Stones Keeper: King Aurelius Free on Steam Until Sept 14
Credit: Valkyrie Initiative

Stones Keeper: King Aurelius Free on Steam Until Sept 14

Fabian Fabian Lainé
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In brief

Stones Keeper: King Aurelius is becoming free until September 14, 2026, the date it will be removed from Steam. SK Team is releasing this prequel for free to make way for the Director's Cut, a major update to the base game Stones Keeper, which no longer met the studio's quality standards.

SK Team is removing Stones Keeper: King Aurelius from Steam on Monday, September 14, 2026. Until then, it costs nothing: the store page reads "Play Game", not "Add to Cart". Whoever adds it before that date keeps it in their library and can play it afterward, the August 27 announcement specifies.

Two reasons are given. On September 14, SK Team releases Stones Keeper: Director's Cut. And King Aurelius "no longer meets the quality standards" the studio now applies to the series.

The misunderstanding to avoid: this Director's Cut isn't a new game, but the free 2.0 update to Stones Keeper, the paid game released in 2022 at $16.99. Rewritten campaign, ported to the sequel's engine, "Zone of Control" and "Backstab" mechanics. You therefore need to own the base game.

The equipment shop screen in Stones Keeper: King Aurelius, a bearded merchant facing a list of weapons
King Aurelius's equipment shop: English is one of the eight languages the store page lists, and one of the two that are voiced. Credit: Valkyrie Initiative

Grab it anyway: this free prequel to the main campaign costs nothing, and its Steam reviews are "Mostly Positive" (77% from 190 reviews). On languages: the store page lists eight, English and Russian being the two with full audio support. And to see where the series is heading, the free Stones Keeper II: Chaos Lord Demo is already on Steam.

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Are you going to download Stones Keeper: King Aurelius before it disappears?

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is the Director's Cut?
It's not a new game, but the free 2.0 update to Stones Keeper, the paid 2022 title. It brings a rewritten campaign, a port to the sequel's engine, and the "Zone of Control" and "Backstab" mechanics. You need to own the base game to access it.
If I download King Aurelius now, do I keep it forever?
Yes, that's how temporary free-to-play works on Steam. Once added to your library before September 14, you'll have access to it indefinitely.
Is there any French in King Aurelius?
Unfortunately not. The interface displays eight languages, but only English and Russian are dubbed. If you're looking for Stones Keeper content in French, check out the free demo of Stones Keeper II: Chaos Lord, which promises French subtitles.
Is it worth downloading a game for free that the studio is removing?
Yes, King Aurelius has a 77% positive review rating on Steam. It's a solid prequel that costs nothing, and you have two weeks to try it.

Key takeaways

  • King Aurelius goes free-to-play until September 14, after which it's over.
  • Whoever adds it now keeps it permanently in their Steam library.
  • The studio considers the prequel below its current standards, hence its replacement by the Director's Cut.
  • Warning: no French on screen, only English and Russian are dubbed.
  • Decent ratings nonetheless, 77% out of 190 Steam reviews.

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