Social sandbox MMO Pax Dei is free to play this weekend, which is perfect for solo survival game enjoyers like me who are curious about all the community features

News
By published

It's also 40% off if you do want to buy it.

A bear attacking a warrior in Pax Dei.
(Image credit: Mainframe Industries)

I like survival games because they let me live out my fantasy of leaving the computer behind forever and building a log cabin out in the woods all by my lonesome. No internet, no noisy eaters, just peace. Because isolation is so core to my dream, I rarely partake in MMOs, but Pax Dei's free weekend has piqued my interest.

Pax Dei isn't a new diversity programme, it's a "social sandbox MMO" where you can build your own home, make your own clothes, and generally just live out a medieval life. The idea behind it is that everything is player-led. You can set up a market stall full of goods you've made yourself, from armour to flowers, and trade with other players.

When it first launched into early access back in June, 2024, a lot of the more community-focused features hadn't been added yet, but more elements have come to the game since. One is the controversial plot token system. To build, you first need to claim a plot of land. To keep that little slice of heaven, you need plot tokens, which you can get by paying a monthly subscription. In the Steam reviews for Pax Dei—which are 'Mixed'—a lot of people complain about it. Who wants to pay a digital landlord?

If you do give the free weekend a try and enjoy Pax Dei, you'll be happy to learn it's also 40% off until February 2, making it $18 (£15).

Issy van der Velde
PC Gaming Show Deputy Editor

Issy van der Velde has been writing about video games professionally for five years, contributing to Rolling Stone, NME, GamesRadar+, IGN, and many more. He's been freelance and held editorial roles across news, guides, and features, and is now the deputy editor of the PC Gaming Show.

A lifelong gamer, Issy won the MCV 30 under 30 award for his work covering queer, Arab, and women's representation in the gaming industry.

His favourite games are narrative, story-driven adventures, arcade racers, roguelites, and soulslikes.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.