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.
