Slay the Spire

Okay, so I’ve been playing Slay the Spire a lot recently, and I gotta say, it’s seriously one of the best games I've found on Steam. I’d give it a 9/10 – here's why:

Gameplay & Depth – 10/10
From my very first experience, I was absolutely addicted to this game! There is so much strategy and depth to it. I believe the combination of deck-building elements and roguelike elements makes for an excellent game! Every single decision matters and has to be made thoughtfully. Rather than just mindlessly clicking; you actually need to plan ahead, think through your moves, and prepare for the unexpected! This game requires players to master the game mechanic in order to fully enjoy the gameplay experience, however; there are not many consequences to being a ‘beginner’, therefore this game offers a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a player. Figuring out how cards and relics work together in a 'synergy' and how to build on each other is very rewarding! This game is extremely replayable because every run feels different and the variety of strategies that players can discover, is limitless!

Accessibility & Intuitiveness – 9/10
One thing I loved is how intuitive the game feels. I got what each card did and how to play it well pretty fast, even without guides. The mechanics are easy enough for beginners and also at the same time it has enough complexity to keep experienced players interested. Also, you can quit the game anytime you want and progress will be autosaved. No internet? No problem. You can dive right in wherever you are, which is a huge plus.

Challenge & Fairness – 8/10
This game is brutal, there’s no question about that. Your ability to think strategically and make decisions on your own is put to the test by Slay the Spire's intense challenge; however, despite how heavily the game weighs on luck, I never felt that I had been cheated out of playing because of anything related to the RNG. While you may occasionally draw poorly (or have a very bad hand), that is something which you must work through in order to win this game. And when a player feels they have been done wrongly or have been given an unfair chance, then that feeling will keep the player playing again to improve their skills and try new strategies.

Design & Atmosphere – 9/10
The designs are visually simple and very appealing to look at because it matches its theme very well with a beautiful art style. The music and sounds help provide a good experience throughout the game and the run itself, as it (the atmosphere) creates an immersive experience and is done without taking away from the actual gameplay (the run) itself.

Overall Experience – 9/10
This game is now one of my favorites. It’s a great balance of difficulty, ease, and depth. I keep going back to it because I can always learn, try out new ways to play, and win. I really hope they keep working on Slay the Spire or make another one — I’m looking forward to it.

Last thoughts:
In case you are in love with building a deck, roguelikes or just challenging strategic games, then Slay the Spire is for sure an absolute must-play. It’s one of those games that actually makes it worth trying and being smart. I can't recommend it enough!