Finished Slay the Spire 2? 9 Games to Play Right Now

Slay the Spire 2 has finally dropped, and if you are like me, you have already spent 40 hours obsessing over the new Necromancer class. Once you hit that final boss, the void is real. Finding games like Slay the Spire 2 isn’t about finding clones; it is about finding that same tight, mechanical loop where every single card draw matters. Whether you want more roguelike depth or just a fresh way to build a deck, these nine titles are the best current alternatives.

The Heavy Hitters: Balatro and Monster Train

If you missed Balatro, stop reading and go buy it for $14.99. It is the only game that has challenged my Slay the Spire obsession in the last two years. While StS 2 focuses on combat, Balatro turns poker hands into a chaotic engine-building nightmare. It is pure dopamine. Then there is Monster Train. At $24.99, it feels like the spiritual cousin to StS. You defend three floors of a train, and the synergy between your champion and your secondary clan makes for some truly broken runs. Monster Train offers a faster pace than StS, making it perfect for those 20-minute sessions on a Steam Deck OLED. Both games nail the ‘one more run’ feeling that defines the genre.

Why Balatro wins on replayability

Balatro’s Joker system allows for infinite combinations. Unlike StS 2 where you might feel locked into a specific archetype, Balatro rewards you for finding weird, obscure combos that break the game’s economy. It is less about math and more about pure, unadulterated chaos.

Deep Strategy: Griftlands and Across the Obelisk

Griftlands, priced at $19.99, is a narrative-heavy masterpiece from Klei Entertainment. It splits your deck into combat and negotiation. Yes, you fight with words. It sounds gimmicky, but it is incredibly deep. Across the Obelisk ($24.99) takes the co-op route. If you have friends, this is the one to pick. Managing a party of four heroes feels like a tactical RPG, but it retains the deck-building core that makes Slay the Spire so satisfying. The meta-progression here is much heavier than in StS 2, which might turn off purists, but for those who love unlocking new gear and permanent stat boosts, it is a massive time sink.

Co-op deckbuilding in Across the Obelisk

Playing with friends changes the dynamic entirely. You aren’t just building for yourself; you are building to support your team’s tank or healer. It adds a layer of communication that StS 2 completely lacks.

Indie Gems: Wildfrost and Roguebook

Wildfrost ($19.99) is adorable but don’t let that fool you—it is brutal. You manage a small party with a tiny deck, and the ‘Counter’ system creates a tense rhythm where you have to predict enemy moves seconds in advance. It feels more like a puzzle game than a traditional roguelike. Roguebook ($24.99) was built by the creators of Faeria and features a unique hex-grid map system. You move two heroes simultaneously, and their placement matters. It is a refreshing departure from the linear paths in StS 2. If you want a game that forces you to think about space and positioning rather than just card values, this is your best bet.

The spatial complexity of Roguebook

Most deckbuilders ignore the board. Roguebook uses a hex map to force you to weigh the risk of exploring versus the need for resources. It is a smart evolution of the genre.

Niche Picks: Vault of the Void and Tainted Grail

Vault of the Void is arguably the most ‘pure’ deckbuilder on this list. It is currently $14.99. There is no RNG in the draw—you know exactly what is coming. It sounds easier, but it is actually much harder because the game expects you to have a perfect answer for every turn. Tainted Grail: Conquest ($19.99) is a dark, atmospheric take on the genre. It feels like a proper RPG with a world map and deep lore. The combat is punchy, and the deck-building feels grounded. If StS 2 feels too ‘game-y’ for you, Tainted Grail provides a grittier, more immersive experience that feels like a tabletop campaign brought to life.

No RNG in Vault of the Void

By removing the luck of the draw, Vault of the Void turns every run into a logic puzzle. It is arguably the best game for players who hate losing because of a bad hand.

The Classic: FTL: Faster Than Light

I know, I know—FTL isn’t a deckbuilder. But if you love Slay the Spire 2, you love the feeling of managing systems and hoping for a lucky drop. FTL ($9.99) is the grandfather of the modern roguelike. It is about resource management, high-stakes decision-making, and the constant threat of total failure. I still play it on my MacBook Pro M3, and it holds up perfectly. It is the gold standard for how to make a player feel like a genius one moment and a total failure the next. If you haven’t played it, you are missing the foundation upon which almost every modern roguelike is built.

Why FTL remains relevant

FTL’s UI is minimalist but dense. It teaches you how to prioritize threats, which is a transferable skill for almost every other game on this list. It is the ultimate test of split-second decision-making.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Use the ‘Dynamic Deck’ setting in Vault of the Void to save time during your first few runs.
• Wait for the Steam Summer Sale; games like Monster Train frequently drop to under $8.00.
• Don’t ignore the meta-progression in Roguebook; upgrading your starting deck is essential for the higher difficulty levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Slay the Spire 2 is a high bar, but these nine games prove the genre is in a golden age. Whether you want the tactical depth of Vault of the Void or the chaotic fun of Balatro, there is something here to fill the gap. Stop waiting for updates and go dive into these titles—your next favorite run is just a click away. Don’t forget to back up your save files before modding any of these games.