The Spire is stirring once more. Mega Crit Games dropped the official Early Access trailer for Slay the Spire 2, confirming the highly anticipated roguelike deckbuilder sequel will launch on Steam Early Access on March 5th, 2026. The two-minute cinematic, produced with WIZZ animation studio and featuring Clark Aboud’s signature evocative score, offers the clearest look yet at the game’s expanded world, new characters, and cooperative gameplay.
Slay the Spire 2 retains the core loop that made its 2019 predecessor a genre-defining hit: turn-based card combat, procedurally generated runs, and relentless progression through a towering spire filled with enemies, relics, and choices that shape each attempt. The sequel expands the formula with multiple playable characters, larger environments, new enemy types, and a pivotal new feature co-op play. The trailer teases the option to tackle the climb alone or “enlist the aid of your fellow adventurers,” hinting at shared deck-building and synergistic strategies in a multiplayer mode. Check it out down below:
The cinematic opens with the familiar Spire silhouette against a stormy sky, then transitions into vibrant, hand-drawn sequences showcasing new heroes battling grotesque foes across diverse biomes. While specific character names and abilities remain under wraps, the trailer highlights distinct playstyles: one fighter wields massive weapons for heavy hits, another manipulates ethereal cards for crowd control, and a third appears to focus on defensive buffs and counters. New enemy designs of hulking brutes, spectral casters, and mechanical constructs suggest a broader threat variety than the original’s Sentries, Gremlins, and Cultists.
Production credits underscore the trailer’s polish. Derek Lieu directs, edits, and handles capture, with sound design by Neha Patel and mixing by Michael Cardillo. WIZZ (known for high-profile animated shorts) contributes under director Florent Remize and creative director CRCR Studio, delivering fluid animation and striking visuals. Clark Aboud returns to compose, ensuring the music carries the same haunting, triumphant energy that defined the first game.
Slay the Spire 2 enters Early Access with the promise of iterative development. Mega Crit has emphasized community feedback during the closed beta phases, refining balance, card interactions, and progression systems. The Early Access model allows the studio to expand content with new characters, relics, events, and biomes while players and their feedback shape the final release. Unlike the original’s single-character runs, the sequel introduces a cast of adventurers, each with unique decks and synergies, encouraging replayability and experimentation.
The trailer also hints at deeper narrative threads. The Spire’s awakening feels more ominous, with environmental storytelling suggesting a larger world beyond the tower. Co-op mode could introduce shared decision points or split-path mechanics, adding layers to the solitary roguelike formula.
Slay the Spire became a benchmark for deckbuilders, inspiring titles like Monster Train, Griftlands, Knock On The Coffin Lid and Inscryption. Its sequel arrives at a time when the genre thrives on Steam, with players hungry for fresh mechanics and co-op twists. The March 5th Early Access launch positions it to dominate spring gaming conversations.
No pricing or exact Early Access duration has been confirmed, but Mega Crit has committed to a transparent roadmap. The full release will likely follow a year or more of updates, mirroring the original’s path from Early Access to 1.0 in 2019.
For now, the March 5 date is locked. Mark your calendars, dust off your card sleeves, and prepare to climb once more. The Spire awaits and this time, you don’t have to face it alone. Will you rally your friends and allies to conquer it?