Monstrum

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,442 reviews
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
  • story
Monstrum Game Cover
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Monstrum is a permadeath survival horror game set on a procedurally generated cargo ship. You must evade one predator from a set of three, each with unique abilities, as you search for an escape route. Every playthrough offers a new, terrifying experience with different environments and monster strategies, ensuring that survival requires constant adaptation and quick thinking.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,442 reviews
atmosphere82 positive mentions
stability29 negative mentions
  • Monstrum offers a unique and terrifying experience with its procedurally generated levels and three different monsters, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.
  • The atmosphere and sound design are exceptional, creating a sense of dread and tension that keeps players on edge throughout the game.
  • The game successfully combines elements of stealth and strategy, requiring players to adapt their approach based on the monster they encounter.
  • The game can be frustrating due to its permadeath mechanic, as players must start over from the beginning after each death, which can lead to repetitive gameplay.
  • Some players have reported issues with monster AI, claiming that it can feel unfair or inconsistent, with monsters sometimes teleporting or knowing the player's location without clear cues.
  • The lack of a save feature can be a significant drawback, as it forces players to complete the game in one sitting, which may not be feasible for everyone.
  • atmosphere146 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of tension and dread through excellent sound design and visuals. Players appreciate the claustrophobic environments and the feeling of being hunted, which enhances the horror experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its replayability and engagement.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing, and giving the player 3 entirely different ways to escape the boat makes it feel so much more free.”
    • “The atmosphere and tension hold you in an icy grip as you explore the ship looking for ways to escape from the ship and finding items while at the same time you're trembling because you don't know where or when danger will strike.”
    • “With cold and narrow corridors of steel on a rusty ship that lacks any trace of life except yourself and the thing that is with you, Monstrum definitely managed to set quite the unsettling atmosphere for a horror game and it still holds up to this day.”
    • “The atmosphere and tension hold you in an icy grip as you explore the ship looking for ways to escape while trembling because you don't know where or when danger will strike.”
    • “The atmosphere is unsettling; the developers really made the game look like you are on an old abandoned boat.”
  • gameplay134 mentions

    The gameplay of *Monstrum* is characterized by its tense atmosphere and unique mechanics, combining elements of survival horror with roguelike features, such as permadeath and procedurally generated maps. While many players appreciate the strategic item-hunting and the thrill of evading monsters, some find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to the lack of variety and the initial learning curve. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable mechanics and intense moments, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre, despite some technical issues and a somewhat simplistic design.

    • “All in all, the gameplay was pretty fun and definitely created a tense environment.”
    • “Its distinct gameplay mechanics keep things interesting, and it's genuinely scary.”
    • “The gameplay is well-executed, and there are many nerve-wracking moments to be found within the various sections of the ship.”
    • “In nearly 8 hours of gameplay, I never found a scenario for Monstrum that felt like a 'good' situation.”
    • “The biggest downside to this game is that you will spend a lot of time looking for items early on when you are still learning the game's mechanics (monsters, escape routes, map layout). I imagine that makes a good number of players lose interest as 'key hunting' isn't really the funnest thing in horror games.”
    • “And the gameplay is really boring: you just search room after room for useful items, floor after floor, and sometimes the monster detects you, then you run away until it loses you, then you continue searching, etc.”
  • story109 mentions

    The story in this game is largely minimal and conveyed through scattered notes and audio logs, lacking significant visual storytelling or character development. Players often find the narrative to be barebones, with a simple premise of escaping a monster-infested ship, which may not satisfy those seeking a deep or engaging plot. While the atmosphere and gameplay mechanics are praised, the overall narrative experience is considered weak and underwhelming.

    • “Monstrum has a brilliant atmosphere and the roguelike mechanics and slow-burning story which you pick up through notes and tapes along the way make this game very replayable.”
    • “The collectible system within the game brings about some aspects as to what is actually going on within the ship that the game takes place and adds a nice layer of backstory to the experience.”
    • “I really enjoyed playing this game, great horror experience with beautifully made monsters and a very nice chase soundtrack; also, the story (notes) are an interesting thing.”
    • “There really isn't much of a story beyond some environmental storytelling and a collection of notes and audio logs you can find throughout the ship that provide some vague context for what is going on, and it feels pretty barebones.”
    • “The story is as simple as: you're on a ship with a monster, escape.”
    • “The story you discover is weak and doesn't motivate you to keep playing like the story in a game should.”
  • graphics105 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric design and creature models, particularly for an indie title, while others note that the visuals can feel dated or lack polish. Some players appreciate the game's ability to create tension through its aesthetic, despite occasional graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good enough to enhance the horror experience, though they may not meet the standards of higher-budget titles.

    • “The graphics are incredible and the gameplay is flawless.”
    • “The graphics are very good, especially when considering that behind all this sits a small indie studio.”
    • “Great atmosphere, good graphics, but most important: it's really scary!”
    • “The visuals are bad: grungy low-res textures, bland lighting and colors, a first-person view of your hand that looks like you may be a monster too.”
    • “The graphics are pretty bad and the controls are really bad.”
    • “Graphically, it isn't the prettiest game, and I do notice performance issues from time to time, especially when there is a monster close by.”
  • replayability76 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its procedurally generated levels, multiple monster types, and various escape routes, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique and unpredictable. While many players appreciate the randomness and challenge it offers, some note that after several runs, the content may feel limited, potentially reducing long-term engagement. Overall, it is regarded as a solid choice for those seeking a horror game with significant replay value.

    • “It has the perfect mix of scary horror and fun action, and has very high replayability - with three different monsters, three different escape routes, and randomly generated room & item layouts.”
    • “Monstrum elevates itself above the rest by using procedurally generated levels and three different monsters with their own AI systems and special abilities, which makes the game replayable and less frustrating than other horror games I have played.”
    • “The randomness of this game makes it so replayable.”
    • “Furthermore, the game doesn't have much replayability once you've seen it all and beat it all.”
    • “Not much replayability (at all), and one playthrough is pretty short.”
    • “I don't really care if they just 'spawn near you' since that's exactly what Amnesia: The Dark Descent did, my problem is that for a game that is supposed to be replayable... you can't really do much other than run and hide.”
  • music64 mentions

    The music in the game is a standout feature, with a well-crafted soundtrack that enhances the horror atmosphere and intensifies the player's sense of danger during chases. While some players find the volume overwhelming at times, many appreciate the unique soundscapes associated with each monster, contributing to an immersive experience. Overall, the combination of music and sound design is praised for its ability to evoke fear and tension, making it a key element of the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is also excellent; the chase music for the hunter is probably the most gut-wrenching music I've ever heard in a horror game.”
    • “The music and sound design are also expertly done and greatly contribute to the eerie atmosphere and unsettling environment.”
    • “Great sound and music design, the music for when a monster is chasing you really makes you feel like you're in danger and the ambient sounds help set the atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “Not only do they have the least counterplay and the least fun player engagement, they are so insanely loud I found myself muting the game eventually during their music and kill animations.”
    • “The game's soundtrack helps make you feel scared and panicked but sometimes it just gets so annoying when seen by the monsters that you aren't terrified anymore and just angry.”
    • “Yes, the music made me panic and led to my death.”
  • stability32 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, such as unreliable audio, problematic interactions with doors, and erratic monster behavior. While some players find these issues entertaining or manageable, others describe the experience as feeling unfinished and frustrating, particularly on newer hardware. Overall, the game is seen as needing significant improvements in stability to enhance the overall experience.

    • “While it costs a fairly high amount of cash and is not completely bug-free, the game is still worth a try despite experiencing poor performance in a few situations.”
    • “After the game leaves early access bug-free, it may be rated as high as 9/10.”
    • “The game runs great, providing plenty of jump scares, although the Steam platform can be quite aggravating.”
    • “Super buggy, feels unfinished.”
    • “Still holds up, wish it had another monster and is a bit buggy but that's part of the ride.”
    • “In its current state it's obviously very buggy and full of errors but I'll be damned if the concept isn't really appealing.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding the combination of scary moments and absurd situations—like monsters getting stuck or the game's quirky design—hilarious. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter even in the face of horror, making it a unique experience that blends fear with comedic elements. Overall, players appreciate the lighthearted take on the monster genre, often leading to memorable and funny gameplay moments.

    • “Funny RNG-based monster stealth shenanigans.”
    • “I love this game; it's scary as hell and actually funny to die over and over.”
    • “The number of times I snickered as the beast slowly crept by my locker door or paced by the bed I was cowering under, still chuckling once I assumed I had achieved victory, only to have my happy time interrupted by the sounds of my screams as I am dragged out from under the bed like a parent preparing their child for a spanking.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed feedback. While some players appreciate its performance and smooth gameplay, particularly for a low-budget title, others report issues like stuttering and frame rate drops, especially in demanding scenarios. Despite these concerns, many still find the game enjoyable and well-optimized for its age.

    • “Good game and well optimized for an old game.”
    • “It perfectly gives the feel of an abandoned marine vehicle while maximizing performance.”
    • “Oh and by the way, the game is sick and really scary; it's well optimized, and the graphics are great.”
    • “However, regardless of PC specs, there's a slight stuttering.”
    • “Graphically, it isn't the prettiest game, and I do notice performance issues from time to time (I'm running an i5 4690k with a GTX 760, Evo840 SSD), especially when there is a monster close by.”
    • “I have a high-end PC and I get stuttering in game (FPS) drops!”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to item hunting and achieving all endings. While some enjoy the randomness and challenge, many feel that the lack of variety in locations and monster AI contributes to a monotonous experience over time. Overall, the game can be engaging initially, but it often devolves into a boring grind as players become familiar with patterns and mechanics.

    • “Everything looks the same and there is no real rhyme or reason to locations that I explored, so it just devolves into a tedious search while getting lost a lot.”
    • “It becomes a very tedious, boring item hunting game where monsters are annoying.”
    • “But the biggest flaw is, after some plays, you catch on to the monsters’ patterns and it becomes tedious.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, highlighting its ability to evoke fear and sadness through mechanics like permadeath and effective jump scares. Many express that the game has left them feeling scared and emotionally affected, with some even mentioning tears and sleepless nights as a result of their experiences. Overall, it successfully creates a deep emotional connection, particularly in the horror genre.

    • “Really, this game, with so few hours played and having won only one game, has made me feel so many things that it is without a doubt in my top favorite games.”
    • “Very unique horror game that uses a scary mechanic called permadeath, which means if you die, you have to start all over again. This can be heartbreaking, but it keeps the game scary and makes you feel like you are really on the ship with only one chance to escape with your life.”
    • “I think I can't sleep tonight; this game also made me cry.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is highlighted by striking and memorable design, which continues to engage players long after the initial excitement has faded. The chilling aesthetics of the characters, particularly in close-up views, contribute significantly to the overall appeal and lasting impact of the game.

    • “Even so, the character design alone keeps me coming back to this years later after the hype died down.”
    • “Not only that, but the character design for these creatures is truly bone-chilling, especially upon close-up viewing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

30% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
4-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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