Mystic Depths: The Corrupted King Goes Free on Steam

Earlier this year, the indie title Mystic Depths: The Corrupted King slipped onto Steam for a modest $12 price tag. Fast‑forward a few months and the developer, François Duchesne, has pulled the plug on that cost entirely – the game is now 100% free to download and keep.

The decision feels a bit mysterious, especially after a June price‑drop that already lowered the cost. There’s no official statement, but the move could be a last‑ditch effort to drum up a little attention. So far the game’s community footprint is tiny – not enough reviews to generate a visible rating, which suggests it’s been sailing under the radar.

What you get is a decidedly old‑school RPG, a pixel‑art love letter to titles like Exiled Kingdoms and the classic Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The world is divided into distinct regions, each scarred by the oppressive Baldemar Empire. You’ll wander imperial cities, delve into ancient dungeons, and—true to the title—venture deep into abandoned mines.

Gameplay leans heavily on classic mechanics: a traditional character‑progression system, a day‑night cycle that actually tweaks enemy difficulty, and a slew of hidden secrets that reward careful exploration. Expect a grind; a full play‑through can stretch to roughly 30 hours if you’re chasing every side quest and secret.

Steam Deck owners should proceed with caution. Valve lists compatibility as “Unknown,” so you might find it runs fine, or you could run into performance hiccups. It’s a bit of a gamble, but the indie spirit often thrives on experimentation.

For Duchesne, this is his first solo release, and the future remains unwritten. If a free, retro‑styled adventure isn’t quite your cup of tea, there’s a 2025 title that recently went free as well and boasts a solid 92% Steam user review score. Either way, the market is buzzing with games shedding their price tags, giving players more to try without spending a dime.