Battle Train

As it is now, Battle Train is a fun ride, but maybe not everyone should ride these rails just yet.

It’s like the train is being pulled in two directions, and we’re just stuck in the middle.

The roguelite part is also applied in a wrong way because it would have been better to apply skill-based improvements, with which you can take that little bit of extra permanent skill with you every run. However, they have chosen to make all cards and improvements that you can earn in the run free to play, and that feels a bit less progressive. Battle Train is therefore better in concept than in execution. It could potentially become a great board game, but needs a few more elements to make and keep it addictive. That is currently lacking a bit, which makes the game fall a bit short in terms of content.

What do you get when you mash together a rogue-lite deck-builder, customisable trains armed to the teeth with explosives, and a cartoon-style game show? You get Battle Train — an imaginative, chaotic ride that feels like Total Drama Island met Slay the Spire.

Combined with the lack of balance, overly complex mechanics, and brutal CPU opponents, ultimately, I found plenty of roadblocks to my enjoyment in Battle Train. I wanted the art, humor, and overall play experience to mesh better. But sadly, it’s just one deckbuilder that’s hard for this fan to recommend.

Battle Train is a title that oozes charisma and personality. Although its execution is not without flaws in important aspects such as the tutorial and the difficulty curve, it is impossible to deny that this is a unique game, which deserves to be checked out by fans of deckbuilders and turn-based strategies who enjoy out-of-the-box and humorous works. Furthermore, between explosions, cards and accurate jokes, fun is guaranteed: shall we see you at the show?

I don't think that Battle Train is going to hit the same level as some of the greats in the genre, but it's worth playing just the same for fans of deckbuilding roguelikes to see something new and unique being done in that space. It's funny, unique, and really, who doesn't like trains and explosions?

A bit weird, smart, and generally quite challenging, this strategic railroad battle game is a pleasant surprise

I had a superb time with Battle Train and can't believe how much it fits my tastes from its roguelike structure to its deep strategic gameplay and its silly premise to its wealth of unlockables. I may just have a new favourite roguelike as it chugged along straight to my heart. 🚂

The first couple of runs of Battle Train feel magical, until you realize that’s pretty much it, and the rest of the game is just a lousy version of Archer and a lot of trips down the same old tracks.