Steam is, without a doubt, one of the most used gaming platforms. With the best Steam Games giving players endless hours of fun, it’s only understandable millions of gamers stick to it. That is made even better with frequent deals, such as the Steam Summer Sale deals that make the marketplace worth it. However, did you know that you can find some of the best free games on Steam? Since the platform is rife with so many free games, we decided to explore it ourselves and compile a list for you. So without delay, clear up some space on your PC, and let’s get into it.
1. Counter-Strike 2
- Released: August 21, 2012
- Developer(s): Valve
- Genre: FPS
You probably knew we were going to start the list with this game. While CS: GO has always been a chart-topper among the free-to-play titles on Steam, its sequel intends to continue the streak. Counter-Strike 2 is a successor of CS: GO based on the Source 2 engine and introduces numerous new features and visual changes.
The current offering has the usual map pool, some re-created while the popular ones received new lighting upgrades. Furthermore, the game introduces a new smoke effect, and your entire CS: GO inventory has been migrated to Counter-Strike 2. So, you can still use your fancy skins without any problems.
2. Marvel Rivals
- Released: December 6, 2024
- Developer(s): Netease Games
- Genre: Hero Shooter
While CS2 remains one of the most-played shooters, Marvel Rivals swoops and takes a chunk from that pie. The game revolves around Marvel characters in a different storyline. Despite being a multiplayer hero-shooter, it offers a lot of easter eggs and collectibles that a true or casual Marvel fan would love.
Marvel Rivals offers free skins and a lot of regular events that constantly make players excited for a ride. Whether you want to sweat and win games or simply want to enjoy being a Marvel hero (or Villain), this game is worth the shot for free.
3. Dota 2
- Released: July 9, 2013
- Developer(s): Valve
- Genre: MOBA
Coming up right behind CS: GO, as one of the most played games on Steam, is Dota 2, one of the best free ones you can get. For those unaware, Dota 2 is a MOBA game centered around two teams going against each other and trying to destroy the “Ancient” that is a monument on their base.
Each player in Dota can choose from 120+ heroes that each have their abilities. Matches in Dota 2 require a lot of strategy, so make sure you’re here to play seriously. Whether you are playing for one hour or a thousand, there is always something new in Dota 2 that you might stumble upon.
4. Deadlock
- Released: To be announced
- Developer(s): Valve
- Genre: MOBA Shooter
What if I mix two of our top three games from this free Steam games list? Well, you get Deadlock. It is a mixture of Marvel Rivals and Dota 2. While the game runs around the shooting mechanics of a hero-shooter, it offers the true MOBA experience.
After being a Dota 2 fan for over a decade, Deadlock got me back to MOBA. And when I tell you how much Deadlock offers, it is still in early development. It only means the road ahead is going to get better, and you would not want to miss out on it for free. The game is currently invite-only, so make sure you visit our Deadlock invite guide and get one.
5. Apex Legends
- Released: November 5, 2020
- Developer(s): Respawn
- Genre: FPS
While the above game is fun to play, it is understandable if top-down games are not your cup of tea. Thankfully, EA has made Apex Legends one of the best free games available on Steam. Apex is an intense hero shooter that rose from the ashes of Titanfall 2.
Based in the same world, Apex has over 25 legends that all compete in battle royale or team-based modes to come out as the one on top. The game has futuristic weapons, fast and intense combat, and a world that is amazing to look at.
6. Destiny 2
- Released: October 1, 2019
- Developer(s): Bungie
- Genre: FPS
Destiny 2 is not only one of the best free games on Steam because of its graphics but also because of its intense lore. While the game is an MMO, you can as easily play it alone and have fun with the story mode.
You are a “Guardian,” defending the last city of humanity from the villains. Players in Destiny 2 can choose from three different classes, thousands of weapons, and lots of gear. So create your combination and embark on this space-age adventure.
7. VRChat
- Released: February 1, 2017
- Developer(s): VRChat Inc.
- Genre: VR
This game is for virtual reality headset users. VR has some of the best and most immersive games you can play, and VRChat is one of them. This free-to-play game on Steam combines thousands of different worlds created by players.
Environments in VRChat are fully exploreable and range from a walk in the park to more complex ones. You can collaborate with friends or people online and hang out in VR. Oh, and you can also play this game on your PC too.
8. Brawlhalla
- Released: October 17, 2017
- Developer(s): Blue Mammoth Games
- Genre: Fighting
Ubisoft is known for publishing some of the best games out there, and Brawlhalla is one of them, albeit for free. Brawlhalla is an eight-player platform fighting game that pits players against each other in an arcade-style setting.
The game has over 50 different legends to choose from, coupled with over 20 different modes. The best part is the game is available for free on almost every other platform, so you can easily crossplay with your friends.
9. The Sims 4
- Released: September 2, 2014
- Developer(s): Maxis
- Genre: Simulation
As someone who has spent countless hours in Sims 3, the latest iteration is one of the best free games on Steam. Like its predecessors, Sims 4 is a simulation game that focuses on creating and managing virtual humans.
You can live single lives, start families, buy houses and cars, go on vacations, and live a full virtual life. Just be careful not to forget your real one.
10. Fallout Shelter
- Released: March 29, 2017
- Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios
- Genre: Survival
While The Sims focuses on managing a single person, Fallout Shelter puts you in the shoes of a master organizer controlling an entire bunker. This base-building game gives players control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec.
It is now their job to build, manage, and make the dwellers happy. You can micromanage these dwellers and ensure they’re just what you need in this meticulous game.
11. PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Released: December 21, 2017
- Developer(s): PUBG Corporation
- Genre: FPS
There was a time when PUBG was a paid game on Steam, but ever since going free, it has risen to be one of the best titles. The game kind of birthed and popularized the Battle Royale genre, where the players drop in the middle of a massive map. What comes next is mayhem. The players must then eliminate others and come out on top as the only survivors. So arm your weapons and drop in.
12. Team Fortress 2
- Released: October 10, 2007
- Developer(s): Valve
- Genre: FPS
Right below PUBG is another legend of a game that has consistently remained one of the best free selections on Steam. This multiplayer FPS puts two teams of players on the map, coding them in RED or BLU.
Players can choose from nine different classes, each with its own loadouts. TF2 has a variety of game modes that the teams can use to establish their dominance.
13. SCP: Secret Laboratory
- Released: December 29, 2017
- Developer(s): Northwood Studios
- Genre: Horror
While SCP isn’t one of the most played games out there, it certainly is a cult classic. Standing for Secure Contain Protect, SCP is a concept paranormal organization that holds supernatural anomalies.
Depending on their danger level, these objects or beings are divided into various classes. The Secret Laboratory focuses on the same story where many of the anomalies have escaped; it is your job to find and contain them.
14. WarFrame
- Released: March 25, 2013
- Developer(s): Digital Extremes
- Genre: ARPG
At first glance, WarFrame might look similar to Destiny 2, but make no mistake, they are completely different experiences. Based more on parkour and less level repetition, WarFrame is a looter shooter game set in the world of the Origin System.
You have the WarFrame, a bio-suit capable of intense movement and mass destruction, and you must use it to defeat the hostiles. The game also has a variety of other mechanics, including ship battles, making it one of the best free games on Steam.
15. Halo Infinite
- Released: November 15, 2021
- Developer(s): 343 Industries
- Genre: FPS
Even though Halo Infinite’s campaign is locked behind a paywall, nothing stops you from experiencing the nostalgic multiplayer part of the game. Halo Infinite multiplayer carries over its legacy as one of the most played mass-player experiences.
It brings back all the classic game modes, including Slayer, Capture the Flag, Oddball, and many more. So dive into the Halo multiplayer just like you did before.
16. War Thunder
- Released: August 15, 2013
- Developer(s): Gaijin Entertainment
- Genre: Simulation
While we have listed many shooters here, no particular one especially focuses on war. War Thunder is the one entry in that department. This cross-platform MMO military game is dedicated to combat units ranging from aviation and armored vehicles to naval craft.
Players can choose from over 2,000 vehicles and battle it out against each other in realistic combat scenarios. For those looking for the real deal, War Thunder qualifies as one of the best games on Steam for it. Especially if you have a VR, you are in for a ride.
17. Cry of Fear
- Released: April 25, 2013
- Developer(s): Team Psykskallar
- Genre: Horror
A list of games can hardly be completed without mentioning a selection that sparks terror inside players. Cry of Fear is one of the best free games on Steam that veterans already know about.
You are a young man searching for answers in an abandoned town. However, in your quest, you chance upon a nightmare that will haunt you for days to come. Without spoiling anything, just know that Cry of Fear is a masterpiece you need to try.
18. Unturned
- Released: July 7, 2017
- Developer(s): Smartly Dressed Games
- Genre: Strategy
Following along in the horror/creepy genre, Unturned is another one of the best free Steam games, except it combines zombies and management. You are a survivor in this pixel block game left to fend for yourself after a disaster.
Armed with the bare minimum, you must forage, build, and arm yourself against the zombie threats around the world. You will encounter players whom you can eliminate or work alongside to win.
19. GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
- Released: May 19, 2020
- Developer(s): CD PROJEKT RED
- Genre: Strategy
Gwent itself is a card game originally part of the Witcher 3 game. However, it got so popular that CDPR had to make it an independent game itself. GWENT combines the CCG & TCG card genres to create a fast-paced dueling experience.
Players can build the most powerful decks with Witcher characters and their abilities to defeat their opponents and emerge as the true GWENT champion.
20. Fishing Planet
- Released: August 11, 2015
- Developer(s): Fishing Planet LLC
- Genre: Simulation
Once all the above games on Steam are played, you need a calming experience that Fishing Planet can get you. This free-to-play game is a fishing simulator that places you in the shoes of an everyday person. The game features over 200+ species of fish that change their behavior depending on the climate, time, day, season, and other factors.
The game is also extremely beautiful, with 25+ waterways to choose from. So, at the end of the day, check Fishing Planet out if all you want is calm.
21. Crusader Kings 2
- Released: February 14, 2012
- Developer(s): Paradox Interactive
- Genre: Strategy
Yes, we know Crusaders King 3 is available, with a new gameplay system and all the glamorous features. However, it isn’t free, unlike Crusaders King 2, its predecessor. It’s a grand strategy RPG title by Paradox Interactive, where you run a kingdom and try to dominate the world.
Crusaders King 2 features an intricate relationship system, where you keep playing the title even after the death of the original ruler. It features RPG elements like court management and strategy battles that make it a must-play for people who enjoy strategy games. Also, while you might feel overwhelmed with its available content, the CK2 subscription allows you to try over 20+ DLCs.
22. Overwatch 2
- Released: August 11, 2023
- Developer(s): Blizzard Entertainment
- Genre: FPS
Before you point out the obvious, yes, we know Overwatch 2 is the lowest-rated game on Steam. It sits below the most negative title, and the complaints are justified. However, when you look past the unfulfilled promises and the microtransactions, there lies a game that’s fun for casual gameplay.
It is a 5 vs 5 PvP hero shooter, where you pick a hero out of a roster of 30+ heroes. Each hero serves a particular role in the team, and your goal is to ensure that you work together with the team and gain victory.
23. Doki Doki Literature Club
- Released: September 22, 2017
- Developer(s): Team Salvato
- Genre: Visual Novel
Back when Doki Doki Literature Club officially launched on Steam, everyone was taken aback by the brilliant bait-and-switch its developer did. What looks like a romance visual novel featuring cute characters hides a sinister story underneath.
It’s a romance visual-novel cum meta-horror game, where the first couple of hours involves you doing cute things with cute girls. However, once you cross the initial mark, it quickly becomes a self-aware, spooky story where the game actively dupes you into doing tasks.
24. Marvel Snap
- Released: August 22, 2023
- Developer(s): Second Dinner Studios
- Genre: Strategy
Chances are that you have heard of Marvel Snap in passing. And even if you haven’t played it, your close acquaintance might’ve tried it out. After all, it takes a cool setting like the Marvel universe and mixes it up with a card-game loop.
It is a fast-paced collectible card game where you build yourself a 12-deck card and outwit your opponent to win the match. The game is known for having some unique mechanics and accessible gameplay. Because of this, the game has an impressive number of players trying it out every single day.
25. Emily is Away
- Released: November 20, 2015
- Developer(s): Kyle Seeley
- Genre: Adventure
Emily is Away is a nostalgia-filled experience where we return to the AOL-dialup era. Remember when the internet wasn’t accessible, social media was still getting created, and all we had were chat rooms and IRCs? This game takes us back to those bygone eras.
Emily is Away is an adventure game where you play as a character surfing the old-age internet. It has a branching narrative, where your decisions matter. Furthermore, the story is well-written and captivating. It oozes the old computer/internet era and embraces it. This game spawned two paid sequels which are equally good, and cheap on your wallet.
These are the best free games on Steam that you should play and hopefully enjoy. There’s something for everyone, and you will find a game worth enjoying. Do you know about any free-to-play titles on Steam that are your favorite and should added to this list? Do let us know in the comments below.
