Slay the Spire

 Switch
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 119 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 119
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 119
  3. Negative: 11 out of 119
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  1. bl1rt
    May 1, 2021
    6
    This is a great game. Hours fly by figuring out the cards and how they interact, attack patterns of the enemies, card pickup strategy, and so on. There is a ton of content here.

    However, after a while you realize that, no matter how much you refine your strategy, the game ultimately comes down to luck of the draw. Which is the point of a card game, yes, but here, probability works so    This is a great game. Hours fly by figuring out the cards and how they interact, attack patterns of the enemies, card pickup strategy, and so on. There is a ton of content here.

    However, after a while you realize that, no matter how much you refine your strategy, the game ultimately comes down to luck of the draw. Which is the point of a card game, yes, but here, probability works so significantly against you, that almost all runs will end up in defeat, no matter your decisions or strategy.
    There simply is not enough room for skill, between the chances of having good cards offered to you, having these cards work well with the ones you picked up before, getting relics that support them, making it through the fights with those enemies that exploit the weakness of your deck, not running into two subsequent damage-heavy fights, and, most crucially, not drawing your cards in the worst possible order, or at least being lucky enough to have a saving potion.

    This could be remedied, for example by making it at least somewhat possible to recover losses, being able to adapt strategy during a run, or having enemies be less one-note, where your deck can either take them down without resistance, or you'll lose 40% or your HP.

    I don't think the game should be easier, but I think it should be more balanced. Roguelikes are supposed to be a bit frustrating, but it should be frustrating because you lack skill, not because you realize you are the kind of sucker who plays odds massively fixed against you.    … Expand
  2. Tkellgren
    Jan 7, 2020
    7
    Wasn't sure i would like this game before I picked it up, but I'm very happy I did.

    Hours disappear when I start playing this, and it always makes me want to go back in for another run to improve my strategy and obtain unlocks. If you like strategy card games and rouge likes, this is for you *Update:. I marked it down from a 9 to a 7 because after you unlock a few things, you'll end up    Wasn't sure i would like this game before I picked it up, but I'm very happy I did.

    Hours disappear when I start playing this, and it always makes me want to go back in for another run to improve my strategy and obtain unlocks.

    If you like strategy card games and rouge likes, this is for you

    *Update:. I marked it down from a 9 to a 7 because after you unlock a few things, you'll end up wasting hours on failed runs and getting nothing for your effort.

    Adding achievements or some xp unlock system after the initial one would be the least they could do, at this point I'm not going to be playing again til there is a big update, it's not worth the time you waste to unlock chapter 4 with no progress given after losing a run, no keys, no aesthetic unlocks, nothing, it's really poor game design in that aspect    … Expand
  3. Zski
    Aug 26, 2021
    7
    Solid game if you’re into turn based combat. It’s not an overly complex game, so it’s relatively easy to learn and it doesn’t require a lot of mastery since about half of the game is luck of the draw both in terms of your abilities and the enemies you face. The presentation of the game in terms of graphics and music is very unenthusiastic, so it will really come down to whether you likeSolid game if you’re into turn based combat. It’s not an overly complex game, so it’s relatively easy to learn and it doesn’t require a lot of mastery since about half of the game is luck of the draw both in terms of your abilities and the enemies you face. The presentation of the game in terms of graphics and music is very unenthusiastic, so it will really come down to whether you like the gameplay or not. While it works fine on the Switch, I think having this game easily accessible if you have time to kill would make it a better buy on iOS - assuming you don’t carry your Switch in your pocket everywhere you go.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Switch Game of 2019
45
#45 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Gamer.nl
    Dec 20, 2019
    85
    Slay the Spire is the high point of roguelikes with deck building. Though that may be a very small niche, the game is so good that it would be a shame to miss out on.
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  2. DarkZero
    Jul 29, 2019
    80
    It might not be the best version of Slay the Spire, but it’s the only one you can take on the go at the moment, being ensnared in its fun, rewarding gameplay, which can lead to missing a bus stop or two on the way to work without feeling all that bad about it.
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  3. SpazioGames
    Jul 10, 2019
    84
    Although the mods are not supported as in the PC scene, the Switch version of Slay the Spire is pure bliss, a dangerously addictive roguelike card game like you've never seen before on Nintendo's console.
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