Since it’s announcement at the 2024 Triple I interactive stream, many fans have been waiting for more information on upcoming Slay the Spire II. While Early Access was initially announced for 2025, fans of Mega Crit’s smash hit Slay the Spire seemingly had very little issue waiting for peak game play. Personally, this has been one of my most anticipated games for 2026, and I was worried when they said it would release on a Thursday in March. Which Thursday? Will they make us wait until the last Thursday of the month?
The answer is no. The kind folks at Mega Crit will be launching Slay the Spire II into Early Access on March 5, 2026, the first Thursday in March.
Not only did they reveal the release date, they also revealed the grand return of the Defect. We see our orb pal show up to the surprise of our other characters about midway through the trailer. Of course, for those who haven’t watched the trailer just yet, you may be wondering, why were the characters all together?
That is due to the new co-op mode introduced in Slay the Spire II! The original Slay the Spire (outside of mods) was a single player game although the board game adaptation introduced co-op. So it feels only right that the sequel would already come with co-op as a playable mode. While the Silent, the Defect, and the Iron Clad make appearances again in Slay the Spire II, there are two other characters joining the lineup.
We get a closer look at the Necrobinder, yet there is one more hero that has gone unnamed so far. Perhaps in the near future we’ll get more information. Of course, Mega Crit could keep us waiting until the game release to dive in blindly to this character. Either way, Slay the Spire II is shaping up to be as fantastic as its predecessor. Will it be able to live up to the hype?
Slay the Spire II promises new characters, abilities, potions, enemies, environments and more. You can take up arms to slay the spire on March 5, 2026 on Steam in Early Access. Wishlists are open so be sure to be notified as soon as it launches to purchase. Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be slaying or staying away. Need to find others to join you in co-op? Join the Gamer Social Club discord to find your party of adventurers.
