The Deck’s All Yours

“Slay the Spire” is a genre-bending, single-player game hybrid developed by MegaCrit. Players explore dungeons and fight monsters, encountering mysteries along the way. The mechanics provide a unique twist to traditional dungeon crawlers. Instead of traditional combat, players create a deck of cards which they use to fight.

Each randomly-generated dungeon contains multiple paths, allowing players to choose between fighting monsters, looting treasure, resting, visiting a merchant or exploring the unknown. Each activity allows players to add or remove cards from their deck, upgrade cards or find mystical relics that provide their characters with special powers.

As you progress through the game you will be able to unlock three separate, playable characters—each with their own unique cards and playstyle. Characters include the Ironclad, the Silent and the Defect—they keep the game fresh and interesting.

“Slay the Spire” provides little in storyline. Instead, this game relies on generic fantasy tropes and tidbits of the background. Players are called to “Slay the Spire.” In addition to the three playable characters, there are a handful of other named characters, but beyond this, there is very little plot development.

I am a big fan of card games, but this hybrid game manages to bring something new to the screen. In multiplayer card games, the mechanics allow each player to have a fair chance at winning. Since “Slay the Spire” is a single-player game, it doesn’t face the same restrictions, allowing for crazy combinations and play sequences. I was thrilled to play combinations that allowed me to draw my deck over and over in a single turn, or to deal a limitless amount of damage in a single turn. As a regular card game player, assembling these wild combinations was a real treat. The game has infinite replay value with an endless supply of unique levels. Once I had figured out the best combination of cards and had “solved the puzzle,” the game became somewhat predictable.

“Slay the Spire” is an incredibly unique gaming experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially avid card game players. This game presents a delightful puzzle that will tickle your brain as you untangle while becoming a fantasy hero along the way.

“I was thrilled to play combinations that allowed me to draw my deck over and over in a single turn, or to deal a limitless amount of damage in a single turn.”

Peer Rating: 4/5