Slay the Spire 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Slay the Spire 2 across the outlets.- Slay the Spire II Update 0.104.0 Reworks Difficulty, Cards, and MultiplayerMega Crit has released update 0.104.0 for Slay the Spire II, focusing on difficulty adjustments across Ascension levels to make the base game more accessible while keeping high-level play challenging. The update also includes reworks for several Ironclad cards, adjustments to Regent cards, and balance changes for the Act 3 boss Doormaker. New multiplayer features, relic buffs, and UI refinements are also part of this substantial patch.
Hope you saved room after Slay the Spire 2, because the Vampire Survivors deckbuilder is already Overwhelmingly Positive…Poncle's new deckbuilding game, Vampire Crawlers, has achieved an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam with 98% positive reviews out of over 4,000 submissions. This success comes shortly after Slay the Spire 2 saw a dip in its review score following its first major update.
Slay the Spire 2 dev says an early idea was to actually reduce the card pool, but players hated it: 'We need new…Casey Yano, co-creator of Slay the Spire and co-founder of Mega Crit Games, discussed the design of Slay the Spire 2 in a new interview. He revealed that an early idea was to reduce the card pool, but playtesters disliked it. Yano also drew inspiration from the Dark Souls series for character build progression and mentioned Balatro as an example of natural game mechanic scaling.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Diablo 4: Lord of HatredPC Gamer magazine's latest issue features an exclusive preview of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, including hands-on gameplay and developer interviews. The issue also includes previews for Directive 8020 and Crimson Desert, reviews for several other titles, and a feature on the best PC RPGs.- Why Autosave Games Are the Only Games Parents Play | TAGThis article argues that autosave functionality is the most crucial feature for parents playing video games, especially in 2026. It highlights games like Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, and Cyberpunk 2077 for their robust autosave systems, while cautioning against titles with infrequent or manual save points, which can lead to significant progress loss due to unpredictable interruptions.
- 8 Single-Player Games With Honest Save Points (2026) | TAGThis guide highlights eight single-player games with save systems that respect players' time, allowing for short gaming sessions. Titles like Slay the Spire 2, Celeste, and Balatro offer near-instantaneous saves, while games such as Disco Elysium and Cyberpunk 2077 provide save-anywhere functionality. Other games like Stardew Valley, Dave the Diver, and Hades II save at natural breaks in their gameplay loops.
- 8 Short Roguelikes You Can Finish Before Bed (2026) | TAGThis guide highlights eight roguelike games that can be completed in a single session, ideal for players with limited time. Titles like Balatro, Hades II, and Slay the Spire 2 are recommended for their short run times and flexible save systems, making them suitable for playing before bed. The article also discusses the technical distinction between roguelikes and roguelites.
- 30-Minute Gaming Session: 12 Games That Respect Time | TAGThis guide highlights 12 video games designed for short play sessions, catering to busy adults who can only dedicate around 30 minutes to gaming. It features titles like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Hades II, and Rocket League, emphasizing games with natural stopping points, quick progression, and autosave features. The article also discusses what makes a game 'time-respecting' and provides recommendations for different time constraints and play styles.
- Developer poncle Confirms 15 Projects in Development, Expands Studios and Partnerships; Slay the Spire 2Developer poncle has confirmed it is working on 15 projects, including DLC and free updates for Vampire Survivors, and has expanded its studios. The company is also developing a dedicated Vampire Survivors Engine. Additionally, poncle and Mega Crit have partnered for a Steam bundle featuring Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard and Slay the Spire 2.
- 8 Games Worth Returning To in 2026 (Plot Optional) | TAGThis guide highlights eight games suitable for players returning after a long break, focusing on titles with minimal plot baggage or robust in-game recap features. Games like Hades II, Slay the Spire 2, and Minecraft are recommended for their roguelike or sandbox nature, while Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 offer strong journal and codex systems for resuming RPGs. Elden Ring: Nightreign and Stardew Valley are also included for their forgiving mechanics and clear progression.
Slay the Spire 2 almost had fewer new cards because of the co-creator's love for Dark Souls, but testers "were…Slay the Spire 2 co-creator Casey Yano initially wanted the sequel to feature fewer new cards for returning characters, inspired by the Dark Souls series' approach to build replication. However, playtesters expressed a strong desire for more new content, leading Mega Crit Games to adjust the design. This decision has contributed to the early success of Slay the Spire 2.- Slay the Spire 2 plummets to 66% positive lifetime Steam reviews as players seethe after first major update: "Preventing players from deckbuilding in a deckbuilder"Slay the Spire 2 has seen a significant increase in negative Steam reviews following its first major update, with players criticizing limitations on deckbuilding and increased difficulty. The update has led to a lifetime review score of 66% positive, with recent reviews at 48% positive. Developers Mega Crit are facing criticism over balance changes that some feel detract from the core deckbuilding experience.
"You need a crystal ball really to predict any of this stuff" - an indie game health check with Hotline Miami and Enter the Gungeon's Devolver DigitalDevolver Digital executives Bridie Roman and Robbie Pattison discuss the unpredictable nature of the indie game market, emphasizing the importance of sticking to a core philosophy rather than chasing trends. They acknowledge the challenges of discoverability and profitability but highlight the enduring appeal of unique, passion-driven projects. The conversation took place at the London Games Festival's New Game Plus event, where various indie developers gathered.
Slay the Spire 2 won't get an endless mode like Balatro because it limits "infinite strategies," but creator says "maybe a modder will think of a way to make it work"Mega Crit co-creator Casey Yano stated that Slay the Spire 2 will likely not receive an "endless mode" similar to Balatro, as it limits "infinite strategies" and the deckbuilding becomes less exciting over longer runs. However, Yano suggested that a modder might create such a mode in the future.
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors ReviewVampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard attempts to build upon the success of Vampire Survivors by incorporating deckbuilder roguelite and dungeon crawler elements. While it offers satisfying combos and numerous unlocks, the game's core mechanics feel shallow compared to its predecessor and the broader genre, leading to a repetitive experience after initial levels.
Slay the Spire 2 Roadmap Skips Release Dates to Avoid ‘Sloppy’ LaunchMegaCrit has released a roadmap for Slay the Spire 2 that deliberately omits release dates, prioritizing game quality over hype and avoiding a potentially 'sloppy' launch. This approach contrasts with many AAA studios and emphasizes a 'done when it's done' philosophy, a strategy also seen with Hollow Knight: Silksong. The decision is praised as a refreshing change after numerous rushed game releases, aiming to protect the legacy of the original Slay the Spire.- Windrose surpasses Crimson Desert and Slay the Spire 2 as players are driven to stranger tidesThe co-op pirate adventure game Windrose has achieved significant popularity in early access on Steam, reaching a peak of 204,000 concurrent players. This surge places it among the top three most-played games on the platform, surpassing titles like Crimson Desert and Slay the Spire 2. The game features survival, crafting, exploration, and naval combat set during the Golden Age of Piracy.
Slay the Spire 2 avoids becoming "Sloppy Spire 2" by keeping the roguelike's roadmap light on datesLead developer Casey Yano of Mega Crit discussed the intentionally date-light roadmap for Slay the Spire 2, aiming to avoid rushed development. Upcoming features include Steam Workshop support, a Bestiary, new game modes, an additional character, alternate acts, and eventual ports to other platforms.- Slay the Spire 2 Roadmap Has No Release Dates So Dev Can Avoid 'Sloppy Spire 2'Mega Crit, the developer of Slay the Spire 2, has released a roadmap for the game that intentionally omits specific release dates. The studio aims to avoid rushing development and releasing a subpar product, referred to as 'Sloppy Spire 2'.
- Roadmaps and PlansThe developer has released a newsletter detailing plans and roadmaps for Slay the Spire 2. The update provides insights into the future development and content for the upcoming title.