What Is Slay the Spire 2? The Early Access Game With More Players Than Marathon

Split image: Left shows "Slay the Spire 2" cover with a dynamic tower and creatures. Right features a futuristic character with vivid colors, holding a device.
alexa author
By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

Split image: Left shows "Slay the Spire 2" cover with a dynamic tower and creatures. Right features a futuristic character with vivid colors, holding a device.
  • Primary Subject: Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access)
  • Key Update: Slay the Spire 2 has reached nearly 403,000 concurrent players on Steam, significantly outperforming Bungie's Marathon at launch.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: March 6, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Slay the Spire 2 is currently beating Marathon on Steam Charts, peaking at 402,000 players compared to Marathon’s 88,000 during their simultaneous launch week.

Marathon may have received more mainstream coverage, but there's an underdog indie game that appears to be ramping up more players.

Marathon officially launched on March 5, 2026, and to say people were excited is an understatement. Some players pre-loaded the game to enter a Raid as soon as they could, amassing tens of thousands of players upon launch.

But it didn't take long for Slay the Spire 2, an indie game by Mega Crit, to overshadow them in active players. The interesting part? The game is still in Early Access. Here's everything to know about Slay the Spire 2.

What is Slay the Spire 2?

Slay the Spire 2 is an indie roguelike deckbuilder strategy game by Mega Crit. The Early Access for the game was released on March 5, 2026. The official launch date has yet to be announced.

A mystical tent interior from a fantasy game, featuring a cloaked figure with a horned mask standing, and a blue-hooded character seated beside glowing artifacts.
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Credit: Mega Crit

The game is a sequel to their previous release, Slay the Spire (2019), and is set 1,000 years after the original game.

In the first game, you play as one of the outcasts brought to life by Neow, an ancient whale-like being that lives at the bottom of the Spire. You then learn that Neow has been exiled and seeks revenge against the Spire's Heart.

The goal is to reach the top of the Spire and slay the Heart, the life force of the Spire. Slay the Spire 2 picks up 1,000 years after the first game. Neow is resurrected, and we discover that slaying the Heart was only temporary. Now, the Spire has become corrupted and grows more aggressive, harvesting souls who enter it.

Dark, sinister fantasy art of "The Necrobinder," a skeletal figure with a scythe. Vivid purple background, large open hand, and eerie, mystical vibe.
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Credit: Mega Crit

Unlike the first Slay the Spire, the sequel can be played in co-op with friends. Will you embark on this journey alone or with fellow adventurers?

Slay the Spire 2 Beats Marathon On Steam Charts

While both Marathon and the Early Access of Slay the Spire 2 were released on the same day, the latter beat out the former on the Steam Charts.

Within the first hour of its release, Slay the Spire 2 pulled over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. At the time of writing, nearly 403,000 people are playing Slay the Spire 2, while only 38,000 are playing Marathon.

Top sellers list showing best-selling games by revenue: "Slay the Spire 2" ranked first, "Counter-Strike 2" second, and "Marathon" third.
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Credit: Steam

On the Steam Charts list for Top 100 Played Games by Current Players, Slay the Spire 2 ranks at number 4, while Marathon sits at 39. On the Global Top Sellers by Current Players chart, Slay the Spire 2 topped the charts, while Marathon is at number 3.

If these are the numbers for Early Access, we can expect their official launch day to smash records!

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