Before Balatro and countless other card-based roguelikes, there was Slay the Spire. Released by Mega Crit, it combined deckbuilding card games with roguelike structure, and in doing so, it created a template that many games still follow. Years later, it remains one of the best games in its genre.
We played through all four characters on PC and mobile and climbed several Ascension levels. Here is our review.
The basic idea
You choose a character and climb a three-act Spire, with an optional final act for those who unlock it. Each act has a map with branching paths. You choose your route through fights, elite enemies, rest sites, shops, treasure and mystery events. Each act ends with a boss.
Combat is turn-based and uses cards. Each turn, you draw a hand and spend energy to play attacks, skills and powers. Enemies show their intentions, so you know whether they plan to attack, defend or apply effects. This makes every turn a puzzle: should you block, attack or set up for future turns?
Deckbuilding
After battles, you choose one new card from a selection, or skip. This is where the strategy lies. Adding too many cards makes your deck inconsistent, while removing weak cards makes it stronger. Building a focused deck around strong synergies is key to success.
Relics
Relics are permanent items that provide passive effects. Some give extra energy, others boost certain card types or provide healing. Relics can completely change your strategy, and finding a powerful relic early can define your run.
Four characters
Each character plays very differently:
- The Ironclad focuses on strength, healing and powerful attacks
- The Silent uses poison, shivs and card draw
- The Defect channels orbs for lightning, frost and dark damage
- The Watcher switches between stances to deal huge damage or defend
Learning each character’s mechanics feels like learning a new game, which adds enormous replay value.
Ascension
After winning with a character, you unlock Ascension levels, each adding a new challenge, such as stronger enemies or less healing. Climbing to Ascension 20 is a long-term goal for dedicated players and requires mastering every system.
Events and choices
Mystery rooms present events with choices and consequences. Some offer powerful rewards for a price, while others are risky gambles. These events add unpredictability and make each run feel unique.
Mobile version
Slay the Spire on mobile is excellent. The interface is adapted well for touchscreens, and runs can be paused at any time. It is perfect for commutes and short breaks. The game is not free, but it has no ads or extra purchases.
Art and sound
The art style is simple and hand-drawn. It is functional and clear, but some players may find it plain compared to modern games. The soundtrack is atmospheric and fits the dark fantasy setting.
Difficulty and randomness
Slay the Spire is challenging. Even experienced players lose runs, sometimes due to bad luck with card offers or difficult enemy combinations. However, skilled players win consistently, showing that strategy matters more than luck over time.
Tips for beginners
- Do not add every card you see; skip when needed
- Remove basic Strike and Defend cards at shops
- Read enemy intentions carefully
- Fight some elites early for relics
- Plan your path through the map
Who is it for?
Slay the Spire is perfect for players who enjoy strategy, card games and replayable challenges. It is also a great introduction to roguelike deckbuilders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Slay the Spire hard? It is challenging, but fair. Learning from failed runs is part of the experience.
How long is a run? Usually 45 to 90 minutes.
Does it have microtransactions? No. You buy the game once.
Its influence on gaming
Slay the Spire inspired an entire wave of roguelike deckbuilders. Many popular games borrowed its map structure, enemy intents and card rewards. Playing it today, you can see why so many developers were inspired: its systems are clean, elegant and endlessly replayable.
How to improve faster
The biggest leap in skill comes from thinking about your deck as a whole. Before taking a card, ask yourself how it helps against the act’s boss and whether it fits your current plan. Pay attention to damage scaling for long fights and to defensive tools for elite enemies. Watching experienced players explain their decisions is also an excellent way to learn.
Our favourite character
Each player has a favourite. We loved the Defect for its creative orb combinations and big damage turns, while the Silent’s poison builds offered a satisfying slow-burn strategy. The Watcher is often considered the strongest but also the riskiest, with stances that can deliver huge damage or leave you exposed.
Understanding the three acts
Each act has its own enemies and challenges. Act 1 tests whether your deck can deal with early damage and simple elites. Act 2 introduces enemies that punish weak decks and demand both scaling damage and defence. Act 3 brings powerful enemies that require a well-built deck with clear synergies. Planning for each act’s challenges, rather than only the next fight, is a big part of improving.
Reading enemy patterns
Every enemy has a predictable pattern. Some build strength over time, others apply debuffs or summon allies. Learning these patterns lets you plan turns more efficiently, such as blocking only when necessary and attacking when an enemy is about to buff itself. Experienced players recognise enemies at a glance and know exactly how to respond.
A game you can return to
Even years later, we keep coming back to Slay the Spire. Its daily climb mode adds special rules each day, and a run is always only a few taps away on mobile. It is one of those rare games that never really leaves your device.
Our routine
We usually play one run a day on mobile, which keeps it fresh and never feels like a chore.
Verdict
Slay the Spire is a masterpiece of game design. Its combination of deckbuilding, roguelike structure and clear strategic choices makes it endlessly replayable. Four distinct characters and Ascension levels provide hundreds of hours of content. If you enjoy strategy games, it is essential.
