Survival game enthusiasts can pick up a unique hybrid game in the genre completely free of charge via Steam‘s latest Free-to-Keep Promotion for The Red Lantern. This survival game on Steam was released in 2021 and has maintained a Very Positive review rating of 84% from nearly 900 reviews on the platform.
Typically, this Steam free game costs $24.99. This publisher-initiated publisher instead reduces the price by 100% on Steam, and lets players grab it, download it, and keep it forever, as long as they do so before a specific date. Users have until June 18 at 12 pm CT to claim The Red Lantern at no cost.
Steam’s Free-to-Keep Promotion Explained
There are several games platforms that offer beefy free promotions, and Steam is one of them, issuing major deals through the Free-to-Keep program.
Steam users have until June 18 to download The Red Lantern at no cost, and doing so will allow them to keep it in their digital libraries forever. For those unfamiliar, it is a narrative-driven survival game where the survival loop itself feeds into the narrative in a very unique way. In it, players take on the role of The Musher who becomes stranded in the Alaskan Wilderness with a team of sled dogs. Players can expect roguelike mechanics with some Telltale-style decision-making, if somewhat more limited, but the kicker is the survival and management gameplay elements. Players must manage their team of sled dogs—each with their own personality, traits, and stories—and mix that with the need to find and keep up with food, supplies, dog stamina, and random encounters. It is a unique addition to the Steam Free-to-Keep Promotion, without a doubt.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)
It’s worth noting, however, that The Red Lantern is also probably one of the easiest survival games on Steam, so anyone wanting a more hardcore experience may want to check elsewhere. Those looking for a relaxing narrative experience often love it, describing it as cozy, emotional, and visually beautiful. Critics frequently highlighted the Alaskan setting, the protagonist, and the game’s ability to create attachment to its dog team. However, players expecting a deeper survival simulator or hands-on dog-sledding experience were often disappointed.
There’s More Free Games Available on Steam Right Now
The Red Lantern isn’t for everyone, but that’s okay, as there are currently three other games available as part of Steam’s Free-to-Keep Promotion. In other words, if someone is looking for a free game on Steam, there’s certainly a handful.
Gravity Circuit is a sci-fi platformer game that’s beloved in the Mega Man community, Tell Me Why is an LGBT-oriented episodic narrative game, and Happy’s Humble Burger Farm is a unique genre hybrid of restaurant management and atmospheric horror. All of these are available on the promotion (and via the links above) until their specific end dates.
