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"Like the original BioShock – but more challenging": RPG shooter on Steam now 90% off for just $3

 With a 90% discount, Prey is available on Steam for $3 until April 26. (Image source: Steam)
With a 90% discount, Prey is available on Steam for $3 until April 26. (Image source: Steam)
If you're after a story-driven shooter with plenty of gameplay freedom, Prey might be just what you're looking for – and it won't cost you much. It's currently 90% off on Steam, going for just $3 instead of $30.

Prey isn’t your typical shooter. It’s an immersive first-person action game with RPG elements that leans heavily on exploration, strategy and resource management. Set in an alternate version of 2032, where President Kennedy survived the assassination attempt and jump-started a thriving space program, the game places you in the shoes of Morgan Yu aboard the Talos I space station. Orbiting the moon, Talos I was the site of groundbreaking research, until an experiment went horribly wrong. A hostile alien species known as the Typhon has escaped containment, wiping out nearly everyone on board. With no memory of the past, you must uncover the truth behind the Typhon outbreak and your own involvement in the project. As the story unfolds, you’ll face difficult moral decisions, unravel psychological mysteries and shape the outcome through multiple possible endings.

Prey gives you the freedom to explore the open environments of Talos I at your own pace, whether you're hacking terminals or using the surroundings to outsmart and trap enemies. The alien threat comes in many forms, from small Mimics that disguise themselves as everyday objects to powerful Phantoms with telekinetic abilities. To fight back, you can rely on traditional weapons like pistols, shotguns or the creative GLOO Cannon, or tap into neuromods that grant you supernatural powers, including abilities borrowed from the Typhon themselves. These choices shape your playstyle, whether you prefer a stealthy, tech-savvy approach or a more direct, psionic assault. With a deep crafting system, extensive skill trees and a wide range of upgrades, Prey offers a layered and flexible gameplay experience that rewards experimentation.

Reviews: Good atmosphere and lots of gameplay freedom, but with some questionable design decisions

The German gaming magazin GameStar praised Prey for its strong opening, calling the first hour exciting, full of surprises and stylishly presented. It's a standout moment that immediately draws players in. In terms of gameplay, the review highlights Prey's remarkable freedom, noting the depth of its skill trees, smart level design and the wide range of possible approaches. According to the editors, these elements encourage experimentation and give players a true sense of agency. They sum it up simply as "like the first Bioshock, only more challenging." The game world delivers a rich, immersive atmosphere, enhanced by outstanding sound design. Talos I, with its intricate details and layered storytelling, invites thorough exploration and rewards curiosity at every turn.

However, Prey isn’t without its flaws. GameStar points out several frustrating moments, such as sudden enemy attacks and jarring battle music that can kick in without warning. Other design choices, like long walks with no fast travel or clunky hacking mini-games, can drag down the experience. The interface for terminals and inventory management also feels awkward at times. On the technical side, the CryEngine doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. While the graphics are solid, they’re not particularly impressive. Despite these drawbacks, GameStar gave Prey a strong overall score of 85 out of 100. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 82 and a User Score of 8.1. On Steam, nearly 35,000 players have reviewed it, with 90% giving it a positive rating. So, while not perfect, Prey is clearly well-regarded by both critics and players.

90% discount on Steam

Prey, developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, launched in May 2017. Normally priced at around $30 on Steam, it's currently available for just $3 thanks to a 90% discount running until April 26. According to SteamDB, this is the first time the game has dropped to this price since January 2025.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 04 > "Like the original BioShock – but more challenging": RPG shooter on Steam now 90% off for just $3
Marius Müller, 2025-04-21 (Update: 2025-05- 5)