🚨 Early Access — March 5, 2026
STS2 Early Access Info
Everything confirmed about the Slay the Spire 2 Early Access launch — what's included, what's coming, and what to expect.
Release date confirmed: Slay the Spire 2 Early Access launches on Steam on Thursday, March 5, 2026. PC only at launch. Console and mobile TBD.
Key Facts at a Glance
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Release Date
March 5, 2026
Steam Early Access
PC only at launch
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Developer
Mega Crit
Same team as STS1
Independent studio
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Platform
Steam (PC)
Console/mobile not confirmed
Wishlist on Steam now
What's Included at Early Access Launch
Mega Crit confirmed the launch build is substantial. Here's what's coming on March 5:
- New and returning characters (Slayers with distinct card pools)
- New cards — expanded card pools across all characters
- New relics — new passive items to discover
- New events — story events across the Spire
- New potions — expanded potion selection
- New abilities — new character mechanics
- Alternate Acts — new branching act paths beyond the original 3
- Ancients — new meta-progression mechanic
- 4-Player Co-op — full multiplayer at launch
- Procedurally generated maps — branching paths, elites, bosses
- More content added throughout Early Access (MegaCrit's model)
What's Different vs Slay the Spire 1?
Brand New in STS2
- 4-player co-op — series first
- Alternate Acts — new branching paths
- Ancients system — new meta-progression
- New characters with original mechanics
- Expanded enemy roster and boss fights
- New card mechanics and keywords
Returning from STS1
- Core deckbuilding roguelike loop
- Returning character archetypes (reworked)
- 3-act structure (now expanded)
- Relic system
- Potion system
- Campfire, shop, event node types
The "Secret Thursday in March" Story
In September 2025, MegaCrit promised STS2 would launch on "a secret Thursday in March" — one of gaming's more memorable release window announcements. The secret Thursday turned out to be March 5, revealed just two weeks before launch.
This was very on-brand for Mega Crit: understated, confident, and with a wink at their community.
Why Early Access?
Mega Crit explained their reasoning directly on the Steam page:
"Slay the Spire's success comes from our community!" — MegaCrit on why they're using Early Access. STS1 launched in Early Access in November 2017 and released fully in January 2019. That model produced one of the best-reviewed games of the decade.
Expect STS2 to follow a similar path: launch with strong content, iterate based on community feedback, and add characters/mechanics over 12-24 months before full release.
What to Expect at Launch
Based on MegaCrit's track record with STS1 Early Access:
- Solid playable experience — their Early Access launches are polished
- Regular balance patches — expect hotfixes in the first week
- Active community feedback integration — they listen to Reddit and Discord
- Content additions over months — new characters, cards, acts
- Price increase at full release — buy early if you're interested
Should You Buy Early Access?
Short answer: yes, if you liked STS1. MegaCrit is one of the most trusted indie developers for Early Access. STS1's EA period was widely considered one of the best in gaming history — they communicated well, updated frequently, and delivered on their promises.