Monolithic Christmas Night

About

"Monolithic Christmas Night" is a fangame of Five Nights at Freddy's and Star of Providence, with a unique twist of typing on a Writing Module to complete nights. The game features 5 nights with cutscenes and bullet-hell boss fights, as well as custom night mode and other gamemodes. Players must type quickly to survive as a gang of 12 crooks attempts to get them. Controls are available for both mouse and keyboard.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,642 reviews

music202 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

Monolith is a fantastic blend of bullet hell and roguelite mechanics, offering a fast-paced and engaging gameplay experience.
The game features tight controls, a charming retro aesthetic, and an excellent chiptune soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
With a variety of weapons, upgrades, and unique boss fights, each run feels fresh and rewarding, making it highly replayable.

Some players may find the game too easy, especially in the early stages, leading to a lack of challenge until the later bosses.
The weapon system can feel limiting as players can only hold one weapon at a time, which may lead to frustration if they run out of ammo.
Visual confusion can occur during intense bullet hell moments, making it difficult to track the player's ship amidst the chaos.

music
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating chiptune soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players have noted its nostalgic quality, likening it to classic titles, and praised its ability to complement the game's visuals and mechanics seamlessly. While some minor criticisms exist regarding specific tracks, the overwhelming consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and replayability.
- “The music, visuals, and setting are all incredible, but choosing the roguelite genre was a mistake.”
- “The soundtrack cleverly reprises earlier songs and flows with the action and plot developments seamlessly.”
- “The music is breathtaking, and the art style is spot-on, making the gameplay experience truly enjoyable.”
- “The soundtrack on the first level is stupid and breaks the immersion.”
- “If I had to point out negatives, the biggest obvious one is the music: Monolith's OST is serviceable most of the time and mediocre the rest of the time.”
- “It has one seemingly minor problem that completely ruins the experience though, and that is the fact that the pause music is extremely loud.”
gameplay
318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
2%
The gameplay of this title is widely praised for its engaging blend of bullet hell mechanics and roguelite elements, offering a fast-paced, skill-based experience that rewards mastery and strategic decision-making. Players appreciate the tight controls, varied weapon systems, and challenging boss encounters, which contribute to a satisfying gameplay loop that remains fresh and addictive over extended play sessions. While some technical issues and a few unbalanced mechanics were noted, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a polished and enjoyable experience, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.
- “The gameplay is smooth, and the art style really scratches that retro itch.”
- “Fantastic gameplay, music, and graphics combine into a mood that grabbed me like few games do.”
- “Monolith is an excellent shmup-roguelite hybrid that provides the best of both worlds: it has the replayability you'd expect from a roguelite with a huge variety of different randomly generated weapons, randomized floors, a good number of unlockables, and secrets, but retains the tight control, great level & bullet pattern design, skill-based gameplay and game feel you'd want from a shoot'em up.”
- “The bosses and some bits showcase exceptional shmup bullet patterns and shmup gameplay, but unfortunately the roguelite elements do much to undermine what could've been an incredible shmup if the devs focused on making a tight, focused campaign and ditched the roguelite aspect.”
- “As such, the game lacks any real gameplay hooks to keep you engaged.”
- “Some classic bullet hell influences here, which I don't really love - lots of fairly chaotic patterns, big bullets, tiny player hitbox (and dashes without i-frames fry my muscle memory) - and relatively shallow roguelite mechanics - there's not a ton of meaningful choices that change the way you play mid-run.”
graphics
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming retro pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia while maintaining clarity and detail. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals with a captivating chiptune soundtrack, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay. While some find the aesthetic slightly dull, the overall consensus is that the graphics effectively complement the game's challenging mechanics and engaging design.
- “The graphics are charming, the music is subtle but so good at setting the mood, and the gameplay is amazingly deep.”
- “The aesthetic as a whole is quite pleasing, as the pixel graphics are done beautifully and the mood is set where while you're traversing through the game, you're exploring anxiously, never knowing what you might find, and always biting to know what's next.”
- “Monolith is a masterfully crafted rogue-lite with beautiful retro visuals, perfectly fitting audio and immense depth.”
- “The graphics style is very simple and retro; I absolutely love retro and pixel games, but this game's style is just a tad too dull.”
- “While the graphics are solid, they don't have the charm of Isaac or Gungeon either.”
- “The graphics are kinda meh though.”
story
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
4%
The game's story is described as simple yet charming, often conveyed through character interactions, bestiary entries, and environmental storytelling, which keeps players engaged despite its vagueness. While some players find the narrative intriguing and immersive, others note that it can be confusing and sparse, with much of the lore hidden within gameplay rather than explicitly presented. Overall, the combination of a captivating soundtrack, retro visuals, and quirky characters enhances the storytelling experience, making it enjoyable even for those who typically overlook narrative elements in games.
- “The story/lore is mostly told through short bestiary entries, which are filled with as many funny tongue-in-cheek quips as nods to the apocalypse and cosmic horrors living in the depths.”
- “While this game has not much for show story-wise, it still has a subtle yet intriguing tale and there are charming characters in the hub to inform you of it.”
- “The story also deserves special recognition for telling a fairly deep tale just through environments and gameplay decisions.”
- “I’m sure there is a story somewhere, but I gave up after the spaceship trapped in a cave was destroyed by a giant eye before taking a floating square from a giant glass tube.”
- “Apart from the intro, the story is presented in a vague and sparse manner which always had me wondering what was really going on (in between the white-knuckle combat).”
- “The story is very confusing, and you won't understand much of it unless you beat the game with all the characters, but the game is good as heck.”
replayability
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
33%
5%
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its engaging game design, numerous unlockables, and varied gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the combination of rogue-like elements and arcade-style action, which keeps each run fresh and challenging. While some comparisons to other highly replayable titles exist, many reviewers highlight the unique content and satisfying gameplay that contribute to its enduring appeal.
- “Also the fact that it combines rogue-like elements creates for a very replayable experience; this game has a lot to offer with its content.”
- “The weapon combinations, unlockable upgrades, game modes, bosses, and secrets keep the game fresh and the replay value at an all-time high.”
- “Monolith is an excellent shmup-roguelite hybrid that provides the best of both worlds: it has the replayability you'd expect from a roguelite with a huge variety of different randomly generated weapons, randomized floors, a good number of unlockables, and secrets, but retains the tight control, great level & bullet pattern design, skill-based gameplay, and game feel you'd want from a shoot'em up.”
- “It may not have the endless replayability of some other roguelites, but it's one of the most robust and tightly designed games I've ever played even outside of the genre.”
- “A lovely little roguelite, although it doesn't have nearly as much content and replayability as Isaac or Gungeon.”
- “This does not have the longevity of that game, nor the sheer variety and replay value, but this game is incredibly tightly produced; controls are perfect.”
atmosphere
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
22%
11%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by captivating pixel art, engaging NPC dialogue, and a standout soundtrack that shifts from upbeat to eerie as players progress. Reviewers note the blend of fun and mystery, with a unique ability to evoke both lightheartedness and tension, making it immersive and compelling. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a rich tapestry that complements its challenging gameplay, drawing comparisons to classics like Cave Story and Shovel Knight.
- “An atmosphere that seems nostalgic and fun but has a layer of mystery and intrigue hidden beneath.”
- “Unceasingly fun, easy to get into but hard to master, and a captivating and charming atmosphere.”
- “The wonderful soundtrack by arcofdream aids this sinister but cute atmosphere, wherein happy, bouncy chiptunes give way to progressively more melancholic and spooky songs as you progress deeper into the facility's depths, becoming outright unsettling at the very lowest floor.”
- “Incredibly catchy and moody music with a dark and gloomy atmosphere that reminds me of H.R.”
- “A very fun game with a good pixel visual style and satisfying, tight controls, as well as a surprisingly eerie atmosphere at times.”
grinding
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
Reviews highlight a mixed sentiment towards grinding in various games, particularly roguelikes. While some players find the grinding tedious and feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, others appreciate the balance between challenge and skill development without excessive grinding. Overall, the consensus suggests that while some games require significant grinding for unlocks, others successfully prioritize engaging gameplay over repetitive tasks.
- “No grinding is a bonus, just pure action and fun from the get-go.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The number one problem with Monolith is that it gets monotonous with all of the grinding the game forces on you.”
- “The actual game is really short, like 30 minutes long, but all of the 'length' is just because of all the grinding you have to do.”
- “The core gameplay and presentation are fine, but the grinding problem overshadows the good in the game.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, featuring a blend of funny dialogue, quirky characters, and tongue-in-cheek quips that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the comedic elements woven into the lore and interactions, particularly with a humorous cat character and darkly funny shopkeeper, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere amidst the challenging gameplay. Overall, the game's charm and humor are highlighted as key reasons for its appeal, making it a fun and engaging experience.
- “Very difficult bullet-hell roguelike with funny dialogue and seriously interesting lore.”
- “The story/lore is mostly told through short bestiary entries, which are filled with as many funny tongue-in-cheek quips as nods to the apocalypse and cosmic horrors living in the depths.”
- “This is one of the better roguelites I've played, and it even has a good sense of dark humor in the interactions with the main shopkeeper and other sorts who show up in your den from time to time.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game delivers intense emotional experiences, featuring both exhilarating losses and poignant victories that resonate deeply. The combination of a powerful soundtrack, authentic retro design, and unique boss encounters enhances the emotional impact, promising significant revelations and gut-wrenching moments throughout the gameplay.
- “I have only played this game a few hours and have already had some of the most electric and satisfying losses and heart-wrenching victories.”
- “I don't want to talk about this element too much, but suffice to say, there are plenty of revelations to come after this point, including some serious emotional gut-punches.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, the retro design is honest and heartfelt, and the upgrade/weapon/shop system is near perfect.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some encounter frequent freezes and bugs, particularly on Ubuntu 16, others find the controls responsive and experience no significant technical issues.
- “The only complaint I have is that it constantly freezes on my Ubuntu 16.”
- “It's a bit buggy; I had to do some troubleshooting to get it to launch without a black screen.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features an adorable pixel-art visual style complemented by high-quality graphics, and users report that the Windows version runs smoothly without any crashes, indicating strong optimization.
- “Adorable pixel-art visual style, with high-quality graphics and performance.”
- “Indeed, the Windows version runs smoothly without crashing!”