If you’ve spent more than two minutes on the internet, you’ve probably seen an ad for Raid: Shadow Legends. Well, get used to seeing it in even more places, because it has suddenly launched on Steam. Like Honkai: Star Rail and Genshin Impact, this infamous RPG is the definition of a gacha game, a free-to-play title that aggressively monetizes its hero-collecting gameplay. You don’t have to spend a penny to get into the turn-based fun, but that hasn’t stopped countless players from emptying their wallets for new characters. With such a predatory freemium model, Raid: Shadow Legends never should have launched on Steam.
Raid: Shadow Legends Brings Freemium Infamy To Steam
The main appeal of Raid: Shadow Legends is the ability to collect and upgrade over 800 unique heroes. Every member of this gargantuan roster comes with unique abilities and equipment, tailored to set an RPG fan’s heart aflutter. Raid is anything but an overlooked RPG because of that. The game has thrived thanks to its excellent art, obsessively grindable levels, and collaboration with big-name franchises like Monster Hunter. Its Steam launch, however, has been ugly, with 54% of reviews being negative. The reason is obvious when you read those reviews. Few games hate your wallet as much as Raid: Shadow Legends.
Don’t want to spend hundreds or thousands of hours grinding? Fork over your money. Even if you are willing to grind for an eternity, get used to getting obliterated by whales in PvP. You’ll never have a sword more powerful than their bank accounts. Raid is perhaps the ultimate example of an otherwise decent game spoiled by predatory monetization. Steam gamers are less prepared for and therefore more vulnerable to freemium and gacha games, and some will inevitably pay the price. There’s only one Dark Lord bent on destruction here, and it’s not Siroth.
Raid: Shadow Legends is available for PC, Android, and iOS.
