Slay the Spire 2 will release for Early Access on March 5 with a deck of new and returning Slayers. Discover what the developers are aiming for in the roguelike card game sequel here.
Slay the Spire 2 Hits PC for Early Access in Two Weeks
Devs: Early Access Will Last “Until the Game Feels Great”
Slay the Spire 2 developer Mega Crit unveils a March 5, 2026, Early Access release for the long-awaited sequel to the iconic roguelike deckbuilder. The YouTube trailer teases brand-new content—cards, events, relics, potions, abilities, alternate acts, and more—and showcases a cast of five Slayers, including the return of popular go-to, The Defect, from the original game, who has been a no-show across all trailers and teasers up until this point.
Unlike the single-player prequel, Slay the Spire 2 will feature a four-player co-op mode. Regarding team synergies, functionality includes relic selection for each player, collaborative map drawing for deciding where to go, and shared camping nodes. "Discover multiplayer-specific cards, powerful team synergies, and carry your friends (or get carried) to victory!" the updated description on Steam reads. Nonetheless, the game still offers a single-player option for those who prefer to play alone.
According to the developers, Slay the Spire 2 requires a pre-launch phase so they can "balance content, add quality of life features, and make sure the game runs without issues." The team is also eyeing to "test experimental features, try exotic designs," and "identify niche problems" based on player feedback from their Discord server and on social media.
Moreover, they clarify that the roguelike title will be in Early Access for approximately one to two years "until the game feels great." Estimation draws from their observation of the original Slay the Spire, which targeted a one-year Early Access duration but ended up lasting 1 and a half years instead.
When asked about the difference between Slay the Spire 2's Early Access and full release versions, Mega Crit said "more gameplay content, a true ending, various game modes, improved balance, a ton of bug fixes, greater hardware compatibility, fancier visual effects," and more language localizations. The full release will also cost more than the Early Access version.
Initially slated for launch in September last year, Slay the Spire 2 Early Access was pushed back to March 2026, with the developers citing "personal" reasons and the title needing "more polish" to meet their standards. At the end of their statement, they also joked that Hollow Knight: Silksong did not impact their decision. For context, Silksong's September release prompted multiple other games to delay their own release dates to avoid being overshadowed by the immensely popular Metroidvania.
Five Slayers Slated to Ascend the Spire
The trailer confirms Slay the Spire 2's roster of five Slayers aiming to reach the Spire's zenith, with three characters from the first game making their comeback and two new characters joining the fray.
After years of fan speculation and pleas to bring a certain sentient automaton to the sequel's lineup—alongside developers suggesting its possible return—The Defect emerges from the recent trailer as a key reveal, hyping up the community. The Defect was a popular pick in Slay the Spire due to its unique Orb mechanic.
The other returning Slayers, as revealed much earlier, are The Ironclad and The Silent. The Ironclad uses straightforward, tank-like combat, whereas The Silent leans more toward a tactical and clever playstyle, playing around card draw, discards, and damage-over-time effects. Considering the lineup above, The Watcher is the only prequel Slayer not confirmed to come back.
Furthermore, the two new Slayers are named The Necrobinder and The Regent. True to its name, the Necrobinder is a necromancer lich who summons a large reanimated hand, Osty, in combat. Meanwhile, the heir to the Throne of Stars from a distant planet, The Regent, uses the power of the cosmos and commands his loyal minions to fight for him.
Slay the Spire will release in Early Access on PC via Steam on March 5, 2025. For more information about the game, check out our article below.
Sources:
YouTube | Slay the Spire 2 - Early Access Trailer
Steam | Slay the Spire 2
Steam | The Neowsletter - December 2025
Steam | The Neowsletter - October 2025
Reddit | Dev teases about defect/watcher returning to the sequel
Reddit | Thoughts on Defect and Watcher in Slay the Spire 2?
