Steam Drops New 9/10 Game That's 100% Free To Keep Forever

Published Oct 28, 2026, 6:22 AM EDT

Unfortunately, there's a pretty significant catch when it comes to free-to-play games, particularly those that rely on microtransactions and in-game purchases to operate. Pay-to-win (P2W) mechanics have become an all-too-common frustration, with some developers locking powerful items, upgrades, and the best content behind real-money purchases after hooking players with the "free-to-play" label. It's an unfortunate reality that can sour an otherwise fantastic gaming experience.

Fortunately, this newly released Steam title is looking to buck that trend entirely, promising absolutely no pay-to-win mechanics whatsoever. It's already garnering great feedback from players, making this completely free 9/10 gem in a somewhat overcrowded genre well worth checking out.

Having officially entered Early Access on October 27, Origins Trading Card Game is off to an impressive start on Steam. Developed by Koin Games, the newly released free-to-play title currently boasts a "Very Positive" rating, with 89% of its first 70 or so user reviews recommending it. That's roughly a 9/10 approval rating, although it's worth noting that this only looks at positive recommendations as opposed to a traditional review score.

Origins is a competitive digital trading card game that pits players against one another in fast-paced PvP battles, with matches typically lasting around seven minutes. Unlike traditional TCGs, both players take their turns simultaneously, battling across three lanes with unique conditions. There are more than 100 rotating background locations, while the cards themselves feature reimagined versions of iconic characters like Robin Hood, Mulan, Beowulf, King Arthur, Cinderella, and even Winnie-the-Pooh (though these aren't the officially licensed Disney versions, obviously).

Perhaps the biggest selling point is the developer's promise of absolutely zero pay-to-win mechanics. Every competitive card can be acquired without spending money, meaning players can't simply purchase an advantage over their opponents.

That said, there are still in-game purchases, as the game's monetization gimmick revolves around premium collectibles, including limited-edition cards with alternate artwork/styles and digitally graded cards that can be traded through the Steam Marketplace. It's an interesting approach that could make Origins one of the more consumer-friendly TCGs, and aims to capture the appeal of popular physical TCGs such as Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, or Magic: The Gathering.

Early player feedback has been encouraging, particularly from those who tried the free demo and those who were given keys for Early Access. Steam reviewer CryptoGorilla described the experience as "very fun and addictive," drawing comparisons to Marvel Snap. Another reviewer, EbGro, praised the character designs and challenging boss encounters, while FallenDemon enjoyed the gameplay but was skeptical about whether the no-P2W promise would hold up.

Of course, it's still extremely early, and the overwhelmingly positive reception should be taken with a grain of salt. The Early Access version has only been available for a day, meaning its relatively small pool of reviews may not accurately represent the long-term experience. Some of the more detailed player impressions also concern the earlier demo, rather than the latest release.

Another important consideration is the game's use of AI. Koin Games has included the following disclosure on Steam:

"All card art, UI, writing, and audio are created by our team. AI-assisted tools are used internally for workflow tasks and temporary placeholders only. Non-English text in the game is translated with AI from our English writing. We believe an AI-assisted translation serves players better than English-only, and we improve it as we go. The game does not generate content with AI at runtime."

The developers additionally acknowledge using AI-assisted images in some of the cinematic trailers, although they maintain that none of this footage appears in the actual game.

For now, Origins Trading Card Game is completely free to download and play on Steam, with developers promising it will remain free-to-play even after its full 1.0 launch, currently targeted for March 2027.

Brand Valve

Original Release Date September 12, 2003