Slay the Spire 2 Hits 132K Players Amid Review Controversy

Slay the Spire 2 kicked off its Steam Early Access on March 6, 2026, with a price tag of $24.99. Mega Crit’s sequel is racking up impressive numbers: 132,100 concurrent players and a 93% positive rating based on 58,748 reviews. However, a wave of negative feedback tied to controversies outside the game could complicate that success.

This launch comes amid a larger roguelike boom that outlets like Pocket Tactics and DualShockers have been closely monitoring. A standout example is Balatro, showing that card-based roguelikes can keep players hooked long after typical indie releases. This cultural momentum likely helped boost Slay the Spire 2’s initial numbers.

Already, Mega Crit has faced some backlash in Early Access. The studio’s first balance patch in late March sparked enough of a review backlash that developers felt the need to publicly defend their design choices. This incident highlighted how reactive the game’s community can be, and how quickly opinions shift when players feel ignored.

The current wave of negative reviews seems to stem from allegations against certain individuals connected to the studio, rather than issues with the game itself. This trend—review-bombing a game over conduct concerns instead of its quality—is becoming more common. It puts pressure on overall scores like Steam’s percentage rating, making it less of a pure indicator of quality.

On the technical front, coverage from various outlets tracking the game’s addictive design points to a consistent core loop: short play sessions that tend to extend longer. The original Slay the Spire built its reputation on this trait, and early player behavior in the sequel indicates Mega Crit has successfully replicated that formula. An Early Access player count of 132,100 for a $24.99 card-strategy indie game is a strong commercial signal, despite the review noise.

By The Numbers

Current Concurrent Players	132,100
Steam Review Score	93% positive
Total Steam Reviews	58,748
Launch Price (Steam)	$24.99
Early Access Launch Date	March 6, 2026

The negative sentiment within the community tells a different story. Several reviewers posted the same text: “Bad people don’t deserve money. They deserve justice and expulsion from society. I cannot support a studio or game that supports immoral people behind the scenes.” This repetition suggests an organized campaign, rather than genuine player dissatisfaction with the game.

What To Watch

• Mega Crit’s response to conduct allegations: The studio has mostly stayed silent on the off-game controversy. A formal statement could shift the Steam review curve significantly within 24-48 hours of its release.
• Early Access update cadence: The March balance patch already showed that Mega Crit’s patch notes can ignite community reactions. How they manage the next major content or balance update will reveal whether they’ve adjusted their communication strategy.
• Full 1.0 release scope and date: With a release date set for 2026 and no confirmed window for the 1.0 version, the gap between Early Access and full release remains uncertain. This timeline will play a crucial role in maintaining current player momentum.