Calling all fans of pixel-perfect precision and old-school difficulty! If you’ve been craving a game that tests your reflexes without emptying your wallet, we’ve found your next obsession—and it’s completely free for a limited time. Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior, a vibrant 2D action-platformer, is currently up for grabs on Steam at the unbeatable price of $0.00.
For those who cut their teeth on the challenging titles of the Sega Mega Drive era, Cybarian will feel like a welcome blast from the past. The premise is simple but effective: you are a mighty warrior who discovers the legendary Sword of Ages, a blade so powerful it grants you the ability to travel through time. Your journey, however, doesn't take you to the age of dinosaurs or medieval times, but forward into a dystopian cyber-future, filled with neon-lit corridors, deadly mechanical traps, and relentless robotic enemies.
Gameplay: Leaping, Slashing, and a Serious Challenge
The core gameplay is a love letter to classic platformers. You’ll run, jump across perilous gaps, and dispatch foes using a combination of melee slashes and a handy ranged attack. Where Cybarian truly carves out its identity, and its difficulty, is in its boss-focused structure. Each level culminates in a climactic battle against a screen-filling boss, and these encounters are no joke.
According to a review from German gaming magazine Ntower, which scored the game a solid 7/10, these fights are "seriously tough." The game further ups the ante with a unique combat mechanic: a triple-combo attack that demands precise timing to execute. Mastering this move isn’t just for style points—it’s essential for survival.
This high level of challenge is reinforced by its arcade-style punishment. Death means being sent right back to the beginning of the level. While this can be frustrating, it also creates a grindy, "one more try" appeal that dedicated players of difficult games often relish.
What Are the Drawbacks?
It’s only fair to present the full picture. Cybarian hasn’t been a universal hit, holding a "Mixed" rating on Steam from over 190 user reviews. The primary criticisms are a thin storyline and, most notably, a short runtime. According to data compiled on HowLongToBeat, the main campaign takes most players just 1.5 hours to complete.
For a full-priced title, that might be a hard sell. But for free? These criticisms suddenly carry much less weight. The short playtime makes it a perfect candidate for an afternoon gaming session, and the challenging boss fights are designed for repetition and mastery, effectively extending the gameplay for those who enjoy the grind.
How to Claim Your Free Copy
The opportunity to add Cybarian to your permanent Steam library is straightforward but time-sensitive. The game, normally priced around $5, is free to keep until September 23.
- Developer: Ritual Games
- Publisher: GrabTheGames
- Release Date: 2018
- Free Offer Ends: September 23
You can head directly to the Steam store page to add it to your account:
Get Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior on Steam
While the game's Steam Deck compatibility is officially listed as "Unknown," its very low system requirements suggest it should run without a hitch on most modern handheld PCs, including the Deck. If you’re looking to upgrade your portable setup, you can find the popular Steam Deck available on Amazon.
Check Steam Deck availability on Amazon
So, if you're in the mood for a bite-sized, challenging retro platformer that won't cost you a dime, Cybarian: The Time Travelling Warrior is well worth the download. Just be prepared for a few (dozen) deaths along the way.
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