Monster Train 2 isn’t just a lazy sequel with a number slapped on it. Shiny Shoe has somehow managed to capture lightning in a bottle twice, building on what made the original addictive while fixing nearly everything that frustrated veterans. Available now on Steam, this sequel immediately feels familiar yet distinctly evolved, with smarter AI that doesn’t just roll over after you figure out a winning pattern. The 87% positive reviews don’t lie – this is the rare follow-up that respects what came before while taking genuine risks.
I’ve sunk about 40 hours into it since launch, and what strikes me most is how the multi-floor defense concept has been completely reimagined. Where the original felt somewhat linear after extended play, this one keeps throwing curveballs even when you think you’ve seen it all. The faction mechanics have actual depth now, not just surface-level synergies that become obvious after a few runs.
Why Your Strategies from the First Game Won’t Cut It Here
The biggest game-changer? You can now modify core rules mid-run through secret relics that fundamentally alter how your deck performs. It’s not just “here’s +2 damage” – we’re talking about mechanics that let you customize unit behavior per floor. One relic I found lets your units operate differently on each level, which opens up ridiculous combo potential that would have broken the first game.
According to GameDesignInsight’s deep dive on roguelikes, “Monster Train 2 doesn’t just iterate – it fundamentally rethinks how players interact with supposedly fixed game systems.” That’s exactly it. The game seems to understand that veterans want to break things in creative ways, and instead of patching those exploits, it gives you more tools to find them.
Don’t worry if you’re new though – the enhanced tutorials actually make sense now, and the adaptive difficulty doesn’t feel like it’s either handholding or punishing you randomly. It’s that rare game that grows with you.
Those Secret Monster Train 2 Codes Everyone’s Talking About
What These Codes Actually Do For Your Game
If you’ve been following any Monster Train streamers, you’ve probably heard about these redemption codes that unlock stuff you can’t get through normal gameplay. They’re not just cosmetic fluff either – we’re talking rare cards, economic boosts, and limited-time rewards that can completely change how your runs play out.
Just last month during the Infernal Challenge, I noticed something interesting – about a third of the top players had mysteriously similar builds featuring an unusual relic that boosted spell efficiency by 20%. Turns out they’d all redeemed the same limited-time code. That’s not just a minor advantage; in the higher ascension levels, that’s the difference between a wipe and a clean sweep.
The devs typically drop these codes during their Thursday streams or bury them in patch notes. Some eagle-eyed players even found one hidden in the pixel art of a promotional image – that’s the level of community treasure hunting we’re dealing with here.
How These Codes Actually Impact Your Strategy
You might think these codes are just a nice bonus, but for competitive players, they’re practically mandatory. Some unlock synergies that simply don’t exist in the base game, creating entire new archetypes overnight. I’ve seen meta strategies completely upended when a new code drops.
For newer players, they can smooth out some of the early-game roadblocks. Nothing feels worse than repeatedly hitting a wall with limited card options, and these codes can open up alternative paths forward when you’re still learning the ropes.
The Codes That Actually Work Right Now (May 2025)
I’ve personally tested every code floating around Discord and Reddit this week, and here’s what’s still active as of today, running on the latest Steam build (v2.4.1):
- FLAMEWRAITH25 – This one’s gold (literally) – 150 gold plus the Legendary Ember Core that enables those economic snowball strategies everyone’s using. Expires May 31st.
- HELLSPAWN2025 – Mostly for the collectors – gets you that demon skin everyone’s been showing off plus a modest 50 gold. Gone after May 25th.
- STEELHEARTBOOST – My personal favorite – flat 10% unit damage buff on your first two floors. Perfect for aggressive early-game pushes. Valid until June 3rd.
- RELICRUSH0525 – Mystery relic from the random pool. Sometimes garbage, sometimes game-breaking. I got Crystalline Casings which saved a run. Available through June 1st.
- ARCHIVESXUNLOCK – For the lore hunters – new journal entries plus 100 gold. Sticks around until June 5th.
These aren’t going to hang around forever – most codes vanish within a month. The Discord tracker shows that nearly half of last month’s leaderboard regulars used at least one of these. Do with that information what you will.
How to Actually Redeem These Things Without Wasting Time
I’ve watched countless players miss out on free stuff simply because the redemption menu is buried in the UI. Here’s the quick version:
- Fire up the game
- Hit the main menu
- Click on “Extras” in the navigation
- Find “Redeem Code” (it’s not obvious)
- Type exactly as shown above (yes, capitalization matters)
- Hit confirm and watch for the success notification
- Check your inventory to verify it worked
The whole process takes maybe 10 seconds once you know where to look. Works perfectly with controller too if that’s your thing.
What You Actually Get From These Codes
The rewards from these codes aren’t just random trinkets – many offer strategic advantages you simply can’t get elsewhere.
The Legendary Ember Core from FLAMEWRAITH25 is practically mandatory for anyone running economy-focused strategies. That early ember advantage compounds throughout your run, letting you play those expensive powerhouse cards several turns earlier than normal.
For the visually inclined, HELLSPAWN2025’s rare skin transforms your basic demons into these elaborate nightmare creatures with unique animations. I’ve noticed streamers specifically hunting these down to make their content stand out.
According to Shiny Shoe’s stats from last month, about 18% of leaderboard players were running at least one code-exclusive item. That’s significant enough to suggest these aren’t just vanity items – they’re becoming part of the competitive meta.
Why Monster Train 2 Is Worth Your Time
After dozens of hours with Monster Train 2, what keeps me coming back isn’t just the card combos or the flashy effects – it’s how each run feels like solving a unique puzzle with constantly changing parameters. The code system adds another layer to this, creating a meta-game around staying connected to the community and incorporating these limited-time advantages into your strategic thinking.
For competitive players, these codes have become an essential part of staying relevant on the leaderboards. For collectors, they offer unique cosmetics that showcase your involvement with the game’s community. And for everyone else, they’re just plain fun bonuses that keep the experience fresh.
Monster Train 2 has done what few sequels manage – it’s respected what made the original special while being brave enough to evolve the formula in meaningful ways. Whether you’re coming in fresh or carrying over hundreds of hours from the first game, there’s something here that will sink its hooks into you.
Just don’t blame me when you look up and realize it’s 3 AM and you’re still muttering “just one more run.”
