This Week in Indie Games: Slay the Spire 2 and More

Indie game season is in full swing this week, with a mix of surprise drops, early access launches and charming trailers to sink into. Mega Crit kicked things off by releasing Slay the Spire 2 into Steam early access, inviting players to help shape its one- to two-year development window while it experiments with new mechanics and multiplayer cards.

Slay the Spire 2 introduces a cooperative mode for up to four players, fresh characters, enemies and cards — and the studio says the $25 early access price will rise later. That collaborative twist could reshape how roguelite deckbuilders feel in group sessions, giving longtime fans a reason to return and newcomers a social entry point.

Fans of beat-'em-ups also had reasons to celebrate: Tribute Games' Scott Pilgrim EX launched across platforms, bringing a new storyline developed with creator Bryan Lee O’Malley. It’s available on Steam, Switch (and Switch 2), Xbox and PlayStation, and continues the studio’s strong run with co-op-focused action titles.

Narrative and atmospheric offerings landed too. Planet of Lana II arrived with polished platforming and upgraded mobility for Lana, while The Legend of Khiimori debuted in early access as an open-world courier adventure set in 13th-century Mongolia. Both titles aim to blend visual storytelling with exploratory gameplay.

Smaller delights popped up as well: Lost and Found Co. offers whimsical hidden-object charm, Ratcheteer DX brings Playdate origins to color and console storefronts, and Birds Watching serves an unsettling one-of-a-kind walking-sim experience. Upcoming trailers teased My Little Puppy, Ballgame and Echobreaker, rounding out an eclectic slate of future indie projects.

Beyond releases, there are seasonal deals to watch: a Playdate catalog anniversary sale and a Steam Women’s Day sale with discounts on games from women- and gender-marginalized-led teams. If you’re building a backlog, this is a good week to pick up something different.