Steam Open-World RPG Is Free For a Limited Time, Act Fast

Steam users are getting a free open-world RPG that’s more than worth their time, and an excellent precursor to what’ll be one of 2026’s biggest releases.

We’re not short of open-world RPGs and if the Game Awards 2025 were anything to go off they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.

Black Desert is a slightly older RPG but it still checks out, and if the name sounds familiar it’s because it was developed and published by Pearl Abyss which will soon be launching a successor called Crimson Desert.

The game’s Steam Description reads: “Played by over 20 million Adventurers - Black Desert Online is an open-world, action MMORPG. Experience intense, action-packed combat, battle massive world bosses, fight alongside friends to siege and conquer castles, and train in professions such as fishing, trading, crafting, cooking, and more!”

Console gamers may recognise the game from its new-gen update, which caused a bit of a stir for making it unplayable for those on last-gen hardware. While PlayStation gamers got a free upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version of the game, the PlayStation 4 version was discontinued so those who hadn’t upgraded were left out.

Controversies aside though the game is pretty good if you’re a fan of expansive open-worlds. Elder Scrolls and The Witcher fans would feel right at home here and it’ll hopefully get you hyped for the next game Pearl Abyss is cooking.

Pearl Abyss

Those playing on Steam can play the game for free, not through a limited-time trial or demo but the entire game with no strings attached.

Once added to your library it’s yours to keep forever, but this offer will expire on 18 December so you don’t have long to get your copy.

Crimson Desert

As said before Crimson Desert is the successor to Black Desert, improving on the formula and making the open-world even bigger.

While Elder Scrolls and The Witcher similarities are present, Crimson Desert feels more like a sandbox and is more akin to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with how you can interact with the environment.

After a couple of previews with Crimson Desert I wouldn’t say the game is my cup of tea but some of the trailers released since have at least piqued my interest again.

Flying around on a dragon or piloting a mediaeval mech-suit weren’t things I expected to do in the game, so perhaps it’s worth another go…