Monstrum

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,133 reviews
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
  • story
Monstrum Game Cover
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"Monstrum is a single-player Horror Stealth game with procedurally generated levels and AI-driven monsters, ensuring a unique and challenging experience each playthrough. With a dense atmosphere, stellar soundtrack, and three distinct monsters, each with different behaviors and tactics, players must use their wits and whatever tools they can find to evade and ultimately escape their pursuer. Despite some bugs, Monstrum offers phenomenal gameplay and is highly replayable."

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

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,133 reviews
atmosphere73 positive mentions
stability19 negative mentions
  • The atmosphere is incredibly tense and immersive, making every encounter with the monsters feel genuinely frightening.
  • The game features procedurally generated maps and random item placements, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique and fresh.
  • The three different monsters each have their own unique behaviors and characteristics, adding variety and challenge to the gameplay.
  • The AI can sometimes feel unfair, as monsters may teleport or know your location without clear reasoning, leading to frustrating encounters.
  • The game lacks a save feature, meaning players must complete each run in one sitting, which can be tedious and discouraging.
  • Some players have reported bugs, such as monsters getting stuck or the character's height increasing, which can disrupt gameplay.
  • atmosphere127 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively utilizing sound design and environmental details to create a sense of dread and tension. Players appreciate the claustrophobic setting of an abandoned ship, which enhances the horror experience through its unsettling ambiance and the constant threat of lurking monsters. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, contributing significantly to the survival horror experience.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing, and giving the player 3 entirely different ways to escape the boat makes it feel so much more free.”
    • “Fantastic audio-based atmosphere that is both critical to survival and horrifying.”
    • “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.”
    • “Cramped room-and-corridor environments (which one would expect on a ship... so I'd have chosen an environment other than a ship), more of a 'theme' than an 'atmosphere' to this game (scary things are happening, but the game doesn't really convince me of it with much more than throwing monsters at me in dark places), no immersive storyline.”
    • “Anyways, if you want to piss your pants off, buy this game, the tension atmosphere is so well created that it is near to being unplayable.... I would like to have less tension in the game to explore with more freedom, but that's not possible, you are aware and tense every single second you are playing, even when you are in the safety of a room.”
  • gameplay106 mentions

    The gameplay of this horror game is characterized by its blend of simple yet effective mechanics, such as item collection and strategic evasion of monsters, which create a tense and engaging experience. While some players find the initial item-hunting tedious, the randomized elements and permadeath feature enhance replayability and maintain suspense. Overall, the game successfully combines atmospheric design with innovative gameplay, making it a standout in the horror genre despite some technical issues.

    • “The gameplay is simple and randomized, so you never get bored of stuff spawning in the same place.”
    • “The hunt for items, whilst simultaneously being hunted, is a really nice concept that adds a certain depth to the gameplay and compels the player to strategize and consciously make decisions about how to play.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “The sequel really isn't as surprising as the first one, and I wish it was going for the same gameplay and idea of the original.”
    • “And usually each time you are found by the monster it does result in death, which means a lot of the gameplay cycle in this game consists of simply finding items and staying out of sight.”
  • story94 mentions

    The story in Monstrum is minimal and largely consists of scattered notes and audio logs that provide vague backstory elements, leaving players with a basic premise of escaping a haunted ship without a compelling narrative. While some players appreciate the atmospheric horror and gameplay mechanics, many criticize the lack of a cohesive plot or character development, making it less engaging for those seeking a deeper story experience. Overall, the game prioritizes survival horror elements over narrative depth, which may appeal to some but disappoint others looking for a rich storyline.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics79 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the atmospheric visuals and decent quality, particularly for an indie title, while others criticize them as outdated or mediocre. Many players appreciate the game's ability to create tension and immersion despite its graphical limitations, noting that the visuals contribute to the overall horror experience. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good but not groundbreaking, with some performance issues reported.

    • “The graphics are incredible and the gameplay is flawless.”
    • “Such an amazing game, lighting and graphics are very nice.”
    • “The graphical design is great.”
    • “It's an old title, so it's rather clunky and the graphics aren't superb.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability57 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability due to procedurally generated levels, multiple escape routes, and unique monster AI, which keeps each playthrough fresh and engaging. While some players noted that the game can be completed relatively quickly, the randomness of item and monster spawns contributes to its overall replay value. However, a few reviews mentioned limitations in replayability after reaching 100% completion or due to a lack of content variety.

    • “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.”
    • “Because of the procedural nature of this game, 'Monstrum' has a ton of replayability and can easily be enjoyed for hours!”
    • “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.”
    • “The permadeath also killed replayability for me.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the horror experience, with a well-crafted soundtrack that intensifies the feeling of being chased and contributes to the eerie atmosphere. Reviewers note that the sound design is expertly executed, with unique musical themes for each monster that heighten tension and fear. However, some players find the music can become repetitive or annoying over time, suggesting a balance between sound effects and music volume for an optimal experience.

    • “The music and sound design are expertly done and greatly contribute to the eerie atmosphere and unsettling environment.”
    • “The music is intense and adds to the pressure of you being chased and is by far the best rogue-like horror game I have ever played.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Most of my time was spent hiding in cupboards and lockers, scared shitless waiting for the monster to leave and for the chase music to end.”
    • “Forgettable graphics, non-existent music, gameplay that might be okay for ten minutes or so... just don't waste your time.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The game is generally described as "buggy" and "unfinished," with numerous glitches affecting gameplay, particularly with AI and environmental interactions. While some players find these bugs entertaining or manageable, others feel they detract from the overall experience, leading to moments of frustration. Despite these issues, many reviewers believe the game's concept is strong enough to warrant a try, especially if future updates address the stability concerns.

    • “While it costs a fairly high amount of cash and is not completely bug-free, it is still worth a try despite some 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 overall, providing plenty of jump scares, although the Steam platform can be quite aggravating.”
    • “Super buggy, feels unfinished.”
    • “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.”
    • “Why does this game have to be more buggy than the outside world?”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding comedic value in both the absurdity of the situations and the quirky design of the monsters. Many reviews highlight moments of unexpected hilarity, such as the creatures' antics and the player's misfortunes, which often lead to laughter even amidst the game's scary elements. Overall, the blend of humor and horror creates a uniquely entertaining experience that resonates with players.

    • “I love this game; it's scary as hell and actually funny to die over and over.”
    • “After 2 minutes passed, I went back to the helipad, only to find out that all this time (almost 20 minutes of searching, hiding, and running) was spent in vain... the creature had destroyed the fuel pump and was probably laughing its ass off somewhere close.”
    • “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 sentence and happy time interrupted by the sounds of my screams as I was dragged out from under the bed like a parent preparing their child for a spanking.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews; while many players appreciate its smooth performance and immersive atmosphere, others report occasional stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly in high-stress scenarios. Despite some graphical shortcomings and performance issues on certain setups, the game is still considered enjoyable and worth playing.

    • “It perfectly gives the feel of an abandoned marine vehicle while maximizing performance.”
    • “The performance and graphics are great, and you will have a good time playing it.”
    • “Oh and by the way, the game is sick and really scary; it's well optimized, and the graphics are great.”
    • “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.”
    • “Honestly, I like to fiddle with VR, but this stuttering issue is flawed.”
    • “I have a high-end PC and I get stuttering in game (FPS) drops!”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially when hunting for items to achieve different endings. While some appreciate the randomness and challenge that can make it engaging for short sessions, many feel that the repetitive nature and lack of variety in environments lead to a monotonous experience over time. Overall, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

    • “It's not bad for a couple of playthroughs and getting one ending, but it just becomes kind of tedious after a while, and the AI for the monsters could be better.”
    • “It just becomes a tedious item hunt in my opinion.”
    • “Everything looks the same, and there is no real rhyme or reason to the locations, so it just devolves into a tedious search while getting lost a lot.”
  • emotional7 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 deeply unsettled, with some even experiencing tears due to its intense atmosphere. However, not all players feel a lasting emotional connection, indicating a mixed reception in terms of emotional engagement.

    • “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
32hAverage play time
4-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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