Deal | Steam: Unusual action game with 92% positive reviews drops to $0.99

Since the success of Vampire Survivors, countless imitators have entered the market. Many copy the basic formula almost one-to-one, often leaving little room for ideas of their own. Archons takes a somewhat different approach: In abstract sci-fi arenas, two so-called Archons fight their way through hordes of enemies and powerful bosses. Instead of controlling just one character, players have to control both characters simultaneously. They share a single health pool and must constantly be positioned so that their attacks hit as effectively as possible.

Much of the weapon design is built around this concept as well: A circular saw, for example, flies back and forth between the two Archons, while other attacks cover the area between the characters or depend on the distance between them. Weapons and abilities can be upgraded during runs, while permanent upgrades and new options are unlocked between runs. In local co-op, each player instead controls one Archon, shifting the focus somewhat: Rather than coordinating both characters alone, players have to coordinate with each other.

The unusual concept has been very well received on Steam: 92% of more than 400 player reviews are positive. Players particularly praise the two-character concept, the local co-op mode and the interplay between music, sound effects and attacks. Several players also point out that Archons requires a much more active playstyle than many other survivor-likes. Simply standing still and letting your build do the work is rarely an option here. The relatively limited amount of content has been less well received, however – according to several Steam reviews, the campaign can be completed within just a few hours. Some players would also like to see more maps, bosses, enemies and weapons.

90% off on Steam

On Steam, Archons normally costs just under $10. However, a 90% discount brings the price down to $0.99 until October 1. The deal isn't entirely new, though: According to SteamDB, the same offer was last available in August. However, the game has never been cheaper. Archons is Steam Deck Verified and should therefore run without any major issues.

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.