Updated at: 11-05-2022 - By: Leo Hall

If you like Slay The Spire, we’ve compiled a list of some of the finest games like it. Find a new game and play it right now!

Slay the Spire is one of the best indie games to blend roguelike and deckbuilding principles to create an infinitely replayable gameplay cycle with a lot of space for strategy, released in 2019.

As a fan of the game’s unique deck building and advancement, we’ve got you covered with additional roguelike deck builders like it.

We’ve compiled a list of the greatest card games like Slay the Spire for PC, console, and mobile, so check it out!

Keep checking back to see if we’ve missed any of your favorite games that are comparable to Slay the Spire and let us know if we haven’t!

Inscryption

Microsoft Windows

You may want to check out Inscryption, a roguelike deckbuilding game with an emphasis on puzzles and psychological terror.

Inscryption trên Steam

Creepy card-based mythology and a love letter to video games are just some of the things you’ll find in Pony Island, Daniel Mullins’s latest indie endeavor.

An deranged host with numerous egos, hidden in darkness, forces you to participate in a brutal card game.

There are numerous card-based fights to fight, as well as random occurrences, branching paths, and opportunities to add new cards to your deck as you move through each run.

Darkest Dungeon II

Microsoft Windows

Refinements have been made to the original turn-based combat system in Red Hook Studios’ second strategy RPG, which maintains the dark and atmospheric tone of its predecessor.

Dungeon crawler Darkest Dungeon II is best defined as “a roguelike road trip of the damned,” and it finds you journeying by stagecoach across a terrible landscape full of danger.

Players don’t gather cards like in Slay the Spire, but rather a variety of characters, each with their own unique set of abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, which they can use to their advantage in combat.

Fortunately, the sequel is just as addictive and punishing as its predecessor while adding new features that may appeal to Slay the Spire enthusiasts.

Across The Obelisk

Windows, Macintosh, and Linux

With the introduction of Across the Obelisk earlier this year, Slay the Spire fans who are looking for a new deck-building roguelike are embracing it.

It’s based on the same principle as StS, but adds four-player cooperative play, letting you pick from a diverse cast of 11 characters, each with their own unique starting deck and game-changing skills.

Fantasy tropes as well as some less conventional heroes with creative playstyles and the ability to work well with others are all represented here.

It’s the ideal game for playing through Slay the Spire with a companion, and it’s free to download and play.

Banners of Ruin

Available on Windows and the Nintendo Switch.

To round out the list: Banners of Ruin, a deck-building roguelike with six animal-based characters with distinctive cards and abilities that can define your deck’s playstyle.

If you don’t want Dawn’s Point to fall apart, you’ll have to crush any foes that try to stand in your way and form agreements with other factions.

For your characters’ benefit, you’ll be collecting weapons and armor along the route, which will enhance their specific abilities and offer them an edge against increasingly difficult and unexpected enemies.

To learn from mistakes and gain tokens for new cards and passives, players in Slay the Spire can do the same in this game.

Gordian Quest

Microsoft Windows

While StS has a lot in common with Gordian Quest, the two deck-building games are very distinct in many respects.

Some cards have special effects that activate when your character is put in a specific location on the battlefield, which is the first.

It also contains numerous characters with their own decks and level development instead of just one hero like Slay the Spire, which makes it more interesting.

The mechanics of drawing new cards, upgrading particular cards, and assigning stat boosts to each character in your party are also affected by a skill tree.

Tainted Grail: Conquest

Microsoft Windows

Tainted Grail: Conquest, a dark fantasy deck-building game with roguelike advancement and role-playing game elements, is a worthy addition to the series.

While investigating the mysterious island of Avalon, you’ll have to traverse ever-changing terrain and battle dangerous foes.

During your journey through these perilous lands, you’ll embark on tasks, save NPCs, and contribute to the growth of your own community.

A total of nine different character classes are available in Tainted Grail, which can be combined in a variety of ways to form new and interesting combinations.

Trials of Fire

Microsoft Windows

Three heroes are selected by the player before embarking on an epic journey through the post-catastrophic wasteland called Trials of Fire.

In addition to Slay the Spire-like card battles and strategic positioning, battles revolve around maximizing every turn and card in your deck to your advantage.

Deck customisation is a big feature of the game so far, allowing you to design a group that can handle any obstacle as you carve out your own route through a fantastical world in ruins.

Having three hero decks instead of just one in Slay the Spire gives additional chances for developing synergy and overcoming obstacles.

Roguebook

Windows, Linux, and the Macintosh are all supported.

You should check out Roguebook, a roguelike deck builder that plays very similarly to Slay the Spire.

Each card has a cost and performs a distinct purpose, which may be distilled down to either attacking or defending your characters.

Instead of controlling just one hero, you’re in charge of two, each with their own assault style and deck.

It differs from StS in that it allows players to explore a tiled world full of loot, new cards, and, of course, additional battles with their characters.

Griftlands

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Linux are all supported platforms.

Slay the Spire players may have already tried Griftlands, given how well-liked it has been by the deck building community.

Griftlands V484799 - HaDoanTV

Regardless, Klei Entertainment is one of the top independent studios, with hits like Shank and Don’t Starve in their portfolio. We’ll take any opportunity to suggest a Klei Entertainment game.

With a much larger narrative focus than fans of Slay the Spire are used to, Griftlands is the studio’s first significant effort into the deck building genre.

While the actual fighting and deckbuilding mechanics are identical, the typical run is significantly longer than in StS.

Monster Train

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Wii U & Nintendo 3DS

Slay the Spire fans should definitely check out Monster Train, a game in which players steer a train full of monsters across a frozen hellscape.

In the game, you can choose from five monster clans that can be leveled up to acquire additional cards for subsequent playthroughs.

Rather than being restricted to a single clan, the combat system is based on a modified card-battling system that allows you to mix and match minions and spells from several clans.

Slay the Spire is all about climbing a tower, whereas Monster Train is all about moving horizontally through three different battlefields.

Ring Of Pain

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Wii U & Nintendo 3DS

With the enormously ambitious Roguelikes and Deckbuilding RPGs covered so far, we’d like to throw a light on less well-known mechanic-driven games.

A roguelike dungeon crawler, Ring of Pain blends card battle combat and puzzle concepts to create a compelling “one more run” gameplay experience.

What you’ll be doing in this game is exploring randomly generated rings loaded with terrifying enemies and obstacles as well as hidden pathways.

As a player, you’ll never run out of different ways to approach combat and interact with the world in this game.

Dicey Dungeons

Available on Windows and the Nintendo Switch.

In addition to Slay the Spire, fans of Dicey Dungeons will enjoy Dicey Dungeons, an underappreciated dice game that plays like a deck builder.

Players trade cards for dice that decide their actions, as well as their attack sequence and the amount of damage done from each one.

As in a game show, the plot revolves around the player character’s quest to fulfill their greatest goal.

You can play as a wide array of characters, all with unique passives based on their character’s natural abilities, character’s personality, and their motivations, just like Slay the Spire.

One Step From Eden

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Linux are all supported platforms.

As with Slay the Spire, One Step From Eden is an action roguelike card battler heavily influenced by the Mega Man: Battle Network series.

Combining strategic deckbuilding with real-time battles on lane-based battlefields, it does this.

In order to utilize powerful spells against constantly shifting opponents, you must use artifacts you’ve collected along the journey, which you can only do with the help of cards.

In order to fully understand the distinct affects and roles played by each spell in battle, the player must devote a significant amount of time and effort to this extremely challenging and fast-paced game.

SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech

The following operating systems are supported: Windows, the Nintendo Switch, Linux, and Mac OS X.

We prefer SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, a deck-building RPG by indie developer Image & Form, for a more story-driven deck-building adventure.

In this game, you play as a group of brave adventurers tasked with exploring a hand-drawn world and slaying adversaries using a deck of cards customized for each member of your party.

This game, like StS, offers players the opportunity to craft their own strategy as they explore a fantasy and steampunk-inspired universe.

When it comes to strategy RPGs, Quest stands out from the rest of the developer’s work because it strikes the perfect mix between story and gameplay.

Loop Hero

The following operating systems are supported: Windows, the Nintendo Switch, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Look no further than Loop Hero for yet another genre-defying game that combines deckbuilding with roguelike progression and auto-battle action.

Loop Hero | Download and Buy Today - Epic Games Store

There is enough deckbuilding possibilities in this unique tactics game to satisfy fans of Slay the Spire while also presenting some interesting new ideas.

Arming a hero with powerful stuff before sending them on a randomly created loop course filled with varied opponents and other obstacles is the goal of this game.

Each loop you complete adds additional cards to your deck, which you may then use to upgrade your camp’s resources and take on new enemies, buildings, and terrain.

Into the Breach

The following operating systems are supported: Windows, the Nintendo Switch, Linux, and Mac OS X.

If you can bear to take a break from card battlers, check out Subset Games’ Into the Breach, a small roguelike strategy game in which you must defend Earth from an invasion of alien monsters.

Soldier-operated mechs can be equipped with various weaponry and armor for use in tactical turn-based fights.

FTL: Faster Than Light is a procedurally generated scenario game like Slay the Spire or Subset Games’ prior offering, FTL: Slay the Spire.

In spite of the game’s focus on puzzles, it allows players to try and anticipate their opponent’s next move and design countermeasures to prevent them from winning.

The Binding of Isaac

Windows, Linux, and the Macintosh are all supported.

On course, no discussion of roguelikes would be complete without mentioning one of the genre’s most influential titles, The Binding of Isaac.

Even though there have been numerous updates, such as the Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Repentance, the primary gameplay cycle has remained essentially untouched.

Top-down, dynamically generated dungeons evoke memories of classic Zelda games as players engage in combat and gather various items.

Many different characters, item combinations, and battle tactics can be used in a seemingly unlimited number of ways.

Hearthstone

Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Apple iOS, and Google Android

Lastly, we have Blizzard’s card-fighting game, which has become a massively popular and lucrative phenomenon.

For years, Hearthstone has worked tirelessly to perfect its battling and progression systems, while also adding new modes that cater to every type of card game enthusiast.

Because of this, it’s an excellent choice for any Slay the Spire player who enjoys customizing their decks and finding new ways to combine cards.

In contrast to many of the titles mentioned here and StS, this one is far more focused on cooperative play than single-player.

Tainted Grail: Conquest

There is Tainted Grail Conquest, which is a deck builder for fans of Darkest Dungeon. Iconic, nihilistic and depressing, the Wyrdness’ hyper-dark fantasy world is unforgettable. There is also a torch management system that has a major impact on battle in this game, which is one of the best examples of its kind.

There are only a few minor differences between the two games. A deck-building roguelike, Tainted Grail is a lot like any other deck-building roguelike in that players fight enemies, level up, receive new cards or passive powers, and meet random occurrences with a series of decisions.

Rather than just clicking on the next location on a map, Tainted Grail’s 3D maps require players to wander around them. The game’s atmosphere benefits greatly from this design choice, as the various classes each have their own distinct strengths and weaknesses. In addition, because the story is based on the replayability of roguelike deck builders, everything comes together nicely. Even on the harsher levels, the only gripe a seasoned deck builder might have is that fighting becomes quite easy very soon if the classes are played optimally.

League Of Legends: Legends Of Runeterra

Surely Riot can’t lose at this point. Riot is unquestionably at the pinnacle of its powers with titles like Arcane, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, and Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story. That being said, this post isn’t about League of Legends or Arcane at all.

Instead, we’ll talk about their deck-building game, Legends of Runeterra, which was released in mid-2020. Legends of Runeterra is not an in-game card game like Gwent or whatever. It is a different entity. So, even when it first came out, Runeterra was a great alternative to other card games, like Hearthstone or Shadowverse. However, as time has passed, it has become increasingly better thanks to new updates and patches. This type of game usually has peaks and valleys of enjoyment, but Runeterra’s current form is virtually universally adored compared to its release state.

The Binding Of Isaac

The initial wave of roguelikes was sparked by the Binding of Isaac and a few other games. Rebirth, Afterbirth and now Repentance are all variations of the game. It’s ridiculous how much additional stuff each expansions and new incarnations bring with them.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ | Nintendo Switch games | Games | Nintendo

Over 20 endings, challenges, unlockables, and characters are all part of the package. Item synergies range from the adorable to the horrific, and the game’s material is massive. This is the game for you if you want to play for as long as you want and each run still feels new.

Griftlands

Developed by Klei Entertainment (the same team behind Shank and Don’t Starve), Griftlands is a deckbuilding game unlike any other. It’s a lot more story-driven than you might imagine, and it introduces some new features to the genre that aren’t seen before.

For all its deck-building capabilities, Griftlands is a sci-fi roguelike narrative role-playing game. Every “run” is substantially longer than a regular StS run, and it has its fair share of issues. If you’re looking to play as a mercenary who is more interested in negotiation than bloodshed, the new Negotiation fighting feature makes it much easier to do so. Having three playable campaigns, an infinite mode, and distinct daily challenges, Griftlands boasts an insane amount of content for the price and a unique universe that it depicts through the numerous stories.

Darkest Dungeon & Darkest Dungeon II

Next up is a game called Darkest Dungeon, which isn’t about collecting cards but rather collecting misfits. In order to get the best out of these characters, you had to force them to delve deeper and deeper into “Dungeons.”

The atmosphere and design of Darkest Dungeon are the game’s main lure, but the addictive and punishing gameplay will keep you coming back for more and more. The DLCs also add a ton of content, especially for a game that began out in Early Access. In addition, there is a massive modding community for it. Overall, Darkest Dungeon is a ton of fun and will keep you entertained for a long time.

Darkest Dungeon II

When the second Darkest Dungeon game was released into Early Access in October 2021, it felt like it was eclipsed by other game releases at the same time, which was a little disappointing. Fans are divided on whether or not they want to see this follow-up. Some people think it’s an excellent follow-up to the original, while others think it falls short of the high standards set by the original. Whatever the case, Darkest Dungeon II remains an excellent game even in its infancy.

Despite the fact that the graphics are now in 3D, they manage to capture the original game’s flair while also expanding on it. The fighting system, while largely unchanged, has been given a slew of quality of life (QoL) enhancements. It’s also worth noting that this game’s “on-the-road” mode is distinct enough from the “hub” of its predecessor while still bringing new features and themes.

Across The Obelisk

Across the Obelisk may be the least well-known game on this list, but we absolutely adore it. There has been a steady increase in the player base since it launched on April 8th, 2021, therefore it will likely get greater recognition in the next weeks. With engrossing gameplay like this, it’s no surprise this game is so popular.

AtO is a co-operative version of Slay the Spire. Players (along with up to three other players) pick from a roster of eleven characters to form a four-person squad, each with their own starting decks and special abilities.

Archetypes like the werewolf knight, cleric pig, and even the pyromaniac cult leader are represented here. Even though the game is still in early access, the creators have already proven themselves to be adamant about updates, patches, and character additions. In reality, the Loremaster and the Prophet, two additional characters, are now in development.

Gordian Quest

Another Early Access deck builder like Across the Obelisk is Gordian Quest. There are some notable differences between Gordian Quest and other deck-building games. For starters, character placement is more critical than ever before, and as a result, positioning is critical when it comes to specific “Trigger” cards. It’s also possible to control numerous characters at the same time, each with their own decks and levels.

Even more importantly, the game’s deck-building system offers three distinct options for “drawing” new cards, upgrading or mastering individual cards, or just boosting your overall statistics.

Using this technique, Gordian Quest becomes a lot more complex in a good sense because it allows for a great deal of customization amongst the previously distinct characters. As with other Early Access titles, the dev team has responded very well to feedback thus far.

Monster Train

People who just want more Slay the Spire or the closest thing they can come to it should check out here. While Slay the Spire focuses on ascending the tower vertically, Monster Train takes the Pyre of Hell back to The Frozen Heart via horizontal transit. You’ll be summoning a wide variety of Demons to fight against the Angels that are trying to stop you throughout your journey.

Monster Train shares a lot of similarities with Slay the Spire and isn’t afraid to admit it, but it also adds a lot of fresh ideas to the table. With the addition of The Last Divinity’s Pact Shard system and its three floors, the game’s gameplay is more varied than you might expect. The many Clan combinations also give a great deal of variety. The overlapping of multiple buffs, debuffs, traits, spells, boss effects, and more can be somewhat confusing later in a run, but you quickly become used to it.

Into The Breach

With Subset Games, the makers of Faster Than Light, Into The Breach goes from playing as monsters to fighting monsters. FTL was all about crossing the galaxy and building a crew and ship powerful enough to take on the Rebel Flagship and perhaps defeat it. However, Into the Breach’s design is more puzzle-centric, which is surprising given that the game is all about mechs and bugs.

Into The Breach’s aesthetic and gameplay may appear straightforward, yet the game is anything but. It’s incredibly difficult and gratifying all at the same time to figure out where the enemy is going to attack, how to stop them, and how to manage your mech team. Plan to go through the game multiple times if you expect to complete it in a single sitting.

Ring Of Pain

There are a lot of enormous, sprawling RPGs and roguelikes on this list, but Ring of Pain is different. Although it’s a graphically appealing and terrifying game, it doesn’t have the background art or character designs of Across the Obelisk or Gordian Quest, respectively.

Ring Of Pain - Gameplay (PC/UHD) - YouTube

As a result, despite its seeming simplicity, RoP contains a wealth of intricate mechanics that will compel you to play again and again. It’s easy to get sucked into a “just one more run” loop because the runs are often shorter than in most other games of this type.

Dicey Dungeons

Dicey Dungeons is a Deckbuilder in disguise, a departure from the genre’s most well-known entry, Magic: The Gathering. Rather than using “cards,” you’ll roll a pair of dice to decide how you’ll act, attack, and deal damage. However, in the end, it’s just like any other roguelike deck building game. In Dicey Dungeons, the “player characters” compete in a “game show” to win their biggest wish, which is one of the game’s best qualities.

Various characters are transformed into “classes” depending on their physical characteristics, psychological traits, and life experiences before entering the game. The Warrior, the Thief, and even an Inventor are all playable characters. The brilliance of DD lies in the variety of passives and possibilities each class has for “using” their dice. A notable achievement for a video game of this type is that the Witch character is completely different from the Inventor character.

Guild of Dungeoneering

In spite of the fact that it is a bit older than the others, this one is still worthy of inclusion here. An enjoyable game with one of the best Menu music pieces ever is Guild of Dungeoneering. Instead of playing cards for spells or summoning monsters in this game, the Dungeoneers themselves are built around by the Dungeon’s cards.

Initially, it might conjure up images of a dungeon filled with armored and armed characters, but the art style is far more…craftsy than one might imagine, and it works perfectly for the game.

One Step From Eden

Popular games like Slay the Spire tend to set off a trend of similar games being released in response. The Megaman: Battle Network series, on the other hand, was in desperate need of its own fad. One Step From Eden is the first game to attempt to replicate the combat style of the aforementioned games. One Step from Eden is Battle Network on a budget, coupled with some anime aesthetic and roguelike flair, going back to the craft-paper approach.

Over 200 spell icons must be memorized in order to recognize them at a glance in this challenging game. Combo systems reminiscent to Wizard of Legend or Magika function well in this format, to our surprise.

Card Quest

Card Quest, the final game on this list, is a dreadful substitute for StS in nearly every regard. If only the stairs were this easy to get up and down. Compared to other deck-building games, Card Quest has a simpler aesthetic, fewer intricate algorithms, and fewer combinable cards, but it’s still a lot of fun.

In comparison to Slay the Spire, there are far more foes that can appear per battle, and weapon and armor selections are important because packs of cards are linked to these things and cannot be removed independently. It’s not usually at the top of lists of suggested reading, but it’s always there.

Ascension: Deckbuilding Game

Ascension levels exist in Slay the Spire, however this Ascension is a completely other game. In its previous incarnation, it was known as Ascension: Chronicle Of The Godslayer, but the title’s current moniker says it all. Designed by Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour champions, Justin Gary, Rob Dougherty, and Brian Kibler, you’ll be in good hands. To win the game, you must assemble the best deck possible, and to do so, you must out-honour your opponents. Better cards can be purchased with Runes. What more could you ask for in a game of strategy and monsters?

Heat Signature

In Heat Signature, you take command of a pod that goes to various spaceships, all of which you must infiltrate. Docking your pod with an airlock aboard a spaceship is necessary just for this. The crew members are equipped with gadgets, so you’ll need to outsmart them once you’re inside. There is no doubt that they will try to fight back in order to get their hands on their gold. This is when the plan comes into play. When confronted with an army of foes, you can pause the game to consider your options. Fights can be slowed down, which is a unique feature not found in many games of this type.

Invisible, Inc.

In contrast to Slay the Spire, where you must design your deck based on the available possibilities, each agent’s deck in Invisible, Inc. can be tailored to their own needs. Weapons and training are both part of your job description, and you must ensure that the agents have all they need to be successful in their new environment. If you make a mistake, an agent will die, so don’t worry about it!

Skelly Selest

You begin the game in a section of hell, where you’ll have to traverse areas like Flesh Gardens and Bone Plains, both of which contain deadly foes. Looting and upgrading are critical in this game, as they allow you to win smaller battles with the energy you need for greater ones.

Skelly Selest Review | TheXboxHub

SteamWorld Quest: Hand Of Gilgamech

RPG version of Slay the Spire called SteamWorld Quest. To begin the game, each of your three players is dealt eight face-down cards, which are shuffled before each combat. You can save up more powerful cards to utilize in a tougher encounter as well. Even though SteamWorld Quest is mostly a deck-building game, it features a fantastic medieval backstory that enhances the overall experience.

FAQS:

What type of game is Slay the Spire?

Roguelike

Slay the Spire is a deck-building card game with roguelike-inspired advancement.

Is Slay the Spire the best deck builder?

In my opinion, Slay the Spire is one of the best roguelike deck-building games on the market. However, for those who aren’t interested in the game’s extensive modding community or those who have no more card games to play in real life, there are a number of other games that may satisfy the same craving..

Is Slay the Spire winnable?

I estimate the optimal win rate to be significantly higher without Heart kills, at least 98-99 percent for Ironclad, Silent, and Defect, and at least 99.5 percent for Watcher, since the game has become slightly easier since then and perfect play is significantly stronger than even the best human play.