Discover the Childhood Nostalgia-Driven Game That Combines Toy Trucks and Epic Construction!
RoadCraft (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, £34.99)
Verdict: Hard work pays off
Monster Train 2 (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, £20.99)
Verdict: All decked out
Have you ever encountered a game that evokes the nostalgia of playing with your toy vehicles as a child quite like RoadCraft does? I’m hard-pressed to think of one.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: “Now, let me clarify that RoadCraft isn’t designed for youngsters. Instead, it’s an engaging game that challenges adults with its navigation and logistics elements. You’ll find yourself navigating muddy terrains and dense undergrowth in your 4×4, aiding reconstruction efforts in disaster-stricken regions.
If you have experience with games like Mudrunner or Snowrunner, which are similar to RoadCraft, then you’ll find that the main gameplay involves a challenging and realistic driving experience. This includes navigating your vehicle up steep, rocky inclines and through wet, muddy ditches. Be aware, though, as careless maneuvering can cause your vehicle to tip over or get stuck in the surroundings.
Building on the theme of last year’s Expeditions, RoadCraft has added a host of additional challenges. You’ll find bulldozers to handle, cranes to manage, and a multitude of other noisy, laboring machines at your disposal.
I tried to keep the essence of your original text while making it more approachable and easier to read.



Clearly, a lot of care has been put into every noise and vibration; it all feels just so.
The true delight in playing RoadCraft lies in its stunning landscapes, or more accurately, its landscape design. The game boasts eight extensive regions, each disrupted by a natural catastrophe, and it’s your mission to restore order. This involves building new roads, constructing bridges, reestablishing the gas supply, among other tasks.
In essence, it’s about putting in extra effort, indeed, but the reward is a profound feeling of accomplishment when you reach your destination. That, in a nutshell, is what RoadCraft stands for.
Oh my goodness, let me tell you, it’s an absolute thrill! There might be the occasional hiccup or two, but that just adds to the excitement, doesn’t it? The real deal is a perfect blend of intense work and unbridled fun. This, my friend, is the playground of our dreams!


Buckle up, fellow enthusiast! Here we go again on the Monster Train adventure! Instead of venturing ever deeper into the heart of Hell as we did before, this time around, we’re embarking on a reverse route – ascending from the infernal depths to the celestial heights! The twist? Heaven itself has fallen under siege by an army of monstrous beings hailing from beyond our comprehension of space and time. Let’s see if we can restore order in this chaotic, otherworldly invasion!
Monster Train 2 is a game that falls into the category of a ‘deck-building roguelike’. In simpler terms, it’s a game where you advance by playing rounds of cards, similar to a traditional card game. The ‘roguelike’ aspect implies that each time you die in the game, you must start over. However, with every new attempt, you gain knowledge and skills that can help you progress further than your previous tries.
As a devoted enthusiast, allow me to tell you this: If there’s one thing you ought to grasp about Monster Train 2, it’s that – much like the captivating roguelike deck-builder from last year, Balatro – it has an uncanny ability to consume your very existence.
The compelling desire to play just one more round is almost overpowering, making it difficult to resist spending numerous hours engrossed in this game.
In essence, this sequel maintains most of the key elements found in the original Monster Train. You’ll still find yourself safeguarding four distinct train levels, with special emphasis on the crucial Pyre Heart situated at the highest level. Your mission remains unchanged as you continue to ward off demonic attacks.



You’re still splitting your own forces — your own cards — between each level.
You’re still trying to figure out the best positions and combinations for maximum damage.
In Monster Train 2, however, things aren’t just repetitive. You get fresh Equipment cards to customize your fighters, novel Room cards that allow modification of your train’s floor levels, and the exciting option to enhance your Pyre Heart as well.
All of these additions make Monster Train 2 a more complex, more rewarding experience.
As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a better roguelike deck-building game out there than the one I follow. It surpasses the acclaimed titles like Balatro and Slay The Spire, and it significantly outshines the initial version of Monster Train.
It just doesn’t have the same surprise factor. But then what return journey ever did?
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2025-05-23 04:43