Boss Monster

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 308 reviews
  • gameplay
  • stability
  • graphics
Boss Monster Game Cover
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Boss Monster is a retro-style card game where you build your own dungeon and lure heroes to their doom. The goal is to be the first player to collect a set number of souls while avoiding being defeated by the heroes' attacks. With simple rules and strategic depth, Boss Monster offers a fun and engaging experience for fans of classic video games and tabletop gaming.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 308 reviews
gameplay13 positive mentions
stability38 negative mentions
  • Faithful adaptation of the physical card game with great retro graphics and sound.
  • Fun gameplay that allows for strategic planning and interaction with friends online.
  • Good for both casual and competitive play, making it accessible for new players.
  • Clunky user interface that can be unintuitive and frustrating to navigate.
  • Frequent bugs and crashes that disrupt gameplay, especially in multiplayer mode.
  • Slow pacing due to unnecessary animations and a lack of options to speed up turns.
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its mechanics and faithful adaptation from the tabletop version, while others criticize its slow pace, lack of clarity in rules, and buggy user interface. Many users noted that the game can be fun and engaging once the mechanics are understood, but the learning curve and interface issues can hinder the overall experience. Overall, while the core gameplay is solid and offers replay value, significant improvements in clarity and speed are needed for a more enjoyable experience.

    • “Boss Monster is very fun once you understand the gameplay and mechanics.”
    • “The PC version of Boss Monster authentically captures all gameplay available in the tabletop version while also taking advantage of the digital format to enhance your play experience.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and challenging and has a small learning curve, unlike some other card games.”
    • “The game falters around clarity of mechanics (e.g. where and when abilities can be played).”
    • “I picked it up on Steam sale, and the long, drawn-out, irritatingly slow gameplay is definitely hindering a potentially good game.”
    • “The only significant downside from this electronic version right now is the very obstinate UI and lack of proper tutorial/rulebook/tooltips/whatever that actually teach you the mechanics of the game.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players describe it as "buggy as hell," with issues ranging from freezing screens to faulty game mechanics, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. While some acknowledge the game's potential, the overwhelming sentiment is that it requires substantial fixes and updates to become a viable option for players.

    • “Hella buggy and many faulty card interactions.”
    • “Every time I start a game, it either goes to a black screen with music in the background or, when I actually get to the title menu, it freezes completely.”
    • “The interface and software of this game is horrible; it's glitchy and bad with random bugs, crashes, and glitches at every turn.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a nostalgic homage to 8-bit aesthetics, effectively blending retro visuals with modern high-resolution elements. While many users appreciate the charming artwork and animations, some report significant issues such as crashes and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the retro style is well-received, but the lack of polish and functionality leaves room for improvement.

    • “The artwork is a beautiful tribute to bygone 8-bit games combined with modern high resolutions and a mouse-driven user interface.”
    • “Graphically and audio-wise, this game does what it sets out to very well with 8-bit style graphics and audio.”
    • “The graphics remain true to the 8-bit design of the original cards - I'm happy to see they kept the retro look.”
    • “I can't get through one game without a crash or a freeze or a graphical glitch that makes the game unplayable.”
    • “With the functionality and polish the game provides, it wouldn't in any way be worth buying: no deck management, no control on where you set your rooms, graphics could have been a lot better even for a 2D card game, like I said, controls are awful.”
    • “No graphics options.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its fun chiptune style and retro-inspired sound effects. However, some players find it repetitive and grating over time, particularly due to the limited variety, with several noting that there is only one track throughout the game. Overall, while the music complements the graphics and gameplay, its lack of diversity can detract from the experience.

    • “Top-notch music and retro-inspired sound effects.”
    • “First off let me say the graphics and music are amazing.”
    • “Good game mechanics, good art, good music, and the idea behind the game, wherein you play as the level boss instead of the player character hero is an interesting hook in itself.”
    • “Every time I start a game, it either goes to a black screen with music in the background or, when I actually get to the title menu, it freezes completely.”
    • “The multiplayer lobby is always empty, controls are slow and awkward, there is only one song for the entire game, that becomes irritating really fast.”
    • “Boss monster delivers old-school 8-bit graphics and a NES-like soundtrack that tends to get annoying after a while.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players noting its tongue-in-cheek style and funny descriptions of characters and cards that enhance the overall experience. The adaptation from the card version retains and even amplifies the comedic elements, contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere reminiscent of classic 8 and 16-bit games. Players appreciate the blend of retro graphics and humor, which adds to the enjoyment of gameplay.

    • “On the plus side, I have the card-based version of Boss Monster, and the PC version seems like a fun adaptation, maintaining and even amplifying the sense of humor displayed by the card version.”
    • “What I do see in it: smooth, bug-free gameplay; tongue-in-cheek humor; well-crafted soundtrack; a faithful and user-friendly adaptation of the tabletop version.”
    • “The virtual cards look great and have funny descriptions; the same goes for heroes and our beloved villains.”
  • story6 mentions

    The game's story is notably lacking, with players highlighting that it feels more suited for multiplayer experiences due to its minimal narrative content. This absence of a compelling story leads to reduced replayability in solo play, as there are no engaging plot elements to draw players back in. Overall, the game is criticized for its insufficient storytelling, leaving players wanting more depth and context.

    • “Story time...”
    • “Playing solo is fun indeed, but the lack of story condemns the game to be best enjoyed in multiplayer.”
    • “The solo game lacks a bit of replayability since there is no story content.”
    • “There isn't a real 'story' to the game.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, replayability varies significantly among users; while some appreciate the ever-changing dungeons and strategic depth that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find it limited due to low card variety and a lack of engaging solo content. Additionally, technical issues may hinder the experience, affecting the overall enjoyment of replaying the game.

    • “Replayability is high because your dungeon is always changing!”
    • “Don't be fooled by its somewhat simple appearance; there is a lot of strategic depth and replayability.”
    • “The low card variety makes replayability low as you see the same cards over and over again very quickly.”
    • “Less than 50% of games are playable to completion without encountering bugs.”
    • “The solo game lacks a bit of replayability since there is no story content.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant performance issues, including frequent crashes and poor optimization, particularly for more than two players. Many negative reviews highlight these problems, especially during its early access phase. Overall, the optimization is widely regarded as inadequate.

    • “Its optimized for 2 players only.”
    • “The game has performance issues leading to multiple crashes.”
    • “This game is about as optimized as a K-Mart toaster that's missing 3 screws.”
    • “It seems most of the negative reviews have to do with performance issues while it was in early access.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Users express a mix of excitement and disappointment regarding the emotional aspect of the game. While they appreciate its value as a multiplayer and cross-platform tabletop card game, they feel let down by the lack of dedicated development for the Steam version, which affects the overall experience.

  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the digital version is criticized for being exploitative, characterized by numerous bugs and an overwhelming presence of microtransactions, leading users to perceive it as a cash grab.

    • “The digital version is full of bugs that they won't fix and is nothing but a cash grab full of microtransactions.”
    • “The game feels like it's designed solely to extract money from players, with constant prompts to purchase in-game currency.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with users highlighting its immersive and engaging qualities.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
    • “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is rich and layered, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players have noted that while the game starts off well, the user interface is lacking, and the animations of heroes navigating dungeons can significantly slow down gameplay, leading to a frustrating grinding experience.

    • “The third time our game started off fine; the UI isn't great, but we were having a normal game. However, the animations of heroes moving through our dungeons brought the game to a grinding halt.”
    • “Grinding feels like an endless chore, making the game more of a tedious task than an enjoyable experience.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding in this game quickly becomes exhausting, turning what could be an exciting adventure into a monotonous slog.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

31hMedian play time
22hAverage play time
5-39hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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