10 Deckbuilders Better Than Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire wins the award for most insufficient-damage ragequits in my library. But I keep coming back for more. The game is so replayable that even after playing all the characters and unlocking everything, I find myself resetting and starting from scratch.

It's one of those rare examples of a seemingly simple card game with almost sarcastically low quality art that turns out nearly perfect in practice.

So yea, it's a clickbait article title. None of these are superior to Slay the Spire but they get pretty freaking close.

Here are some of my personal faves:

1. Monster Train (2020) — S-TIER

Rating: 95% Positive (Overwhelmingly Positive)
Price: $24.99
Developer/Publisher: Shiny Shoe
Website: good-shepherd.com/monster-train

Monster Train feels like playing chess while the board shifts under you. The three-floor setup creates constant pressure about where to commit resources. You'll spend entire runs refining one specific clan combination, then discover a totally different approach next time.

The game rewards experimentation. Clans pair in unexpected ways, and half the fun is finding combinations that shouldn't work but somehow do. Then you hit higher difficulties and those same combos fall apart, forcing you to adapt.

I specifically enjoy the tactile feel of each action, which adds a layer of immersion that tops StS. It feels much more in your face and weighty.

2. Griftlands (2021) — A-TIER

Rating: 89% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: Klei Entertainment
Website: klei.com/games/griftlands

Griftlands gives you two separate decks for combat and negotiation. The split creates interesting pressure. You can fight through most problems, but talking saves resources. Every encounter becomes a decision about which approach makes sense.

The three campaigns feel distinct. Each character has different goals, enemies, and cards. Running through all three takes time, but they're diverse enough to keep me hooked.

Consequences stick. Kill someone and their faction remembers. Betray an ally and they show up later looking for payback. By the end of a run, you've built a reputation that follows you.

I really love the art style of this one. It’s like you're playing a comic book.

3. Inscryption (2021) — S-TIER

Rating: 96% Positive (Overwhelmingly Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: Daniel Mullins Games
Website: danielmullinsgames.com

Inscryption starts as a card game in a dark cabin. Then it becomes something else. Then it shifts again. The first act is worth the price alone, but the game keeps pivoting into stranger territory. The whole thing stays with you after it ends.

Going in blind is best. Just know that this isn't a straightforward deckbuilder. It's a puzzle box that uses card mechanics to tell a kind of meta-story about games themselves. Some sections abandon deckbuilding entirely.

I love the ominous, something-isn’t-quite-right vibe of Inscryption and the uncanny atmosphere. I advise avoiding Googling it so you can avoid any spoilers. This is the pinnacle of indie design.

4. Vault of the Void (2022) — A-TIER

Rating: 93% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $14.99
Developer/Publisher: Spider Nest Games
Website: spiderspacegames.com

One guy created Vault of the Void and it’s robust enough to imagine a full dev team behind it. Having played nearly 325 hours of StS, this one really offers another deep experience. I’m not sure why it gets so little attention.

Vault of the Void feels like someone studied Slay the Spire for years and filed down every rough edge. The balance is tighter. The difficulty curve ramps smoothly. Card synergies click together more naturally.

It's a solid refinement of the genre that while not revolutionary, adds on just enough system depth to make it a winner.

5. Wildfrost (2023) — A-TIER

Rating: 91% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: Deadpan Games / Chucklefish
Website: playwildfrost.com

Cutest deckbuilder that'll still kick your ass.

Wildfrost provides further proof that dev team size doesn't correlate to quality. This two-person team delivered a complex and challenging (sometimes puzzling) tactical roguelike deckbuilder.

The cute art style lulls one into its world and promptly kills you in a first boss battle that, many are saying, causes uncontrollable swearing and outbursts. What’s not to love?

This is a well-rounded experience with intriguing cards, deep systems, and room for creativity. The distinct tribes add even more interest, abilities, and items. Deserves its A-Tier status.

6. Roguebook (2021) — B-TIER

Rating: 86% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: Abrakam Entertainment
Website: roguebook.com

Roguebook is one of those hate it or love it titles that divides opinions. From my experience it’s likely you’ll bounce off it if you don’t give it time. But when it opens up… it really is fantastic. That shouldn't be a surprise because it comes from Magic: The Gathering creator, Richard Garfield.

Expect a super-deep and intricate game, with some added meta progression. It progresses like StS with its own Ascention-like system as well.

The two-hero system creates interesting build tension as you look for synergies and the map system plus scarcity turns each decision into a puzzle.

The balance isn’t perfect. Some builds definitely feel overpowered. You may be frustrated initially, but again, give it time to grow on you.

7. Fights in Tight Spaces (2021) — A-TIER

Rating: 88% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: Ground Shatter
Website: groundshatter.com

Deckbuilding meets martial arts.

Fights in Tight Spaces puts you in cramped 3D rooms where position matters more than card quality. You're not just playing attacks. You're planning three moves ahead to set up one perfect combo. I find it very engaging, it’s almost like choreographing a fight scene for an action movie.

Get it right to see a spectacular result. Mess it up and you’ll get hit from every angle.

This one gets pretty intense (borderline stressful) so the quick run length is a blessing. Easy A-Tier recommendation from me.

8. Banners of Ruin (2021) — B-TIER

Rating: 87% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $19.99
Developer/Publisher: MonteBearo
Website: monstersandmonocles.com

Banners of Ruin offers more armed animal party deckbuilding that emphasizes party management and positioning. You get multiple characters with unique decks, so you can probably imagine what happens to managers. Utter ruin is one phrase that comes to mind.

Also in play is a companion perma-death mechanic, which means being ready to adapt on the fly. But when things are going well, BoR’s party combos sync up for major damage and destruction.

I don’t think this one’s the most polished and it can break or feel overly punishing at times, which explains the B-Tier. Still a great experience though.

9. Across the Obelisk (2022) — A-TIER

Rating: 93% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $24.99
Developer/Publisher: Dreamsite Games
Website: acrosstheobelisk.com

Across the Obelisk takes what works about the genre and throws on so many new elements (not to mention 16 characters) and co-op. It’s somewhat solo-viable but works best with friends and lots of time.

I’ve heard people say it’s slow and others claim the opposite, but there's a lot to grasp here and longer playtime is probably your best bet. It just works when you get in the flow with friends who also know what they're doing.

I think it’s an easy choice if StS’s lonely format’s not doing it for you.

10. Dicey Dungeons (2019) — B-TIER

Rating: 91% Positive (Very Positive)
Price: $14.99
Developer/Publisher: Terry Cavanagh / Distractionware
Website: diceydungeons.com

Dicey Dungeons looks like a cute roguelike where you roll dice and hope for sixes. Then you realize Terry Cavanagh of VVVVVV and Super Hexagon designed it specifically to punish that instinct.

The game is less cards and more dice rolls in practice. It somehow makes bad luck feel like your fault and not just RNG, which oddly enough is a selling point. I read so much negativity around this one which I don't really understand. Dice makes things random? Unbelievable!

Anyway, it’s a great pick because it’s deep, punishing, aggressively cheerful, and has a great OST. Destructoid has a nuanced review I’d recommend reading.

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