Always Sometimes Monsters
A cross-country journey to win back lost love.
Always Sometimes Monsters is a role-playing game released in 2014, created by the Canadian developer Vagabond Dog and originally published by Devolver Digital for Microsoft Windows. An update using the MonoGame framework later brought it to OS X and Linux on 8 January 2015, to iOS and Android on 28 May 2015, and to PlayStation 4 on 10 October 2017. After Vagabond Dog acquired the publishing rights, a version for the Nintendo Switch was also released.
The player takes on the role of an author who learns that the love of their life is about to marry someone else on the opposite side of the country, with only a month to act. After being evicted from their east coast apartment, the protagonist heads west to try to intercept the wedding and win back their lost love.
At the start, a narrative sequence lets players choose their character and love interest, with the relationship able to be straight or gay. The story unfolds through text windows and character portraits, with choices in dialogue and action shaping the plot and the protagonist’s fate. Players can explore city environments, talk to non-player characters, and find ways to earn money to move to the next location—often taking repetitive, low-paying jobs or compromising their morals.
The game spans 30 in-game days, with time moving through morning, day, and night as activities and events are completed. Deciding how to spend time is crucial, as some options close off others.
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the PlayStation 4 version received “favourable” reviews, while the PC and iOS versions received “mixed or average” reviews.
A sequel, *Sometimes Always Monsters*, was announced on 13 August 2015. Originally planned for 2016, it was eventually released on 2 April 2020 for Windows.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Always Sometimes Monsters
- Developer
- Vagabond Dog
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital / Vagabond Dog (Switch)
- Engine
- RPG Maker VX Ace
- Platforms
- Android · iOS · Linux · Microsoft Windows · OS X · PlayStation 4 · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Windows / 21 May 2014 / OS X, Linux / 8 January 2015 / iOS, Android / 28 May 2015 / PlayStation 4 / 10 October 2017 / Nintendo Switch / 8 April 2021
- Genre
- Role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
- Designer
- Justin Amirkhani
- Programmer
- Jake Reardon
- Artist
- Sarah Dario · Kelvin Put · Jessica Alves · Victor Cueva Rodriguez · Donovan Liu · Luis Emilio Aceves Amaya
- Composer
- Laser Destroyer Team
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Always Sometimes Monsters was released in 2014 for Microsoft Windows, with later ports to OS X and Linux on 8 January 2015, iOS and Android on 28 May 2015, and PlayStation 4 on 10 October 2017. After Vagabond Dog acquired the publishing rights, a port to the Nintendo Switch was released. The game begins with a narrative sequence allowing players to select their character and love interest, with the relationship able to be straight or gay. The story unfolds through text windows and character portraits, with player choices in dialogue and action altering the course of the narrative. Gameplay involves exploring city environments, interacting with NPCs, and earning money through repetitive odd jobs or morally compromising actions. The game spans 30 in-game days, with time progressing through morning, day, and night as activities are completed, and some choices disable others.
Reader's Guide
Always Sometimes Monsters is notable for its narrative-driven role-playing design, where player decisions directly shape the protagonist's fate over a strict 30-day timeline. The game's emphasis on moral compromise and time management—forcing players to choose between low-paying jobs and ethical boundaries—creates a tense, personal journey. Its reception varied by platform: the PlayStation 4 version received favorable reviews, while the PC and iOS versions received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. The game's legacy includes a sequel, Sometimes Always Monsters, announced on 13 August 2015 and eventually released on 2 April 2020 for Windows. The title stands as an example of indie role-playing games that prioritize story and choice over combat or traditional progression systems.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed by Canadian studio Vagabond Dog and published by Devolver Digital.
- Players can choose a straight or gay relationship with their love interest.
- The game takes place over 30 in-game days with morning, day, and night cycles.
- A sequel, Sometimes Always Monsters, was released on 2 April 2020 for Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Always Sometimes Monsters?
Always Sometimes Monsters is a 2014 role-playing game in which you play as an author who must travel across the country to win back the love of your life before they marry someone else. The title was created by the Canadian studio Vagabond Dog.
Who developed and published Always Sometimes Monsters?
Vagabond Dog, a Canadian development team, created the game, and Devolver Digital handled the initial publishing deal for the 2014 Windows release. Vagabond Dog later reclaimed the publishing rights themselves, which enabled additional platform ports including the Nintendo Switch version.
What is the story of Always Sometimes Monsters?
You take on the role of a writer who learns that the person they love most is about to wed another individual on the far side of the country. The entire game revolves around a cross-country road trip in which you attempt to reclaim that lost love before the wedding takes place.
What platforms is Always Sometimes Monsters available on?
The game debuted on Microsoft Windows in 2014 and was subsequently brought to OS X and Linux in January 2015, iOS and Android in May 2015, PlayStation 4 in October 2017, and the Nintendo Switch after Vagabond Dog secured the publishing rights. The expanded porting was made possible through a MonoGame-based framework update.
Is there a sequel to Always Sometimes Monsters?
Yes, a sequel was officially announced on 13 August 2015, less than a year after the original's 2014 launch. The announcement confirmed Vagabond Dog's intention to continue the narrative beyond the first game's cross-country journey.
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