93% positive old-school RPG drops below $5 for the first time on Steam

In Pale Coins, players explore the dark fantasy world of Grenmark in search of the legendary Champion's Coin. Before they can get their hands on the mysterious treasure, however, they'll first need to make a name for themselves. That means fighting their way through forests, swamps and abandoned mines, taking down plenty of monsters along the way. The RPG offers a great deal of freedom. Players can explore the world largely at their own pace, get to know different factions and approach quests in multiple ways. Pale Coins is currently 50% off on Steam until October 25, bringing its price down to $4.99 from $9.99. According to SteamDB, that's a new all-time low. The biggest discount previously available was 30%.

In terms of gameplay, Pale Coins is a classic top-down action RPG with dark pixel-art visuals. Beneath its nostalgic appearance, however, lies a surprisingly challenging combat system with strong Soulslike influences. Anyone hoping to survive encounters with the game's many monsters and bosses will need good timing, well-executed dodges and clever use of their abilities. Alongside swords and bows, players also have access to a wide range of magical weapons. The extensive loot system is particularly important. Weapons, armor and gems come with different attributes and special abilities, allowing players to combine them into highly customized character builds.

Steam players particularly praise Pale Coins for its rewarding loot system, flexible character progression and nostalgic RPG atmosphere. Many also appreciate that the game doesn't constantly hold their hand, instead encouraging them to figure things out for themselves. Criticism, meanwhile, focuses on balancing issues, cumbersome menus and the relatively short playtime. Depending on playstyle, the adventure can be completed in around 8 to 13 hours.

Overall, an impressive 93% of more than 330 Steam user reviews are positive. And thanks to its Steam Deck Verified status, Pale Coins should also run smoothly on the go.

The official launch trailer shows how it all plays.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.