Disclaimer: All impressions made in this preview are based on a private beta experience. The thoughts expressed in this preview are representative of an incomplete product and do not reflect our feelings of the final product.
Asymmetrical multiplayer horror games have grown in popularity lately. Games like Dead by Daylight and Friday the 13th have thrust the genre forward. The genre’s unique spin on classic horror games lets you either try to escape the terrifying being hunting you down, or put yourself into the being’s shoes. In Friday the 13th, you are either a camp counselor or Jason himself. In Dead by Daylight, you either play either as one of a variety of monsters or horror icons, such as Freddy Krueger or the Demogorgon from Stranger Things. Even though Monstrum II shares some similarities with games of this nature, Junkfish has gone above and beyond to set themselves apart. Check it out here:
Monstrum II, while similar to the games above, sets itself apart while sticking close to the style put forth by its predecessor. Monstrum is a single-player horror game where you are trying to escape a rundown ship, all while a monster hunts you down. Monstrum II seems like it will stick close to this formula, with the Beta taking place on what seems like a base out on the sea. The close quarters of the ship, or sea base, make the game even more terrifying. There are so many corners from which the monster may appear, and there is not a lot of open space. Monstrum II seems like it will rely on creating a claustrophobic experience where quick decisions are the difference between life and death.
What sets Monstrum II apart from any other asymmetrical multiplayer game is the use of a procedurally generated environment. Monstrum set itself apart in 2015 by using procedurally generated maps. Every time the player died, they would wake up in a new environment and have to start from scratch. This system makes surviving a vital part of the experience since there is no advantage in death. While Monstrum II appears to be more relaxed with the perma-death mechanics, the idea of jumping into a new map every game will keep the experience unique.
In Monstrum II, you play as either the monster or a prisoner. You can have up to one monster and four prisoners each game. And you will need every prisoner you can get. While the tasks for the prisoners in the Monstrum II Beta were not especially difficult, they are time-consuming. Combine this with a timer and a monster always approaching, and you have an edge-of-your-seat terrifying game.
The goal of the prisoners is to turn on the power and get to the escape pod. To do this, you must find switches across the map. While some switches are easy to access, others are locked behind other switches being activated to grant power to the initial switch you are looking to power. The prisoners must use assets found in the environment to break their way through the ship and get to these switches. Sometimes there is a board you must break down with a hammer. Other times, you have to find some bolt cutters to cut open a fence. These are not hard to do, but if you do not have the right tool at the right time, then there very well may be a monster breathing down your neck before you know it.
Playing as the monster in Monstrum II is good fun. While playing as a prisoner is an anxiety-inducing, heart-pounding experience, playing the monster is a fresh of breath air. It is incredibly fun to hunt down the prisoners and watch as they run and scramble in a panic. While playing as the monster comes with its own anxiety (ie. stopping the prisoners from escaping) it is more fun than anything else. Each monster has unique abilities that allow you to match your playstyle, whether it is to be a big, imposing monstrosity or a smaller, stealthier killer.
When Monstrum was first released in 2015, fans were already asking for a multiplayer experience. According to this discussion thread on steam, Junkfish noted that “multiplayer isn’t going to work for Monstrum as it’d require a complete redesign on the game. If we do Monstrum 2 it’s something that we’d consider from the offset.” And now, five years later, fans of Monstrum are being given when they have wanted to see from the beginning. A multiplayer experience that will bring new scares, and new fun, to the Monstrum title.
Though the Beta for Monstrum II is not a complete game, I found it to be a wonderful time. There were lots of scares to be had as the monster rounded the corner and heart-pounding moments as I rushed to hide. Playing as the monster is great fun, especially as you get a group of prisoners together and watch them scramble to escape. I think Monstrum II is going to do fans of the original Monstrum proud. It is a fun experience, and I look forward to its release later this year.
