A big welcome back to all Loot Happens subscribers. Loot Happens is a weekly newsletter that is emailed and posted on LootHappens.com.
It's important to note that for premium subscribers, game offerings and in-game content, every week is different. Sometimes it's in-game codes, Steam keys, and giveaways, but premium members will always get something special every mailing. We also occasionally get mind-blowing early access or premium games that pay for an entire year's subscription.
Each newsletter is generally structured as Premium Loot > Free Sub Giveaways > Game Feature > Game discounts.
Key Giveaway for Premium Subscribers: Don't Disturb
Don’t Disturb is a quiet, heartfelt puzzle adventure that leads you through the afterlife from the eyes of a loyal dog searching for its deceased owner. Rooted in Asian folklore, the game blends delicate 2D art with thoughtful storytelling, unraveling themes of death, grief, and the journey beyond with surprising warmth. Though short in length, its emotional impact lingers.
The Thing: Remastered: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
The Thing: Remastered brings back the 2002 cult horror shooter with a fresh coat of 4K polish and the same nerve-wracking paranoia. As Captain Blake, you lead a squad through the frozen aftermath of Outpost 31, never quite sure who to trust, or when they'll turn. With updated visuals, smoother gameplay, and that iconic flamethrower action, it’s a tense and faithful return to one of horror’s most unsettling universes.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'thing'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours
Space Engineers 2: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
Space Engineers 2 brings a bold new vision to the beloved space sandbox, offering powerful creative tools, dynamic destruction, and a sleek new visual overhaul—all within a unified grid system that makes building more intuitive than ever. Even in alpha, it’s packed with features like voxel editing, symmetry tools, and Steam Workshop integration for sharing your creations. With major updates on the way—including planets, survival mechanics, and water physics - this game is already a blast to play and is aiming to become the ultimate playground for space engineers.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'engineers'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours
Historically Low Prices
This section of Loot Happens tracks historical discounts right now on games and throughout the industry! Our tireless web crawlers scour the web daily, sniffing out the best deals across the gaming landscape.
These aren't just any games – they're titles we adore and highly respect. And right now, you can grab them at prices we've never seen before!
No Man's Sky [Steam]
In the No Man's Sky universe, every star represents the light. $̶̶62.19 $19.33
Helldivers 2 [Steam]
Enlist yourself in the Helldivers and jump right in the fight. $̶̶45.22 $28.05
DOOM: The Dark Ages [Steam]
Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage. $̶̶90.46 $72.72
Sonic Superstars [PS5]
Experience the story of Basim, a cunning street thief seeking answers.$59.99 $23.99
Horizon Call of the Mountain [PS5]
Uncover a hidden danger to the world of Horizon.$59.99 $39.59
Myside Reality [Nintendo Switch]
Fall in, fade out—where does the real world end?$14.99 $4.99
Tavern Owner Simulator [Nintendo Switch]
Design. Serve. Expand. Become the ultimate tavern owner.$12.99 $3.99
Featured Game Review: Palia
Palia takes the beloved rhythms of life sims, gathering, crafting, decorating, and opens them up into a warm, persistent online world. It’s like Stardew Valley wandered into an MMO, but instead of raids and loot, you get fishing bonuses for teaming up with strangers and PSAs in chat about rare tree spawns. After 70+ hours of peaceful exploration, cozy home upgrades, and shared adventures, it’s clear the game understands how to make the familiar feel fresh again. There’s plenty to do solo, from hunting quirky critters to uncovering a surprisingly deep storyline about lost civilizations and the role of magic—but Palia gently nudges you to connect.
That sense of connection is what sets Palia apart. Even when bugs pop up or the main story drops off mid-beat, it’s easy to forgive the rough edges when you're spending a serene evening fishing with a stranger who waited for you before casting. With its dreamy landscapes, full-featured systems, and a shockingly wholesome community, Palia isn’t just another cozy game—it’s a cozy place.
Cooking and fishing are here, and they are good
Even though Palia’s main story still feels unfinished, with big new areas and characters introduced before the plot goes anywhere, it’s easy to get lost in everything else the game lets you do. Cooking, for example, isn’t just pressing a button and waiting. You’re chopping, stirring, flipping—all in real time. It’s active, hands-on, and honestly a lot of fun. It almost feels like running your little kitchen, and pulling off a full recipe feels genuinely satisfying.
Fishing is just as enjoyable. Instead of the usual boring “click when it bites,” you’re moving the rod, watching the fish jump, and reacting as you try to reel it in. It adds just enough challenge to keep things interesting, especially when you’re fishing with others and getting bonuses just for doing it together. These activities aren’t just side stuff—they’re well-made, easy to enjoy, and a big part of what makes Palia feel so alive and relaxing.
The home-building system is one of the best in the genre
Where Palia really shines is in the way it lets you build a life, not just through crafting and cooking, but by giving you a house to call your own and a town full of people worth getting to know. The home-building system is one of the most satisfying out there. Instead of locking you into a strict layout or overwhelming you with tiny details, it uses a smart modular design. You snap together different rooms and shapes, then go wild decorating them however you like. Whether you're placing rugs, tea sets, or rows of tiny plushies, it’s easy to make a space that feels personal. It’s not just a feature—it’s a reason to keep playing, gathering materials and gold to turn your house into a dream home.
But home isn't just walls and furniture—it’s people, too. Palia’s 26 townsfolk are some of the most charming in the genre, each with their story arcs, quirks, and even romance options. From Kenyatta, the sarcastic receptionist with April Ludgate energy, to Elouisa, the conspiracy-loving weirdo who somehow grows on you, these characters feel real in that cosy, slice-of-life kind of way. It’s a shame, then, that timegating holds this part back. You can only talk or give gifts to a character once per day, making friendships and romances feel like a slow grind rather than a natural bond. It’s one of the few places where Palia forces you to wait, which feels at odds with the game’s otherwise go-at-your-own-pace attitude. Still, the world feels more alive because of them—and that’s worth the effort.
Bottom line
Palia might not be flawless, but it’s one of the most welcoming, feel-good games you can sink into right now. It blends the charm of cozy sims with the shared joy of online play in a way that shouldn’t work—but does. Whether you're teaming up with strangers to chop down a magical tree, chasing butterflies through golden fields, or just trying to find the mayor’s missing lunch, there’s a sense of warmth and community that few games pull off this well. Yes, there’s room to grow—the story’s too short, some systems feel a bit thin, and bugs still pop up more often than they should. But even after 70 hours, it’s hard to walk away from a world that’s this kind, this chill, and this full of small, joyful distractions.
Next Week
Every newsletter has a lot to look forward to, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!
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