17 Games Like Slay The Spire for Deck-Building Fans in 2025

For players looking for games like Slay the Spire, here’s a tight ranked list of roguelike deckbuilders that scratch the same itch: smart card synergies, challenge, run-changing relics, and high-stakes encounters. In this guide you’ll find quick summaries, why each pick fits the mold, and where it differs so you can jump straight to your next obsession.

Enjoy core deck-building loops, rewarding gameplay, branching runs, and inventive twists from standouts such as Monster Train, Griftlands, Balatro, Dicey Dungeons, and more. All vetted by genre roundups and community chatter.

Our Top Picks for Games Like Slay The Spire

Some games just get it. They mix clever mechanics, tough difficulty, and the freedom of building decks that can either carry you to a flawless win or fall apart in a single bad draw. These five are my go-to recommendations whenever someone asks me for the best games like Slay the Spire.

1. Monster Train (2020) – If you want games like Slay the Spire: defend a moving train across vertical battlefields, build decks, survive demonic waves. 
2. Slay the Spire 2 (Mar 2026) – Bigger runs, new bosses and slayers, branching routes; sequel promises more deck strategy.
3. Griftlands (2021) – Dual-deck system lets you fight and negotiate; choices shape your run in combat and talks.
4. Balatro (2024) – Permanent upgrades and busted cards combine in fast-paced high-score chasing deckbuilding.
5. Dicey Dungeons (2019) – Risky dice rolls, harsh rooms, strategy counts: luck meets planning.

And that’s just the opening hand. Keep scrolling and you’ll uncover 17 amazing games like Slay The Spire that take deckbuilder roguelikes in directions you won’t see coming.

Best Games Like Slay the Spire: 17 Roguelike Deck-Builders & Hybrids

Let’s dive into a complete breakdown of 17 Slay the Spire alternatives. All gems.

1. Monster Train [Best Game Like Slay The Spire for Strategic Hellish Climb]

Our Score	10 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Android, iOS
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Shiny Shoe (Developer), Good Shepherd Entertainment (Publisher)
Unique features	Multi-floor combat lanes, clan-based deck synergies, customizable challenges
Metacritic score	86 (PC & PlayStation 5)

Monster Train is a vertical-lane roguelike deckbuilder where you defend the last Pyre of Hell across three train floors, juggling unit placement, spells, and relic synergies every turn. It’s like Slay the Spire in its run-by-run deck growth, but multi-lane combat and clan fusion make positioning as critical as drafting. Perfect if you want higher APM decision density.

One of the wild things I love is how its mechanics borrow from other games in the genre but twist them into something fresh, more like a strategic escape room where you’re reacting to layered encounters in real time.

Reddit players rave about the flexibility of its clans and the many games’ worth of replay value. With an “Overwhelmingly Positive” sentiment on Steam (19k+ reviews), no guessing this is a top alternative to Slay the Spire and a trailblazer in this genre.

Only minor drawback is that some late-run synergies can “snowball,” and makes difficulty feel uneven compared to more linear climbs.

What makes it stand out:

• Multi-lane (3-floor) battles add positional depth
• Clan fusion + unit upgrades create wild build variety
• Fast loop; losses still unlock tools for the next run

My Verdict: If you liked Slay the Spire for its tension and deep mechanics, this is the chaos upgrade you didn’t know you needed. 

2. Slay the Spire 2 [Most Awaited Slay the Spire Sequel]

Our Score	TBD
Platforms	PC (Steam, Early Access)
Year of release	Early Access: March 2026
Creator/s	Developer/Publisher: Mega Crit
Unique features	Alternate Acts per act (e.g., “Overgrowth” vs. “Underdocks”), returning classes (Ironclad, Silent) plus the new Necrobinder, new systems like Enchantments; expanded events/relics; refreshed art/UX
Metacritic score	TBD

Slay the Spire 2 opens as a true sequel built for PC Early Access: you’ll still draft cards, route through events, hunt elites, and stack relics. But now each act can roll one of two radically different “Alternate Acts,” changing enemies, events, and bosses for a much higher run variety. 

Gameplay expands on class identity. The new Necrobinder fights alongside Osty (a separate health target). This suggests summon/ally lines and fragile core HP, while returning classes anchor familiar heuristics for early mastery. Enchantments add run-long modifiers that can become build-defining if found via rare events. 

Map strategy also evolves: “Alternate Acts” like Overgrowth (overrun ruins) or Underdocks (sewer waterways) imply environment-specific counters and relic valuations, nudging you to re-evaluate elites, shops, and events per act roll. It’s the original tension loop, widened for more distinct routes and replay.

As a positive signal of demand, Slay the Spire 2 sits among Steam’s most-wishlisted upcoming games heading into Early Access; however, Mega Crit officially delayed launch to a “secret Thursday” in March 2026 to add polish and features. 

What makes it stand out:

• Alternate Acts double the per-act possibilities for routes, enemies, and bosses.
• Necrobinder introduces ally mechanics (Osty) and low-HP risk/reward.
• Enchantments and refreshed events/relics deepen run-defining pivots.

My Verdict: If you loved the original’s draft-and-route tension, Slay the Spire 2 looks set to supercharge replayability. When Early Access lands in March 2026, this should be the deckbuilder to beat on PC.

3. Griflands [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Narrative-Driven Deckbuilding]

Our Score	9.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox One
Year of release	2021
Creator/s	Kiel Entertainment
Unique features	Dual-deck system (negotiation + combat), branching narrative, dynamic characters
Metacritic score	84 (PC)

Griftlands is a negotiation-and-combat deckbuilder where every encounter can be fought or talked through, and relationships persist to change future runs. It’s like Slay the Spire in its roguelite drafting, but the dual-deck (battle + negotiation) system adds a narrative push-pull that makes choices bite mechanically and emotionally.

In Griftlands, words can hit just as hard as swords. This is one of the best Steam Deck games that hands you not one, but two decks: one for combat, one for negotiation. The blend of story-driven mechanics with tactical card quest-style battles makes it stand out in the genre. 

You’ll recruit allies, manage relationships, and make tough calls that change the course of the story. Each run plays differently thanks to roguelite elements like random encounters and unexpected turns of luck that can make or break your run halfway. This unpredictability means you can sink hours just experimenting with new cards and combinations to beat tougher ranks.

It has a favorable Metacritic score of 84 for the PC, and the only minor con is that some critics found the story/dialogue uneven compared to its excellent systems. But this is nothing major. 

What makes it stand out: 

• Dual decks (combat + negotiation) impact outcomes
• Persistent relationships reshape future encounters
• Multiple protagonists = fresh card pools and arcs

My Verdict: This one’s for Slay the Spire fans who want their strategy wrapped in story, with encounters that remember your every choice. 

4. Balatro [Best Game Like Slay the Spire That’s a Poker-Infused Fever Dream]

Our Score	9.7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Xbox One, Android, iOS, macOS
Year of release	2024
Creator/s	LocalThunk (Developer), Playstack (Publisher)
Unique features	Poker mechanics, bluffing-based synergies, escalating ante levels
Metacritic score	95 (Xbox) 90 (PC, PS5, Switch)

Balatro turns poker hands into a roguelike score chase where Jokers and multipliers define your run’s engine. It’s like Slay the Spire in the combo-crafting thrill, but probability management replaces monster AI as you chase outs and scale scores through escalating antes.

Instead of playing against other people, you’re battling the system itself. You’re building absurd poker hands and unlocking wild Jokers that turn the table into a battlefield of numbers. 

Every hand’s a tactical puzzle; every run is a race against the clock before you lose control of the math.  You’re forced to think several steps ahead and weigh risks like you would in a high-stakes chess match. The pressure builds with every hand that keeps you hooked for hours as you chase that perfect winning streak

Fans on Reddit say they’ve sunk hours into it without realizing it, calling it “the most fun I’ve had being confused”. The game sold 5+ million copies by Jan 2025. A victory well earned. Though, high variance can produce “dead” runs if your Joker economy whiffs early.

What makes it stand out:

• Poker logic + roguelike meta = unique engine-building
• Jokers redefine runs; huge ceiling for “broken” builds
• Fast, satisfying feedback loop with short, addictive runs

My Verdict: If you loved building decks in Slay the Spire for explosive combos and snowball runs, Balatro’s your next obsession. 

5. Dicey Dungeons [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Luck & Tactics Fusion]

Our Score	9.5 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, macOS, iOS
Year of release	2019
Creator/s	Distractionware &  Terry Cavanagh
Unique features	Dice-based powers, fast-paced runs, quirky characters
Metacritic score	98 (iOS), 88 (Switch), 80 (PC)

Dicey Dungeons is a snappy, dice-driven roguelike where equipment cards convert rolls into actions, turning probability into puzzle-solving. It’s like Slay the Spire for quick sessions: you still draft/build, but the emphasis is on manipulating dice and kit to adapt fast.

You’re a sentient navigating monster-filled dungeons. It’s lighthearted on the surface: bright graphics, charming humor, but underneath, it’s pure strategy. Different characters drastically change your mechanics, so each run feels fresh. And because luck plays a big role, adapting is key.
Dicey Dungeons simplifies complex systems into quick, fun encounters. The compact runs make it easy to jump in for a few rounds: a go-to for casual players or those wanting a quick strategy fix without the long hours.

Fans suggest it as a speedier, more compact take compared to Slay the Spire. It received a solid Metacritic score of 85. A strong critical reception. On the flip side, RNG spikes can gate progress unless you build hard into mitigation.

What makes it stand out:

• Six+ distinct classes radically alter dice/equipment play
• Short, snackable runs with solid meta-progression
• Smart dice manipulation (locks, flips, duplicates, burns)

My Verdict: A dice-fueled, quirky cousin to Slay the Spire, perfect for quick sessions that still pack tactical punch.

6. Inscryption [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Creepy, Mind-Bending Deckbuilding]

Our Score	9.4 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, macOS
Year of release	2021
Creator/s	Daniel Mullins Games (Developer), Devolver Digital (Publisher)
Unique features	Meta-narrative, ARG elements, evolving card game rules
Metacritic score	87 (Switch, PS5) 85 (PC)

Inscryption is a genre-bending deckbuilder that mutates across acts: from cabin horror to meta-ARG. Essentially, your rules and goals keep changing. It’s like Slay the Spire for adaptive deckcraft, but filters it through escape-room puzzles and fourth-wall tricks that keep every run unsettling.

At first, Inscryption looks like a gritty, wild horror game. But then, the walls crack – literally. You start the game by being trapped in a shadowy room, playing against a mysterious figure using living cards. 

It’s a top roguelike game at heart, but every act rewrites the rules, adding twists to combat and narrative. The game’s use of a confined, eerie setting adds to the pressure, which turns each card battle into a high-stakes psychological thriller. 

This is a beloved game: 1M+ copies sold in under three months, plus Steam ratings that are “Overwhelmingly Positive” (95–96%). That should tell you a lot. If I had to point out one drawback, then it’s that the pacing in later acts divides players who prefer the cabin’s tighter loop. No dealbreaker. 

What makes it stand out:

• Constant rules mutability across acts keeps runs fresh
• Escape-room puzzles interlock with card combat
• ARG/meta storytelling amplifies the unease

My Verdict: For Slay the Spire fans who chase the thrill of the unknown, Inscryption lets you dive headfirst into madness.

7. Darkest Dungeon [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for a Punishing, Psychological RPG]

Our Score	9.3 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, macOS
Year of release	2016
Creator/s	Red Hook Studios
Unique features	Sanity system, permadeath, brutal dungeon crawling
Metacritic score	85 (Switch) 84 (PC) 84 (PS4) 80 (iOS)

Darkest Dungeon throws you into Lovecraftian dungeon crawls where stress, afflictions, and permadeath make every expedition a gamble on your destiny. You micromanage torches, trinkets, and turn order while deciding when to push on or cut losses. Like Slay the Spire, it’s a ruthless run-based optimizer.

More than just testing your combat skills, Darkest Dungeon tests your mind. This amazing turn-based strategy game forces you to manage not just health, but stress, paranoia, and trauma. Each dungeon crawl is a brutal course in risk management. Resources run thin, friends break under pressure, and one wrong turn can wipe out hours of progress.

Darkest Dungeon’s strategic depth means you have to balance pushing forward with retreating to regroup, which adds real stakes to every decision. 

Fans who love the best dungeon crawler games will appreciate Darkest Dungeon, where managing your heroes’ sanity is just as important as surviving. The game has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam (~152k total with ~90% positive). On the flip side, difficulty spikes and grind can feel punishing to newcomers. But if you love a good challenge, you’ll love this.

 What makes it stand out:

•  Stress/affliction system adds a second HP bar for your psyche
•  Party composition and turn order matter as much as damage
• Retreat decisions carry real economic and emotional cost

My Verdict: If you play Slay the Spire for its punishing stakes and relentless difficulty, Darkest Dungeon will break you, and you’ll thank it.

8. Wildfrost [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Adorable Yet Deadly Strategy]

Our Score	9.1 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Year of release	2022
Creator/s	Deadpan Games, Gaziter
Unique features	Multi-layered tower defense, deck-building, and insane synergies
Metacritic score	87 (iOS)

Wildfrost is a tactical, lane-based deckbuilder where companions and timing counters build fragile engines against escalating winters. It’s brisk and deceptively punishing. Like Slay the Spire, runs hinge on synergy drafting. But here, mascot-cute visuals mask razor-edged decision trees and high-stakes tempo control.

You’re trekking through a frozen world where frostbite is the enemy itself. The core gameplay is about building decks that synergize with elemental companions and gear, while battling in multi-layered combat arenas where every move can change the fight.

The strategic depth is impressive; you’re relying on crafting combination chains that can turn the tide. It’s a fresh take on the deck builder genre that demands both tactical skill and adaptability. Experimenting with combos and synergies is the name of the game here, and the roguelike design means every run offers fresh challenges and rewards.

Players on Reddit love the balance of charm and challenge. It has “Very Positive” ratings on Steam, so if you want to jump into the bandwagon, the hype has already been earned. The only drawback is that launch difficulty balance was criticized, and can still prove tough to some players. 

What makes it stand out:

• Companion synergies + item timing = snowball potential
• Lane control and countdowns make tempo king
• Cute presentation, crunchy decisions

My Verdict: If you’re into deck builders that mix cuteness with a serious challenge, Wildfrost is a fresh, cold blast of fun for fans of Slay the Spire.

9. Banners of Ruin [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Squad-Based Combat]

Our Score	9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Nintendo Switch
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Goblinz Studio
Unique features	Squad-based combat, hand-drawn art, moral choices
Metacritic score	71 (PC)

Banners of Ruin shifts the formula to party-based deckbuilding: formations, rows, and multi-character turns create tactical layers beyond single-hero play. Like Slay the Spire, draft choices and relics define your run, but coordinating a squad’s kits and positions turns encounters into formation puzzles.

In Banners of Ruin, the spotlight is on squad tactics over solo deck manipulation. You recruit and manage a team of distinct characters with unique roles, combining cards for attack, defense, and support while mastering positioning on the battlefield.

Your strategy has to adapt mid-battle; one wrong move in formation or card sequencing can collapse your entire line. The hand-drawn, graphic-novel style graphics set a stunning fantasy world. The mechanics challenge you to coordinate your deck strategy with your team’s abilities to survive wave after wave of tough enemies.

Players on Reddit often suggest it as a perfect balance between a deck builder and a tactical RPG game. It received positive sentiment on Steam from over 3k reviews. The only downside is that progress can feel grindy and balance uneven at higher tiers, but this isn’t a major upset to those who love difficult gameplay. 

What makes it stand out:

• Formation/row management adds chess-like depth
• Multiple heroes with distinct card pools
• Synergy turns between-turn setup into payoff turns

My Verdict: Banners of Ruin is an amazing pick for those who want deck builder games with squad-based combat; it offers deep strategy and high replayability like Slay the Spire.

10. Across the Obelisk [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Multiplayer Card Battles]

Our Score	8.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS
Year of release	2021
Creator/s	Dreamsite Games
Unique features	Co-op deck-building, party management, RPG progression
Metacritic score	N/A

Across the Obelisk brings co-op to roguelike deckbuilding. You choose heroes and coordinate turns with friends or solo. Like Slay the Spire, it’s synergy drafting and map risk/reward, but party roles and co-op communication create new layers of planning.

If you want to team up with friends and dive into a deck builder with roguelike twists, Across the Obelisk has you covered. What keeps it fresh is how each battle can split your team’s focus: do you burn down a single target or spread damage to control multiple enemies? The layered mechanics make even short encounters feel like mini tactical puzzles.

Unlike many solo deck builder games, this one is one of the best multiplayer games, but single-player runs still pack the same depth of mechanics and strategic card management.

The vibrant fantasy game setting is gorgeous, and the RPG progression means every run feels different as you unlock new cards and powers. It garnered over 12k reviews just on Steam alone and has a “Very Positive” rating. A minor drawback, not unlike the other entries, is that the learning curve can be overwhelming for new parties. So, are you ready to step up to it?

What makes it stand out:

• True co-op deckbuilding with party roles
• Branching nodes/events change each run
• Deep hero unlocks keep long-term goals rolling

My Verdict: Across the Obelisk is a rare deck builder with multiplayer that still guarantees tight single-player gameplay. It’s perfect for Slay the Spire fans craving teamwork.

11. Roguebook [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Hex-Based Deckbuilding Adventure]

Our Score	8.7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS
Year of release	2019
Creator/s	Abrakam Entertainment
Unique features	Hex-based map, dual-hero system, Magic: The Gathering creator involvement
Metacritic score	89 (Xbox One) 83 (PS5) 78 (PC)

From the creators of Faeria and Magic: The Gathering’s Richard Garfield comes Roguebook, a deck builder that takes exploration seriously. Roguebook pairs exploration with combat: paint a hex map to reveal fights and events while juggling two heroes and linked decks. 

Like Slay the Spire, runs are about relic synergies and tight sequencing, but the overworld’s fog-of-war and dual-hero combos create fresh routing decisions. The synergy between your heroes and careful positioning during combat is essential to overcome the game’s many tough challenges. 

Hidden tiles can hide events that change your course entirely, forcing you to manage risk like a high-stakes roguelike treasure hunt. The graphics pop with bright color and detail, and the roguelite elements ensure no two runs feel the same. This hex-based map and dual-hero system really shines when played on the best gaming laptop.

Reddit chatter calls it “a brilliant evolution of the genre.” Reception is extremely positive but  some players report minor stability issues and occasional crashes.

What makes it stand out:

• Two-hero team attacks and positioning tricks
• Map-painting exploration for risk vs reward
• Garfield-tuned card economy and relic design

My Verdict: Roguebook gives you a fresh, hex-based spin on deck building, perfect for anyone who wants to play games like Slay the Spire but craves exploration.

12. Arcanium: Rise of Akhan [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Expansive Card RPG Exploration]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, iOS, Android, macOS
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Rogue Games
Unique features	Open-world exploration, squad-based combat, premium experience
Metacritic score	N/A

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan combines open-world RPG exploration with deep deck builder mechanics. It mixes open-map routing with tri-hero, lane-based battles, so your macro choices ripple into micro turns. Like Slay the Spire, it’s draft-and-synergy at heart, but party composition and regional objectives add long-arc planning to each run.

You lead a squad of three characters through the mystical lands of Arzu, where every battle and choice impacts your journey. The map itself acts like a living board: it lets you choose your own direction and face encounters that can flip your strategy on its head.

This game blends roguelike progression with resource gathering and card combination strategies that make every run unique. Because you control multiple heroes at once, positioning and ability synergy become just as important as the cards in your deck.

Fans of Slay the Spire will appreciate the RPG depth and strategy required to adapt to unpredictable enemies and evolving challenges. Sometimes, runs can feel long and gameplay can be a bit complex and heavy for casual sessions.

What makes it stand out:

• Three-hero squad with role synergy and positioning
• Free-roam map with optional objectives and events
• Big unlock tree for long-term progression

My Verdict: For Slay the Spire fans wanting a sprawling RPG experience with deep deck-building, Arcanium gives you plenty of reward and strategy.

13. Tainted Grail: Conquest [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Gritty Arthurian Card Combat]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Android
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Awaken Realms, Questline
Unique features	Dark fantasy setting, RPG class variety, branching narratives
Metacritic score	82 (PC)

Tainted Grail: Conquest is a dark Arthurian roguelike that fuses node-based exploration with deckbuilding and buildcraft across multiple classes. Like Slay the Spire, it’s synergy-first, but grafted onto a hub-loop of quests, crafting, and meta progression that reshape each voyage into the Wyrd.

You’re a cursed knight battling through a shattered Arthurian realm, building a deck of grim cards to face twisted horrors. Every run throws you into a fresh maze of choices: the path you carve, the class you master, the gambles you take.

The world itself drips with style: hand-painted backdrops feel torn from a cursed storybook, every stroke loaded with dread. That oppressive beauty hangs over each battle, so every victory lands like a hard-fought triumph, and every defeat bites twice as deep.

Fans on Reddit highlight how punishing mechanics and narrative choices fuse into one memorable journey. It has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with over 7k reviews in total. A minor con is that the pacing and length of the runs isn’t for everyone, since some players want tighter loops.

What makes it stand out:

•  Atmosphere-heavy Wyrdlands + hub progression
•  Multiple classes with radically different lines
• Exploration choices meaningfully alter difficulty

My Verdict: It’s one of the darker, richer spins in the deck-building genre, perfect for players craving strategy and soul-bending choice.

14. Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Dice-Based Divine Strategy]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Year of release	2023
Creator/s	Akupara Games, Little Leo Games
Unique features	Dice-driven deck building, cosmic health system, divine themes
Metacritic score	85 (PC)

Astrea flips the deck builder formula. Your “cards” are your dice, where every roll carries weight, and your choice between Purification or Corruption changes the rhythm of the fight itself. One path cleanses enemies with precise strikes, the other floods the board with risky, high-reward chaos. Every decision tilts the balance between salvation and annihilation.

Managing dice pools means knowing when to burn a bad roll, when to gamble for the perfect chain, and when to bend probability to your will. That constant tug-of-war between control and chance keeps every battle razor-sharp.

The art hits like a cosmic fever dream. Imagine planets cracking under streams of corruption and enemies wrapped in glowing constellations. It’s as much a spectacle as it is an amazing strategy game, and the visuals make every move feel like part of some celestial war.

Reviews rave all over the place: “God-tier roguelike,” “almost every turn is butt-clenching.” 

What makes it stand out:

• Purification vs Corruption as a core risk lever
• Dice pool-building replaces classic draw RNG
• Clean visual language supports complex turns

My Verdict: It’s a glorious remix of deck-building: dice, cosmic stakes, and strategic layers that make every turn count, unlike anything in the genre.

15. Vault of the Void [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for No-Luck-Required Deckbuilding]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, macOS, Android
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Spider Nest Games
Unique features	No RNG in card rewards, pure deck building focus
Metacritic score	N/A

Vault of the Void minimizes randomness: tight card pools, on-the-fly deck edits, and predictable draw cycles make planning paramount. Like Slay the Spire, you still draft engines and route through fights, but perfect-information tools reward forethought over high-variance gambles.

Every card selection is your choice: no unwanted filler, no praying to the RNG gods. You’re crafting a deck with purpose, where you build toward lethal synergies and hard counters that hit exactly how you planned. The game rewards players who think two, three turns ahead instead of gambling for lucky draws.

It’s one of the major indie games where the dev, Josh, built this as a personal passion project from scratch, and now it’s cross-platform with full cross-play support: you can seamlessly pick up your run from PC to mobile without losing a beat. That tight design carries through every aspect of the game.

Reddit players love the freedom and lean design: “most interesting Deckbuilding Roguelite.” Fans of the top single-player games will enjoy Vault of the Void for its no-randomness approach to deck-building and deep strategy.

What makes it stand out:

• On-run deck editing and card swapping
•  Predictable draw/discard cycles for precise planning
•  Four classes that encourage distinct play patterns

My Verdict: A sleek deck builder that trusts your brain (not the RNG) to craft victory. Pure skill, pure satisfaction.

16. Gordian Quest [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Tactical Squad Card Battles]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 5, Android, Nintendo Switch
Year of release	2020
Creator/s	Mixed Realms
Unique features	Party-based deck builder, D&D-style combat, RPG progression
Metacritic score	84 (PC)

Gordian Quest combines party tactics with card battlers. Like Slay the Spire, synergies and relics matter, but multi-hero sequencing turns set-ups into devastating chains. This is D&D meets deck builder.

You lead a squad of heroes, each with their own class, skills, and playstyle, where they carefully manage gear to squeeze every advantage in battle. Unlocking skills is about creating sequences where one hero sets up the perfect blow for another. 

The art leans into classic fantasy – detailed armor and enemies that look like they stepped straight out of a campaign book. But beneath that cozy aesthetic lies depth: equipment bonuses open entirely new strategies, and the way you blend your deck with your squad’s abilities defines your run’s success.

If you want that combo thrill but in a full party RPG setting, this one gives you the tactical crunch and fantasy flair in equal measure. It has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with over 5k reviews. A minor upset is that the campaign length can feel bloated if you want snappier runs. 

 What makes it stand out:

•  Grid positioning + card timing = big payoffs
• Deep skill trees and loot make meta meaningful
• Multiple modes (campaign/roguelite) for different moods

My Verdict: If you’re a fan of deck builder action and want more than one card-slapping journey, Gordian Quest brings squad science to every battle.

17. Fights in Tight Spaces [Best Game Like Slay the Spire for Matrix-Style Card Brawls]

Our Score	☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Year of release	2021
Creator/s	Ground Shatter
Unique features	Tactical deck building, turn-based combat, cinematic visuals
Metacritic score	78 (PC)

Fights in Tight Spaces is turn-based, card-driven martial arts where movement, facing, and environmental kills make every turn a mini set-piece. Like Slay the Spire, deck curation and economy shape your run, but spatial tactics turn hands into choreographed takedowns.

You’re a secret agent pulling off knockout combos with surgical precision, darting between enemies, and using the environment as your weapon. Every wall, table, and corner becomes part of the plan that lets you bounce foes around the room or line up multi-target smashes.

The aesthetic is lean and stylish. The camera frames your actions like a fight choreographer, where fluid motion takes center stage while cards quietly drive the strategy under the hood. To make the most of this game’s cinematic combat, play it on the best gaming monitor for sharp visuals and fast response.

The game has over 3.6k reviews on Steam and has a “Very Positive” rating, so if you need something to convince you to play it now then there it is. A potential drawback is that some players might feel frustrated by the difficulty spiked and RNG draw order. 

What makes it stand out:

• Spatial control and environmental damage feel cinematic
• Momentum/finisher economy rewards clean lines
• Crisp, readable visuals keep the tactics front-and-center

My Verdict: If Slay the Spire scratched your combo itch, Fights in Tight Spaces slaps that itch with style and then kicks it out of a tight hallway.

By the way, check out these Slay the Spire tips if you need a boost.

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My Overall Verdict: TL;DR

What’s the best starting point for me?

• For modern Slay the Spire fans → Monster Train. Triple lanes and faction synergies keep runs tense without bloat.
• For hardcore players → Balatro. Scoring, unlocks, and deck tempo punish sloppy lines and reward deep planning.
• For casual players → Dicey Dungeons. Snappy sessions, clear choices, and steady power growth make it easy to drop in and win.

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What do players say on Reddit and Steam?

Game	Player quote	Source
Monster Train	“Joins an ever-growing collection of deckbuilding roguelite games… builds on the formula in unique ways.” @Endyo	(Steam Community)
Balatro	“This game is actually addictive… That’s me. That’s me playing Balatro.” @njrardin	(Steam Community)
Dicey Dungeons	“Varied runs for each character… Still a fine game.” @action_lawyer_comics	(Reddit)

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Slay the Spire Alternatives: Meta Notes for Faster Wins

On that note, when you’re ready to grab keys, try a reliable online marketplace for cheap game keys and more. Now, looking past the obvious picks, here’s the stuff power players actually use to dial in runs across games like Slay the Spire:

• Monster Train has rotating Daily and Expert Challenges that remix mutators and difficulty ladders, perfect for repeatable test runs and score pushes.
  
• Balatro is the pure score-chase option: sustained Overwhelmingly Positive reviews and huge run volume signal a healthy meta for high-roll experimentation.
  
• Dicey Dungeons: Reunion adds six DLC episodes, new equipment, and music, giving you fresh routes to practice risk control beyond the base game.
  
• Slay the Spire 2 shifted to March 2026 Early Access and introduces divergent act paths, so plan your content calendar and keyword pivots with that window in mind.
  

For deeper breakdowns and comparisons, bookmark our homepage for more passionate gamer insights.

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FAQs

What is the best game like Slay The Spire? 

The best game like Slay the Spire is Monster Train. It offers a similar deck-building experience with roguelike mechanics, but with unique synergies and strategic depth, along with multi-layered battle mechanics. It’s perfect for players who enjoy Slay the Spire‘s challenge and strategy.

Is Slay the Spire 2 coming out?

No, Slay the Spire 2 is not coming out. The developer, indie studio MegaCrit, has yet to announce a sequel. But they continue to update and improve the original game, with new content and cards being added regularly, so there’s still plenty to enjoy.

What style of game is Slay the Spire?

The style of Slay the Spire is a deck-building roguelike. You’ll craft and refine your deck while battling increasingly dangerous foes in procedurally generated dungeons. Strategic combat blends seamlessly with roguelike elements, so no two runs ever feel the same.

How many hours is Slay the Spire?

There are 20-30 hours in Slay the Spire, depending on your playstyle. Finishing the game might not take long, but chasing every achievement, unlocking all characters, and climbing to high ascension ranks can keep you hooked for hours.

Does Slay the Spire have lore?

Yes, Slay the Spire has lore, even though it is subtle. Instead of a heavy-handed narrative, the game sprinkles its lore through cards, relics, and events, so you can piece together the world and its characters through your own discoveries.

What separates a roguelike from a roguelite?

A roguelike sticks closely to the old-school formula: turn-based play, grid movement, permadeath, and procedural generation with little to no progression carrying over. A roguelite bends the rules: often faster, action-based, and lets you unlock upgrades or story elements between runs.