What’s worse than a Nazi? A Nazi that has stolen your dog, of course! That’s the intense scenario you dive into at the very start of Darkenstein 3D. This new boomer shooter delivers a fantastic retro feel, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the classic Wolfenstein games. Fuelled by an unstoppable fury at the loss of your best friend, it’s time to embark on a truly unusual, explosive rampage. While many retro-style projects have emerged recently, echoing the glory days of Doom, Darkenstein 3D stands out with one major difference: it’s entirely free to play.
In a surprising move for any single-player game, solo developer ‘Rowye’ asks for absolutely no money for their new fast-paced game. Even after being picked up by publisher Microprose just weeks before launch, the core game remains free. While it might not be the longest experience out there – with playthroughs typically lasting around three to four hours – a shorter playtime doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent game.
This wild, action-packed boomer shooter arms you with a diverse arsenal of weapons to combat those dastardly, dog-snatching Nazis. Adding to Darkenstein’s unique charm, you also gain a quirky companion: a rat that you can equip with grenades and mines! Clearly, this rodent is built from some seriously tough stuff.
Given its surprising availability as a free game on Steam, there are future plans for monetization, but Rowye assures players there will be no microtransactions. Instead, you’ll have the option to purchase the game’s soundtrack or invest a few dollars in upcoming story expansions.
“We are now looking at a longer-lived game, with more content to come,” the developer states following the deal with Microprose. “DLCs will not be bite-sized, and we will not nickel and dime you. A first, smaller expansion will be released so that you can, if you want, support the developer (me! hah), since the game is free. After that, I’ll keep building longer story expansions, with (hopefully) a few more people joining the project.”
Darkenstein 3D is available right now on Steam and is completely free to play. If you’re eager to try it, you can download it today. If you appreciate its retro vibes, you might also enjoy some of the best classic PC games. Alternatively, consider upgrading to one of the best gaming headsets to fully immerse yourself in that awesome soundtrack.
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