Steam Games you can Play for Free

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Who don’t like playing games without paying money? And I am not talking about Free To Play model or demos only, but whole gratis games without a price attached too. Steam offers a lot and this post is an attempt in collecting those to bring them to your attention.

It’s been a while since my last free games for Steam sort of listings. In anticipation of receiving my Steam Deck soon I’ll created this new listing. The titles are not specifically chosen to be playable on the Deck, but I’ll include current verification and rating status. Obviously I did not play all of these games. This list is collected over time in my notes whenever I saw the game and now the time to share is come. You will find from AAA and popular titles to obscure Indie as well as Open Source games.

Steam train on the Great Central Railway by Mat Fascione is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Note: Games listed in my previous posts are not included here. If you are interested in those, head over to Free To Play Games on Steam and More Free Games on Steam. While these older posts are little bit outdated (certain games are dead in example, looking at you Underlords), you still might find something interesting.

  1. Games
    1. Aperture Desk Job
    2. BRAIN / OUT
    3. Bitburner
    4. Crab Game
    5. Crystal Clash
    6. DataJack
    7. Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure
    8. FLASHOUT 3D: Enhanced Edition
    9. Fly Dangerous
    10. Goose Goose Duck
    11. Gun Devil
    12. Halo Infinite
    13. Life On A Pizza
    14. Loria
    15. Lost Ark
    16. Lycanthorn II – Rain of Beasts
    17. MakerKing
    18. Muck
    19. MultiVersus
    20. NEOTOKYO
    21. Omega Strikers
    22. OpenTTD
    23. Orakyubu
    24. pemsa
    25. Rogue Company
    26. Russian Fishing 4
    27. Shrine II
    28. Slappyball
    29. Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion
    30. SuperTux
    31. The Elder Scrolls: Arena
    32. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
    33. TrackMania Nations Forever
    34. Untrusted
    35. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt
    36. War Selection
    37. Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory
    38. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
  2. Honorable Mentions
  3. How to find more free games

Games

The description for each game is directly taken from it’s store page. The count for concurrent players number is obviously showing the state when I checked it on 26. and 27. of September in 2022. Same goes for the other information such as current state of ProtonDB ratings based on user reports and Valve’s own rating for Steam Deck compatibility (can be found on each games store page). These may or will change in the future. So if you are from the future, go and check their state. I’ve linked each page.

The list contains gratis games that are free of charge and a few Free To Play titles with an in-game shop or additional DLCs.

Aperture Desk Job

Introducing Aperture Desk Job — a free playable short made for the Steam Deck, set in the universe of the modestly popular Portal games.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: Walking Simulator
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Verified
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 92
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

BRAIN / OUT

Brain / Out is a multiplayer shooter with a nostalgic post-Soviet feel. Experience dynamic battles and exterminate your enemies with a large arsenal of modern weaponry. Lock’n’load!

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Desertkun
  • Release Year: 2017
  • Genre: 2D Online Shooter
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 72
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Bitburner

Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG.

Crab Game

Crab Game is a First-Person Multiplayer game where you play through several different minigames based on children’s games, until only one player stands victorious.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Dani
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: 1st Person Multiplayer Minigames
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 1991
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Crystal Clash

Crystal Clash is a mix of Lane Battles and Deckbuilding – with action-packed tug-of-war strategy, just like your favorite RTS mods from back in the day! 🙂 Play 2v2 or co-op with a friend, or pair up with new allies and enemies! Collect cards, build your decks and have fun crushing your enemies!

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Crunchy Leaf Games
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: RTS Moba
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Silver
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 22
  • Tech Help: –

DataJack

Take contracts from sinister megacorporations in this isometric stealth action shooter with RPG elements. Choose your approach: hack defenses, take down the guards, or blow a new entrance with explosives. Use your credits to buy weapons, cyberlimbs, hack software, and ninja gear.

Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure

Delores is back home and working as a photographer for the Nickel News. Thimbleweed Park hasn’t changed at all in the year she’s been away… or has it? Sample Ron Gilbert’s new adventure game engine in this free prototype that uses “found art” from the award-winning Thimbleweed Park.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Terrible Toybox
  • Release Year: 2020
  • Genre: Retro Point & Click Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 2
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

FLASHOUT 3D: Enhanced Edition

The classical AG racer, FLASHOUT 3D, initially released more than 10 years ago, is back, to celebrate the upcoming launch of FLASHOUT 3! But we bring you not only the first installement of the series for FREE, but we have also remastered it and enhanced with upgraded graphics and new features!

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Jujubee S.A.
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: Futuristic Arcade Racing
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Platinum
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 5
  • Tech Help: –

Fly Dangerous

Extremely high skill-ceiling 6dof flight racing in a variety of environments with leaderboards, multiplayer and VR support

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Stargoat Games
  • Release Year (Early Access): 2022
  • Genre: Flight Racing
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 3
  • Tech Help: –

Goose Goose Duck

Goose, goose, DUCK? A game of social deduction where you and your fellow geese must work together to complete your mission. Keep an eye out for those malicious Mallards and other birds, who have infiltrated your team and will do anything to stop you.

Gun Devil

GUN DEVIL is an explosive platformer about rescuing your kidnapped hell wife from Satan’s child, the Caramelized Dumbass and his Pimp Legion.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Agelvik
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: Retro Run & Gun Platformer
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Gold
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 13
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Halo Infinite

The legendary Halo series returns with the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet and a ground-breaking free to play multiplayer experience.

Note: Free to Play Multiplayer does not work on Linux/Steam Deck yet, but they are working on it.

Life On A Pizza

You are no longer the eater; you are the eaten. Play as toppings trying to survive on a pizza from the hungry Jaw biting its way to you and the ants pushing you to your delicious death. Customize the pizza, pick a mode and your topping, then hop in this hysterical party or solo game.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Euphoric Brothers
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Coop Multiplayer Party Game
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: –
  • Tech Help: –

Loria

Loria is a homage to classics from golden era of strategy games, with modern spin on controls and user experience.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Loria
  • Release Year: 2018
  • Genre: Retro Realtime Strategy
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: –
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Lost Ark

Embark on an odyssey for the Lost Ark in a vast, vibrant world: explore new lands, seek out lost treasures, and test yourself in thrilling action combat in this action-packed free-to-play RPG.

Lycanthorn II – Rain of Beasts

Lycanthorn II is 3D homage to games of old. You play as Rain, a Vampire Hunter, on her quest to slay Nosferatu.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Scumhead
  • Release Year: 2020
  • Genre: Open World Retro FPS
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: –
  • Tech Help: –

MakerKing

Become a King (or Queen) at making levels! Join a community designed around level creation and online play. The level editor is simple to use and lets you create anything, even living creatures!

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Green Frisbee Games
  • Release Year (Early Access): 2021
  • Genre: Classic 2D Platformer
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 6
  • Tech Help: –

Muck

Muck is a survival-roguelike. Collect resources, find items & build a base to survive for as long as you can.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Dani
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Roguelike Survival
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 2883
  • Tech Help: –

MultiVersus

MultiVersus is a free-to-play platform fighter that lets you team up with your friends using some of the most iconic characters including Batman, Shaggy, & more!

NEOTOKYO

NEOTOKYO° is a multiplayer first person shooter that provides a visceral & realistic combat experience in a rich futuristic setting.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: STUDIO RADI-8
  • Release Year: 2014
  • Genre: Multiplayer FPS
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Silver
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 1
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Omega Strikers

Omega Strikers is a free-to-play 3v3 knockout striker. Choose your character, smash opponents off the arena using explosive abilities, and score goals in chaotic, lightning fast matches.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Odyssey Interactive
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: Fantasy Pvp Sports
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Platinum
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 16905
  • Tech Help: –

OpenTTD

OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: OpenTTD
  • Release Year: 2004
  • Genre: Management and Building Strategy
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 649
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Orakyubu

A game about 2D puzzles in 3D space.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Peter Lavigne
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Puzzle
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Gold
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: –
  • Tech Help: –

pemsa

pemsa is an unofficial cart runner for the famous PICO-8 fantasy console. We’ve included some classic games developed for this console with permission from the authors, including Celeste, Slipways & Hug Arena.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Rexcellent Games
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: Retro / Emulator
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 4
  • Tech Help: –

Rogue Company

Join 20+ million players in Rogue Company, the ultimate third-person tactical action shooter! Become an agent of Rogue Company and wield powerful weapons, high-tech gadgets, and game-changing abilities. Accept the mission and jump into a variety of 4v4 and 6v6 game modes. Play FREE today!

Russian Fishing 4

Russian Fishing 4 is a fishing simulator with RPG elements. There is no story line and the whole process is based on the concept of an open, free to roam and free to play game.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: FishSoft, LLC
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Fishing Simulator
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Gold
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 8172
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Shrine II

Shrine II is a retro FPS game with a focus on atmosphere and exploration. Explore a nightmarish world and battle great bosses where the surprises never end…

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Scumhead, Mengo
  • Release Year: 2020
  • Genre: Retro FPS
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 1
  • Tech Help: –

Slappyball

It’s hands playing volleyball. Compete online and show who has the better ball handling skills. Style on your opponents through skill and a superior fashion sense.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Amelore
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Fantasy Action Sports
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Platinum
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 47
  • Tech Help: –

Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion

Can you survive 1000 rooms of cute terror? Or will you break once the cuteness starts to fade off and you’re running for your life from the unspeakable hideous beings that shake and writhe in bowels of this house? They wait for you, they wait and hunger for meeting you.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Lag Studios
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Genre: FPS Horror Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Bronze
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 33
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

SuperTux

Classic 2D jump’n’run sidescroller featuring Tux the penguin. Run and jump through multiple worlds, fighting off enemies by jumping on them, bumping them from below or tossing objects at them, grabbing power-ups and other stuff on the way.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: The SuperTux Team
  • Release Year (Early Access): 2004
  • Genre: Classic 2D Platformer
  • Multiplayer: No
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 10
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

The Elder Scrolls: Arena

THE LEGEND BEGINS

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

THE GREAT MACHINE AWAKENS

TrackMania Nations Forever

A free game in the truest sense of the word, TrackMania Nations Forever lets you drive at mind-blowing speeds on fun and spectacular tracks in solo and multiplayer modes.TrackMania Nations Forever offers a new “Forever” version of the Stadium environment, a solid solo mode and 65 brand new, progressively challenging tracks.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Nadeo
  • Release Year: 2008
  • Genre: Racing
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Platinum
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 695
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

Untrusted

Untrusted is an online multiplayer (10 to 16 players) hacking / social deduction game: as an hacker, hack your target – as an undercover agent, disrupt the operation. Follow your objective or kill everyone – the choice is yours.

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: evolvedlabs
  • Release Year: 2021
  • Genre: Puzzle / Role Playing
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Native
  • Steam Deck: Untested
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 13
  • Tech Help: –

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt

Bloodhunt is a thrilling free-to-play battle royale game set in Prague consumed by a ruthless war between vampire factions. Use your supernatural powers, weapons, and wit to hunt your rivals and dominate the night!

  • Store Page: Steam
  • Developer: Sharkmob AB
  • Release Year: 2022
  • Genre: 3rd Person Battle Royale
  • Multiplayer: Yes
  • ProtonDB: Silver
  • Steam Deck: Playable
  • 24-hour Player Peak: 666
  • Tech Help: PCGamingWiki

War Selection

War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map.

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory

Wolfenstein®: Enemy Territory is a free-to-play, objective-based multiplayer World War 2 first-person shooter. Featuring up to 32 players, choose either the Axis or Allies, as you fight across six maps based on real-world battle locations.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

The definitive digital edition of the competitive card game that has been evolving for over 20 years! Duel at the highest level against Duelists all over the world.

Honorable Mentions

The following list contains games that are not included in the above list for one or another reason.

  • Century: Age of Ashes: Dragon riding and multiplayer fighting. Lot of paid content and Steam Deck unsupported.
  • Deepest Sword: A few minutes short funny 2D retro platformer. No paid content.
  • Five-Finger Gunslinger: Simple Multiplayer Arena Shooter without paid content.
  • GUNDAM EVOLUTION: Hero Shooter with Mechs. Has ton of paid content and is borked on Linux.
  • Portal Reloaded: Excellent Portal 2 Mod. Not included in above list because it requires the original Portal 2 in your library.
  • STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™: An online MMORPG with subscription model, as the Free To Play model will throttle XP after some time.
  • Super Bomberman R Online: Service terminates in December 2022! You can still play.
  • Swallow the Sea: Very short but interesting exploration adventure in retro style.
  • The Cycle: Frontier: Multiplayer FPS from YAGER. But cheater problem and pay to win elements.
  • Unfortunate Spacemen: Multiplayer space game about trust and betrayal. But seems to have pay 2 win elements (I can be wrong).

How to find more free games

Besides looking into my older posts Free To Play Games on Steam and More Free Games on Steam, you can search yourself in Steam too. Valve is constantly improving Steam and it’s capabilities.

  • Steam Categories: Free To Play Games is a section in the Steam store which lists and highlights Free Go Play games on a special prepared page.
  • Steam Search: Free is the official search engine built into the Steam store. You can limit the price and many other aspects such as compatibility, tags and player count in example.
  • Steam Charts: Most Played is an updated page which lists the currently most played games on Steam. It also lists the price of the game right next to it and you can see which of them are Free To Play at a glance. Obviously this method isn’t well suited in finding hidden gems, but at least often played games.
  • (External site) Steam Filters: Search Store is an unofficial website not affiliated with Valve. You can search the store by limiting the price to “Free” in example (under SETTINGS).

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein during a lecture in Vienna in 1921
Public Domain, Wikipedia
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