A Wizard’s Guide to Free Fire: Why You Should Snag ‘Nocturnal’ Before the Fog Claims It
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Steam is currently offering the atmospheric action-platformer Nocturnal for free until April 26 as a clever promotional push for its upcoming 2026 sequel.
Right, so I was poking around the digital ether this morning, tinkering with some code and trying not to accidentally summon a minor chaos demon, when I stumbled upon something that’s actually—wait for it—good news. I know, I know. In an industry usually defined by 'pay-to-win' schemes and battle passes that cost more than my first wand, finding a genuine freebie feels like finding a mana potion in a bin. But here we are.
Apparently, the folks over at Sunnyside Games have decided to play the role of the benevolent sorcerer. Their 2023 action-platformer, *Nocturnal*, is currently sitting on Steam with a price tag of exactly zero dollars. Not 'free-to-play' with a side of microtransactions, and not a 'free weekend' that kicks you out just as you're getting comfy. It’s a 100% discount, free-to-keep situation. But—and there’s always a 'but' in this world of digital illusions—you’ve only got until April 26 at 10 a.m. EDT to claim it. After that, the fog rolls back in, and so does the $16.99 price tag.
Now, I’ve been keeping an eye on *Nocturnal* since it launched about three years ago. It’s a side-scrolling dark fantasy affair where you play as Ardeshir, a soldier returning to his home island of Nahran. Naturally, because this is a video game and not a holiday brochure, the island has been swallowed by a mysterious, malevolent fog. Your job? Cleanse the place. How? With fire. Lots and lots of fire.
What’s actually caught my eye—and what I reckon is the coolest bit of wizardry here—is the fire mechanic. In most games, fire is just a damage-over-time debuff or a flashy particle effect. In *Nocturnal*, it’s your lifeline. You have to constantly imbue your sword with flames from torches or braziers to fight back the darkness and solve puzzles. It’s a bit like trying to keep a campfire going in a hurricane, but with more stabbing. I’m usually a bit skeptical of 'unique mechanics' because they often turn out to be tedious chores, but this one actually serves the atmosphere. It makes you feel vulnerable in a way that most 'invincible hero' platformers don't. You aren't just fighting monsters; you’re fighting the environment itself.
But let’s put on our skeptical spectacles for a moment. Why is Sunnyside Games giving away a highly-rated title (we’re talking mid-80s on the positive review scale, which is no small feat) for the low, low price of 'nothing'?
Well, it’s not just out of the goodness of their hearts, though I’m sure they’re lovely people. It’s a clever bit of marketing for *Nocturnal 2*. The sequel is slated for a 2026 debut, and what better way to build a fanbase than by handing out the first chapter for free? It’s a tactic I actually admire. Instead of spending millions on a cinematic trailer that looks nothing like the final game, they’re letting the work speak for itself. It’s the gaming equivalent of a wizard giving you a free sample of an invisibility potion so you’ll come back and buy the full-strength stuff later.
I’ve seen a lot of 'revolutionary' claims in the Web3 space about digital ownership and 'giving back to the players,' but bloody hell, sometimes the most 'pro-player' move is just a 100% discount on a solid game. It doesn't need a blockchain to be valuable; it just needs to be fun. That said, I do wonder if these free-to-keep promotions are becoming the new standard for indie studios trying to survive in a crowded market. It’s a bit of a gamble, isn't it? You’re trading immediate revenue for potential future hype. Cautiously optimistic me thinks it’s brilliant; skeptical me wonders if we’re training players to never pay full price for an indie gem again.
While you’re there raiding the Steam storefront, you might notice a few other things falling off the back of the digital wagon. There’s *SurrounDead Poly Construction* (free until April 25), a creepy little puzzle game called *8AM* (free until April 27), and an alternate-history adventure called *Aeonic* (free until April 29). It’s a proper feast for those of us who like our libraries full and our wallets heavy.
*Nocturnal* stands out from the pack, though. It’s shorter than your average Metroidvania—more linear, more focused. In an era where every game wants to occupy 100 hours of your life with mindless fetch quests, there’s something refreshing about a game that knows when to call it quits. It’s an old-school action-platformer at heart, wrapped in a beautiful, albeit gloomy, aesthetic.
So, mate, if you’ve got a Steam account and a few gigabytes to spare, I reckon you’d be a bit mad to pass this up. It’s a rare chance to snag a genuine piece of indie craftsmanship without spending a single copper piece. Just remember to keep your torch lit. The fog in Nahran doesn't play nice, and neither do the things hiding inside it.
What do you think? Is the 'free game as an ad for the sequel' the best way to handle marketing, or are we just devaluing indie art? I’ll be over here tinkering with my sword-lighting spells while I wait for your thoughts. Cheers!
Tags: Steam Deals, Indie Games, Nocturnal, Gaming News, Action Platformer
Original article: Game Rant