Image credit: Mega Crit
The Spire is stirring once more, and Mega Crit has officially confirmed that Slay the Spire 2 will launch into Steam Early Access soon!
Arriving nearly seven years after the original, this sequel is not just a simple content expansion.Rebuilt from the ground up in the Godot engine, Slay the Spire 2 will feature more fluid animations via Spine2D and a significantly more modular framework designed to support the franchise’s first-ever foray into multiplayer. So let’s see when we can start ascending the spire in early access!

TL;DR — Early Access release time (quick summary)

Release date: Thursday, March 5, 2026 •
Platform: Steam (PC)

Key highlights: 4-player online co-op • Steam Deck Ready • Early Access price $24.99

Global Release Times

Mega Crit is targeting a simultaneous global launch of Slay the Spire 2 Early Access on Steam on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Based on official developer communications, here is when you can begin your climb:

RegionRelease DateLocal Time
West US (Los Angeles)March 5, 202610:00 AM PST
East US (New York)March 5, 20261:00 PM EST
UK (London)March 5, 20266:00 PM GMT
Central Europe (Berlin)March 5, 20267:00 PM CET
Japan (Tokyo)March 6, 20263:00 AM JST

Platforms and Steam Deck Support

For the duration of its Early Access period, Slay the Spire 2 will be exclusive to PC (Windows, macOS, and Linux/SteamOS) through Steam. While console fans on PS5, Xbox, and the Switch 2 will have to wait for the 1.0 full release (currently estimated for 2027), the PC version is exceptionally lightweight.

Slay the Spire 2

Slay the Spire 2

Release Date: March 05, 2026

Genres: Strategy, Indie, Card Game

More Info

Mega Crit has confirmed the game is Steam Deck Ready on day one. Thanks to the Godot engine’s efficiency, the game runs natively on Linux, ensuring high performance and long battery life on handhelds. As is often the case in Early Access, Steam Achievements will be disabled during the initial launch phase while the developers finalize the total content count.

Gameplay Features: Co-op and New Roster

The headline feature for the sequel is the 4-player online co-op mode. Players can now coordinate their paths on the map, share potions, and witness each other’s combat in real-time.

Slay the Spire 2 - Early Access Trailer

This mode introduces team-specific cards and a Combo system where one player’s debuff can trigger a teammate’s specialized follow-up. The character roster includes returning icons and a few bold newcomers:

  • The Ironclad, The Silent, and The Defect: All return with expanded card pools and reworked starter relics.
  • The Necrobinder: A lich who fights alongside Osty, a reanimated giant hand. Osty acts as a separate entity that can soak up damage for the Necrobinder or be sacrificed for massive Bone Shard explosions.
  • The Regent: A cosmic traveller who manages a unique Stars resource. Unlike energy, Stars do not reset each turn, allowing you to “forge” the Sovereign Blade – a weapon that scales in power the more you invest in it throughout a single combat encounter.

Pricing and Availability

Mega Crit is sticking to its roots with a simple, fair pricing structure. There are no microtransactions or battle passes here. The Early Access Price is going to be $24.99, which will likely increase upon the 1.0 release.