Online backlash emerges as players react to the feminist media critic's credit in the game
Category: Arts & Culture
Slay the Spire 2, a popular deck-building roguelike, is facing a wave of negative reviews on Steam after players discovered that feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian is credited as a consultant in the game. The controversy erupted in early May 2026, following the game's successful launch in early access earlier this year.
As seen in a trending post on r/gaming, Slay the Spire 2 initially peaked at 574,638 concurrent players on Steam, ranking it among the top 20 most-played titles on the platform. The game had received overwhelmingly positive feedback, boasting a 97% approval rating shortly after its release on March 5, 2026. Yet, this positive reception began to shift dramatically when players noticed Sarkeesian's name in the credits.
Sarkeesian, founder of the nonprofit media critique channel Feminist Frequency, is best known for her 2014 YouTube series Tropes vs. Women in Video Games, which critiqued the portrayal of women in video games. Her work has made her a polarizing figure in the gaming community, particularly after becoming a target during the Gamergate movement in 2014, a period marked by harassment directed at women and minorities in gaming. The backlash against Sarkeesian's involvement in Slay the Spire 2 has led to a resurgence of negative reviews, with many users expressing their discontent directly linked to her presence in the credits.
According to reports, on May 5, 2026, the Steam review rating for Slay the Spire 2 dropped to 61% positive as the negative reviews began to surge. Many of these reviews explicitly mentioned Sarkeesian, with sentiments echoing long-standing grievances against her feminist critiques of gaming. One user articulated their frustration, stating, "I don't support the toxic woke, I don't support people who publicly detest video games and those who play them." This sentiment reflects a broader reaction among players who perceive Sarkeesian's contributions as an intrusion into the gaming space.
Interestingly, the majority of the negative reviews appear to come from users who had only recently purchased the game, with some reportedly refunding it shortly after leaving a negative review. This phenomenon has raised questions about the motivations behind the review bombing. A top-voted reply in the Reddit discussion noted that players enjoyed the game until they discovered Sarkeesian's involvement, implying that the backlash was not based on actual gameplay experiences but rather on ideological grounds.
The controversy surrounding Sarkeesian's credit comes against a backdrop of previous waves of review bombing for Slay the Spire 2. In March 2026, a balance patch that altered gameplay mechanics led to a wave of negative reviews, with over 31,000 negative reviews submitted between April 17 and early May 2026. Players expressed frustration over changes that made certain strategies less viable, particularly those relying on infinite combos.
During this initial review bombing, the game's rating plummeted from Overwhelmingly Positive to Mostly Negative, with a current rating of 37%. The game had sold over five million copies by March 2026, and its initial success suggested a strong player base. Yet, the combination of the balance patch and the backlash against Sarkeesian has significantly impacted the game's reception.
Discussions on platforms like Reddit have highlighted the polarized views within the gaming community. Some players have come to Sarkeesian's defense, arguing that the backlash is unwarranted and reactionary. For example, one commenter pointed out that the game was well-received until Sarkeesian's name was mentioned, indicating that the outrage is forced rather than genuine. These discussions reveal the deep-seated divisions within the gaming community, often exacerbated by cultural and ideological clashes.
As the situation continues to develop, the game's developer, Mega Crit, has yet to issue a public statement addressing the controversy. It remains unclear what specific role Sarkeesian played in the game's development, as Mega Crit has not disclosed the details of her consultation. This lack of clarity has only fueled speculation and criticism from both sides of the debate.
The review bombing phenomenon raises broader questions about the impact of social and political discourse on gaming. As gaming becomes an increasingly contested space for cultural commentary, the reactions to Sarkeesian's involvement could set a precedent for how developers navigate similar situations in the future. The intersection of gaming, feminism, and cultural critique remains a contentious topic, with players divided over the implications of consulting practices in game design.
Looking ahead, the gaming community will likely continue to engage in heated discussions surrounding Sarkeesian's contributions and the responses to her involvement. As the debate evolves, it may influence how future games approach inclusivity and representation in their design processes. The upcoming months will be telling, particularly as Mega Crit decides whether to address the backlash publicly or let the dust settle on this latest controversy.
As of now, Slay the Spire 2's review score remains precariously low, and the game's future may hinge on how developers and players navigate these complex cultural dynamics. With discussions about representation in gaming intensifying, Sarkeesian's role as a consultant may serve as a flashpoint for broader conversations about inclusivity and the gaming industry's response to criticism.
This article is grounded in a discussion trending on Reddit. Claims from the original post and comments may not reflect independently verified reporting.