Slay the Spire 2 has landed in early access to widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers logging serious hours and calling it a strong game of the year contender. According to GameSpot, one writer clocked over 40 hours and came away completely hooked, praising the game's fast-paced strategic depth whether played solo or with friends.
So why is its user score taking a hit? The game is currently being review-bombed, a tactic where players - often coordinated - flood a title's review section with negative scores for reasons typically unrelated to the game's actual quality. It's a phenomenon the industry has seen hit everything from major AAA releases to beloved indie darlings.
What's driving the negative reviews?
The review-bombing appears disconnected from the gameplay experience itself, which reviewers describe as immensely satisfying and a worthy follow-up to the original. Slay the Spire helped define the roguelike deck-builder genre, and the sequel seems to be building on that foundation with multiplayer support that's drawing particular praise.
Review-bombing campaigns often stem from factors like platform exclusivity disputes, developer controversies, pricing complaints, or early access skepticism - none of which reflect whether a game is actually worth playing. The disconnect between critical reception and user scores in cases like this creates a messy picture for players trying to gauge whether to buy in.
Early access, big expectations
Launching in early access always carries risk, and for a sequel to one of the most influential indie games of the last decade, the scrutiny is going to be intense. That said, 40-hour play sessions from critics don't happen by accident - that kind of engagement is a strong signal that the core loop is doing something right.
For players on the fence, the GameSpot coverage suggests the game is delivering on its promise even in its current state. Review scores, especially user scores subject to bombing campaigns, are increasingly unreliable as a purchasing guide - and Slay the Spire 2 looks like a solid case study in why.
