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Chris is a Gaming Editor at ScreenRant. He has been a professional writer since 2009, and has written for top TV, comics, movie, and video game outlets like Engadget, Polygon, Destructoid, and more. He brings with him an expertise in every game genre, no matter how niche or mainstream.
You may know him as the former Managing/Reviews Editor of Destructoid, where he published hundreds of game reviews across every genre, including MMOs, sports games, and Metroidvanias.
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Over the course of 2025, I played more free games than ever before. Part of that was because of how many of them are added to Steam on a regular basis.
When it comes to open-world games, there are a dime a dozen. But not all of them happen to combine two of the more popular adventure franchises of all time.
Trove Is An Underrated Steam Freebie
There's A Lot To Dig Into
Trove is a free-to-play adventure game that has been going strong for quite a while now. Over the years of development, the game has seen a massive influx of content, including procedurally generated worlds and dungeons. After choosing a class (including traditional roles like Knight and Gunslinger, as well as oddballs like Ice Sage and Dracolyte), you'll embark upon a playthrough, which is generated like a Minecraft map.These realms are fully destructible, set to the tune of a swords and sorcery fantasy theme (with some sci-fi mixed in for good measure). You have the ability to craft worlds, and submit your own dungeon, lair, and costume designs to the community.There's also a huge focus on social play, including lounging around and relaxing in portable houses. While player housing has always been a major focus in online multiplayer, it's become even more important in recent years. It's gotten to the point where even World of Warcraft is adding the feature after over two decades.
You Can Download It Right Now
It's Still Free
Trove has had its share of ups and downs, and some users are currently torn about the current era. Some accuse the game of declining in quality due to dupers/cheaters, while others view it as a great "chill" experience.
Other experienced players suggest checking out some guides if you're really set on diving in, as one review explains: "Very good RPG game as long as you know what to do. There are a lot of keybinds to open things such as the character sheet, inventory, and more. Make sure to look at guides for this game for the full experience if you are new! This game was also kinda grindy for me when I was a kid since I didn't know the progression, but getting help from the internet REALLY helps!"
Another review comments on the prospect of playing it completely for free: "Doesn't require any real money purchases to enjoy the majority of what the game has to offer. I have every character class unlocked, a handful of dragons among other mounts, and never spent a penny on this game."
With years of content under its belt, there's a ton to dig into with Trove. If you're a fan of open-world games and either the Minecraft or Zelda series, it doesn't hurt to check it out for free.
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