize your run, but also plays a key role in advancing the story.
• All-New Card Types:
  • Equipment Cards: Can be applied to units, giving a variety of buffs or abilities to aid you in battle.
  • Room Cards: Add helpful boosts to individual floors of your train, empowering the units within with new strategic advantages.
• A New Class of Playable Factions: Choose from several clans, each with their own specialty:
  • The Banished: A group composed of angels and hymnists alike, focusing on stacking valor and the power of heavy equipment.
  • The Pyreborne: A ruthless and greedy faction obsessed with gold; wealth is power in a literal sense with this gathering.
  • The Luna Coven: A coven of witches who harness lunar power and magic to bring down corrupted foes.
  • The Underlegion: A force of decay and renewal, command fungal creatures in a cycle of rot and rebirth.
  • The Lazarus League: Brilliant but unhinged scientists crafting volatile concoctions, both harmful and healing, to combat Heaven’s legions.
• Endless Mode: Travel the rails with ever-increasing difficulty to test your skills and see how long you can survive.
• Train Customization: Unlock new parts for your train and customize it to suit your personal style.
• Vast Replayability: Run mutators, Daily and Dimensional challenges, an Endless Mode, leaderboards for competition between friends and the community – a trove of exciting challenges and rewarding fun awaits in Monster Train 2.