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| Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is available on Steam with a 90% discount until January 5. |
If you’ve ever wandered the bizarre, bio-organic landscapes of Zenozoik in Zeno Clash, you know Chilean developer ACE Team crafts worlds like no other. That unique vision is back, but with a brutal new twist. Their 2023 release, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, transports players once more to the surreal setting, this time filtering it through the challenging lens of a third-person soulslike. And now, for the very first time, this acclaimed cult hit is on sale for a staggering 90% off during the Steam Winter Sale.
The story follows Pseudo, a quiet but capable warrior, whose solitary existence is upended when he crosses paths with a mysterious child. This “Boy” is being hunted by a powerful faction known as the Gemini, and Pseudo makes a fateful decision to become his protector. True to ACE Team’s style, the narrative unfolds not through cutscenes or exposition dumps, but through the haunting atmosphere, strange character encounters, and the whispering lore of the environment itself.
A Soulslike with a Surreal Heart
At its core, Artifacts of Chaos is a methodical, melee-focused soulslike. Combat demands precision: timing your strikes, mastering the block, and learning enemy patterns are key to survival. But ACE Team injects its own distinct flavor into the genre. One of the most talked-about features is the ritual system. Before certain battles, you engage in a brief, dice-based mini-game. The outcome applies random, often strange effects to the ensuing fight—shifting visuals, environmental hazards, or slight modifiers to your abilities. It’s a mechanic that ensures no two major encounters feel exactly the same.
Progression will feel familiar to genre fans, as you unlock new martial arts techniques and scour the world for better gear and artifacts, steadily growing in power to face greater threats.
You can explore this strange world for yourself by visiting the official Steam page here: Clash: Artifacts of Chaos.
Critical Reception: Praise for Style, Notes on Rough Edges
The game made a notable impression at launch. German outlet 4Players awarded it a strong 8 out of 10, heaping praise on its “distinctive art style” and “creative direction,” highlighting how it stands apart in a market often saturated with similar-looking AAA titles. They also commended the layered combat and the emotional weight of its ~15 hour story.
The review, however, noted some shortcomings. Critics pointed to inconsistent enemy AI and some unbalanced weapons, even joking that throwing a rock could sometimes be more viable than complex melee. The ritual dice mechanic, while innovative, was also cited for sometimes producing effects that felt too minor.
This split is reflected on aggregate sites. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 69 based on critic reviews and a User Score of 6.9. Yet, on Steam, the community has embraced it much more warmly, with a “Very Positive” rating based on over 1,300 reviews—91% of which are positive.
An Unmissable Price for a Unique Adventure
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos launched in March 2023 with a standard price around $30. According to tracking site SteamDB, this 90% discount is its deepest ever, slashing the price to a mere $3. The sale is part of the Steam Winter Sale and runs until January 5.
For players on the go, it’s worth noting the game is fully Steam Deck Verified, performing well on Valve’s handheld. If you’re looking to get into Deck gaming, you can find the popular 512GB model available on Amazon here.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric, challenging action games with an unparalleled artistic vision, this first-ever deep discount makes Clash: Artifacts of Chaos an incredibly low-risk, high-reward proposition. It’s a chance to experience one of the most creatively bold soulslike adventures in recent years for less than the price of a coffee.