A Journey Through Heartbreak and Hardship in Always Sometimes Monsters

Developed using RPG Maker by two Canadian developers, Always Sometimes Monsters is a deeply personal indie adventure that defies traditional genre boundaries. While it features elements of an RPG, players won't find any combat here; instead, the "battles" take place within the soul, as you navigate moral dilemmas and life-altering decisions. It is a game that sits somewhere between a visual novel and an experimental adventure, focusing entirely on narrative weight and character connection.

The story follows a struggling writer who has hit rock bottom. Facing a creative crisis, an unfinished manuscript, and eviction from their apartment due to unpaid debts, the protagonist receives a devastating blow: an invitation to the wedding of the love of their life on the other side of the country. With only one month to prepare, the player must find a way to traverse the continent, hoping to win back their lost love or, at the very least, prevent the marriage from happening.

Gameplay Mechanics and Player Agency

The gameplay revolves around a 30-day virtual timeline. During this period, you must perform various tasks and mini-games to earn money and secure transportation. The game is designed to be as difficult or as "repetitive" as the player allows; while some mini-games—such as moving boxes from conveyor belts into a truck—can feel mind-numbing, they serve to ground the player in the protagonist's desperate reality of manual labor and survival.

A core pillar of Always Sometimes Monsters is its robust customization system. Players can define the main character's gender, age, race, and sexual orientation. These are not merely cosmetic choices; they fundamentally influence how the world reacts to you and how your character perceives their surroundings. Every decision made—from how you spend your last few dollars to how you treat the strangers you meet—ripples through the narrative, leading to numerous different endings that can range from bittersweet to gut-wrenching.

Key Features

  • Deep Personalization: Customise your protagonist's identity, including gender and sexual orientation, which impacts story interactions.
  • Consequential Storytelling: Navigate a web of moral dilemmas where every choice can lead to unique narrative outcomes and multiple endings.
  • Survival Elements: Manage limited resources as you attempt to survive on the streets, often facing the grim reality of eating from garbage cans or sleeping outdoors.
  • Non-Traditional RPG Experience: Eschew combat in favor of building emotional connections with a cast of complex characters.
  • Experimental Narrative: A story composed of "several stories within this story," exploring themes of loss, failure, and redemption.

Who is This Game For?

Always Sometimes Monsters is a divisive title that tends to elicit strong emotional responses. It is not a "happy, sunshiney" experience; it is a heavy, often depressing exploration of what happens when everything goes wrong. It appeals strongly to fans of visual novels and indie titles like To the Moon, as well as players who value narrative agency and character depth over mechanical complexity. If you enjoy games that challenge your morality and leave you reflecting on your choices long after the credits roll, this is a journey worth taking.

Platform Availability

Players can experience this emotional odyssey on a wide range of platforms, including PC (Windows/macOS), PlayStation 4, iOS, and Android. Note that while the core experience remains consistent, the mobile versions may feature different user interface elements tailored for touch controls.