Monster Train 2 Switch Review

Monster Train 2 Switch Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch

A Return Trip Worth Taking?

I missed the first Monster Train when it initially pulled into the station on Switch. Not for any particular reason, mind you, it just passed me by. But maybe that was for the best, because diving into Monster Train 2 with fresh eyes has been a ride I won’t forget. This is a game that knows exactly what it is… a strategic, deck-building roguelike where every battle is a puzzle, and every mistake is a lesson in disguise. It’s a game that slowly unravels the longer you play, making you realise it wants you to do something that most games in the genre actively discourage… It wants you to stack the deck. What’s it Like? Have your ticket ready, shuffle the deck, and all aboard as we review Monster Train 2 for Nintendo Switch.

All aboard!

At its heart, Monster Train 2 is a game about control. You’re not just placing cards, you’re trying to think 2 steps ahead while defending your train’s Pyre from the legions of Heaven, and every battle plays out across three vertical lanes. Enemies climb floor by floor, and if they reach the top and dwindle your Pyre’s health, it’s over. Victory means planning ahead, thinking in layers, and building an army that can hold the line at every stage of the climb. The early hours feel almost gentle despite not having a successful run… you’ll deploy units, upgrade the odd one here and there, and try to piece together a working strategy. The deeper you go, the more you realise there’s room for some truly wild builds. It’s a bit like Vampire Survivors in that way: it looks straightforward on the surface, but if you understand the systems, you can bend them in all sorts of rewarding directions. My first successful run came in around the seven-hour mark. I managed to build a deck around a hero that buffed the monsters behind her, and by the final battle, they were hitting like an unrelenting force. It felt broken, but in the best possible way. Monster Train 2 doesn’t punish you for figuring out how to stack the deck, it encourages it. Part of the challenge is how far you can push the numbers, and how cleverly you can set up your defences. It’s not just one build or one strategy. Each run unlocks something new, from fresh units to entirely new factions, and after 20 hours, I was still discovering systems I hadn’t seen before. But don’t mistake this for an easy ride; the game respects careful planning and punishes reckless placement. If you’re not paying attention, the enemies will slip past you and derail your run. There is a story that unravels the more runs you do, you don’t even have to beat them, as even a failed run moves your progression forward, helping you unlock more story and additional bonuses that help shed light on your next run.

Drawn by the art

The character art in Monster Train 2 is gorgeous, hand-painted illustrations brought to life through subtle rigging and animation, almost like 3D models made from brushstrokes. Each unit feels distinct, with its own personality and presence, but there’s also a real visual conformity within each faction. It’s clear, confident art direction, and it helps you quickly read the battlefield once you get familiar with your army. I played a mix of handheld and docked, and it looks stunning either way. On the Switch OLED screen, the colours pop and the UI remains crisp. On the big screen, the visual detail really comes to life. It’s genuinely beautiful in motion. Of the factions I’ve used so far, I keep gravitating back to the starting ones. Maybe it’s comfort, maybe it’s muscle memory, but there’s something satisfying about how readable and well-designed those early units are. Still, I’m itching to try something new now that I’ve got a handle on how far you can push the systems. The overall gothic-fantasy tone features corrupted angels, twisted monsters, and glowing relics, and it all serves the atmosphere without ever feeling cluttered. Monster Train 2 is a stunning game, but not a perfectly stable one, at least on the Switch.

I did encounter one major visual glitch that almost derailed an otherwise flawless experience. For some reason, on every 5th or 6th run, the game would have artifacting that would splash mesh and polygons on the screen and make a mess of things. I had to go back to the home screen and restart the game. Thankfully, it saves on the battle you commence, so I only lost a few minutes of gameplay, but it’s the only blemish I could find in this almost flawless game.

Sound off

The soundtrack in Monster Train 2 channels heavy metal energy, with distorted guitar riffs that charge into your ears like the train you’re riding. It gave me real DOOM vibes at times, that same sense of impending battle, and it fits the dark, gothic theme perfectly. The game even tells you which track is playing on each level, which I appreciated more than I expected. There are a lot of good tracks, but the boss fights in particular hit harder, both sonically and emotionally. The music lifts the stakes without drowning out the strategy. Sound effects are more understated but still effective. There’s a satisfying metallic clang when swords hit armour, and monsters let out audible gasps when they take damage. It’s not flashy, but it does the job, and the overall mix keeps the focus on gameplay while reinforcing your actions.

For my commanders looking into accessibility options, I’m pleased to report that there are colourblind options to help with visual acuity, but aside from that, there aren’t many options. As always, I recommend further research into finding out whether Monster Train 2 suits your needs. I also found it surprisingly strange that the game doesn’t support touchscreen despite being the perfect game for it. Here’s hoping we see it added to the game in a future update.

Last stop

At $40 AUD, Monster Train 2 is fantastic value for a game that is so replayable. Just when you think you have something mastered, the game offers up a new faction or unit that mixes up your strategies. It can be relentless and unforgiving, but it can also get you to think outside the box and provided you get a few helpful cards, you can absolutely dominate your run. It will make you obsess, beckoning you late into the night for just one more run, and unravel the more you understand it. Not all runs and strategies will work out, and even when faced with defeat, it’s not a frustration but a lesson learned. It’s an enjoyable and challenging deck-building game that will have you yearning for more. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my train is about to pull away from the station.

So, What’s it Like?

Monster Train 2 is like Hearthstone crossed with Balatro.

Monster Train 2 is a What’s it Like Certified Exceptional Game.

Enjoyed our Monster Train 2 Switch Review?

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