Steam is currently giving away Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War for free, turning a $39.99 strategy game into a limited-time permanent claim on Steam accounts. The offer is tied to the Warhammer Skulls Festival and remains available until 28 May at 4 PM UTC.
The key detail is simple: anyone who claims the game during the promo window keeps it permanently. After logging in on Steam and selecting “Add to Account,” the game stays linked to that account without any subscription or trial period.
A 4X Warhammer game built around constant war
Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War comes from Proxy Studios and launched in 2018. It is notable for being the first turn-based 4X strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Its structure follows the familiar explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate formula. Diplomacy is not the focus here, as the game centers on near-constant warfare on the planet Gladius Prime.
What players get in the base game
The standard version includes four playable factions: Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Orks, and Necrons. Additional factions also exist, but those are sold separately as paid DLC.
That makes the free offer especially useful for anyone who wants to try the core experience without paying the normal Steam price. Outside the promotion, the game is listed at $39.99 on Steam.
Reception improved among players
The game’s critical reception was fairly modest when it first arrived. Metacritic lists a score of around 71, while Steam users have given it a much stronger “Very Positive” rating.
That split has helped Gladius – Relics of War build a reputation as a straightforward 4X title that gets to the heart of conflict quickly. Its focus on territory, combat, and relentless pressure also fits the Warhammer 40K setting well.
A recurring giveaway during Warhammer Skulls
This is not the first time Steam has offered the game for free. Gladius – Relics of War was also given away during Warhammer Skulls 2024 and returned in a similar promotion in 2025.
The repeating pattern has made the festival giveaway feel almost like an annual tradition. Outside those free periods, the game has also dropped to around $4 during major Steam sales.
More Warhammer discounts are live
The Warhammer Skulls Festival sale is running alongside the free offer, so Gladius – Relics of War is not the only title seeing a discount. Steam is also featuring reduced prices on other Warhammer games during the event.
For players who have not tried it yet, this is a low-friction way to add a Warhammer 4X game to their Steam library permanently. As long as the promo remains active, the claim process is one of the easiest ways to secure it without paying the regular price.
Source: www.notebookcheck.net
