If you've been putting hours into Slay the Spire 2, you've likely noticed its roster of strange and sinister creatures. Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano has finally pulled back the curtain on the origins of some of the game's most memorable threats, including one that proved so difficult to balance it was wiped from the game entirely.
In a recent edition of the developer's 'Neowsletter,' Yano addressed the controversial Doormaker, a boss that left players divided before its eventual removal. While some fans speculated that the creature was a nod to the web serial Worm, Yano provided a much more modern explanation: "I was playing too much Deadlock." It seems Valve’s latest MOBA had a surprising influence on the design, even if the result didn't quite stick in the final build.
The Truth Behind Nonupeipe and Naming Conventions
Beyond the cut content, Yano shed light on the elegant fairy known as Ancient Nonupeipe. The name isn't just flavor text; it is an easter egg referencing the "NOPE" placeholder icons the team uses when content is missing. "When two of these icons line up next to each other (for instance, the relics in the top bar), it reads NONOPEPE," Yano explained.
Yano also touched on the design philosophy for other bosses. The Ceremonial Beast, for instance, was the first boss designed for the game and draws inspiration from the Forest Spirit in Princess Mononoke. Yano noted that he is a fan of Valheim as well, acknowledging why players often compare the beast to that game's Eikthyr.
When it comes to naming conventions, Yano expressed a desire to move away from standard tropes. He explained that the "Kaiser Crab" was named as such because he is "tired of things being 'Emperor X' and 'King Y.'" He added, "We have all these wacky words for kings, sultans, etc, and it's always the bland western one. The world feels small when we use the most accessible titles."
Future Updates and Multiplayer
As the game continues to evolve, Mega Crit is working to refine the experience. The team recently implemented a Bestiary in their second major update. While it is currently focused on art and animations, developers have promised that stats and lore will follow. Additionally, to address player feedback regarding multiplayer matches where multiple people choose the same character, Yano confirmed the team is currently "messing with a bit of color change stuff" to improve clarity.
For players hoping for a rigid release schedule, however, the wait continues. The studio recently stated that they are avoiding strict deadlines, noting that "exacting deadlines produce sloppy, uninspired work."