Monster Train

An important philosophy I maintain when interacting with basically any form of media is that it's important to meet the media where it's at. That is to say, don't go in expecting one thing and be disappointed when you get another, just because it wasn't exactly what *you* wanted. So, in this case, I'm going to do my best to practice what I preach and say that, although this game wasn't nearly as addictive or enduring as Slay the Spire (which is pretty much the GOAT in this genre as far as I'm concerned), it's still an absolutely delightful time and super fun to play. I can't go for hours and hours without getting burnt out, but dinging that would kind of feel like saying cheesecake isn't great if I have it all day, every day. Pace yourself, play when you get the urge, wrap up when you're done instead of being an obsessive completionist (I see you), and you'll have a great time.

I love it, I usually play 2 runs and satisfied

The game is excellent, it is highly replayable and there are many strategies to try.

Best deck building rogue-like I've played maybe even better than StS

While I dipped my toes into deckbuilder games from time to time I generally couldn't get into them really. Even StS didn't hold my attention long enough to even ever finish a complete run. Maybe that's because I always saw them like CCGs, similar to MtG or something. Monster Train was free on Prime Gaming, so I gave it a go, and this game somehow to me feels more like what it is, a strategy roguelike. So from now on I will view this genre kind of like the lovechild of Hearthstone and Darkest Dungeon. Well, more like the outcome of the latter enforcing unconsentional intercourse on the former, if you get my point. Right now I am only 10 hours in, still far away from even remotely having exeperienced the complexity MT promises to offer. But those ten hours, I absolutely did not recognize passing. Unexpectedly I am having an absolute blast playing one run after the other. At no time I have the feeling of being overwhelmed by the mechanics, everything seems reasonable yet rewarding. It wasn't too difficult to win a first run, which for me was extremely motivating as now I more then ever am excited to discover what lurks in the depths of this game, mechanically and narratively speaking. The presentation is really nice, cards and animations look very pleasant and the system with having three lanes which are being processed one after another is quite intuitive. Even the story with a train full of monsters being attacked by some weird angel creatures works surprisingly well. Should you have any interest in roguelike deckbuilers and are still on the fence about this one, I give an absolute full recommendation.