Is Shift at Midnight free?
No - Shift at Midnight is a paid game at $9.99 USD. The one exception is Xbox Game Pass, where it is included with an active subscription at no extra cost.
It is a paid game
On Steam and the Microsoft Store the game costs $9.99. There is no free-to-play tier and no demo announced at launch, so budget the sticker price if you are buying outright.
If you only want to try it, the Game Pass route below is the closest thing to a free look without committing to a purchase.
Free with Game Pass
Because it launched into Game Pass day one, subscribers on console, PC and cloud can play the full game as part of their membership. If you already pay for Game Pass, the game is effectively free for as long as you subscribe.
Cancel or let the subscription lapse and the game locks until you resubscribe or buy it - but your save data is kept, so buying later picks up where you left off.
Is it worth the price?
At $9.99 it is a low-risk pickup, and the Game Pass route removes the cost entirely if you already subscribe. Check the current store price and any launch discount before buying.
For the price of a coffee or two you get a full 13-shift campaign with co-op, which most players find good value versus bigger-budget horror titles.
Refunds and regional notes
Steam and the Microsoft Store both run standard refund policies (usually a refund if you have played under two hours and request it within a set window) - check the store's help page for the exact rules in your region.
Regional pricing means the amount in your local currency can differ from $9.99; the store listing always shows your real price before you pay.