Get these Early Access games on Steam before they go up in price

One of the best trends in gaming started in the last decade: Steam Early Access Games. Releasing the game in an alpha state gives players a preview of what's to come. Sometimes these experiences can be already fulfilling and sometimes they can be extremely broken.

Be that as it may, it's interesting to review the game regularly as if the players were part of the development process. Early Access games are also often cheaper than full versions. The following games may increase in price after they retire their 1.0 versions, e.g No rest for the wicked or Grounded 2so players should invest now if they are at all curious.

The games included have either confirmed the price increase or are heavily rumored to be getting it.

Grounded 2 costs $29.99 during Early Access

The life of a bug that is already being fulfilled

Grounded 2 is a direct sequel to the first game, following the kids on a new adventure where they shrink again and end up in a new backyard. All kids play the same, so it's an aesthetic choice of who to choose. Players can mine materials, fight bugs, and then go to crafting stations to earn science points and learn new recipes. It's a similar concept to the original game, but already in Early Access, players will have more control over their character. The gameplay loop is slow but satisfying in this little open world survival game that only launched in 2025.

Grounded 2 it's available for $29.99 during early access, a price that will likely increase once it's in full version 1.0. The original game costs $39.99.

Phasmophobia is $19.99 during early access

One of the most popular multiplayer horror games of the last decade

Phasmophobia launched in 2020, it's a ghost hunter's dream game as players start with a small arsenal of gadgets and go on missions to try and get more bankrolls to buy more gear. Every location is basically the same and they have random encounters. For example, a house will start off with nothing going on, but the activity will increase the longer they are there and the more they explore. While Phasmophobia can be played alone, it is better to fully play the role of a ghost hunter in a crew.

Honestly, Phasmophobia it may stay the same price when it fully launches, especially since the PS5 version is also $19.99. However, the game has been worth the money for a very long time, so there's really no reason to wait if you and your friends are remotely interested in playing.

Palworld costs $29.99 during early access

The best Nepokemon solution in decades

Although it has not yet reached its 1.0 status, Palworld's developer, Pocketpair, has already announced a spinoff with the title Palworld: Palfarm. That aside, Palworld can be shortened to an open world survival game with monster catching mechanics. Players can capture friends and use them as partners in real-time combat, ride on them, or have them work in the camp. With a diverse set of monsters, easy-to-learn crafting skills, and a large world to explore, Palworld already surpasses Pokemon games in some ways.

Palworld will cost $29.99 (USD) during Early Access! This price will vary depending on your regional currency. – Palworld FAQ

For $29.99, Palworld is an absolute steal and keeps getting better. While it's not confirmed that the price will be increased upon full release, the above statement suggests that it could happen. Also, Palworld it's on Game Pass.

Ultrakill is $24.99 during early access

The Ultimate Boomer Shooter Mayhem

Ultrakill is another Early Access game from 2020, and even though it's not out yet, the developers have added quite a bit since launch. This boomer shooter is fast-paced and harkens back to the 90s with its design and excessive violence.

Players can acquire all sorts of incredible weapons and new cyber weapons throughout the game, from rocket launchers to revolvers that do coin tricks. The shootout is so good that it even gives Call of Duty franchise run for its money, a Ultrakill looks like another surprise is in store for players.

Again, Ultrakill has confirmed a release price at launch, but speculation suggests it could go as high as $30-$40.

Plan I is $19.99 during early access

The Crime Sim 2025 which took Steam by Storm

Schedule I is a chilling drug smuggling and cultivation simulator game. To make scratch, players set up a lab where they can grow leaves, which they then sell to customers around town. There are rivals to deal with and cops who are always on the beat to stop sales too, but overall it's a pretty relaxed game. There are harder drugs that can be invented and promoted later to help spice things up, but this sweet herb is the main draw. Schedule I was launched in 2025 and quickly gained its popularity Grand Theft Auto– like similarities.

Schedule I may be the best value option on Steam, excluding free games. For $20 you get dozens of hours of goodness and the game is still in development as it hasn't even reached version 0.5 yet. It seems unlikely that version 1.0 will cost $19.99.

Wind costs $24.99 during early access

The successor to dead cells that we all deserve

By the wind is a spiritual successor Dead cells because it's another developer game. It's an action-packed roguelike set on a floating set of islands that players can go to, explore, and even choose which direction to go before moving on. While the action combat is great, complete with various weapons, sub-weapons, abilities and temporary power-ups, the speed is what sets this action roguelike apart. By holding down a button on the dash, players can power up as if they were The Flash, and the controls are just as satisfying to watch. Launched in 2024, By the wind hopefully it will reach 1.0 and consoles soon.

It will launch at a lower price during the Early Access launch. It will then increase during the early access period (once enough content is added). The final price tag will be reached with the 1.0 release. – Wind FAQ

As mentioned above, By the windOnce 1.0 is released, the price will almost certainly go up.

Valheim is $19.99 during early access

Survive and create an Early Access game that has been huge for years

Valheim is an open world simulator based on Vikings that has been going strong since 2021 with seemingly no end in sight. While the game borrows from Norse culture, there is also a certain mystique to the monsters and bosses. Players sail around, land on islands, collect materials, craft and repeat. They can fight with melee weapons, ranged weapons, and best of all, there is co-op that can be explored and created as a large group.

Although not another one Minecraft in terms of availability, Valheim is certainly on its way to becoming the new standard for survival games; frankly, it probably already exists, even though it's still in early access. at this point Valheim It seems unlikely that it will be bigger than it is in terms of popularity, but the 1.0 release will still have a lot of hype. It will also almost certainly be more expensive than $19.99.

No Rest For The Wicked is $39.99 during Early Access

Brutal quest that will cost $60 for the full version

No rest for the wicked is the latest game from Moon Studios, the creators of The Ori and the Blind Forest and The Ori and the Will of the Wisps. This game is a bit different, e.g No rest for the wicked is a top-down action-adventure game that entered early access in 2024 and received several updates leading up to its final form.

It's not exactly Soulslike, but the combat is brutal and requires nimble fingers to slash opponents and then dodge with split-second timing. It's heavy and buggy, but it has a lot going for it, from the charming but cursed world to the art design that looks rather large and bulky like Darksiders character creator games and the Lott system.

We plan to have a discounted price during Early Access, which will then increase once the game reaches 1.0 and leaves Early Access. If you purchase during early access, you will not need to make another purchase in version 1.0. – 2K Q&A

Slay The Spire 2 costs $24.99 during Early Access

The Greatest Deckbuilding Game has an even better sequel

Slay the Spire 2at face value, it looks exactly like the first game from 2019, but comparing this game to 2026 Early Access and the original, the visual style is like night and day. What has remained the same is mainly the gameplay, as it is still a deck building game with roguelike mechanics.

Players choose their hero, now with more options, and then go on random paths, gaining new cards to use in turn-based battles before death claims another soul. The biggest addition is four-player co-op, which is a bit too random right now, but all of these features and more will surely be properly balanced later.

Titan Quest 2 costs $34.99 during Early Access

An action RPG that has been years in the making

From Diablo was founded in 1997, there have been many challengers to the throne, and one based on Greek mythology came to the fore in 2006, the so-called Titan Quest. Aside from the remaster, fans have been clamoring for a sequel for decades, and as of 2025, they got their wish Titan Quest 2.

It plays like a typical action RPG with loot, where players can get loot, upgrade their skills instead of choosing a single class, and so on. Fight crabs, explore ruins, team up with friends for a social adventure, and more. The content so far has been light, but more will decrease over time.

The final version is set to release at full price for 49.99 on PC. This means that the EA edition gives you a huge discount as it only costs €29.99/USD and has an introductory discount (until August 8, 2025) to €23.99/USD. In addition, the price will gradually increase during the Early Access phase. – Travel map