In the Steam marketplace, two indie titles have flipped to a zero-cost distribution model, a move that wipes out the combined price of about 550 rubles. The games in question are Miasma Caves and OneKind. This shift comes as Steam continues to experiment with free-to-play and free-to-start formats that help players discover fresh ideas without upfront risk. For players in Canada and the United States, the change means instant access to two varied experiences that showcase different takes on strategy and exploration, with no payment required at the point of download. The conversion from paid titles to free offers underscores the platform’s ongoing support for small studios and the broader strategy to expand a game’s audience through cost-free trials and launches. It also reflects how developers and publishers test market responses by making their titles freely accessible for a period or indefinitely, depending on the promotion and regional availability. The games already have a track record on Steam through user reviews, including Miasma Caves’ strong reception and OneKind’s social-deduction appeal, which helps clarify why players are buzzing about the switch. While the prices were low before, slashing them to zero can bring in curious newcomers and re-engage veterans who want to revisit these worlds without a new purchase.
Miasma Caves drops players into a lush, perilous world where a young dragon girl shoulders the fate of her village against a creeping menace called Miasma. The journey threads through claustrophobic caves, sunken ruins, and forgotten ruins as the heroine hunts treasures and mighty artifacts that may turn the tide against the threat. Players can switch perspectives with both first-person views, letting them pick the view that feels best for the moment. The game has earned a solid reputation among players, with an 81 percent positive sentiment from reviews, signaling a generally favorable reception to its atmosphere, pacing, and level design. Before the switch to free distribution, the title carried a price of 435 rubles, so the new no-cost access lets a broader audience experience the world without any upfront cost. The blend of exploration, light combat, and discovery-driven progression makes it a welcome choice for fans of compact indie adventures that mix lore and treasure hunting with thoughtful puzzle moments.
That title can be added to a Steam library with a simple click, allowing players to jump into the adventure whenever the mood strikes. The immediate availability of the title reduces friction for newcomers who want to sample environments, puzzles, and the storytelling style that the game offers. By adding it to the library, players can later revisit locations, artifacts, and accessible quests without any further purchase. The change also makes it easier for friends to coordinate in shared discovery sessions, where conversations about best routes, hidden goodies, and boss encounters can happen in real time.
OneKind invites 3 to 10 players into a playful yet tense social deduction round set on a sunlit farm. A hunter-wizard leads the charge, aiming to pinpoint and capture the sneaky animals sowing chaos among the barnyard. Players can decide their role on the spot, choosing either the hunter path or aligning with the animal crew. The thrill comes from the tension as players reveal information, bluff, and try to deduce who is on the other side, all while the in-game setting adds a lighthearted humor to the mechanic. Previously, the game was priced at 125 rubles, a small stake for a party-style strategy experience that rewards quick thinking and careful reads of colleagues’ actions. The shift to a free distribution model invites more groups to test the social-deduction format without any cost barrier, potentially increasing the game’s visibility and community chatter.
Like its companion, OneKind can be added to a Steam library easily, making it simple for players to organize multiplayer sessions with friends or new teammates. The ability to bring both free titles into a shared collection reduces the friction of trying new ideas and exploring different play styles, whether players prefer brisk rounds of deduction or longer in-depth experiences.
You can also stay in the loop for discounts on games and freebies by joining a Telegram channel that aggregates deals across the Steam catalog and beyond. These updates help players catch promotions, new releases, and special offers that might otherwise slip through the cracks during busy weeks.
Valve has faced ongoing questions about the fate of Episode Three for Half-Life 2. In discussions with players and press, the company has cited development hurdles and shifting priorities as reasons for the hiatus, a reminder that even long-awaited installments can encounter delays and evolving plans. The topic remains part of the broader conversation about Valve’s episodic strategy and how it has influenced expectations for new chapters and related projects.