Steam drops free download for massive open-world adventure

Steam Next Fest is officially underway.

That means that the popular PC storefront is now overrun with demos as upcoming releases vye for your attention.

It’s a great way to sample upcoming titles but so too can Steam Next Fest be a tad overwhelming.

However, I’m here to provide you with a sense of direction, as Gothic 1 Remake is one of the games you don’t want to miss out on sampling.

You may recall the original Gothic that landed all the way back in 2001, developed by Piranha Bytes.

Well, it’s been totally remade courtesy of new developer Alkimia Interactive and publisher THQ Nordic.

Of course, if you don’t know the original game, that’s no issue.

Gothic 1 Remake is the franchise’s starting point.

“The legend is back. Return to the Valley of the Mines in this faithful remake of the genre-defining classic RPG,” the synopsis reads.

“Explore a hand-crafted, organic open world that reacts dynamically to your actions in a gritty, unrestricted experience like no other.”

Take a look at Gothic 1 Remake in action below.

If your idea of a good time is something along the lines of Skyrim or Kingdom Come Deliverance II, I have a feeling that you’ll enjoy what’s on offer here.

Gothic 1 Remake is set in the Kingdom of Myrtana which has been invaded by orcs.

As such, King Rhobar II orders the mining of a magical ore which can protect the kingdom although the mage that was hired to use the ore to create a barrier spell accidentally ends up trapping everyone inside the kingdom.

The land quickly becomes lawless but “the arrival of an unknown prisoner will change everything”. Yes, that’s you.

This is a third-person open world title, so you should expect to find all of the usual RPG mechanics.

You’ll be dealing with quests, side missions, levelling up, all whilst partaking in your fair share of skirmishes.

If you did play the original, this remake includes more detailed questlines, additional NPC routines and reactions, new traversal techniques, and a modernised combat system.

Interestingly, the demo on offer here is actually a prologue that exists separately to the base game so by playing this, you’re accessing unique content that may not permanently stick around.

In this demo, you’ll play as Nyras, a newly convicted prisoner who struggles to survive amidst this new lawless environment.

It’ll take you around one hour to complete, introducing you to the game’s key mechanics.

Gothic 1 Remake’s demo is available to enjoy for free now on Steam.