Fatshark is giving Vermintide 2 away — why you should grab it (and what to watch)

Why this free giveaway actually matters

Fatshark has put Warhammer: Vermintide 2 up as a free-to-keep on Steam through Sunday, November 23 – and that’s more than a promotional blip. This is a chance to own one of the best cooperative melee shooters of the last decade without paying a dime. If you’ve been curious about the game, now’s the moment to pick it up, squad up, and see why its tight combat loop and brutal encounters still hold up.

• Free-to-keep window: limited (ends Nov. 23), so don’t sleep on it.
• Base game only: big and content-rich, but DLCs cost extra.
• Fatshark just added Return to the Reik, a progression overhaul, and a double XP event – good for new players.

Key takeaways

• Claiming the game during the free window permanently adds the base game to your Steam library.
• The giveaway pairs with in-game events (double XP), making it ideal for leveling and trying careers.
• Expect modern anti-cheat and active balance patches that keep public matches playable.

Breaking down the giveaway – what you actually get

This free copy is the base Warhammer: Vermintide 2 game. That’s five heroes, multiple careers per hero, dozens of missions, versus and Chaos Wastes modes, and the core progression systems. It does not include paid career or cosmetics bundles. That sounds limiting, but the base game alone offers dozens of hours of co-op chaos — especially now that Fatshark has rolled out the Return to the Reik mission and a recent progression overhaul designed to smooth leveling for newcomers.

Why now? Context and Fatshark’s playbook

This grabbed my attention because Fatshark rarely gives away the base game outright at this scale. Vermintide 2 launched in 2018 and has been iteratively improved with free updates and paid DLC. The developer knows the game’s strength: sticky co-op loops and a community that keeps returning. Free-to-keep plus double XP aggressively lowers the barrier for new squads and revitalizes the player pool — smart timing for a studio celebrating the franchise’s milestone.

What to expect when you jump in

Vermintide 2 is punishing in the best way. Combat is melee-forward and framed around blocking, feints, and positioning. If you jump in solo, bots will cover gaps but won’t replace a coordinated four-player team. For newcomers: start on Normal, learn one hero’s kit, and avoid clustering — hordes and AoE will shred you if everyone stacks up.

• Play with friends or find beginner-friendly lobbies.
• Try a few careers to see which playstyle clicks; each hero’s late-game careers change the role significantly.
• Use the double XP window to experiment — progress comes faster for a limited time.

Don’t get baited — where Fatshark still expects your money

Free base game doesn’t mean free everything. Fatshark’s DLCs add careers and cosmetics that materially expand late-game variety. If you love a hero, buying a careers bundle is a solid small investment to unlock fresh playstyles. Expect discounted bundles during the celebration, but be deliberate: the core loop is playable and satisfying without DLC.

The gamer’s perspective: why I’m excited — and cautious

This caught my attention because Vermintide 2’s co-op combat still feels rare in the current market: visceral, melee-led, and unforgiving in a way that rewards skill. Fatshark using a free-to-keep window plus a progression boost is a clever way to refill public lobbies and onboard new players. My skepticism: public match quality can be hit-or-miss, and monetization of extra careers means true endgame diversity can require spending. But if you enjoy tight teamplay and waves of grotesque enemies, that’s a small price to test the game risk-free.

How to claim it — quick checklist

Log into Steam, visit Vermintide 2’s store page, and add it to your library while the free window is active. Install and jump into a co-op lobby. If you want the portrait frame or event rewards, play during the celebration and coordinate with teammates.

TL;DR

Don’t overthink it: grab Vermintide 2 while it’s free-to-keep, use the double XP to level quick, and try the new mission. It’s one of the best co-op experiences on PC — and owning the base game now is a great, low-risk way to see if you want to invest in DLC later.