Monster Slayers is a cute Rogue-like card battling RPG out now on Nintendo Switch. In this game, players are tasked with running through procedurally generated dungeons with a character of their making. As they continue to play the game will give them rewards for their consecutive playthroughs.
Players will begin the game by choosing a class for their character. These classes include normal ones like Wizard or Swordsman but players can also be a Dragon. Each of the classes has a different skill that might give the player an edge. It is certainly interesting that players can jump into the game and play as a dragon that is for sure.
The class system also revolves around the deck building system which is a marvelous thing. The first playthrough really will guide how the rest of the game is played. Each hero class definitely has its own vibe and they can be customized rather nicely. It’s great to start over and see how each class plays as they do all play slightly differently. Though of course, personally I couldn’t help but jump into the role of a dragon right out the gate!
Players will roam a map and choose a destination. They will then be thrust into a dungeon that is chosen at random by the game itself. Players will never know what they will find within the dungeon. It is up to the player to craft a deck that will handle everything.
Enemies within the dungeon can suddenly be strong enough to take the player out in a mere moment. Players will never know what they will find until they jump in. There is something eerie about jumping into a dungeon, beating the first few enemies and then finding that one enemy will end it all. As this game is a Rogue-like player’s will certainly need to be ready to start over every time they enter a battle.
Players will also gain new companions while playing the game. Players will have the option of two different random companions every time they enter a dungeon. These two companions will have different abilities which can change the game. Though it is possible to choose neither. There are also monks, captains, and merchants hidden in the dungeons who can offer aid to the adventurer. It’s great to find them because they are one safe space in the vicious dungeons the characters are forced to travel through.
Deck building is the most important part of the game. Building the optimal deck will ensure that players will succeed. Players are given a handful of cards in the beginning and by winning and leveling up will gain more. It is good to take stock of the cards on hand and players can also use a mulligan if they don’t like the starting hand for any battle.
Players will find cards as often as the randomizer will allow. It is possible to find cards at any moment it is often just luck. There are about seventeen pages of cards to find and filling up the card-dex is probably the biggest achievement in the game aside from taking down the dark lord. It really is fun putting together a deck of cards and watching the character wipe the floor with everyone they come into contact with.
The game itself is also a little tricky as players will run from room to room, selecting the next one as they complete each room. Some of the rooms won’t house any enemies and instead will gift the player different things. Players may find altars, or training partners, or even magic campfires where they can pull up to 12 cards. It is truly random and that is what makes the unknown so terrifying.
There are often enemies of higher levels living in rooms as players clear the dungeon. These enemies can be totally unforgiving, even with the best deck players can and most likely will lose. It is troubling, to say the least, that when players have mostly cleared a dungeon they come across a foe three levels higher than them.
This game also weirdly has voice acting, albeit just a little. When players either win or lose a somewhat cool voice will announce that fact. It is an odd touch but for such a weird game it makes sense that they would want to voice those lines. At first, it was shocking but the longer that I played the game the more I grew accustomed to it.
Monster Slayer is an interesting deckbuilding roguelike which will test the mettle of the player. With so many classes to choose from and endless random dungeons to explore there is much to see and do. Players who take the time to build the best deck will certainly be cut above the rest, but be wary as the game will throw curveballs. If the player has any interest in a rogue-like card battler, this might just be the one for them. Pick a class, jump into a dungeon, and try your luck, the player might make it out alive.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided