TheRetroArcade
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Posts: 2,013
Joined: Feb 2026
Joined: Feb 2026
There are some nuances to this absurdity.
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Yesterday, Slay the Spire 2 developer Mega Crit pushed its "first BIG post-launch patch" to the game's opt-in beta branch, giving players a chance to test the update's changes ahead of their eventual implementation on the main branch. The beta patch brought "a huge balance pass," retuning enemies, artifacts, and both the costs and effects of a number of cards from each StS 2 character—and in doing so, it unleashed a shitstorm.
It's been less than a day since the beta patch was deployed, and in that time, Slay the Spire 2 has received over 9,000 negative reviews on Steam from players outraged over a patch that hasn't even gone live on the game's main branch.
Drawing the most ire is a change the patch made to the Silent's Prepared card, a zero-cost skill that previously allowed the player to discard one card and draw a replacement. If your current hand won't get you out of a tough spot, Prepared might give you the tool you need.
The version 0.100.0 nerf changes Prepared to Prepare, which now costs one energy and discards two cards to gain two energy on your next turn. It's a pretty drastic change for Silent players, and alongside other nerfs and enemy buffs—like a surprisingly brutal new ability for the Doormaker—it's being perceived by critical players as continuing the sequel's habit of ramping up the dangers faced in a run while providing fewer options to escape them.
But why, when Slay the Spire 2 has both an in-game feedback feature and an official Discord with a feedback channel, have players instead opted for the nuclear option of expressing their disapproval with a review bombing campaign?
Well, while internet discourse doesn't need much of an excuse to turn toxic, there are some nuances that are likely contributing to the brigading: If you check the languages of the Slay the Spire 2 review activity from the last 24 hours, you'll find that players using Simplified Chinese have by far been leaving the most negative reviews.
While I can't speak to whether all those reviews are being left in good faith, it's worth noting that Steam users in China don't have another option for providing feedback through Steam itself, because community features are blocked on the Chinese version of Steam. That includes Steam discussion forums, which—while not exactly a venue for the most enlightened dialogue—are an...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?
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Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
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Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
Yesterday, Slay the Spire 2 developer Mega Crit pushed its "first BIG post-launch patch" to the game's opt-in beta branch, giving players a chance to test the update's changes ahead of their eventual implementation on the main branch. The beta patch brought "a huge balance pass," retuning enemies, artifacts, and both the costs and effects of a number of cards from each StS 2 character—and in doing so, it unleashed a shitstorm.
It's been less than a day since the beta patch was deployed, and in that time, Slay the Spire 2 has received over 9,000 negative reviews on Steam from players outraged over a patch that hasn't even gone live on the game's main branch.
Drawing the most ire is a change the patch made to the Silent's Prepared card, a zero-cost skill that previously allowed the player to discard one card and draw a replacement. If your current hand won't get you out of a tough spot, Prepared might give you the tool you need.
The version 0.100.0 nerf changes Prepared to Prepare, which now costs one energy and discards two cards to gain two energy on your next turn. It's a pretty drastic change for Silent players, and alongside other nerfs and enemy buffs—like a surprisingly brutal new ability for the Doormaker—it's being perceived by critical players as continuing the sequel's habit of ramping up the dangers faced in a run while providing fewer options to escape them.
But why, when Slay the Spire 2 has both an in-game feedback feature and an official Discord with a feedback channel, have players instead opted for the nuclear option of expressing their disapproval with a review bombing campaign?
Well, while internet discourse doesn't need much of an excuse to turn toxic, there are some nuances that are likely contributing to the brigading: If you check the languages of the Slay the Spire 2 review activity from the last 24 hours, you'll find that players using Simplified Chinese have by far been leaving the most negative reviews.
While I can't speak to whether all those reviews are being left in good faith, it's worth noting that Steam users in China don't have another option for providing feedback through Steam itself, because community features are blocked on the Chinese version of Steam. That includes Steam discussion forums, which—while not exactly a venue for the most enlightened dialogue—are an...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?