Monster Slayers

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 875 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Monster Slayers Game Cover
Monster Slayers is an addictive mix of deck building and dungeon crawling that will keep you coming back for another crack at the Harbinger.
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"Monster Slayers" is a rogue-like deck-building RPG where players create heroes to join the Monster Slayers Guild and embark on a quest to defeat the Harbinger. The game features a card-based combat system, with players strategically shaping their deck by acquiring new cards from various sources. Collect fame from each run to unlock new abilities for future heroes, as you battle undead goblins, lion outlaws, and other monstrous foes in the Northern Valley.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 875 reviews
gameplay54 positive mentions
grinding61 negative mentions
  • Engaging deck-building mechanics with a variety of classes that offer different playstyles.
  • Solid sense of progression through permanent upgrades and unlocks that enhance future runs.
  • Fast-paced gameplay that encourages quick decision-making and strategic planning.
  • Difficulty spikes can be jarring, especially when transitioning from the first to the second dungeon.
  • Some classes feel significantly stronger than others, leading to balance issues.
  • The game can become repetitive after several runs, with limited card variety and predictable enemy patterns.
  • gameplay173 mentions

    The gameplay of this roguelike deck-building game is characterized by its fast-paced and addictive mechanics, offering a variety of classes and strategies that keep players engaged for hours. However, many reviewers noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and simplistic over time, lacking the depth and complexity found in more established titles in the genre. While the card mechanics are generally enjoyable, some players expressed frustration with the limitations on deck customization and the reliance on RNG, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is fluid, quick, and addicting, so I recommend this game.”
    • “With the addition of loot and that 'just one more run' gameplay loop, Monster Slayers is a rad roguelike with great replay value.”
    • “It's fun trying out the different heroes with their unique decks; it adds a good amount of variety and strategy to the gameplay.”
    • “However, as I progressed through more runs, the gameplay started to feel like I was repeating the same formula, and the excitement began to fade.”
    • “The gameplay is boring, repetitive, and involves the player very little.”
    • “However, many suboptimal game design choices do exist, which can potentially hamper your gameplay experience.”
  • graphics94 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming, cartoonish art style and vibrant visuals, while others criticize it as amateurish or reminiscent of old flash games. Many users note that the graphics are not the game's strong point, describing them as simplistic or lacking polish, yet some find them endearing and fitting for the casual gameplay. Overall, the visuals are seen as adequate for the genre, but improvements are desired by a significant portion of the player base.

    • “The game's cartoonish art style adds charm, making even the monsters endearing.”
    • “The graphics are appealing, the music is phenomenal, and the fast-paced card combat feels smooth as butter.”
    • “It's really addicting, very good graphics for this type of game and if you liked other deckbuilding games like Slay the Spire, you'll pretty surely enjoy this one.”
    • “The graphics are kindergarten level.”
    • “For me, the key problem with this game was the really ugly graphics.”
    • “Zoomer tier, almost cartoony, almost pixel, they're bad graphics but it's almost like the devs couldn't decide what kind of bad graphics they want, just that they're bad.”
  • grinding61 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unbalanced, often leading to a sense of demotivation. While some appreciate the long-term progression and replay value it offers, others criticize the excessive time required to unlock upgrades and the lack of diversity in gameplay, making the experience feel monotonous. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The problem is it took hours of grinding to get there, which is not fun.”
    • “If you want to unlock all of the upgrades so that the classes are as fully differentiated as they'll get, expect 100+ hours of grinding out wins before you get there.”
    • “The real problem comes down to the grinding nature of the game.”
  • replayability48 mentions

    Overall, "Monster Slayers" is praised for its significant replayability, driven by a variety of character classes, unlockable content, and engaging mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players note that the game may feel limited in replay value after mastering certain strategies, many appreciate the addictive nature and quick gameplay that allows for easy pick-up-and-play sessions. Despite some balance issues, the game's depth and variety contribute to a satisfying roguelike experience.

    • “The replayability is high for such a small game (and fun).”
    • “It has lots of interesting mechanics and replayability is significant due to the multiple archetypes.”
    • “With the addition of loot and that 'just one more run' gameplay loop, Monster Slayers is a rad roguelike with great replay value.”
    • “Even if you are buying at a steep discount, be aware you will be buying a game with little replay value and it mostly is the type of game you are just killing time with when you don't want anything that takes a lot of thought.”
    • “Monster Slayers gives the vibe of a one-time use product, with nothing much worth replaying.”
    • “The replayability is there for sure, but I wouldn't expect most folks to really stick with it considering most of the classes don't seem too balanced and I don't see the developers changing this too much going forward.”
  • story45 mentions

    The story in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels almost non-existent and serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay. Players express disappointment that the narrative elements do not significantly enhance the experience, often comparing it unfavorably to its inspiration, Dream Quest, which is perceived to have a more engaging story. Overall, the game is seen as focused more on mechanics than on delivering a compelling narrative.

    • “In Monster Slayers, you play a hero on a quest to defeat three powerful monsters in order to join the legendary monster slayers.”
    • “There isn’t a story, so to speak, but an end goal: defeat two legendary monsters (depending on which areas you choose) and then a third—the Harbinger—to prove yourself a true monster slayer.”
    • “The dev's other game, Reverse Crawl, had a light-hearted but compelling story.”
    • “The soundtrack is a little repetitive at times, and the story is almost non-existent; some annoying bugs still exist to this day as well.”
    • “There isn’t a story, so to speak, but an end goal: defeat 2 legendary monsters (depending on which areas you choose) and then a 3rd—the harbinger—to prove yourself a true monster slayer.”
    • “Also a really fun game, although I was disappointed that it essentially has no story.”
  • music42 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of variety, leading some to prefer muting it altogether. While a few appreciate the soundtrack as fitting and enjoyable, others find it generic and annoying, particularly during gameplay. Overall, the music is described as decent but ultimately forgettable, with some players opting to listen to their own music instead.

    • “The graphics may not be full HD, but the artwork, soundtrack, sound effects, and voiceovers are brilliant.”
    • “Overall, the game is very well designed, smooth, has good soundtracks, has quite a bit of depth, and is fun to play if you have the patience to keep dying to the final boss.”
    • “Many classes available, nice artwork, awesome music... and highly addictive!”
    • “The soundtrack is a little repetitive at times, and the story is almost non-existent; some annoying bugs still exist to this day as well.”
    • “The music is so repetitive that the best setting to enjoy it on is mute; some levels are better than others, but if you get into one of the more basic levels, it's going to be the same beat repeated over and over again.”
    • “The music had low sound quality and was a very short and somewhat annoying loop.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, an unreliable save system, and various glitches, particularly in the card viewing feature. Overall, the game is described as unpolished and imbalanced, leading to a negative reception regarding its stability.

    • “The save system is buggy (kind of random when it gets saved).”
    • “For instance, viewing your card list either via menu or the merchant sometimes can be buggy.”
    • “Buggy, unpolished, imbalanced, and kind of mindless.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its fast-paced action and witty dialogue, with players enjoying the quirky and amusing interactions, such as humorous bugs and unexpected gameplay decisions. The lighthearted tone is complemented by a simple yet engaging design, making it an addictive experience that balances fun with challenge. Overall, the game's charm lies in its ability to deliver a funny and entertaining atmosphere, appealing to fans of casual and deck-building games.

    • “Fast paced action, funny dialogue, and sublime graphics. 10/10 will play more.”
    • “With Guild of Dungeoneering, your deck often turns out strange and funny.”
    • “Really funny game, I like Nerdook's games since Kongregate.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Users have noted that optimization varies significantly across devices, with some experiencing performance issues, particularly on older hardware. The game's roguelite system may also contribute to a sense of grinding, which can affect overall enjoyment.

    • “This leads to optimization and dealing with counters.”
    • “Main negatives are probably the other side of the roguelite system - grinding if you wish to - and my personal issues because of weird optimization for some devices (like my old notebook).”
    • “The main negatives are probably the other side of the roguelite system - grinding if you wish to - and my personal issues due to the weird optimization for some devices, like my old notebook.”
    • “Performance issues are a significant concern.”
    • “This leads to challenges in optimization and dealing with counters.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its limited customization options, which detracts from the overall experience. While the art quality is appreciated, particularly for backgrounds and creature designs, the lack of creativity in character design leaves players wanting more. However, the designs of both protagonists and antagonists are generally well-received.

    • “I enjoy the character designs for both the protagonists and antagonists.”
    • “One of the big things I think that needs to be fixed in this game is customization; you have very few options for your character design-wise, almost to a point where I don't understand why it's even an option.”
    • “Overall, the art is pretty good for the background and items, and okay for character designs for the bosses and creatures themselves. You're not going to get anything really out of the norm of creativity (here's a wolf, spiders, traps, dragons, etc.).”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for being free-to-play without the typical negative elements, as it lacks microtransactions, creating a more enjoyable experience without the pressure to spend money.

    • “Feels sort of like a compulsive free-to-play game with all the scumminess taken out, since there are no microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It seems like the game is designed to encourage constant spending, making it hard to progress without shelling out cash.”
    • “The lack of balance in the monetization system makes it frustrating for players who don't want to spend extra money.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the emotional experience in the game is tied to the tension of waiting for the right combination of luck and events to create a successful strategy, highlighting a sense of anticipation and investment in the gameplay.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is often compared to "Dreamquest," suggesting a whimsical or surreal quality, but it lacks the deep narrative and intense ambiance found in "Darkest Dungeon." Overall, players feel the atmosphere is lighter and less immersive than more story-driven titles.

    • “Like someone said, it's a lot like Dreamquest, but not too much like Darkest Dungeon; there's no real story or heavy atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth that would draw players into the game world.”
    • “I expected a rich, immersive environment, but instead, it feels empty and lifeless.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Monster Slayers

Play time

15hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
4-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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