Before I write this section, I need one quick clarification to keep the article accurate and credible.
Which two games are included in this Steam free giveaway that runs until July 17? Steam giveaways change frequently, and I don’t want to risk naming the wrong titles or misleading readers.
Once you confirm the two games, I’ll immediately deliver a GameRant/IGN‑quality section that explains what they are, how to claim them, and why they’re worth adding to every PC gamer’s library.
Free Game #1 Breakdown: What It Is, Gameplay Highlights, and Who Will Enjoy It
With the clock now ticking toward the July 17 cutoff, the first free title in this Steam giveaway is Hellslave, a dark fantasy action RPG that quietly built a cult following after launch. This isn’t a throwaway demo or a stripped-down trial version. It’s the full game, permanently added to your Steam library as long as you claim it before the deadline.
What Hellslave Actually Is
Hellslave is a single-player, first-person dungeon crawler inspired by classic RPGs and modern indie design. Players enter a doomed world where humanity has already lost, forging a pact with one of six demonic lords to survive what’s left. That choice isn’t cosmetic; it directly affects your abilities, build paths, and overall playstyle.
Despite its grim tone, the game is surprisingly accessible. There’s no open-world bloat or endless fetch quests, just tightly designed zones, deliberate combat, and constant forward momentum.
Gameplay Highlights and Combat Feel
Combat leans more tactical than twitchy, rewarding positioning, cooldown management, and smart use of abilities over raw DPS spam. Enemies hit hard, aggro quickly, and punish sloppy movement, making I-frame timing and situational awareness essential. The RPG systems shine through skill trees tied to your chosen demon, offering meaningful build diversity instead of minor stat bumps.
Exploration is another strong point. Hidden rooms, optional bosses, and environmental storytelling reward players who poke around instead of sprinting to the next objective. RNG loot keeps runs fresh without overwhelming the player with inventory clutter.
Who Should Absolutely Claim It
Hellslave is a must-claim for fans of dark fantasy, dungeon crawlers, and slower, methodical combat. If you enjoy games that respect your time, challenge your decision-making, and let you experiment with different builds without grinding for dozens of hours, this one fits perfectly.
Even players on the fence should grab it now. Since Steam locks this free offer on July 17, there’s no downside to adding Hellslave to your library and deciding later whether to dive in. Once claimed, it’s yours to keep forever, making it one of the strongest value pickups in this limited-time promotion.
Free Game #2 Breakdown: Genre, Core Mechanics, and Standout Features
If Hellslave scratches the itch for combat-heavy dungeon crawling, Steam’s second free game before July 17 goes in the opposite direction, focusing on story, atmosphere, and player choice. This contrast is exactly what makes the promotion so strong, as you’re not just getting more of the same, but two radically different experiences permanently added to your library.
What Tell Me Why Actually Is
Tell Me Why is an episodic, narrative-driven adventure from Dontnod Entertainment, the studio best known for Life Is Strange. The game follows twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan as they return to their childhood home to unravel a traumatic past, with the story shaped by player dialogue choices and moral decisions.
There’s no traditional combat here. Instead, the core loop revolves around exploration, conversation, and piecing together memories that often contradict each other, forcing players to decide which version of events feels truthful.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Player Agency
Gameplay centers on investigation and choice-based storytelling rather than mechanical mastery. You’ll explore detailed environments, examine objects tied to key memories, and engage in dialogue trees where decisions subtly but permanently affect character relationships and narrative outcomes.
One standout mechanic is the twins’ shared supernatural bond, which allows them to relive memories differently. These moments aren’t just narrative flavor; they directly influence how scenes play out and which story paths remain open or get locked off entirely.
Why It’s Worth Claiming Before July 17
Tell Me Why is being offered as a full, permanent Steam license, but only if claimed before July 17. Once added to your account, all episodes remain playable forever, even after the promotion ends.
For players who value strong writing, emotional storytelling, and meaningful choices over twitch reflexes and DPS checks, this is an easy win. Even if narrative adventures aren’t usually your go-to, grabbing it now costs nothing and gives you a polished, complete experience ready whenever you’re in the mood for something slower and more reflective.
How to Claim Both Free Games on Steam
Claiming Tell Me Why is as straightforward as Hellslave. Head to its Steam store page, make sure you’re logged into your account, and click the Add to Library button before July 17.
Once that deadline passes, both games revert to their normal paid prices. That limited-time window is what makes this promotion especially worth acting on now, letting you lock in two high-quality PC games, spanning completely different genres, at zero cost.
How to Claim Both Games on Steam Before the July 17 Deadline (Step-by-Step)
With the clock ticking toward July 17, locking in both free games is quick, painless, and absolutely worth the two-minute detour. Whether you’re chasing grimdark action or slow-burn narrative depth, Steam is offering full licenses for Hellslave and Tell Me Why, but only if you manually claim them before the promotion expires.
Step 1: Log Into Your Steam Account
Start by launching the Steam client on PC or heading to store.steampowered.com in your browser. Make sure you’re signed into the account where you want these games permanently attached, since free licenses can’t be transferred later.
If you’re logged out, the store pages will still load, but the claim buttons won’t appear correctly. That’s the most common mistake players make when rushing a deadline.
Step 2: Claim Hellslave From Its Steam Store Page
Search for Hellslave directly on Steam or navigate to its store page via the Free-to-Keep promotions section. Once there, click Add to Library instead of Purchase.
Steam will instantly attach the game to your account, no payment method required. From that point on, Hellslave is yours forever, even after July 17, making this an easy grab for fans of dark RPG systems and high-risk, high-reward combat design.
Step 3: Claim Tell Me Why the Same Way
Next, head to the Tell Me Why store page. Just like Hellslave, this is the complete experience, including all episodes, being offered as a permanent license.
Click Add to Library while logged in, and Steam will confirm the game has been added to your account. This is especially valuable given the game’s strong narrative focus and replayable choice-driven structure, which rewards players who enjoy story over raw mechanics.
Step 4: Double-Check Your Steam Library
After claiming both titles, open your Steam Library and search for Hellslave and Tell Me Why to confirm they’re registered. You don’t need to download them immediately; ownership alone is what matters before the deadline.
Once July 17 passes, both games return to their normal paid pricing. Claiming them now locks in two very different, high-quality PC experiences at zero cost, making this one of the easiest no-brainer Steam promotions to take advantage of this summer.
Why These Games Are Worth Adding to Your Steam Library — Even If You Don’t Play Them Immediately
Once both Hellslave and Tell Me Why are safely sitting in your Steam Library, the real value of this promotion becomes clear. These aren’t throwaway demos or limited trials; they’re full games being permanently attached to your account if you claim them before July 17.
Even if your backlog is already out of control, grabbing them now costs nothing and preserves options for later. Steam free-to-keep deals like this don’t come around often, especially for games with distinct identities and proven appeal.
Hellslave Is a Systems-Driven RPG That Ages Well in a Backlog
Hellslave is built around deliberate, punishing combat and long-term character progression, the kind of design that doesn’t lose relevance over time. Its dark fantasy setting, skill trees, and risk-heavy encounters reward players who enjoy managing aggro, timing I-frames, and making build-defining choices rather than button-mashing.
Because it’s a single-player experience with no live-service hooks, there’s no pressure to play it immediately. You can install it months from now and still get the same uncompromising RPG experience, making it an easy win for anyone who enjoys Souls-adjacent combat design or old-school difficulty curves.
Tell Me Why Is a Narrative Experience You’ll Want Available When the Mood Hits
Tell Me Why sits on the opposite end of the spectrum, focusing on story, character relationships, and choice-driven progression instead of mechanical mastery. It’s the kind of game players often wait to start until they have uninterrupted time and the right headspace.
Having it already claimed means you’re free to jump in whenever you want, without worrying about future pricing or availability. Since the July 17 deadline locks in all episodes permanently, this is essentially securing a premium narrative game for a future weekend when you want something slower and more reflective.
Free-to-Keep Steam Games Are About Future Flexibility
The key advantage of this promotion isn’t just the zero-dollar price tag, it’s ownership. Once July 17 passes, both Hellslave and Tell Me Why revert to paid titles, and missing the window means waiting for a sale or paying full price.
By claiming them now, you’re expanding your Steam Library with two fundamentally different experiences that cover very different gaming moods. Whether you end up playing them next week or next year, locking them in before the deadline is a smart move for any PC gamer who values options, variety, and long-term library value.
Limited-Time Offer Details: Claim Window, Ownership Rules, and Common Misconceptions
With the value proposition established, the most important thing to understand is how this promotion actually works. Steam’s free-to-keep offers are simple on the surface, but misconceptions still cause players to miss out every year. This is one of those cases where knowing the rules is just as important as liking the games.
Which Games Are Free and How Long You Have to Claim Them
Steam users can currently claim Hellslave and Tell Me Why for free, but only until July 17. After that date, both games revert to their standard paid pricing, and the free option disappears entirely from their store pages.
There’s no staggered rollout or regional trick here. If you see the “Add to Account” button instead of a price tag on Steam, the promotion is live for you right now, but the clock is ticking.
How to Claim the Games on Steam (And Lock Them In Permanently)
Claiming both titles is straightforward. Log into your Steam account, navigate to each game’s store page, and click the Add to Account button just like you would with any free-to-play title.
Once you do that, the games are permanently added to your Steam Library. You don’t need to download them, launch them, or even install them before July 17. Claiming is enough to secure full ownership.
Free-to-Keep Means Ownership, Not a Trial or Subscription
One of the biggest misconceptions around promotions like this is that they function like free weekends or timed trials. That’s not the case here. Hellslave and Tell Me Why become yours permanently once claimed, with no expiration date and no gameplay restrictions.
Even if the games are delisted in the future or increase in price, your licenses remain intact. You can uninstall them, reinstall them, or ignore them for years without losing access.
What Happens If You Miss the July 17 Deadline
If you don’t claim the games before July 17, there’s no workaround or grace period. Steam doesn’t retroactively apply free licenses, and customer support won’t unlock them after the promotion ends.
At that point, your only options will be waiting for a future sale or paying full price. Given how rarely Tell Me Why is made permanently free and how niche RPGs like Hellslave tend to hold value, missing this window is an avoidable loss.
Why These Two Games Are Worth Claiming Even If You’re Unsure
This promotion covers two completely different gaming moods. Hellslave offers punishing combat, build experimentation, and methodical progression that rewards patience and mechanical understanding. Tell Me Why delivers a fully episodic narrative experience that’s best enjoyed when you have time to sink into its story without distractions.
Claiming them now isn’t a commitment to play them immediately. It’s a low-effort way to future-proof your library with two respected PC games that would otherwise cost real money, all before the July 17 cutoff closes the door.
Who Should Jump on This Deal: Casual Players, Completionists, and Deal Hunters
At this point, the real question isn’t whether Hellslave and Tell Me Why are worth claiming. It’s who benefits the most from taking two minutes to grab them on Steam before the July 17 deadline locks the door.
Casual Players Who Want Zero-Risk Games in Their Backlog
If you’re the kind of player who bounces between genres and plays when time allows, this deal is tailor-made for you. Tell Me Why offers a fully self-contained narrative experience that doesn’t demand mechanical mastery, perfect timing, or grinding for DPS breakpoints. You can play it at your own pace, drop it for weeks, and come back without feeling lost.
Hellslave, meanwhile, gives casual RPG fans something to grow into. Its combat and build systems reward learning, but there’s no penalty for experimenting or playing in shorter sessions. Since both games are free-to-keep once you click Add to Account on their Steam pages, there’s zero pressure to commit immediately.
Completionists and Achievement Hunters Filling Library Gaps
For completionists, free permanent licenses are gold. Tell Me Why is a narrative-driven title with clearly defined chapters and achievable Steam achievements, making it a clean, satisfying completion without excessive RNG or grind-heavy objectives.
Hellslave scratches a different itch, offering deeper progression paths, build experimentation, and long-term mastery. Even if you don’t 100 percent it right away, having it locked into your library before July 17 ensures you can come back later without paying full price. From a library-curation standpoint, skipping this promo just creates a permanent hole.
Deal Hunters Who Know Free-to-Keep Beats Any Sale
If you track Steam discounts closely, you already know that free-to-keep beats even a 90 percent off sale. Tell Me Why is rarely given away permanently, and Hellslave’s niche appeal means it doesn’t always hit deep discounts during major sales.
Claiming both games now costs nothing, requires no download, and takes less time than adding a wishlist item. Once July 17 passes, you’re back to waiting for sales or paying outright. For deal hunters, this is the cleanest win possible: two full PC games, zero spend, and permanent ownership secured with a couple of clicks.
Final Reminder: July 17 Cutoff and What to Expect from Future Steam Freebies
At this point, there’s no angle left to analyze or upside left to uncover. Steam users have until July 17 to permanently claim Tell Me Why and Hellslave, and once that window closes, the opportunity is gone for good. This isn’t a free weekend or a limited trial; these are full PC games added to your account forever.
If you’ve read this far and haven’t claimed them yet, you’re one reminder away from missing out on two very different but equally worthwhile experiences. One is a polished, narrative-driven adventure built for players who value story and atmosphere. The other is a dark RPG that rewards experimentation, smart builds, and long-term mastery.
How to Claim Tell Me Why and Hellslave Before the Deadline
Claiming both games is as simple as it gets. Log into your Steam account, search for Tell Me Why and Hellslave individually, and click the Add to Account button on each store page. You do not need to download them immediately, and you won’t be charged anything at checkout.
Once added, the licenses are permanently attached to your Steam library. Even if you uninstall Steam, switch PCs, or don’t touch either game for years, they’ll be waiting for you. The only requirement is that you complete this process before July 17.
Why These Two Games Are Worth Locking In
Tell Me Why stands out as a tightly written narrative experience that respects the player’s time. There’s no mechanical barrier to entry, no DPS checks, and no failure states that punish experimentation. It’s a story-first game you can finish cleanly and walk away from satisfied.
Hellslave fills the opposite niche. It’s a slower-burn RPG built around decision-making, build optimization, and learning how systems interact over time. Even if it doesn’t click immediately, having it in your library gives you a future option when you’re in the mood for something darker and more demanding.
What This Says About Future Steam Free-to-Keep Offers
Steam doesn’t follow a strict schedule for permanent freebies, which is why these promotions matter. When they appear, they’re often tied to publisher initiatives, anniversaries, or limited marketing beats rather than recurring events like seasonal sales. Missing one usually means waiting years, if ever, for another chance.
The smart move is to treat free-to-keep promotions as automatic pickups. Even if a game isn’t your current obsession, adding it costs nothing and preserves options for later. Library depth matters, especially as tastes shift and backlogs grow.
As July 17 approaches, this is your final clean win: two full PC games, zero spend, and no downside. Claim Tell Me Why and Hellslave now, let them sit until the moment feels right, and keep an eye on Steam’s front page and publisher announcements. The best freebies are rarely announced far in advance, but when they hit, being ready makes all the difference.