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For years, Slay the Spire<\/a> dominated the roguelike<\/a> genre. It\u2019s not only a critically acclaimed<\/a> game, but a foundational part of the deckbuilder<\/a> genre as well. Now that Slay the Spire 2<\/a> released<\/a> in early access, we have to ask: Does it live up to the legacy?<\/p>\n It would be unfair to answer that question as of right now, seeing as the game is unfinished, but we can take a look at what\u2019s here so far.<\/p>\n Slay the Spire 2 is a deckbuilder roguelike where players control one of (currently) five characters in order to reach the top of the treacherous Spire. Most of the game\u2019s time is spent in encounters with enemies, during which players use a deck of cards they hand-selected in order to fight turn-based battles. During battle, cards can be played from your hand for various benefits, like dealing damage or blocking incoming attacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n The whole system is simple, but it leaves room for extreme customizability and experimentation. Each of the five characters have totally different play styles, with some focusing on dealing high damage quickly and others opting for matches of attrition as they slowly chip away at their foes. As you come to understand each character, you will be able to play them in many different ways, which keeps combat from feeling repetitive. Truly, the variety of strategies that can be employed should not be understated. Each run through of the game will be a totally different experience, and messing around with different deck archetypes keeps the game fresh for hours, even when playing the same character.<\/p>\n