Slay The Spire 2

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⭐ 10/10

This game is still in early access, but I've sunk enough time into it to confirm this is a perfect game. The first one is nearly perfect, and this game is more polished in every way. A couple new characters that are super fun to learn. A bunch of characters with the same decks as the first game, but with more stronger cards. Better animations, smoother UI. Endlessly fun.

It was highly beneficial to play this almost immediately after this first, since it is so familiar, more of an expansion than a new game. So you get early wins, which is satisfying, but there are also a ton of new cards and relics, so you are continuing to learn and experiment on your previous knowledge. That being said, I don't think I would ever recommend someone go back and play the first, this game is better in every way. The first game is more difficult, since it feels like this game has a couple more OP cards, which feels like a better balance.

This is also early access, so things are changing, which is fun to be a part of. Cards getting stronger, cards getting nerfed, just another ingredient in this perfect stew that encourages you to try new things. I am historically such a plain boring gamer, and this game has forced me out of my comfort zone in all the best ways. You are forced to make unorthodox decks work, and along the way you learn that you can make almost anything work. A real feat.

I still think these runs are slightly too long, often spanning two sessions for me and my limited amounts of unbroken time to play. They are probably quicker than for most players because of my familiarity with the game now, but still too long. But that's the only downside! Ascensions, and rewards for doing them, encourage you to increase difficulty and get better under tighter constraints. Hades is the gold standard for this, and I am curious if future releases will include more rewards, since I've basically unlocked everything early access has to offer and I'm only on Ascension 4/10 for each character.

I can't over-emphasize how much I love the new characters too! I found them so difficult to start because of my familiarity with the ones from last game, but then you get that broken build that convinces you the new characters are the best. Just a perfect learning curve for me when paired with the characters I already knew, and made this feel like a new experience and not just DLC.

A game that makes you feel smart as you play, but also makes you feel like you are constantly learning. I can't wait for more!

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