Pony Island: Classic Indie Horror Goes Free on Steam Ahead of Sequel Playtests

The original Pony Island has dropped its price tag to zero on Steam, where it remains free to claim permanently until October 12th. For an indie puzzle-horror game that spent the last decade turning innocent-looking arcade pony runs into existential dread, a hundred-percent discount is a low-friction entry point.

The promotion runs alongside sign-ups for an upcoming playtest of the sequel, Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, which is scheduled to launch on April 27th, 2027, according to the game's official Steam listing. A new trailer for the sequel debuted during the latest Triple-i Initiative showcase, outlining its multi-genre mechanics.

To register for the playtest, Steam users must navigate to the sequel's store page and select the sign-up option, though guaranteed entry has not been confirmed.

The details

• Deal price: Free (yours to keep forever)
• End date: October 12th
• Platform: Steam
• Sequel release date: April 27th, 2027

According to the latest gameplay footage, the upcoming Pony Island 2: Panda Circus appears to expand significantly on the original's structure. The sequel features 3D bow-and-arrow exploration, Pac-Man parodies, side-scrolling pony rides, minigames involving standing clowns, and FMV cutscenes. While the original 2016 game is a simpler affair, the time-limited giveaway offers a zero-cost way to catch up on the series' history before the sequel's scheduled 2027 release.