When Mega Crit dropped the early access version of Slay the Spire on the unsuspecting masses in 2017, I wonder if they had an inkling back then. If they knew they'd struck gaming gold. If they could fathom that Slay the Spire would become king of the roguelike mountain -- and still is, if we're counting the recent release of Slay the Spire 2. Even as a seasoned gamer, it's the only frame of reference I have for the origin of my obsession with the genre. Seriously, I have a problem. I was going to talk about Roguebook this week (and I'll circle back to it, promise), but I'm compelled to discuss the big Spire in the room first!

'Slay the Spire'? More Like "Slay All My Free Time"!

I'm about to commit a cardinal writing sin and admit something from the soul. There's nothing I can tell you about Slay the Spire that hasn't already been said by another games journalist or content creator. But rather than play inside baseball with the congregation, I want to talk about my personal experience with it in a way I feel will help any stragglers finally take the plunge! So, if you look at the above screenshot, do you know what you're looking at? Likely not! If I had no knowledge of StS and someone showed me that image, I'd vow to never play it. But trust me, once you commit yourself to the Spire? To the dopamine rush of seeing that extended hand of cards? You'll understand.

Slay the Spire has four distinct characters to choose from: the Ironclad, the Silent, the Defect, and the Watcher. Each class starts with its own pool of health, cards, and relics that'll enhance -- or complicate -- your runs. Within each class are an insane number of strategies. Then, you factor in the fact that each "loss" is never a real failure, but a chance to gain more cards, relics, and most of all? Knowledge. You will not succeed in Slay the Spire if you're unwilling to puzzle out your options against the many enemies you'll face. That's when it'll grab you. And keep you. Never to release its iron grip.

A Fiend In Need Is A Fiend, Indeed

You can't throw a rock without hitting a roguelike deckbuilder these days. In fact, most of them are at least "above average." Some even come oh-so close to Slay the Spire. But nothing else has had the staying power for me. When I'm having a rough day and need to distract myself, I boot up Slay the Spire. When I want to play something, but don't know what deserves my time? Those spires need slayin', baby. "Every run is different" is the usual tagline for the genre, but despite all my successes and learning experiences in defeat, I've truly never had two runs be the same. There are too many variants -- deck builds, events, enemies, RNG itself.

I bought Slay the Spire 2 immediately, by the way. I haven't booted it up yet because I'm still unemployed and waiting for that fateful "YOU GOT IT, DWAYNE!" email before indulging in StS2, Esoteric Ebb, and Mewgenics. (Don't ask -- it'll be an article down the road.) I once wrote about how the sequel, inevitably, would be "more of the same." But in a complimentary way! Now, with all the impressions of it out in the wild, I gotta say it. I'm sorry, Mega Crit. I disrespected and misrepresented your power levels. Yes, the foundation is carried over from the first game, but... ...you know what? Play it for yourself! Join us!