Monster Rock by Amanda Milne and Martin Wallace is a vibrant, thematic journey set in a world where rock bands lead revolutions against the oppressive King Richard and his robot police force. With up to five players (and a solo mode), Monster Rock combines area movement, deck building, open drafting, and an engaging push-your-luck mechanism. We found ourselves competing to gain record sales and popularity and to inspire followers who could join our cause against the King’s reign in Paradise City—[a name that would make Guns N’ Roses proud!].
Note: Our review is based on a prototype graciously provided by Wallace Designs and Amanda Milne. They assured us that while much of the art is already close to its final version, additional enhancements will further elevate the game’s presentation when released.
Another Note: We will upload the prototype images soon! Stay tuned!
Gameplay Overview
In Monster Rock, players are rock band leaders traveling across Paradise City, gathering fans from various fantasy races who share distinct musical tastes, from the simple, sing-along-loving Halflings to the raucous, amp-craving Undead—[these headbangers would make even Metallica turn it down a notch!]. Our ultimate goal was to rally enough followers to fuel a revolution and topple King Richard’s robotic police state, represented by various Revolution and Robot Fuzz cards.
disclaimer: the bands shown on the image aren’t the only ones, the board game contains 7 bands
Each player’s turn provides a range of actions, including playing gigs, writing songs, or bolstering the band’s skill set. The band’s skills, represented by attribute tiles (such as Vocals, Guitar, Drums, and Charisma), help players acquire different gig and song cards, depending on the audience’s preferences. One of our favorite dynamics was activating these skills with Stamina cubes, which brought a strategic resource-management element that required careful planning.
How to Rock the City
To start your rock-fueled journey, players take turns performing actions that build their band’s reputation and skills. These actions range from claiming cards at gigs to busking for additional stamina. Each player can choose one action per turn, carefully deciding based on the available stamina and resources. You’ll find yourself strategizing about when to boost your attributes, when to lie low to reduce your risk with the King’s forces, or when to busk to recharge.
The city is divided into different levels that increase in difficulty and reward, with each city zone offering various cards to claim—these include Songs, Gigs, Robot Fuzz cards, and even Revolution cards if you’re in the Level II zone. Moving across the city board requires careful planning, as zones with high-value cards may expose you to events or risk factors like the robot police, challenging players to weigh risk versus reward each time.
Setting the Stage
While some prioritized Vocals or Writing, others built powerhouse bands with high Combat and Stage Show attributes for performances in the city’s grittiest areas. Adding to the thematic immersion, each band member brings five Stamina cubes, ten Gold, and a starting band mat that evolves as the game progresses.
Attributes and Skill Tiles – Building Your Rock Legacy
Each band’s skills are represented through attribute tiles, which come in categories like Vocals, Guitar, Drumming, and Charisma. These attributes play a vital role when targeting specific cards, as each card requires certain attribute points to claim. The skill tiles also add customization, allowing bands to emphasize specific playstyles. For instance, one of our bands excelled in Combat and Stage Shows, giving them a rugged, performance-driven edge that was ideal for claiming Gigs among tougher city crowds.
You’re also incentivized to upgrade tiles by flipping them to a higher level, which enhances the skill’s effectiveness. We found this element particularly satisfying, as it allows for growth while giving each band a unique path to stardom. Upgrading comes with its own set of challenges, as managing your stamina efficiently while focusing on high-value upgrades can turn the game in your favor.
Our Playthrough Experience
In our second session with a mixed group of playtesters, our band met Paradise City’s elite in the grand Festival. Located in the city’s heart, the festival attracted high-profile gigs that required amplified Vocals and Charisma. We secured our first gig at the festival as we built up our Vocals skills. This boosted our Record Sales and brought in two crucial Revolution flags, helping us inch closer to sparking a full-scale uprising.
Midway through the game, we had a high-tension moment when one of our members triggered an event that sent our band to a Robot Fuzz area. The Robot Police had been patrolling, which meant we needed to spend Combat and Drumming points to avoid being thrown out of the city. Thankfully, our band was well-prepared with enough skill tiles to withstand the police encounter, but we lost precious stamina cubes in the process, adding a nail-biting element of risk.
Also, something that we have to mention in this section is that our first experience with Monster Rock was at Essen Spiel 2024 where we got our first glance at the board game. The energy around the game drew us in, and seeing the gameplay up close gave us a taste of the rock-and-roll adventure that awaited us.
The Festival was a crucial aspect of the game, as it allowed bands to play up to three gigs, offering multiple Victory Points (VP) and Record Sales. Each performance brought an intense bidding war for the most coveted gig spots, adding a layer of competitive tension among players. By the night’s end, our band had secured enough Record Sales to trigger the endgame phase, where final scoring and awards brought a dramatic finish.
Strategic Depth and Replayability
Monster Rock rewards strategic planning and adaptability. Each card claimed serves a distinct purpose, from song points that let us compose more songs to attribute-boosting gear like guitars or charisma enhancements. We quickly learned the importance of managing the Secret File Track, which determines the severity of event cards drawn, mainly as bands draw attention from the King’s forces. Balancing Stamina cubes and resources is critical, as replenishing these through actions like Busking can hinder momentum, especially when high-stakes gigs are at risk—[because, as AC/DC taught us, it’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll].
In another playthrough with a more experienced group, we focused on maximizing VP by collecting Revolution cards, which allowed us to gather significant VP for overthrowing the King. To our surprise, having too many Secret Files triggered advanced events, causing a sudden clash with a Robot Army. This unpredictability, combined with player-driven competition for endgame awards, made each playthrough unique, encouraging new strategies in each game.
The Gigs and Songs – Core Actions Explained
Claiming Gig and Song cards is the core way to gain fans, skills, and ultimately Victory Points (VP) in Monster Rock. Gigs provide Revolution flags and endgame scoring opportunities, while songs serve as resources to gain skills and boost band versatility. Song cards offer Song points, which act as currency to secure additional gigs or to boost band attributes, making them invaluable for long-term planning. Our playgroup loved the variety in these cards, as each one demanded a distinct skill set, rewarding bands who balanced their strengths across multiple attributes.
One challenge that frequently arose was deciding which gigs to go after, especially when opponents were eyeing the same cards. In competitive settings, high-value gigs became scarce quickly, forcing us to consider alternate paths. This tension added a memorable edge to the game, encouraging strategic plays, and at times, carefully timed “steals” of key cards from our opponents.
Art and Theme
The art, designed by Franz Vohwinkel, evokes a whimsical rock scene set in a vibrant fantasy world. Even though we were playing with a prototype, Monster Rock already had fantastic visuals that immersed us in the rock ‘n’ roll fantasy theme. Wallace Design and Amanda Milne confirmed that while the core artwork is mostly final, further visual enhancements are planned for the official release, promising an even more polished experience. The board and components, such as the band header and stage setup, complement the theme well, drawing us deeper into the story. The gig cards show different audiences, from goblins to elves, each illustrated with flair and humor that lends a playful tone to the gameplay. It’s a game that looks and feels like a rock adventure, from the graphics to the thematic references in event text and iconography.
The Revolution theme blends seamlessly with the mechanics, making each action feel purposefully aligned with leading a rock band uprising. The narrative builds as bands gain more fame, navigating various areas in the city with their hazards, like fiery zones or police encounters. This story-driven gameplay design made our playgroup feel like we were staging a revolution, albeit in an eccentric, magical world where rock truly rules.
Battling the Robot Police – The Risks and Rewards
Throughout the city, the King’s Robot Police roam, making your journey as much about survival as it is about performance. These Robot Fuzz cards can be claimed for bonuses, but they pose the risk of escalating your presence on the Secret File Track, increasing the chance of being thrown in jail. Balancing when to face off against the Robot Police became a tactical choice, as claiming Robot Fuzz cards can yield valuable VP, but each encounter inches you closer to being sidelined.
The Secret File Track adds an push-your-luck element; in one session, our band took a chance to claim a Robot Army card for a hefty reward but ended up advancing so far that we landed in jail. This twist adds stakes to high-reward plays and forces players to consider the best times to stay under the radar.
Event Cards and Unpredictability
The Event Cards are one of the highlights of Monster Rock, infusing the game with unexpected twists and adding layers of risk. Some events grant benefits if players meet certain conditions, such as Combat skill or extra Gold, while others penalize players who cannot fulfill these demands. In one instance, a player in our group drew a “Bad Kebab” event that drained their stamina, placing them in a tight spot right before a major gig. These events include special conditions such as Fire or Robot Army, which can unexpectedly alter board locations and introduce fresh challenges mid-game.
One memorable event involved a “Festival Shutdown” after a fire broke out in the city center, closing off multiple gig spots. This dynamic element requires players to adapt, ensuring no two games are constantly alike. These moments added a cinematic quality, making each session feel more like a storytelling experience than a traditional board game.
Revolution Cards – Fanning the Flames of Rebellion
Revolution cards are pivotal in transforming your musical influence into revolutionary fervor. Claimed in the city’s tougher Level II zones, these cards often require a collection of Gig flags, making them hard to acquire but offering high endgame Victory Points. When we targeted Revolution cards, we found that building a strategic base of Gigs first allowed us to accumulate the flags needed.
There’s a strategic layer in determining when to focus on Revolution cards, as claiming them too early can lead to a lack of stamina and Song points for other actions. However, saving them for the late game can be a game-changer if executed well. In our plays, we often raced to collect enough flags, sometimes sacrificing other scoring options to stay competitive in the revolution track.
Awards and Endgame Scoring
At the game’s conclusion, players tally VP from Record Sales, Revolution cards, and other awards such as “Best Songwriter” or “Most Notorious Band.” Endgame awards incentivize diverse playstyles; for instance, focusing on Songwriting icons could net a player the “Best Songwriter” award, while collecting Combat points may earn “Toughest Band.” These scoring options allow players to choose different paths to victory, whether through record sales, revolutionary influence, or prowess in specific band skills.
We prioritized Charisma and Combat for the “Most Charismatic Band” and “Toughest Band” awards during one game. This decision led us into a thrilling race with another band, who were just as determined to claim the Record Sales track, culminating in an incredibly tight final tally. The awards brought satisfying tension, adding depth to the scoring phase, especially for players who chose to take the riskier, more confrontational path.
Rocking to the Endgame – Scoring Strategies
The endgame phase of Monster Rock is where strategic choices bear fruit. Players tally Record Sales VP, claim any endgame awards, and score Revolution cards for additional VP. Our group found that spreading focus between awards and Record Sales brought the best returns, as aiming for a single track could be limiting without backup points from other areas.
For instance, one band focused entirely on claiming Award Cards for Most Charismatic Band and Toughest Band, while another chose to prioritize Record Sales. By the final tally, we discovered that a balanced approach to multiple scoring paths often proved most rewarding, allowing for flexible strategies. Additionally, as each band’s score nears the endgame target, players can make last-ditch efforts to claim a Revolution card, leading to dramatic finishes.
Accessibility and Learning Curve
The rulebook is detailed yet intuitive, making the game accessible to grasp after a round or two. New players can quickly understand the basic actions, though managing resources and navigating events add layers of complexity that appeal to seasoned gamers. Tips in the rulebook encourage newcomers to focus on foundational skills like Writing and Vocals, while the awards system keeps everyone invested. While the game’s length (60-100 minutes) might feel daunting initially, the action-packed nature and fast turns make the playtime fly by.
Final Thoughts
[Like a perfect power chord progression,] Monster Rock is a delightful blend of strategy, theme, and rock n’ roll rebellion that resonates with players across skill levels. With its engaging mix of card drafting, resource management, and unpredictable events, the game is dynamic and offers high replayability. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to mix a bit of fantasy adventure with their board gaming experience, combining rock culture with revolutionary fervor.
The only drawback we encountered was occasional downtime in larger games, mitigated by the gameplay’s social, immersive nature. As fans of games that combine strong thematic elements with strategic choices, Monster Rock stood out as both a gateway board game for newcomers and a nuanced experience for veteran players seeking something fresh.
With cooperative and solo modes promising even more variety, Monster Rock is bound to be a hit for any game night.
