The retro-style 2D platformer Hayfever has removed its price tag on Steam, becoming a free-to-play title for all users. Hayfever has been compared to popular platformers on Steam, such as Celeste and Super Meat Boy, thanks to its gameplay gimmicks. However, it has also been praised for having its own unique DNA.
It is not that uncommon for paid indie games on Steam to suddenly become free-to-play. However, keeping track of these changes is not always easy, and users might miss out on some great opportunities. Hayfever's current price change is a good example of an offer that more players need to be aware of, especially those who have a thing for retro-inspired 2D platformers.
It appears that developer Pixadome removed Hayfever's price on August 21, turning it into a free-to-play Steam game (via SteamDB). Hayfever was originally released in 2020 and received positive reviews from both gamers and critics. For years, it was offered at a base price of $14.99, though it was regularly discounted on Valve's storefront. About three years ago, developer Pixadome announced that it would "go on a game development hiatus," so it is unclear why Hayfever has become a free game or whose decision it was.
Whatever the reason, Steam users who are fond of freebies now have a brand-new game to add to their collections. The good thing is that Hayfever is one of those games that offers high replay value. There are four worlds, 140 levels, and 240 collectibles that can keep players engaged for dozens of hours. However, the most interesting feature in Hayfever is its sneeze and allergy mechanics, which turn allergens and pollen into power-ups.
Unlike many modern 2D platformers that throw numerous skills and abilities at the player, Hayfever focuses on a few core gameplay gimmicks, all based on the protagonist Thomas' allergies. Every time he is exposed to an allergen, he may react differently, with some causing his sneezes to shoot him into the air, while others give him a slime-like body that can latch onto surfaces. According to developer Pixadome, "Regular pollen allows [Thomas] to build up a big sneeze to propel himself through the air. Smog, on the other hand, makes him swell up like a balloon."
There are no free-to-keep promotions on Steam at the time of writing. However, fans can enter Lenovo's Legion Gaming Community giveaways for a chance to win free Steam keys for two well-received games: Before Your Eyes and The Walking Dead. The Epic Games Store's weekly promotions are also a good opportunity to grab a couple of PC games at the tempting price of zero dollars. Right now, EGS is giving away Alone With You. Once the promo ends, it will offer two other games, Astral Ascent and Luftrausers, for free.
Hayfever is also available on the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop, but it has only been turned into a free-to-play title on Steam. The game remains a $14.99 purchase on PS4 and Nintendo Switch as of this writing.
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