Between Armored Core 6, MechaBreak, Grit and Valor, and MechWarrior 5, it feels like the world of giant, battling robots is enjoying a resurgence recently. If you’re mech game inclined, there are plenty of choices out there, but Wargaming, the esteemed developer behind World of Tanks and World of Warships, is launching its own PvPvE mechanoid shooter with a pretty irresistible lure. Not only is Steel Hunters totally free to play – when it arrives into early access on Wednesday April 2, it won’t include any microtransactions at all.
The world has been destroyed and humanity’s precarious survival depends entirely on a rare resource called Starfall. The eponymous Steel Hunters are gigantic, chunky robots designed to gather and safeguard it – as you explore the barren landscape, you will find missions that you can tackle either solo or with friends, and you can also participate in player-versus-player battles. Steel Hunters is a mech game with a heavier, slower pace. Rather than spamming attacks and relying on reflexes, it’s about tactics, cooperation, and strategy.
And even though it’s free to play, when it’s first released, Steel Hunters won’t have any microtransactions – or monetization of any kind. “The first season of Steel Hunters early access will launch on April 2 with zero monetization, no planned content resets, and no restrictions,” Wargaming’s publishing director Dan Tanasescu says. “Players can progress freely and unlock everything the game has to offer at this point – including the Season 0 premium battle pass – without spending a cent.
“Our motto for this launch is simple: ‘This is a marathon, not a sprint.’ We couldn’t have chosen a better message to reflect our vision. Steel Hunters isn’t just another game; it’s a long-term commitment. We’re building something designed to stand the test of time, and we want our players to be at the heart of that journey. From day one, our goal has been clear: Steel Hunters is a game built with passion, shaped by its community, and designed to evolve for years to come.”
Wargaming has also detailed Steel Hunters’ levelling up system, called the System Tree, and outlined the balancing process behind each of the Hunter mechs. If you want to add the game to your wishlist before launch, just head here.
Alternatively, try some of the other best free PC games, or maybe the best free Steam games available now.
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