Battle Train Reviews
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.
As it is now, Battle Train is a fun ride, but maybe not everyone should ride these rails just yet.
A jack-of-all-trades roguelite that sacrifices depth to reach as many bases as possible, succeeding barely in some, and excelling in others.
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?
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. 🚂
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.
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.
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.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
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?
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Battle Train has a fun cast of characters, a solid story, and a lot of love put into it. The core gameplay is strong, but the lack of build variety leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, some future updates will add some more deck themes down the line, because I would gladly return to Battle Train if they play their cards right.
Battle Train is very good, both as an idea and as a game. Amidst the many rogue-likes that come out, Battle Train truly understands how essential it is to at least bring something different, even if small, to draw attention, and it does this very well. Using deckbuilding and building a board full of trains can be incredible, with my only criticism being the feeling of injustice I felt with certain bosses at various times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This rouge-lite card builder combines pipe mania, slay the spire and a game show to an amusing mixture that doesn't quite reach the quality of the genre giants Slay the Spire and Balantro. Still, Fans of the genre should at the very least take a look at the demo.
Review in German | Read full review
"Battle Train" breathes fresh air into the already rather entrenched – but not unpopular – roguelike genre.
Review in German | Read full review