Steam users can currently pick up the 2026 RPG Legends of Starkadia completely free of charge, but only until September 14. After that, the Steam game plans to transition to a paid model, but users can add it to their inventories before then and keep it forever for free.
Legends of Starkadia is the most recent game from developer Doom Turtle, best known for its action rogue-lite Ember Knights, which launched back in 2023. Both of its releases so far have extremely strong Steam reviews, which is why it comes as a surprise that its latest title is being handed out for free.
Legends of Starkadia is Free to Keep on Steam Before Moving to Paid Model
In an announcement on Steam, Doom Turtle announced that Legends of Starkadia is moving to a paid model on September 14, after which it will cost $1.99. This is because the developer planned to scrap further work on the game and is using this transition to gauge whether there is any interest in continuing it. In this, the developer says that players should consider this “Chapter 1” of the turn-based RPG.
As for the game itself, Legends of Starkadia is described by Doom Turtle as a “quirky turn-based RPG full of quick-time events and action-packed adventure.” It has a fun cartoon art style, with 12 characters to unlock. At the time of writing, the game includes only one planet, but 11 are planned if the gaming community shows enough interest when it moves to the paid model. However, those who click the “Add to Library” button before then can keep it forever, 100% free of charge, so it’s well worth getting in early.
The reviews for Legends of Starkadia are great among those who have played it so far. All 19 reviews are positive, hailing its animation style and obvious potential. Many of the reviews were given before Doom Turtle announced it might continue development by going paid, so they lament what might have been. It’s charming, pretty, and plays well. For free, it’s certainly not bad.
While this isn’t part of Steam’s regular Free to Keep promotion, it’s an example of how PC gaming can be pretty budget-friendly for those who know where to look. There’s definitely a prevailing sentiment that it can be expensive, and it’s true – the barrier to entry can be pretty high. But for gamers willing to look across different storefronts, there’s always something free to be found and kept forever.
