After months of anticipation and a delay that pushed the game past its original late 2025 window, Mega Crit'sSlay the Spire 2 is finally making its Steam Early Access debut. The sequel to one of the most influential deckbuilding roguelikes ever made arrives with a slate of new content and at least one major new feature that changes how the game can be played entirely.
The Exact Moment You Can Play
Slay the Spire 2 launched into Steam Early Access on Thursday, March 5, with a single global unlock time rather than staggered regional releases. That unlock time is 10 am Pacific, confirmed via a Reddit AMA with the development team and listed on the game's Steam page.
Here's the full breakdown by region:
What's Inside at Early Access Launch
The Early Access build isn't a stripped-down preview. Slay the Spire 2 arrives with both new and returning playable characters, an expanded collection of cards, and the headline addition: four-player co-op. That last feature marks a significant shift from the solo-focused design of the original, opening up the spire climb to coordinated group runs for the first time.
The game notably launched on the same day as Bungie'sMarathon, putting two highly anticipated titles in direct competition for player attention on March 5. Despite that, Slay the Spire 2 hit the number one seller spot on Steam on launch day, sitting above both Marathon and Resident Evil Requiem on the charts.
Returning and new characters available
Why This Launch Matters for Roguelike Fans
Here's the thing: the original Slay the Spire didn't just sell well, it defined a genre template that dozens of deckbuilders have followed since its own Early Access debut. The sequel carrying that weight means expectations are unusually high even for a game entering an unfinished state.
The addition of four-player co-op in particular signals that Mega Crit is thinking beyond the solitary loop that made the first game iconic. What most players miss in Early Access launches is how much the developer roadmap shapes the final product. The team's Reddit AMA engagement ahead of launch suggests an active feedback loop is already in place, which bodes well for the months of development still ahead.
The delay from late 2025 also appears to have paid off in terms of day-one reception, with the game shattering roguelike player count records on Steam shortly after going live.
From One Spire to the Next
Slay the Spire originally launched in Early Access back in 2017 before reaching its full release in 2019. That two-year development window shaped it into one of the most polished and replayable card games on PC. Slay the Spire 2 follows a similar path, using Early Access as a live development tool rather than a soft launch.
The sequel was announced and had been on the radar of deckbuilder fans for some time before the late 2025 delay pushed it into early 2026. Now that it's live, the clock starts on what could be another multi-year journey toward a full 1.0 release.
Source: Inkl
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Slay the Spire 2 launch on Steam Early Access?
Slay the Spire 2 entered Steam Early Access on Thursday, March 5, unlocking globally at 10 am Pacific Time.
Does Slay the Spire 2 have co-op?
Yes. Four-player co-op is one of the major new features included in the Early Access build, marking a significant addition compared to the solo-only design of the original game.
Is Slay the Spire 2 a full release or Early Access?
The March 5 launch is an Early Access release on Steam, meaning the game will continue to receive updates and new content before reaching its full 1.0 version.
