Don't Break the Bank (Yet!): Steam's Latest Batch of Freebies and How They Might Just Bewitch You
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff’s got the scoop on five Steam games, from vampire action in *V Rising* to post-apocalyptic survival in *Misery*, all free to play this weekend, offering a prime chance to try before you buy and maybe discover your next favourite game.
Alright, mates, gather 'round the digital campfire, because your old pal Jeff has stumbled upon a pile of pixelated possibilities that won't cost you a single coin (at least for a bit). That's right, Steam's doing its thing again, conjuring up some free-to-play weekends that are more enticing than a freshly brewed potion of limitless mana. You know the drill: developers want to drum up interest, sales are usually involved, and we, the intrepid adventurers of the gaming world, get to sample the goods without commitment. What's not to love, eh?
This little treasure trove of temporary delights, as spotted by the rather excellent Austin Manchester over at Polygon, gives us a chance to dive into five different worlds this weekend. And who knows? You might just find your next obsession lurking in the depths.
Let's peek behind the curtain, shall we?
**1. V Rising** Ah, *V Rising*. If you've ever dreamt of being a sparkly vampire (the cool, blood-thirsty kind, not the emo-brooding sort) building an epic gothic castle that would make even Dracula himself green with envy, then this is your jam. It's an action RPG meets survival meets base-building, and honestly, the concept alone is solid gold. Players seem to agree, with about 54,000 "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. Reckon they like sinking their teeth into this one. You can hunt, build, and avoid the sun like it's a giant, vengeful laser pointer until **May 18th at 1:00 p.m. EDT**. If you get properly hooked, it's also a tidy 55% off for a limited time. Fair dinkum.
**2. Astral Ascent** Next up, we've got *Astral Ascent*, a hack-and-slash roguelike that's clearly been sprinkled with some serious enchantment. With over 1,700 "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews, it sounds like folks are proper loving this one. You pick one of four distinct heroes, then proceed to bash, slice, and magically obliterate your way through "The Garden," an astral prison full of gorgeous hand-crafted levels and a dozen bosses just begging for a good whacking. Unlocking spells for killer builds? Sign me up! This cosmic journey is free until, you guessed it, **May 18th at 1:00 p.m. EDT**, and it's 60% off if you want to keep the astral adventuring going.
**3. Make Way** Fancy a bit of chaotic racing where *you* dictate the chaos? *Make Way* is a party game that lets you build your own ridiculous tracks with loops, train crossings, and all sorts of mad bits, then race on 'em with weapons and power-ups. The best part? The track keeps evolving as you play! It's like someone gave a toddler a blueprint for a racecourse and infinite LEGOs. Brilliant! Get your creative carnage on for free until **May 18th at 1:00 p.m. EDT**, and if you dig it, it's a steal at just $3.74.
**4. Misery** Okay, shifting gears to something a bit darker. *Misery* is a post-apocalyptic co-op survival game where you're hunkered down in a bunker after a nuclear disaster. Because, y'know, Tuesdays. You scavenge procedurally generated areas, upgrade your bunker, and try not to lose your grip on reality. Which, let's be honest, sounds like half my Mondays anyway. It's barely been out a year and already boasts over 6,200 "Very Positive" reviews, so clearly, people enjoy their digital despair. Dive into the gloom for free until **May 18th at 1:00 p.m. EDT**, and it's on sale for $8.44 if you decide post-apocalyptic bunker life is for you.
**5. Greedfall: The Dying World** Right, now for something a bit... melancholic. *Greedfall: The Dying World* is a prequel to the first *Greedfall* and is pitched as a narrative-focused, choice-based RPG, akin to older BioWare games. Sounds promising, eh? However, it's only managed a "Mixed" rating on Steam, which isn't exactly a roaring success. And here's the kicker: it's an unfortunate final bow for AA studio Spiders, who, along with parent company Nacon, filed for insolvency and shut their doors in April. Bloody hell. It's always a tough pill to swallow when a studio with a vision vanishes.
While it might not have landed perfectly, it's free to play until **May 17th at 1:00 p.m. EDT** (note, that's a day earlier than the others, don't miss it!), and it's on sale if you want to pick it up. If you're curious about a studio's final work, or just fancy a narrative RPG with some rough edges, this is your chance to explore their swan song. Sometimes the most interesting stories are found in the ones that didn't quite hit the mark, aren't they? And supporting their legacy, even by trying it for free, feels like a decent send-off.
So there you have it, folks! A smorgasbord of Steam-powered freebies to get stuck into this weekend. Whether you're a vampire lord, an astral warrior, a track-building madman, a bunker survivor, or a curious explorer of dying worlds, there's a temporary adventure waiting. Don't forget, Austin also mentioned you can still snag some Epic Games Store freebies, including a Batman game, if you're feeling extra acquisitive.
Go on, dive in, experiment! What's the worst that could happen? You find a new favourite, or at least have a few yarns to spin about that one time you played a game for free that wasn't quite your cup of tea. Happy gaming, mates!
Tags: Free Games, Steam, PC Gaming, Gaming Deals, Weekend Play
Original article: Polygon