Ethan Crossfield 
Steam players have a limited window to add The Winter Tower to their libraries before the 2D fantasy visual novel is delisted on July 31—an opportunity that matters because delisting usually means losing access.
What happened: The Winter Tower is set to be delisted
The 2D fantasy game The Winter Tower is scheduled to be removed from Steam on July 31 at 2:00 PM PST. Developer EVERIUM says players who claim the game before that time will be able to keep playing afterward.
While delistings on Steam aren’t rare for indie titles, The Winter Tower is unusual in one key way: it’s already free-to-play on Steam. That means this isn’t a classic “free giveaway” promotion where Valve hands out a temporary license—rather, it’s a chance for players who haven’t claimed it yet to preserve access before it disappears from the store.
Steam’s recent free-to-keep activity has been mixed. One of the more notable official promotions earlier in July was The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, which ends on July 23. Beyond that, many “free” titles on Steam have come from unofficial promotions or from situations like The Winter Tower, where the game can be kept for reasons other than a timed giveaway.
What it is: Gameplay, story, and the paid DLC to consider
Released in 2022, The Winter Tower is a fantasy-themed 2D visual novel. The story centers on Ekaterina, a princess working to prove her abilities and earn the right to succeed her father.
Developer EVERIUM describes the narrative as a romantic adventure supported by original music and artwork. The main campaign is described as not particularly long, but the game expands its story through a DLC pack.
The DLC is a paid add-on priced at about $14.99 USD. If you want the extra side adventures and events that follow the game’s true ending, you’ll need to purchase it before the base game is delisted.
Why it’s leaving and what to watch next
Even with a relatively small review count at the time of writing—75 user reviews—the game’s average score is reported at 89%, suggesting it has found an audience among players who like story-driven indie releases.
So why remove a well-liked title? EVERIUM frames it as a studio “work-life balance” issue. The developer says balancing real-life responsibilities with game development has become too difficult, leading to an indefinite hiatus for the studio.
For players, the immediate watch item is straightforward: if you want The Winter Tower in your library, claim it before July 31 at 2:00 PM PST. For those tracking broader “free” opportunities, July’s official Steam freebies appear limited at the moment, with other storefronts offering their own time-based giveaways—such as Epic Games Store promotions scheduled around July 23.
Takeaways for players
- Claim The Winter Tower on Steam before July 31 at 2:00 PM PST to keep it afterward.
- Remember: this is a delisting preservation opportunity, not a traditional free-to-keep giveaway while the store still lists the game.
- If you’re interested in the extended story, check the DLC availability before the base game is removed (the DLC is about $14.99 USD).
- Don’t assume that because a game is free-to-play today, it will remain claimable—delistings can still take it away.
- If you’re hunting PC freebies this month, look beyond Steam, since official free-to-keep promotions have been sparse.
Expert View
Delisting a free-to-play indie title is already a tough pill for players—but the “claim before removal” window makes The Winter Tower one of the more player-friendly exits Steam has seen lately. For the indie scene, however, EVERIUM’s explanation highlights a bigger reality: even games with strong reception can vanish when studios can’t sustain development. For players, the lesson is to treat library claims as a preservation tool, not just a convenience—because access can disappear with little warning.
