I certainly would never call myself a gamer, but I am someone who enjoys a good plot. My husband, who I refer to as the game whisperer, found a game that matches perfectly with my love of stories. It started with Monster Prom, a spooky and silly multiplayer dating simulator in which everyone is trying to score a date to the prom. Also, everyone is a monster.
I laugh my brains out whenever we play this. When the sequel went on sale on Steam, my husband surprised me with the gift of spooky campfire lovin’. A quick note, this review will contain SPOILERS, and if you need a refresher on how the scale works, head on over here.
This game stayed very true to the original, with minimal changes in the base concept. Spooky young adults are attending summer camp, and all need a date for the big upcoming event. Instead of choosing stats like the original game, each character selects different items that give them their stats for the game and determines whose clammy hands you can hold at the meteor shower.
This game is all about the eclectic characters, so here's a breakdown of who you may be potentially wooing.
Dahlia Aquino:
A sexy blue-skinned demon with an Amazon physique. She’s brash and sass, and the best way to her heart is to show her you can match her boldness.
Damien LaVey:
This hellacious spitfire is back, and his two loving dads made sure to send him to camp with some interesting items that can unfold in extra quests or secret endings! He shows his softer demon side in this sequel, what with there no homework and tests to worry about, he is more relaxed and seemingly easier to woo. Damien just wants to find someone with maxed-out fun or boldness to share the meteor shower with.
Aaravi Mishra (And Hex):
Some of you might remember this character popping in unexpectedly in the original game, and now they have both returned! Winning "The Slayer" over is going to be no easy feat! This character has it all — a fairy therapist AND a curse, so you need to step up your game and have incredible stats to show her you can handle and support her.
Calculester Hewlett-Packard:
Oh, my dearest Calculester. This electronic hunk is by far the sweetest of the camp crew. Their priorities are with their secret succulent garden and keeping everyone at peace. Calc is more drawn to caring characters, though many different stats will equal their heart.
Joy Johnson-Johjima:
The coven leader has returned for some relaxing camp cliches. This OG Goth GF will take notice of you if you can prove to be on her level of wit and dry humor. She is sophisticated and has incredible taste. Unlike many of the other characters, Joy is fond of quiet time, so it may be wise to cast a spell on yourself to shut up if you start to lose your cool during a dialogue check.
Milo Belladonna:
Introducing a new Reaper who is non-binary and concerningly devoted to their job and social media. They're outgoing, flamboyant, fashionable, and easy to read. Their eyes, nails, and heart all change color according to their emotions, so it is fairly clear to see how they feel about you. This character is fun and capable of serving some scolding hot tea. Stay out of the burn zone by acquiring high charm, fun, and creativity skills, or you might be dealt a devastating rejection one-liner.
Moss Mann:
If you’re playing solo, you can unlock the heart of this gossipy fiend. While typically used as a way to boost your stats or plunge someone else’s, in solo mode, you can use this character to fill the loneliness in your heart. To woo Moss Mann, you must sit on his log during the first night; then, this will have you partake in some wholesome heathen gossip. At the end of this gossip, you will be asked to type in a name. TYPE IN MOSS MANN.
This unlocks the potential to woo Moss Mann for the rest of the game but does not promise you a date! Stats are not as important to this character, but specifically how you use your turns. You must succeed in your dialogue checks with Moss Man to properly woo and win his heart. Lucky for you, dear reader, I will tell you that all his dialogue checks are simply more gossip. On your final night, choose to attend the meteor shower all by yourself, and if you have done it right, Moss Mann will meet you under the stars.
What I Liked:
This game is fun and exploring the ghoulish cast of characters is what makes it so joyful. Each round, all of the players choose where they will venture to, and depending on which location you select determines who you will likely encounter and what your interaction with your fellow monsters may be. Each turn, you can gain or lose stats, so making the wrong choice can cost you a bewitching night of romance!
The different stat options are boldness, creativity, smarts, charm, money, and fun. Initial stats are created in the very beginning. Your test results highly influence how the rest of your game will play. This also determines a lot of how your character is for this entire run. Your stats change with each choice you make on your turn, and the stats you should aim for are purely based on who you are after.
Later, you have the potential of getting all flipped about during the mandatory drink battle royale. The lesson here is: CHOOSE WISELY!...or chaotically, depending on your character. During campfire gatherings, players have a choice of where to sit, which further affects their gameplay. You may potentially gain more amorous favor by sitting near your squish, or you can try to gain different stats by sitting by other key players. Moss Mann and his risky gossip around the campfire could land you in a fiery stat increase or even decrease the stats of your fellow players!
The beauty of Monster Camp (and this series in general) is that it allows you to express yourself however your weird little were-self wants. Players are able to do whatever they want. There are plenty of characters to choose from, and on this adventure, you choose your name and gender, as well as who you want to pursue. We all played a mix and match; some of us were successful, others were not. Unfortunately, dear fans, I did not win the heart of my charming and nonbinary Calculester.
The world is your bi oyster in this game. All characters and all NPCs are capable of wooing and being wooed by each other. Sex and gender have nothing to do with your ability to score a date! It’s all based on interactions of each level and the amount of stat points you acquire that intertwine with the ghoul you’re interacting with. This game has made it clear that it does not care about any kind of heteronormative stereotype. This game wants you to come however you want to be and flirt with whoever speaks to your spooky heart.
What I Didn’t Like:
There isn't anything I really disliked, but I did have a minor suggestion. This game has an opportunity to sneak some education in. I would have loved an encounter where characters get to answer questions about sexuality, relationships, and life to earn extra +SMART points. This would go above and beyond but also be completely in keeping with the vibe of the game. I mean, who doesn’t love an educated demon? I think we all could use some extra credit stats, and why not discuss it in this smorgasbord of monster mashing?
The Rating:
Full unicorns.
This game is nothing short of absolute perfection for an aged emo kid like myself, and it gives us beautifully open options to let our freak flags fly. We are able to express ourselves outside any binary and with complete, unhinged chaotic bisexual energy. This game allows us to explore our #Boosexual identities and is a spooky barrel of fun for all!
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