Primal Light on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
Inhabit Krog, a mysterious blue creature in a red loincloth, as he traverses a labyrinth of ladders, levers, traps, and monsters. Explore the nooks and crannies of a bizarre and evocative world as you hack and slash your way to victory, leaving a graveyard of grotesque bosses in your wake.
Primal Light is a 2d platformer, pixel graphics and action-adventure game
developed and published by Fat Gem.
Released on July 08th 2020 is available on Windows, MacOS and Linux
in 13 languages: English, Spanish - Spain, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish - Latin America, French, German, Portuguese - Portugal, Portuguese - Brazil, Italian, Russian and Turkish.
It has received 394 reviews of which 322 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 7.79€ on Steam, but you can find it for less on Gamivo.
The Steam community has classified Primal Light into these genres:
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS *: Windows 7, 8, or 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU 2.40 GHz, or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4600, or equivalent
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 200 MB available space
MacOS
- OS: MacOS 10.12, or newer
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU 2.40 GHz, or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M, or equivalent
- Storage: 200 MB available space
Linux
- OS: N/A
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU 2.40 GHz, or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4600, or equivalent
- Storage: 200 MB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Primal Light, developed and published by Fat Gem, is a side-scrolling action platformer that pays homage to the pixelated era of the 16-bit classics. The game’s world is one of desolation and myth, where players control Krog, a lone blue-skinned warrior clad in a red loincloth, on a journey through a world of ruin, haunted temples, and monstrous creatures. The premise is simple but evocative — Krog seeks to avenge his fallen tribe and restore what was lost, traversing a series of deadly stages filled with traps, enemies, and formidable bosses. Its story is told largely through atmosphere and visuals rather than dialogue, evoking a timeless feeling reminiscent of early console adventures. Primal Light embraces minimalism not as a limitation, but as a stylistic choice that reinforces its identity as a love letter to the action platformers of the early ’90s. The visual design of Primal Light is one of its defining strengths. Each level is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, blending gothic architecture, ancient ruins, and eerie caverns into a coherent world that feels both alien and ancient. The pixel art style is vibrant yet somber, capturing a haunting beauty that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The animation work, particularly during boss encounters, showcases a clear passion for classic sprite design. Massive, grotesque creatures move with surprising fluidity and menace, giving each battle a sense of spectacle that defies the game’s modest production scale. The environments, though constructed with a limited color palette, make excellent use of lighting and contrast to set the mood, while the soundtrack enhances the experience with ambient, rhythmic compositions that feel primitive and mystical at the same time. The music never overwhelms the player; instead, it builds tension and complements the sense of solitude that defines Krog’s journey. The gameplay mechanics are deliberately old-fashioned yet satisfying when mastered. Krog moves, climbs, rolls, and attacks with deliberate weight, demanding precision and timing from the player. As the adventure progresses, new abilities are unlocked that subtly expand the gameplay possibilities, allowing access to previously unreachable areas or improving combat flow. Every level introduces unique environmental hazards, from swinging blades to collapsing floors and flame traps, demanding players to adapt quickly. The inclusion of collectible charms and hidden upgrades gives exploration a meaningful purpose, rewarding players who take time to look beyond the linear path. Fat Gem’s design philosophy clearly emphasizes mastery and repetition: each failure teaches a lesson, each success feels earned. The level structure and checkpoint system maintain a fine balance between challenge and frustration, though this balance can feel unforgiving to those unaccustomed to the punishing precision of retro platformers. Combat in Primal Light is simple but tense, relying on sharp reflexes and observation rather than button mashing. Enemies vary in behavior and attack patterns, often forcing players to engage with a mix of patience and aggression. Boss fights stand as the highlight of the experience, each one distinct in design and mechanics. These encounters range from enormous beasts that dominate the screen to agile foes that test timing and movement skills. Defeating these creatures provides an immense sense of satisfaction, and the pixel animations that accompany their defeat serve as fitting rewards. While some players may find the difficulty curve steep, particularly during the later stages, it is clear that the developers intended this game to be a test of endurance and skill. Even on the lower difficulty settings, Primal Light remains challenging, occasionally to a fault, but this consistency reinforces its identity as a pure retro experience rather than a modernized reinterpretation. Despite its many strengths, Primal Light is not without its flaws. The rigid movement and deliberate combat pacing, while authentic to its inspirations, may feel clunky by modern standards. The jump arcs can be unforgiving, and the hit detection occasionally demands near-perfect precision. Some levels lean too heavily on repetition, with certain enemy types and traps appearing across multiple stages with minimal variation. The game’s brevity also stands out — a skilled player could complete it in roughly three to five hours, and while that fits its retro design ethos, it leaves some wishing for a bit more depth or additional side content. Still, the charm of Primal Light lies not in its length but in the quality of its moment-to-moment gameplay and atmosphere. Each stage feels crafted with care, and the difficulty, though punishing, rarely feels cheap. Players who persevere through its hardships are rewarded with a sense of triumph that few modern games manage to replicate. Ultimately, Primal Light succeeds as a concentrated burst of nostalgic energy and craftsmanship. Fat Gem has delivered a game that, while small in scope, embodies the dedication and artistry that defined the golden age of platformers. It is brutal, beautiful, and unwavering in its vision — a game made for those who relish challenge and appreciate pixel art done with purpose. For players who grew up on classics like Castlevania, ActRaiser, or even the early Souls-inspired 2D indies, Primal Light offers a refreshing, authentic experience that demands precision and rewards persistence. It may not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for a more forgiving or cinematic journey, but for those who crave the raw, skill-based thrill of old-school action, Primal Light stands as a worthy modern heir to a long-forgotten tradition. Rating: 8/10
Expand the review
There's a little jank here and there, but what a fun and satisfying platformer for the price. Super underrated.
Expand the review
An underrated game with excellent map design and pixel art. I'm eagerly anticipating the developer's next release.
Expand the review
Fun little game. I think the game would have been 10x better if once you beat it you can pick the levels and do no death run for the levels. The whole no death, no continue achievements are quite insane tbh. Also heals should replenish at bonfires. Then make the difficulties actually make sense. Relaxed doesnt make sense, its just as hard as the others. Hardcore is only 3 lives as opposed to 5 which means less deaths per level but can just continue endlessly. And veteran is average of both. The charm is in the main character and the simplicity of things with the great artwork. I give it a 7/10. Mostly held up by the gameplay itself but a lack of depth to the game and replability. Check it out if you are a fan of metroidvanias but expect to spend about 10 hours or so thats it. Also the music is great!
Expand the review
Superb game! Primal Light is delightful! It is challenging in the righ way, without ever being unfair. While it takes some minutes to get into the game style, when you do get it, it is extremely fun and rewarding. The controls are just right in every aspect and the level design is top tier. Great visuals and great, original atmosferic soundtrack make it even better. My advice: treasure this game in your heart as you did with the best 16-bit games of the past. I can see myself playing this game at least once a year for the rest of my life, as I do with some classics. Congratulations, devs! (Another advice: start playing on the lowest difficulty, even if you're already experienced with this type of game. While the game isn't devastatingly difficult, starting off on anything other than easy can be frustrating, which clearly is not the purpose of Primal Light.)
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
Super Alloy Ranger
Super Alloy Ranger is a 2D side-scrolling action game. Play as Marksman Kelly or Combat Robot No.2 to challenge different levels within the dangerous Machine Empire and unlock new weapons. Use Kelly’s shooting and No.2’s deathblows to defeat abnormal Machine Bosses!
GravNewton
Challenge all your skill and quick thinking ability in this precision platform game, where you are a bitrom who controller over gravity called Newton, who is trying to escape from a deformed creature that relentlessly follows him in subspace.
1 Screen Platformer
This is a SHORT, 2D PLATFORMER with TIGHT CONTROLS about exploring a single level to get past a bunch of TRAPS. There is an EASY mode and a HARD mode depending on your skill level.
Cave Crawler
Cave Crawler is a short, 2D side-scrolling action platformer. Explore caves filled with interesting enemies and fun platforming challenges.
Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2
Break into the new apeX of 2D action! INTI CREATES is proud to present new apeX of cutting-edge 2D action with Luminous Avenger iX 2!
Chronicles of the Wolf
Hunt the legendary Beast of Gévaudan in Chronicles of the Wolf! Step into the boots of Mateo Lombardo in this epic adventure featuring brutal bosses, vast castles, and secrets to uncover. Narration by the legendary Robert Belgrade and other special appearances!
Super Magbot
A precise 2D platformer with a twist. NO JUMPING. Master your magnetic powers to beat each level with speed and skill. Enjoy classic 16-bit gaming vibes, tackle challenging achievements and compete for global leaderboard supremacy along the way.
Ambidextro
A multi-player game for a single player. Learn to control 2 characters at the same time, one with each hand. Achieve ambidexterity and rescue both the prince and the princess at the same time.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound
A brand-new side-scrolling entry to the NINJA GAIDEN series from the team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX
A legend returns in stunning new detail with Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX! Fire up your power bracelet and relive a platforming classic alongside new modes, levels and features!
Super Meat Boy
The infamous, tough-as-nails platformer comes to Steam with a playable Head Crab character (Steam-exclusive)!
Frequently Asked Questions
Primal Light is currently priced at 7.79€ on Steam.
Primal Light is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 7.79€ on Steam.
Primal Light received 322 positive votes out of a total of 394 achieving a rating of 7.65.
😊
Primal Light was developed and published by Fat Gem.
Primal Light is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Primal Light is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Primal Light is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Primal Light is a single-player game.
Primal Light does not currently offer any DLC.
Primal Light does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Primal Light does not support Steam Remote Play.
Primal Light is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Primal Light.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 22 October 2025 15:19 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 28 October 2025 03:20 |
| Steam price | 29 October 2025 12:42 |
| Steam reviews | 26 October 2025 22:02 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Primal Light, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Primal Light
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Primal Light concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Primal Light compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Fat Gem
Publisher
Fat Gem
Release
08 Jul 2020
Platforms
Clicking and buying through these links helps us earn a commission to maintain our services.