I Am Not a Monster: First Contact is a distinctive blend of turn-based tactics, retro sci-fi storytelling, and light social-deduction elements, developed by Cheerdealers and published by Alawar. Designed as a single-player campaign set before the events of the original multiplayer-centered I’m Not a Monster, this entry focuses on narrative structure and strategic missions aboard the luxury starliner Albatross. The ship has been thrown into chaos by a sudden alien invasion: monstrous lizard-like creatures capable of impersonating humans, infecting passengers, and sabotaging the rescue effort. The game leans heavily into its campy 1950s sci-fi aesthetic—bright colors, bold costumes, and pulp comic-style character designs—to create a humorous yet tense backdrop for a mission-driven adventure.
The story unfolds across more than thirty missions, each introducing new twists, characters, and tactical challenges. You play through the perspective of several heroes, each with unique abilities and personalities that fit the game’s charmingly kitsch tone. These characters contribute to a narrative that mixes mystery and humor with a steady escalation of stakes as the crew begins to understand the alien threat. Despite its playful presentation, the campaign is structured with enough cinematic framing and character interaction to keep momentum moving forward, giving players a clear goal while leaving room for surprises. The retro atmosphere enhances the sense of adventure, keeping the tone light even as the situation on the ship becomes more dire.
Gameplay is built around a simultaneous-turn tactical system: players queue actions for their characters, then watch them resolve at the same time as enemy actions. This system offers both strategic freedom and unpredictability, forcing you to anticipate enemy behavior rather than simply reacting to it. Combat involves movement, shooting, use of special abilities, and managing positioning in narrow corridors and multi-room environments. The infection mechanic adds tension by turning any encounter into a risk—characters hit by monsters have only a brief window to be cured or they’ll transform into enemies, suddenly shifting the balance mid-mission. This mechanic adds urgency and gives the game a puzzle-like quality as you try to optimize each turn to avoid losing key units.
Many missions revolve around rescuing passengers, preventing further infections, and navigating areas filled with hazards and ambushes. The Albatross itself is designed with variety—luxury lounges, engineering sections, cramped hallways, and contaminated sectors all present different tactical considerations. Some missions reward stealthy or carefully calculated movement, while others emphasize decisive action. The design encourages experimentation with hero abilities and weapons, and the gradual introduction of new gameplay elements helps keep each mission fresh even when overall objectives repeat.
At the same time, I Am Not a Monster: First Contact has some unevenness in its mechanics and pacing. The simultaneous action system can feel confusing because the order of resolution isn’t always intuitive, making some outcomes difficult to predict. Certain missions lean heavily on trial-and-error, especially when the map layout or enemy behavior forces repeated restarts. The save and checkpoint structure can amplify this frustration, sometimes requiring players to replay long sections after a miscalculated turn. While these design choices contribute to the game’s tension, they also highlight parts of the experience that could be smoother or more clearly communicated.
Still, the overall package is impressive, especially considering its indie scope. The story offers more depth than its humorous tone initially suggests, and the cast of characters brings personality to the unfolding crisis. The mission variety, hero abilities, and infection mechanics provide layers of strategy that reward careful thinking and adaptability. Players who enjoy tactical games with unique flavor will find plenty to appreciate, and the retro presentation helps the game stand apart from more conventional sci-fi strategy titles.
Ultimately, I Am Not a Monster: First Contact succeeds as a vibrant, unusual, and engaging tactical adventure. It blends pulp sci-fi charm with a strategic foundation that offers both challenge and novelty. Although it has some rough edges in clarity and pacing, its creativity, atmosphere, and playful approach to the genre make it a memorable experience. For players seeking a tactical campaign with personality, humor, and a distinctive visual identity, this game stands out as a refreshing take on turn-based strategy wrapped in B-movie flair.
Rating: 7/10
