Game Reviews

Monstrum: Survival on a Haunted Ship

14 Feb 2024 26 min read

Updated On: February 14, 2024 by What is Esports? Team

Are you yearning for a bone-chilling escapade that not only sets your pulse racing but also puts your tactical acumen to the test? We certainly know the feeling, having navigated the haunted decks of Monstrum ourselves, with its labyrinthine passageways and unyielding adversaries.

Our foray into this world of survival horror has taught us a thing or two about outwitting AI-driven beasts whilst clinging desperately to survival amidst the ship’s ominous corridors.

Join us as we delve into the art of remaining amongst the living aboard a vessel where every groan and hushed murmur signals that peril is never far away.

Key Takeaways

Monstrum’s survival horror game is set on a procedurally – generated haunted ship, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same and providing endless surprises as layouts and item locations change.
Players face permadeath in Monstrum, which means they start over if caught by one of the AI-driven monsters – The Brute, The Hunter, or The Fiend – each with unique tactics for players to learn and evade.
There are various hazards aboard such as security cameras aiding the predators, unpredictable pit traps ready to snare players unawares, steam that can scald unsuspecting explorers venturing too close, and egg sacs hatching deadly creatures if not dealt with swiftly.
Escape from the haunted ship through three potential routes: launch a life-raft after solving puzzles to make it seaworthy; repair a helicopter waiting dangerously on deck; or fix and navigate via submarine — all whilst avoiding monstrous threats.
Available on several gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch, Monstrum brings its mix of randomised level design and adrenaline-fuelled terror to a wide audience seeking an immersive heart-stopping survival experience.

Gameplay in Monstrum

Monstrum features procedurally-generated levels and a permadeath feature, adding to the challenge of surviving on the haunted ship. Players must also outsmart AI-driven predators to stay alive.

Procedurally-generated levels

In Monstrum, we never know what to expect each time we play. The levels are procedurally generated which means the ship’s layout changes every single game. Hallways twist and turn differently, items appear in new places and even escape routes aren’t where we last found them.

This keeps us on our toes as we try to outsmart not just the monsters but the ever-changing haunted ship itself.

Our strategy has to adapt on the fly because no two playthroughs are alike. Every corner turned could lead us into danger or be our path to safety—it’s a thrilling uncertainty that makes survival feel truly dynamic.

With this design, repeat encounters feel fresh, keeping our hearts racing with unscripted suspense as we navigate through unpredictable corridors and rooms of the derelict cargo vessel.

Next up is surviving another defining aspect of Monstrum: deciphering how best to deal with permadeath.feature.

Permadeath feature

Monstrum features a permadeath mechanic, meaning that when a player dies, they lose all progress and must start from the beginning. This adds an intense level of challenge to the game, as every decision and move becomes crucial for survival.

The fear of losing everything heightens the suspense and makes each encounter with the monsters even more heart-pounding.

This feature creates a sense of urgency and forces players to think strategically about their actions in order to avoid meeting an untimely demise. It also adds replay value to Monstrum, as each attempt at surviving on the haunted ship presents new opportunities for learning from past mistakes and devising better strategies.

AI-driven predators

As players navigate the eerie environment of Monstrum, they must outwit AI-driven predators that adapt to their tactics. Each monster has its own behaviour and abilities, adding a layer of unpredictability and tension.

The monsters utilise advanced artificial intelligence to actively hunt the player, making every encounter intense and nerve-wracking.

Players must constantly strategise and make split-second decisions to evade or confront the AI-driven predators as they stalk through the abandoned corridors of the haunted ship. With each playthrough offering a different mix of challenges from these relentless foes, Monstrum provides an exhilarating experience where survival hinges on mastering evasion techniques while trying to outmaneuvre these cunning adversaries.

Monsters in Monstrum

In Monstrum, players will encounter three terrifying monsters on the haunted ship – The Brute, The Hunter, and The Fiend. Each monster has its own unique abilities and behaviors, adding a layer of unpredictability and fear to the game.

The Brute

The Brute is one of the three AI-driven predators in Monstrum, known for its immense strength and relentless pursuit of the player. It possesses an aggressive nature, making it a formidable adversary that can easily overpower unsuspecting players.

With its powerful attacks and ability to break through barricades, avoiding direct confrontation with The Brute becomes crucial for survival on the haunted ship.

Players must remain vigilant and utilise stealth and strategy to outmanoeuvre The Brute while navigating the perilous environment. Its presence adds a heightened sense of tension and danger, requiring quick thinking and resourcefulness to evade this monstrous threat.

The Hunter

The Hunter is one of the three terrifying monsters that players have to contend with in Monstrum. This AI-driven predator stalks the player relentlessly through the labyrinthine corridors of the derelict cargo ship.

Its ghostly presence and relentless pursuit add an intense level of adrenaline-pumping thrill to the gameplay, keeping players constantly on edge as they attempt to outwit and evade this formidable foe.

Players must use their wits and any resources at hand to outmanoeuvre The Hunter, utilising stealth and strategy to avoid becoming its next victim. With no means of direct confrontation, survival hinges on staying alert, thinking quickly, and finding clever ways to stay one step ahead of this relentless supernatural threat.

The Fiend

After evading the cunning and relentless Hunter, players must now prepare to face another formidable adversary aboard the haunted ship: The Fiend. This monstrous creature possesses extraordinary speed and agility, making it a deadly threat in narrow corridors and confined spaces.

With its ability to scale walls and move swiftly through the vessel, encountering The Fiend is sure to send chills down your spine as you navigate the treacherous environment of Monstrum.

Surviving an encounter with The Fiend requires quick thinking, resourcefulness, and a keen sense of awareness. As players strive to outmanoeuvre this terrifying entity, they must utilise their surroundings strategically while staying one step ahead of this relentless predator.

Hazards on the Haunted Ship

Players will have to navigate through security cameras, avoid pit traps, and be wary of vents and egg sacs that can spawn deadly creatures. Click here to discover how Monstrum challenges players with its terrifying atmosphere and unique gameplay mechanics.

Security cameras

The security cameras in Monstrum are strategically placed throughout the ship, providing a keen eye for the AI-driven predators. These cameras help the monsters track and hunt players, adding an extra layer of challenge to survival.

Players must actively avoid these watchful eyes while navigating through the procedurally-generated levels, heightening the suspense and intensity of gameplay.

The security cameras keep players on their toes at all times, forcing them to stay vigilant and think strategically about their movements. With monsters lurking on every corner and surveillance at play, escaping from this haunted ship becomes even more daunting.

Pit traps

Pit traps pose a serious threat to players in Monstrum. These concealed hazards are scattered throughout the ship, ready to ensnare unwary survivors. Once caught, escaping from these traps becomes a frantic struggle for survival.

Players must stay alert and use their wits to navigate around these deadly obstacles.

In addition, pit traps add an extra layer of tension and challenge to the game’s already gripping atmosphere. With limited resources at hand, avoiding these hazards is crucial for staying one step ahead of the lurking monsters.

Strategic planning and quick reflexes are essential in order to outsmart both the environment and the predators on board.

Vents/Egg sacs

The vents in Monstrum are perilous passageways through which players and monsters can sneak. They serve as shortcuts, but they’re also an invitation for danger. These narrow ducts allow both hunters and hunted to navigate the ship undetected, whether in pursuit or evading capture.

Similarly, egg sacs scattered throughout the vessel pose a chilling threat – if left unchecked, they hatch into swarming creatures that bring further chaos to this heart-pounding survival horror experience.

Escape Routes for Survival offers desperate routes off the haunted ship when all else seems lost.

Steam

The vents in Monstrum are not just places to get through, they hold a hidden danger – steam. It can scald and harm the player if they’re caught too close. The key is keeping an eye out for the warning hiss and avoiding these hot spots to survive.

Players must move swiftly to avoid getting burned by escaping from the steam’s path when exploring and navigating through the haunted ship’s narrow passageways. By staying alert and attentive, players can prevent dreadful encounters with this hazardous element as they strive to outsmart monsters and find their way off the ship.

Escape Routes for Survival

When it comes to finding a way off the haunted ship in Monstrum, players have three potential escape routes: the life-raft, the helicopter, and the submarine. Each route presents its own unique challenges and requires careful planning to successfully escape from the terrifying monsters lurking onboard.

The life-raft

As players navigate the haunted ship, finding an escape route becomes crucial. One of the options for survival is the life-raft located on the upper deck. Using this vital tool requires players to gather specific items and solve puzzles to launch it successfully.

This escape route offers a glimpse of hope in the terrifying world of Monstrum, providing an opportunity to break free from the clutches of AI-driven predators and hazards.

Once assembled, getting into the life-raft allows players a chance to flee from the perilous vessel, marking a potential end to their harrowing ordeal. However, surviving long enough to reach this escape plan is no small feat as they must overcome numerous challenges while being relentlessly hunted by monstrous entities within this nightmarish setting.

The helicopter

After considering the life-raft as a potential escape route, players can also utilise the helicopter to make their way to safety. The helicopter offers another opportunity for survival in Monstrum’s haunting environment.

Strategically located on the ship, it serves as an alternative exit point for navigating away from perilous threats and evading terrifying monsters. With its inclusion in the game, players have multiple options to explore and plan their survival strategy amidst the eerie and menacing atmosphere of the haunted ship.

Positioned as one of several escape routes available within Monstrum’s gameplay, the helicopter presents an additional layer of challenge and intrigue for gamers aiming to survive the treacherous journey through this unique survival horror experience.

The submarine

The submarine in Monstrum offers a potential escape from the terrifying ship. Players must find and repair the submarine to navigate their way out of danger. Once repaired, the submarine becomes a vital tool for survival, providing an alternative route to evade the monstrous threats lurking on the haunted vessel.

Navigating through dark and narrow passages, players can use the submarine to access hidden areas of the ship and uncover supplies crucial for staying alive. The looming presence of AI-driven predators makes every decision pivotal as players aim to make their way safely off the ship.

Monstrum: A Unique Survival Horror Game

Monstrum offers a unique survival horror experience with its procedurally generated levels, challenging gameplay, and terrifying atmosphere. It’s available on various platforms and provides an immersive and thrilling gaming experience for those who dare to step foot on the haunted ship.

Read more to discover the adrenaline-pumping world of Monstrum!

Remixing the traditional formula

Monstrum revamps the traditional horror game formula by offering procedurally-generated levels, permadeath, and AI-driven predators. This unique combination provides an intense gaming experience that keeps players on edge with unpredictable challenges and threats at every turn.

The game’s dynamic nature ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, making it a fresh and gripping experience each time.

Players must adapt quickly to survive in Monstrum’s ever-changing environment, adding an element of surprise and urgency to the gameplay. By remixing traditional horror game mechanics, Monstrum delivers an immersive and thrilling adventure for those seeking a truly unique survival horror gaming experience.

Challenging gameplay

By remixing the traditional formula, Monstrum presents a challenging gameplay experience that keeps players on their toes. The game’s procedurally-generated levels ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, keeping gamers guessing and strategising at every turn.

With the permadeath feature in place, every decision becomes crucial as one wrong move could mean starting over from scratch. The AI-driven predators further enhance the difficulty level, providing an intense and heart-pounding survival experience that pushes players to their limits.

In addition to these features, Monstrum offers a terrifying atmosphere that immerses players in a world of isolation and fear. The combination of procedural generation, permadeath mechanics, and AI-driven predators makes for an exhilarating and nerve-wracking gameplay experience that is not for the faint-hearted.

Terrifying atmosphere

With its challenging gameplay, Monstrum creates a terrifying atmosphere that keeps players on the edge of their seats. The abandoned and rusting ship serves as a haunting backdrop to an isolated and claustrophobic environment.

As players navigate through the dark and eerie corridors, they must constantly be aware of lurking monsters and imminent danger. The game’s emphasis on survival within this spine-chilling setting provides an intense experience that is sure to send shivers down your spine.

The game’s AI-driven predators make each encounter nerve-wracking, further amplifying the terrifying atmosphere. Their unpredictability adds to the feeling of constant dread, creating an immersive experience for both newbies and seasoned gamers alike.

Available on various platforms

Monstrum, the heart-pounding survival horror game, is available on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch. The game’s spine-chilling gameplay, featuring AI-driven predators and an eerie shipwreck setting, can now be experienced by gamers across different gaming consoles.

Monstrum’s thrilling mystery and terrifying atmosphere are accessible to players who crave a frightful challenge no matter what platform they prefer.

With its release on various platforms, Monstrum offers both seasoned gamers and newcomers the opportunity to delve into a nail-biting adventure that promises to keep them at the edge of their seats.

Conclusion

Surviving on the haunted ship in Monstrum requires cunning and quick thinking. Players must outsmart AI-driven predators to find escape routes and evade deadly monsters. The game’s challenging gameplay, terrifying atmosphere, and unique setting create an intense survival experience.

With procedurally-generated levels and a permadeath feature, each playthrough offers a fresh and heart-pounding adventure.