Mystic Depths: The Corrupted King Now Free on Steam

Earlier this year the little‑budget adventure Mystic Depths: The Corrupted King slipped onto Steam with a $12 price tag. Fast‑forward to August, and the same game is now available for absolutely no money at all. Yep, you can download it, install it, and keep it forever without spending a cent.

François Duchesne, the one‑person studio behind the title, announced the surprise price‑drop on his Steam page. There’s no grand marketing campaign attached, just a simple “free now” note. It follows a modest discount that happened back in June, and judging by the thin handful of user reviews, the game never really caught fire when it cost money. In fact, it still lacks enough reviews for a visible Steam score.

What you get is a very old‑school, 2‑D action‑RPG that feels like a cross‑between Exiled Kingdoms and the classic Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The visuals are modest, the soundtrack leans on retro synths, and the design leans heavily on grind and exploration. It’s not polished, but it’s earnest.

The world is ruled by the oppressive Baldemar Empire, and you’ll wander from cramped imperial towns to ancient dungeons and, as the title suggests, deep, abandoned mines. The game leans into mystery – you’re never really handed a tutorial, and you’ll often have to poke around, try a few things, and hope something clicks. That can be frustrating, but it also rewards curiosity.

Gameplay mechanics include a traditional RPG level‑up system, a day/night cycle that actually changes how hard enemies are, and a smorgasbord of hidden areas that reward thorough exploration. Expect to grind for about 30 hours if you want to see the whole story through.

One thing to note for Steam Deck owners: Valve lists the compatibility as “Unknown.” That means you might get a perfectly playable experience, or you might run into hiccups. It’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s worth a try if you have the device on hand.

As for the future, it’s anyone’s guess. This is Duchesne’s first solo release, and making it free could be a move to attract a larger player base for potential updates or a sequel. If you’ve been curious about a nostalgic, challenging RPG that doesn’t cost anything, now’s probably the best time to give it a spin.