The best free games on Steam prove that you can still have mountains with fun without spending buckets of cash. These games come in various shapes and sizes, meaning there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
While many of these titles won’t come with shiny graphics or ground-breaking physics, they’re still worthy of consideration. If you’ve just spent a load of cash upgrading your gaming PC or dishing out some brilliant gaming headsets and gaming chairs, you may not want to spend any more money on games.
You may even be able to find some of these titles on our best RPGs list or best Steam titles. However, it is important to note that some of these free games will have some caveats. Many of these titles will have in-game purchases in order to finance the game.
If you’re still deciding which games you want to add to your Steam library, then have a look at all the games we think are a worthwhile download.
Best free games on Steam games
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Why we love it
The top-down style of this action RPG is lovingly reminiscent of the classic Diablo games that so many know and love. If you’re in the mood to enjoy some good old fashioned dark fantasy then this is for you.
If you’re a fan of games like Diablo and want to find a way it scratch that itch without buying Diablo 4, Path of Exile is going to be a sure win in your book. This top-down dungeon-raiding action-RPG focuses on character customization and has enough content to keep you playing for years to come. The community for Path of Exile is also huge, opening doors for you to forge friendships online.
The game really amps up the complexity the longer you play, allowing for layers of varied content. It’s a format familiar to folk who play other dungeon-delvers, and the massive variety should feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t. The freedom you’re granted means that the game is only as complex as you play it.
You can adhere to convention and take off on an adventure to kill, loot and sneak your way though, or simply take things at your own pace and create your own personal hideout. Best of all, this ever-changing experience is completely free.
Why we love it
This shooter really doesn’t care about your feelings, you’ll get savagely beaten in CS2 if you don’t know how to navigate it. But strangely this is kind of fun. It pushes you to get better, and as long as you don’t take the losses to heart you’ll likely do well, eventually.
After 20 years of expertly crafted first-person shooters, Valve has released a sequel to the renowned Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. CS2 has proved to be an interesting update to the well-known FPS title earning it a spot on our best free Steam games list.
Mechanically speaking, it’s been polished and updated brilliantly. Thanks to Valve’s new engine, Source 2, the maps look better than ever, and many new physics-based features have been added. The smoke from bombs now can be pierced by bullets.
CS: GO skins also have been ported over, and thanks to the updated graphics, they look better than ever, meaning all the old players can enjoy their well-earned skins in a brand new light.
Unfortunately, for new players, this competitive shooter can still be difficult to grasp. Luckily there are some new assist features that go a long way to helping newcomers get to grips with the difficult FPS game.
Why we love it
The emergent storytelling and player-driven experiences in EVE Online are unique and highly engaging. If you want to experience player-driven stories then this is certainly something you should check out.
EVE Online is a sci-fi MMO with a brilliant community that is one-of-a-kind on our best free Steam games list. Here you can experience space exploration like never before in fantastic PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry, and a thriving player economy.
There are tons of ways to enjoy EVE Online. You may want to join a corporation, work as an industrialist, infiltrate corporations as a spy, explore new swathes of the universe selling maps to the highest bidder, or simply become a pirate and blast anyone who gets to close to smithereens.
While the learning curve for this MMO can be quite steep, it is free to play and easy to download, so there’s no downside to simply giving it a go. For a unique gaming experience, EVE Online is certainly worth a try.
Why we love it
If you’re a fan of military vehicles, aviation, and naval craft, then this MMO is just up your street. It’s also easy to pick up, so as long as you’re willing to put in some work, War Thunder will reward you.
War Thunder is one of the most comprehensive cross-platform MMOs on the market, and the fact that it’s free with a shallow learning curve means that there’s almost no reason not to give this best free Steam games entry a go.
You can collaborate in immersive battles by ground, air, or sea, and with over 2,000 vehicles to choose from, there are tons of options, so you can find the one that suits you best. However, if PvP isn’t your style, then there’s still some excellent PvE content to enjoy.
You can take part in brilliantly executed historical battles and solo missions. There is even some superb custom content that is shared on War Thunder Live, with the prospect of earning real money through the Revenue Share Partner System.
Why we love it
This is an excellent strategy if you’re a historical buff. Getting to experience the turmoil of Europe during the Dark Ages is fun, engaging, and delightfully difficult.
We’ve all fantasized about what it would be like to roam Europe in the Middle Ages. Well, with Crusader Kings II, you can do exactly that, playing a Christian lord looking to expand and preserve his dynasty while the whole continent is in turmoil. And, it’s not just invaders you have to worry about. Your vassals and courtiers are also busy plotting against you too.
You’ll also introduce laws, make friends with other nobles and defend your religion against the heretics. Whatever decision you make, just remember that this is a game of strategy. So even the smallest ones can affect whether or not your dynasty will survive the Dark Ages.
If you fancy playing with friends, this game has a competitive multiplayer mode. So you can play with up to 32 other players, making it one of the best free Steam games if you want to spend some quality time with loved ones.
Why we love it
There’s always something new to enjoy with this MOBA. With millions of players worldwide and over 100 heroes and regular updates to quality of life, in-game features, and heroes DOTA 2 has taken a life of its own.
DOTA 2 is one of the most played titles on Steam meaning that it’s place on this best free Steam games list is more than well earned. Millions of players log in to this online co-op game every day and still manage to discover new things.
Despite being hosted on one battlefield no two matches are alike. This is largely thanks to the diverse group of heroes with varied abilities and powerful items. DOTA 2 has a great reputation for letting players express their own playstyle which is a great benefit to all.
It’s also a fantastically level playing field for all as everyone has the same access to heroes. Players can also collect cosmetics for heroes and fun add-ons but this is just the icing on the cake. Everything you need to enjoy this title is given to you before you even enter a match.
Why we love it
Apex Legends is an excellent Hero Shooter that is constantly looked after and updated with quality-of-life improvements. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced game with some rich lore then this one is for you.
Players don’t struggle for choice when it comes to hero shooters nowadays. But even with the countless other entries Apex Legends effortlessly makes its way onto our best free Steam games list.
You can experience strategic squad play, with innovative mechanics and abilities, as well as deep and interesting lore behind each character which brilliantly fleshes them out. The universe is rich with storytelling, and is constantly added to with each new season.
This is a great game if you want to hang out with friends or simply relax, sit back, and click heads.
Why we love it
Warframe has massive open worlds, with a sprawling interplanetary system and violent in-game fights that are brilliantly engaging.
Okay, so the word ‘war’ features quite a lot in some of the best and most popular free-to-play titles, but that’s because few things are as fun to wage when you’re spending no money. Another such example is Warframe – an online melee brawler/shooter that’s evolved into one of the most enjoyable games on PC.
Putting you in control of a sword-wielding space ninja (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds), the game feels like a cross between For Honor and Destiny 2, with modes offering PvE and PvP matches to keep you engaged. There’s even a story mode, and it’s actually pretty fun, if a little repetitive in places.
Developer Digital Extremes has also been dedicated to Warframe, rolling out regular updates and events that offer new upgrades and expansion on its rich lore. It may have floundered on consoles, but Warframe is one of the best examples of how to do the best free games on Steam right?
Why we love it
This multiplayer survival horror game is great fun when playing with friends. Over the years it has been updated and polished to perfection so now it’s not only great fun to play but looks good too.
SCP: Secret Laboratory is a creative and engaging multiplayer survival horror game. This entry on our best free Steam games list has a thriving community which will stop at nothing to improve this title.
Despite having set roles and missions to complete no one game is the same thanks to all the possibilities and creative solutions players can come up with to survive the facility.
If you’re in the mood for some chaotic antics either with friends or by yourself then SCP: Secret Laboratory is your best option. It also has access to the beautifully crafted world of SCP and so there’s tons of superb content for it to take inspiration from.
How we made our best free Steam games list
Unsurprisingly, here at TRG we spend a lot of time playing games so finding new ones that cost nothing is always a plus. We’re also lucky enough to have a team compromised of writers who all have varied tastes and preferences, meaning that all of us can recommend games to one another.
We’re also used to critiquing games in a fair and honest light. We pride ourselves in taking everything into account when evaluating games and the titles on this list are no different.
If you’re in the market for more fantastic games then be sure to check out our best PS5 games list.