Steam users can add the 2024 survival title Nettle to their gaming libraries completely free of charge, but only for a limited amount of time. This Steam game is set to emerge out of Early Access in the near future and plans to transition to a paid model, but those who add it to their library before this day can keep it for free forever.
Nettle has been in Early Access since December 2024, and hasn’t been updated by its developer in over 10 months. However, it has clearly gotten what it needs out of the Early Access process, and is gearing up for a full release. With that, it marks a massive change for the game, putting gamers on red alert.
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Nettle is Free to Keep on Steam Before Paid Transition
The developer has announced that Nettle is set to transition to a paid model in September 2026, when it emerges out of Early Access. The free-to-play game will receive a massive update, at which point it will be made available for $7. However, those who add the free Steam game to their libraries before then will be able to keep it without paying further down the line. There is no obligation to download it immediately – adding it to the backlog is enough. But with only the release window (and no exact date) cited by the developer, it’s worth grabbing as soon as possible.
For those who are interested, Nettle is described as a “single-player survival RTS game about exploring the cosmos,” where players “need to explore, gather resources, and research new technologies in order to survive, thrive, and eventually build a colony on a bizarre, foreign world.” The blend of survival and RTS is an interesting hybrid, which should make Nettle an interesting experience for fans of both genres.
Nettle Key Features
Resource gathering gameplay
Unique hybrid between survival and RTS mechanics
Different biomes to explore and lead expeditions
Colony building
At the time of writing, Nettle has “Mixed” Steam reviews. More positive interpretations of the game draw favorable comparisons to games like StarCraft and Don’t Starve, while some negative reviews point to its technical state. However, since the game is still in Early Access (and many of these reviews have come during different stages of development), it’s important to remember that this could have changed. Given that the game is available for free, it’s definitely worth gamers testing it out and coming to their own conclusions.
It’s important to note that this isn’t part of Steam’s usual Free to Keep promotion, which currently has two games to claim at the time of writing. Nettle has always been free-to-play, but its move to a paid model means that gamers who don’t add it to their libraries will need to pay upon full release. Given that it only takes one click of the “Add to Library” button, it’s well worth doing for those who have any interest in the game, either right now or in the future.
