Slay the Spire

In Slay the Spire, you guide one of four characters up a tower filled with monsters, bosses, treasures, and strange events. Each attempt starts with a basic deck, and defeat sends you back to begin another climb.

Fights are turn-based card battles: manage your energy, choose cards from your hand, and adapt to enemies’ attacks. After battles, you can add a card to your deck or pass; along the branching map, choose between battles, elite foes, shops, rest sites, and events.

Cards, potions, and relics can combine to support different strategies, while each character has distinct cards and mechanics. Routes, encounters, and rewards vary between attempts, and the game also offers higher-difficulty Ascension runs, Daily Climbs, and customizable modifiers.

Players often praise the depth of building a deck from changing card rewards, the distinct playstyles of the four characters, and the way each run calls for new decisions. Many find the strategic challenge and learning process rewarding, with varied routes and encounters giving them reasons to return. Some reviewers find the randomness and difficulty frustrating, and others criticize the simple visuals or steep learning curve.