What We Played
In a recent update, Mega Crit made significant changes to Slay the Spire 2, rolling all the beta patches into the main game. This overhaul includes substantial reworks of characters like Ironclad, Silent, Regent, and Necrobinder, alongside new art, which replaces earlier placeholders. Players can now enjoy a Phobia mode that alters enemy behavior, enhanced VFX, and a Badge system to showcase specific achievements during runs.
Gameplay Impressions
The update introduces notable changes in campaign progression. For instance, Ascension level 6 now grants players Inflation, increasing the cost of card removals at merchants. Additionally, relic costs have been reduced by 25 at merchants, but gold-generating relics will no longer appear in shops. Players will find that map generation is now more consistent, providing a smoother gameplay experience.
Character reworks are particularly striking. Ironclad receives the new card 'Not Yet', which heals 10-13 HP, but loses Grapple, a card that allowed for damage while gaining block. According to Mega Crit, these adjustments aim to enhance Ironclad’s survivability and Exhaust synergies. Silent also sees changes with the 'Blade Of Ink' card, which now applies Weak to shivs, while her Acrobatics card has been upgraded to Uncommon.
Regent benefits from buffs that enhance his gameplay. Both the Regent's Arsenal Card and Regalite cards now grant Strength and Block based on any cards created, addressing previous concerns about his performance compared to other characters. The developers noted, "Notably, his card pool has seen more buffs than any other character with just a couple of nerfs, which should address concerns about him feeling weaker than the other characters." Meanwhile, Necrobinder's 'Borrowed Time' no longer applies Doom, instead providing energy while increasing the energy cost of cards in the same turn, which should help diversify his strategies.
What We Still Don't Know
Despite the significant updates, several questions remain. Players have expressed concerns about cheating on leaderboards, and discussions around balancing ramifications continue. Mega Crit acknowledged receiving feedback about their beta updates, which included a patch targeting infinite combos, indicating ongoing adjustments and refinements are likely. The developers have hinted at more substantial additions, such as three potential new modes for Slay the Spire 2, though details remain sparse.