If you like fast 2D action and a price tag of zero, you have a short window to act. Neon Knight: Vengeance From The Grave, a 2D action platformer that has been free on Steam since 2018, is about to switch to a paid model. Solo developer Marko Vukovic confirmed the change in a Steam Community note, where he wrote that with all the additions coming in the Ultimate Edition, “the game is moving from a free to a paid model.”
The key detail: anyone who adds the game to their library before the update lands can keep playing it without ever paying. Claim now, play forever.
What Neon Knight actually is
Think classic 2D run and gun, updated for a modern audience. According to the developer, Neon Knight “blends the spirit of classic 2D games with modern 2D action mechanics and storytelling.” You play a knight resurrected from the dead who cuts through enemies with swords and guns alike – melee and ranged combat sit side by side rather than one replacing the other.
The game is a small title with a limited number of Steam reviews, but the majority of them are positive. You can find it on its Steam store page.
What the Ultimate Edition changes
Nearly eight years after the original release, the Ultimate Edition is described as a major update that overhauls much of the game. Vukovic says it addresses a number of issues that players have raised in feedback, which could push the game’s user ratings higher.
- Reworked content – a large portion of the game is being overhauled.
- Fixes based on player feedback – long-standing complaints are being addressed.
- Endurance Mode – waves of enemies come at you and the goal is to rack up the highest score by killing as many of them as possible, which gives the game a lot more replay value for its size.
How much time do you have?
The developer has not named an exact release date for the update, only that it is coming “in a few weeks.” That means there is no countdown timer on the store page – the switch to paid can happen at any point once those weeks are up, so waiting is a gamble. One thing that also remains unclear is whether existing owners will get the Ultimate Edition itself for free, or only the current version of the game.
Other free Steam games right now
Neon Knight is not the only thing you can pick up for nothing this month. Steam’s free-to-keep promotions currently feature Deadshot and Space Menace, both ending on September 23, plus Crystal Crisis, which wraps up on September 21.
On top of that, five games that used to cost money recently went permanently free on Steam: Tactical Mission: Target Rush, Journey Through The Nightmare Realm 2, Cosmo Chaser, Twin Trials and Donut Smash. Buying all five would previously have set you back roughly $22.
September is not over, so more giveaways may still appear. October’s lineup is also taking shape, with at least three DLC bundles and a 2D cozy game called Fireside Feelings currently rumored to be going free-to-keep. None of that is confirmed, though – promotions can be dropped or added at any time.
Where to next
We are tracking this one as it happens, so if you want the release date of the Ultimate Edition and everything that follows, keep an eye on our Neon Knight coverage.
FAQ
Yes. The game has been free on Steam since 2018 and remains free until the Ultimate Edition update goes live, at which point it becomes a paid title.
No. The developer confirmed that anyone who claims the game before the update can keep playing without paying.
That has not been clarified. The developer confirmed that current claimers can keep playing, but did not explicitly say whether the Ultimate Edition upgrade is included.
There is no exact date. Marko Vukovic only said the update is coming in a few weeks, so the free window could close at any time after that.
It is a 2D action platformer in the spirit of classic run and gun games. You control a knight resurrected from the dead who fights with both swords and firearms.
A new mode arriving with the Ultimate Edition where waves of enemies attack you and you chase the highest score by eliminating as many of them as possible.