Children of Morta Action RPG Now Available at Massive 85% Discount on Steam
Steam slashed the price of Children of Morta by 85%, dropping the acclaimed action RPG with roguelike mechanics to its lowest point since launch. The deal puts the 2019 indie hit at just $3.74, a steep cut from its usual $24.99 tag, and is already drawing spikes in player interest, according to Notebookcheck.
Developed by Dead Mage and published by 11 bit studios, Children of Morta has built a reputation for its rich storytelling and tactical gameplay. The game’s “overwhelmingly positive” Steam rating—based on more than 18,000 user reviews—cements its status as a modern roguelike standout.
Players command the Bergson family, each member wielding unique weapons and skills as they descend into hand-crafted, procedurally generated dungeons. Boss fights and ever-changing room layouts force constant adaptation. The sharp discount opens the door for a new wave of players to discover a title that’s seen steady community engagement and critical praise since launch.
Steam’s sale comes as rival platforms like Epic and GOG focus their summer deals on bigger-budget franchises, making Children of Morta’s deep cut an outlier among indie RPGs this season. For anyone tracking value in the crowded action RPG market, this stands out—especially with comparable hits like Hades and Dead Cells rarely dipping this low outside major sale events.
How Children of Morta’s Unique Gameplay and Characters Enhance the Roguelike Experience
Children of Morta doesn’t just rehash roguelike staples—it weaves them into narrative-driven, character-focused systems that set it apart from the genre’s grind-heavy peers. Where most roguelikes lean on a single, faceless protagonist, Morta hands you six playable Bergsons, each with distinct fighting styles—from the sword-and-shield tank to the agile archer.
This design amplifies replayability. Each family member unlocks new abilities and story arcs, pushing players to switch tactics and learn new combos as the difficulty ramps up. For example, the father, John, opens up defensive play, while daughter Lucy turns combat into a ranged barrage. The interplay between family synergy and individual mastery keeps runs fresh even after dozens of hours.
Roguelike mechanics remain central: permadeath, procedurally generated dungeons, randomized loot, and escalating enemy threats. But Morta overlays these with persistent progression. Even failed runs yield experience and story beats, softening the sting of defeat and encouraging experimentation. This hybrid design has earned the game Metacritic scores in the high 80s and a loyal player base who praise its blend of challenge and accessibility.
What really elevates Morta is its narrative backbone. Most roguelikes sideline story for mechanics, but here, family dynamics and emotional stakes drive the campaign. Between dungeon dives, players watch the Bergson family evolve—bonds deepen, traumas surface, and triumphs resonate. This storytelling approach, rare for the genre, has attracted players who might otherwise avoid roguelikes entirely.
What to Expect Next: Steam Sale Duration and Opportunities for New Players
Valve hasn’t announced an official end date for the 85% off discount, but typical Steam mid-summer deals last between seven and ten days. Anyone interested should assume the window could close by early next week, especially as similar deep discounts in past years have vanished without warning.
The sale is already boosting concurrent player counts, as tracked on SteamDB, and giving the game’s online co-op mode a fresh injection of activity. Newcomers can expect a welcoming community—Morta’s Discord remains active, and the developers have a track record of patching in quality-of-life improvements based on player feedback.
For new players, the best approach is to embrace experimentation. The game’s difficulty spikes can frustrate, but switching characters and investing in family upgrades pays off long-term. Those who dig into the lore and side quests will find content well beyond the main campaign, with bonus dungeons and post-launch updates extending replay value.
Looking ahead, Dead Mage has teased further support for Children of Morta, though no major expansions have been confirmed since the “Family Trials” free update in 2021. If this sale triggers a fresh surge in interest, it could nudge the studio to revisit new content or even a sequel—especially as demand for story-driven roguelikes keeps rising.
For players who missed out at launch or hesitated at full price, the current Steam deal is the most cost-effective entry point yet—and with the genre more crowded than ever, a game that still stands out after four years isn’t just a bargain, but a rare find.
The Bottom Line
- The 85% discount makes a highly rated indie RPG accessible to a broader audience.
- Children of Morta stands out among rival summer sales for its steep price drop and critical acclaim.
- This deal highlights the growing value-conscious trend in the crowded action RPG market.
