In addition to frequently offering heavy discounts on a wide variety of titles, Steam also often presents new games that are completely free to play. One of the newest free titles earned very strong reviews shortly after its launch, quickly becoming one of the most acclaimed new games on the platform.
From Desborde Games, Control, I’m Not Coming Back officially launched as a free game on Steam on May 29. Since going live, it has garnered “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews from players. While the game is short, taking roughly an hour to complete in one sitting, the players who’ve played it thus far are calling it a 10/10 title, finding themselves much more impressed than they expected from a free game that had a rather quiet release.
The Reviews Are Overwhelmingly Positive
As one review reads, “This game goes beyond my expectations. I would’ve never expected a free indie game i found randomly would be so good. It’s very short yet so inspiring. It helped me a lot with my current state. This game is what you might need.”
“Less than an hour… This game broke me in less than an hour,” says someone else. “I highly recommend it. Who would’ve thought that a short experience could feel like life-long teachings.”
“Gorgeous game, absolutely beautiful, had me nearly in tears the whole time,” another brief review reads.
And as another states, “This game was nothing short of beautiful. It made me cry, laugh, smile, and just all in all, an amazing experience that will be hard to forget. 10/10.”
Control, I’m Not Coming Back is an emotional narrative game where players take control of an astronaut drifting through space, all the while hoping to find a reason to keep going while facing the frightening reality that there may be no way back home. There is no way to go backwards, only forwards, as the player goes through multiple diverse environments across various visual styles. Montages are integrated into the gameplay, in sync with the soundtrack to fit with the rhythm of the music.
Player Choices Affect the Story
The story picks up with an accident leaving a space cadet drifting alone in the void. Per the developers, the journey becomes an “introspective and abstract encounter with the historic Voyager 1 probe, forming a bond that reflects humanity’s need to keep reaching towards new horizons.” There are branching paths for the story to take depending upon the player’s choices. This opens the door for multiple playthroughs to get the full experience.
This marks the second release from Desborde Games. For any players wanting more after completing Control, I’m Not Coming Back, their first release is also available to play for free. Called Midnight Snack and released last year, this one is a horror game that has players wandering through a forest using the dials of a microwave. It has also garnered “Very Positive” reviews.
Control, I’m Not Coming Back is available now for free on Steam.