How Slay the Spire Became the Benchmark for All Card Battler Games

Up until November 14, 2017, my disdain for the card battler genre was both overwhelming and completely unfounded. Despite trying earlier games like Blizzard’s Hearthstone, I just couldn’t connect with the genre. As time went on, I struggled to understand why I kept bouncing off this seemingly beloved and popular style of game. However, that all changed on the day indie studio Mega Crit released Slay the Spire into Steam Early Access, turning my negative perception of card battlers on its head and delivering one of the most surprising Game of the Year contenders I had ever encountered.

With Slay the Spire 2 now in development, let’s explore how the original Slay the Spire set the gold standard for the card battler genre and what continues to make it stand out among its many imitators.

Clarity Is Key

One of the most underrated aspects of Slay the Spire’s excellence is its clarity and simplicity. The game features a refreshingly uncluttered screen, a clean presentation, and color-coded cards that clearly indicate their functions. Slay the Spire’s streamlined user interface is a breath of fresh air compared to many of its peers, making it easy for newcomers to jump in and start playing. Other card battlers could learn a lot from the game’s restrained and thoughtfully designed presentation.

A Short, Sweet Gameplay Loop Anyone Can Master

What makes Slay the Spire especially accessible to genre newcomers is its beautifully simple and engaging gameplay loop. The game is easy to grasp—you take turns playing cards against enemies, using energy that replenishes each turn. The goal is to use your cards, which have corresponding energy costs, to reduce your opponent’s HP to zero through a mix of attack, defense, skill, and power cards.

When you’re not in battle, you’re progressing through the game’s map, collecting treasure, making decisions in random events, and facing challenging bosses. The game’s straightforward mechanics and quick-paced gameplay make it both a gateway to the card battler genre and a game that sits at its pinnacle.

Four Unique Characters With Distinct Mechanics

One of the ways Slay the Spire distinguishes itself from other games in the genre is through its four unique characters, each with their own playstyle and mechanics. The Ironclad, for example, has the highest starting health and regenerates health after each battle, making him a great choice for beginners. The Silent, an assassin character, specializes in poison and card-drawing abilities, offering a different strategic approach. The Defect, an automaton, channels elemental orbs for varied offensive and defensive effects, while the Watcher utilizes stances to switch between offensive and defensive playstyles.

This variety ensures that players of all skill levels can find a character that suits their preferences, and those who invest time in mastering each character can enjoy hundreds of hours of gameplay.

Constant Progression That Feels Rewarding

Beyond its compelling gameplay loop, Slay the Spire keeps players hooked through its roguelike elements, ensuring that even in defeat, you’re still making progress. The game offers both micro and macro levels of progression. On a micro level, you can build your deck, collect potions, and acquire relics that provide advantages during your current run. However, if you die or complete a run, you lose these items.

On a macro level, you earn experience points after each playthrough, even in defeat, which unlocks new cards for each character. This system encourages players to experiment with different characters and strategies, enhancing the game’s replayability. The progression system, combined with the game’s intuitive UI and mechanics, makes Slay the Spire even more appealing.

Risk and Reward Elevated

Throughout your journey in Slay the Spire, you’ll accumulate gold, potions, and relics, with numerous opportunities to risk these rewards for potentially greater gains. For instance, after defeating a boss, you might be offered a relic that grants extra energy each turn but prevents you from upgrading your cards. This forces you to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each choice, adding a layer of strategy to the game.

The game also lets you choose your path through each act, allowing you to avoid difficult encounters or take on more challenges for the chance at better rewards. Ascension levels, unlocked after completing the game, further increase the difficulty and reward, providing even more depth for players seeking a challenge.

Intelligent Enemy and Boss Design

Slay the Spire’s thoughtful design is perhaps best showcased in its boss encounters, which challenge players in unique and unexpected ways. For example, the Time Eater, a towering demon, forces you to adapt as it gradually shortens your turn length, requiring quick thinking and fast actions. Another boss, a trio of black slimes, are linked by a life force, meaning you must balance your attacks to defeat them simultaneously.

These clever and challenging enemies are a major part of what makes Slay the Spire so addictive, as they keep players coming back for “just one more try” after each defeat.

Slay the Spire not only turned my perspective on card battler games around but also set a new standard for the genre, one that many other games have since aspired to reach. Its clarity, accessible gameplay, character variety, rewarding progression, and clever design all contribute to its status as the gold standard in the world of card battlers.