Adding a new layer to thevisual novelseries, Monster Prom: Roadtrip maintains the whacky hijinks and attractive monsters we know and love while including a survival element. When exploring the open road, there are now stats to keep track of. Reaching 25 in one of them will unlock an awesome final destination while falling to zero ends your run.
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However, along the way are hitchhikers looking to join the crew, providing the romantic aspect this series is known for. Their intricate backstories, heartfelt discussions, and adorable animations aren’t all they’ve got going for them. Each NPC brings stat changes with them, and if you share a deep enough connection, you can even unlock new plot lines and destinations.
9Moss Mann
Moss Mann knows all the hot tea, and he’s happy to spill it for you, providing there’s a bright light source, of course. After picking up this cryptid crew mate, your next week will involve a random stat gain and loss, which is fun in the early game to get the ball rolling or keep you on your toes later. His conversations revolve around how urban legends and rumors impact society, often living on for years through storytelling.
If you want to get on his good side, suggest ‘Not my Avril Lavigne’ during the deep conversation. If you woo him well and get 25 Mind, you’ll unlock a secret Cryptid Prom destination layer. This might take a few tries, as this definitely isn’ta game to beat in a single sitting.
8Stu
The most chill demon around, Stu can be picked up randomly, spotted UFO gazing, or seen as a lifeguard at the lake. Even his road trip effect is ‘Chill Dude,’ where every stat change is reduced by one, making every decision a little less stressful. His romancing doesn’t offer any cool perks to your final destination, but Stu has a separate romance ending that can be unlocked if you choose ‘Folding hard, flying high’ during a deep conversation.
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The road encounter he generates decides the world’s fate, with Mind and Soul stats on the line too.
7Oz
This adorable shadow person is also available as a playable character with the DLC, so if you play as them, you can’t find them hitchhiking. Oz struggles with dating and social interactions in general. But, once he gets more comfortable, his deep conversations are the best. Suggest he gets himself a catchy catchphrase to further your relationship.
When Oz joins you on your trip, the Nervous Wreck effect will take hold, gaining three and losing three random stats every turn of the following week. You’re in for a wild ride, which is excellent for long-time players who need a little challenge. When his road event comes up, whatever choice you make will lose two Soul, so be sure to keep that stat high.
6Adrien
Adrien’s backstory overlaps with Miranda’s, as Adrien serves in the Merkingdom, deepening the lore in this game. They provide a lot of information about the politics of Monster Prom’s world, and their conversations get pretty intense. Suggest to them that the people might listen to someone in power, such as Miranda, and you’re sure to get in their good books.
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Adrien’s hitchhiker effect is Protector of the Weak, basically keeping you from ever reaching zero by adding a lot to your lowest stat after you talk to them and taking a little from every other. This is a great character for newer players and makes surviving this whirlwind trip much more manageable.
5Liam de Lioncourt
One of the more difficult stats to keep up with is Mind, especially when you’re often wandering into cult meetings and watching Scott dress up in pancake lingerie. Picking up the awesomely nerdy Liam can really help with that, as his effect Fun Facts increases Mind every turn while draining Hype. Hype isn’t as difficult to acquire, so it’s easy to balance.
Liam loves art, as well as having hundreds of other hobbies. What else are you supposed to do once you reach your 400th birthday? Polly often makes fun of him, even ruining his entry in an art gallery at one point. However, romancing this lovable dork is necessary tounlock the Veranotone Festival ending layer, which also requires 25 Stamina.
4Miranda Vanderbilt
Miranda is the adorable princess of the Merkingdom, set off on a quest to learn more about the world before she inherits the throne. She’s quick to defend the rather violent ways of her court at first, but her character arc has her longing for a change. Talking to Miranda kicks off the Whole New World effect, as listening to her chatter drains your Mind every turn while improving Stamina.
However, her unique Road Event, ‘A WHOLE NEW ROOOOAD!’ will refund some of the Mind if you stuff her cake hole with ice cream. Though Miranda’s effect isn’t the best, it’s worth it for her personality and unlocking a layer of the Merkingdom Feast ending. This one requires plenty of Money to get into.
3Valerie Oberlin
Valerie is the more laid back of the Oberlin sisters, found in Shopping Malls stealing identities, whereas her sister Vera (the gorgon) is all about making profits. Valerie clearly has all the street smarts, as the turn after talking to her, you’ll gain an extra stat from Noodles' Shop if you stop by. This is super helpful for stacking a stat and getting the ending you’re looking for, though romancing her won’t add any layers to it.
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Suggest she takes the time to find out who she is when you have a deep conversation with her. And whatever choice you make in the Endless Cursed Fog event will net you some Money.
2Polly Geist / Scott Howl
Polly and Scott aren’t hitchhikers per se, but talking to and romancing them still provides unique benefits and dialogue options. They’re always available at the Rest Stop; you just need to join them at the benches. It’s hard not toget attached to your Pranksterz crew members, and romancing them provides real insight and depth that you’d gloss over otherwise.
They both provide the same trip effect, Chaotic Energy, meaning all stat losses and gains are increased by one every single turn that week. This ramps up the difficulty but makes every choice that bit more important. All of Scott’s best deep conversation answers involve his butt. However, Polly needs reassurance that she’d be a sexy general and a great intimacy coordinator.
1Milo Belladonna
Milo is always in the spotlight, drinking up attention from their followers, even while you’re supposed to be having a private conversation. Encouraging them to spend time doing what they enjoy, such as journeying through Italy, is the way to their ancient heart. The cutest reaper around will grant you a Free Pass for the week after you two chat. This is a valuable one-time save if any of your stats hit zero.
When Milo asks what sort of good deed they should do, both answers will increase Soul, but resurrecting roadkill uses up Magic, and doing manual labor reduces Hype.
