Roguelike card battle game
Slay the Spire by Mega Crit Games and Humble Bundle is a strategy title that mixes rogue-like elements into a game with predominantly card-based mechanics. Players fight various grotesque enemies while traversing a mysterious world, working through the levels with only their trusty decks at hand.
Choose your adventure
This deckbuilding game features four playable characters: the Ironclad, the Watcher, the Silent, and the Defect. All have different gameplay styles, starting with a deck of basic cards that match their personalities.
You’ll pick one and start your journey throughout the Spire, a sinister structure full of powerful relics and strange monsters. There isn’t a highly-detailed narrative structure like that in Cultist Simulator, but the game keeps you engaged with its detailed world-building.
Gameplay variety
The characters come with diverse sets of attacks, passive skills, and relics. The first two categories define your defense and offense, while the third opens the doors to special abilities unique to each character. You can also gather more cards with each battle you win.
The rogue-like element stems from exploration. As you’re making your way across the maps, the game lets you choose the path forward by making small decisions, pitting you against random opponents throughout.
There are only four acts, but each new session provides a novel experience for the player. The gameplay takes some time to grasp, especially with varying playstyles required for different characters, but getting the hang of it feels rewarding and worth the trouble.
Relics and decks
Unlike in SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, which combines card game features with turn-based combat, this title has you fighting with your deck. As a result, deck-building is highly detailed and strategic, very much like Hearthstone.
You’ll build your deck by sifting through the hundreds of available options, looking to combine them to maximize your strength. The items you’ll find along the way also interact with various cards.
Our take
Overall, Slay the Spire is a fantastic addition to the genre. It gets you thinking about different combinations and strategies, and it’s entertaining to the core.
Should you download it?
Yes, if you enjoy card games or rogue-like RPGs. It’s challenging but immersive, providing hours of fun and exploration.
