Steam is undeniably one of the most used gaming platforms, offering endless hours of fun with its best games. Millions of gamers stick to it, especially with frequent deals like the Steam Summer Sale, making the marketplace worthwhile. However, did you know that some of the best free games are on Steam? With so many available, we’ve explored and compiled a list for you. So, without delay, clear up some space on your PC, and let’s dive in.
1. Counter-Strike 2
Starting our list with this game was probably expected. CS: GO has consistently topped the charts among free-to-play titles on Steam, and its sequel aims to continue that success. Counter-Strike 2, built on the Source 2 engine, brings a host of new features and visual enhancements.
The game retains the familiar map pool, with some maps receiving reworks and popular ones benefiting from upgraded lighting. Additionally, Counter-Strike 2 introduces a new smoke effect, and your entire CS: GO inventory seamlessly transfers over, allowing you to keep using your favorite skins without interruption.
Download Counter-Strike 2 now!
2. Deceit
Deceit is another team-based game that flips the concept. This multiplayer first-person shooter puts you in the shoes of either a survivor or an infected soul. And while this may resemble Among Us, trust me, it’s darker.
As the innocent, you must work together and gather items to escape or do it alone. As the infected, your job is to drink blood, sabotage attempts, and ultimately kill everyone. Only luck will determine your side.
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3. Dota 2
Following CS: GO closely as one of Steam’s most played games, Dota 2 emerges as a premier choice, offering exceptional gameplay at no cost. For the uninitiated, Dota 2 stands as a formidable MOBA, where two teams clash to obliterate the opposing team’s “Ancient,” a crucial monument housed within their base.
With a roster boasting over 120 heroes, each wielding unique abilities, Dota 2 demands strategic prowess from every player, ensuring a commitment to serious play.
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4. Apex Legends
While the aforementioned game holds its appeal, if top-down games fail to captivate, fear not. EA presents Apex Legends, a top-tier free-to-play title on Steam, delivering intense hero shooter action born from the legacy of Titanfall 2.
Set in the same universe, Apex features over 20 legends competing in battle royale or team-based modes to emerge victorious. The game offers futuristic weaponry, rapid and intense combat, and visually stunning landscapes.
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5. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 stands out among the best free Steam games not only for its graphics but also its rich lore. While it’s an MMO, you can enjoy its story mode solo.
As a “Guardian,” you defend humanity’s last city from villains. Players can select from three classes, a vast array of weapons, and abundant gear to tailor their experience in this futuristic adventure.
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6. VRChat
For virtual reality headset users, VRChat offers one of the best and most immersive experiences available. This free-to-play game on Steam features thousands of unique worlds created by players.
VRChat environments span from simple walks in the park to intricate landscapes, all fully explorable. Join forces with friends or meet new people online to socialize and hang out in virtual reality. Additionally, you can enjoy this game on your PC.
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7. Brawlhalla
Ubisoft publishes some of the best games, and Brawlhalla is no exception, offered for free. Brawlhalla, an eight-player platform fighting game, pits players against each other in an arcade-style setting.
The game offers 50 legends and 20 modes. It’s available for free on nearly every platform, facilitating easy crossplay with friends.
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8. The Sims 4
For those who’ve spent hours in Sims 3, the latest iteration stands out as one of the best free games on Steam. Like its predecessors, Sims 4 is a simulation game focused on creating and managing virtual humans.
Live single, start families, buy houses, cars, vacation, live a full virtual life. Just remember your real one.
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9. Fallout Shelter
While The Sims focuses on managing an individual, Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a bunker. This base-building game gives players control of an underground Vault from Vault-Tec.
It’s your job to build, manage, and keep the dwellers happy. Micromanage these dwellers to ensure they meet your needs in this meticulous game.
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10. PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG used to be a paid game on Steam, but since going free, it has become one of the best titles, birthing and popularizing the Battle Royale genre. Players drop into a massive map, engaging in mayhem as they eliminate others to be the sole survivors. Arm your weapons and drop in.
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11. Team Fortress 2
Below PUBG lies another legendary game consistently ranked among the best free selections on Steam. This multiplayer FPS pits two teams, coded in RED or BLU, against each other.
Players can choose from nine classes, each with unique loadouts. TF2 offers various game modes for teams to establish dominance.
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12. SCP: Secret Laboratory
SCP, a cult classic, stands for Secure Contain Protect, representing a paranormal organization managing supernatural anomalies.
These anomalies, classified by danger level, are focal points in Secret Laboratory, where many have escaped, tasking you with containment.
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13. WarFrame
WarFrame, distinct from Destiny 2, emphasizes parkour and offers a diverse, loot-driven shooting experience within the Origin System.
The WarFrame equips you with a bio-suit for intense movement and mass destruction to defeat hostiles. Alongside ship battles, it ranks among Steam’s top free games.
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14. Halo Infinite
While Halo Infinite’s campaign requires payment, its multiplayer offers a nostalgic experience. Halo Infinite multiplayer remains one of the most popular mass-player experiences, featuring classic modes like Slayer, Capture the Flag, and more. Revisit the Halo multiplayer experience.
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15. FPS Chess
Before judging this list, reconsider the name. FPS Chess operates like any other chess game until pieces encounter each other. At that point, a literal showdown ensues, with both pieces armed and aiming to eliminate each other. The strength of the weapon correlates with the size of the piece. For a unique chess experience, explore FPS Chess.
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16. War Thunder
While numerous shooters are listed here, none particularly focuses on war except War Thunder. This cross-platform MMO military game encompasses combat units from aviation and armored vehicles to naval craft.
Players can choose from over 2,000 vehicles and battle in realistic combat scenarios. For those seeking authenticity, War Thunder stands out as one of Steam’s best games.
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17. Cry of Fear
A list of games is incomplete without mentioning titles that evoke terror. Cry of Fear, one of Steam’s best free games, is well-known among veterans.
You’re a young man seeking answers in an abandoned town. Yet, in your quest, you encounter a nightmare that will haunt you for days. Without spoilers, Cry of Fear is a must-try masterpiece.
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18. Unturned
In the horror/creepy genre, Unturned stands out as one of the best free Steam games, merging zombies and management. You’re a survivor in this pixel block world left to fend for yourself after a disaster.
Armed with only the bare minimum, you must forage, build, and arm yourself against zombie threats worldwide. Along the way, you’ll encounter players whom you can either eliminate or collaborate with to succeed.
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19. GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
Gwent, originally a part of Witcher 3, gained such popularity that CDPR made it into an independent game. Combining the CCG and TCG card genres, GWENT offers a fast-paced dueling experience.
Players can construct formidable decks using Witcher characters and their abilities to triumph over opponents and claim victory as the ultimate GWENT champion.
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20. Fishing Planet
After experiencing the games listed above on Steam, indulge in the serene ambiance provided by Fishing Planet. This free-to-play game offers a realistic fishing simulation, immersing you in the life of an ordinary angler. With over 170 species of fish, each influenced by various environmental factors such as climate, time of day, and season, the game guarantees a dynamic experience.
Featuring 25 picturesque waterways, Fishing Planet provides ample opportunities for tranquility and relaxation. For those seeking a peaceful escape, look no further than Fishing Planet.
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21. Crusader Kings 2
Indeed, Crusaders King 3 offers a fresh gameplay system and an array of features. However, unlike its predecessor, Crusaders King 2, it’s not free. Developed by Paradox Interactive, it’s a grand strategy RPG where you manage a kingdom and strive for global domination.
Crusaders King 2 boasts a complex relationship system, allowing gameplay to continue even after the original ruler’s demise. With RPG elements such as court management and strategic battles, it’s a must-play for strategy enthusiasts. Moreover, the CK2 subscription grants access to over 20 DLCs, ensuring ample content for players.
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22. Overwatch 2
Before pointing out, yes, Overwatch 2 is the lowest-rated game on Steam, sitting below the most negative title, with justified complaints. Yet, beyond unfulfilled promises and microtransactions, lies a game fun for casual gameplay.
It’s a 5 vs 5 PvP hero shooter, where you select a hero from a roster of 30+ heroes. Each hero serves a specific role, and the goal is to work together with the team for victory.
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23. Doki Doki Literature Club
Back when Doki Doki Literature Club launched on Steam, everyone was surprised by the brilliant bait-and-switch its developer pulled off. What appears as a romance visual novel with cute characters conceals a sinister story.
This visual-novel cum meta-horror game starts with endearing moments with cute girls, but quickly turns into a self-aware, eerie narrative, manipulating players with tasks.
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24. Marvel Snap
You’ve likely heard of Marvel Snap. Even if you haven’t played it, someone you know probably has. It blends the Marvel universe with a card-game loop.
Marvel Snap is a fast-paced collectible card game in which you construct a 12-deck card to outwit your opponent and secure victory. Renowned for its distinctive mechanics and user-friendly gameplay, it attracts a considerable daily player base.
25. Emily is Away
Emily is Away offers a nostalgic journey to the AOL-dialup era, reminiscent of a time when the internet was less accessible and social media was in its infancy. Transporting players back to the era of chat rooms and IRCs, it delivers a nostalgia-filled experience.
Emily is Away, an adventure game, immerses you in the vintage internet experience. With its branching narrative, your decisions shape the story, which is both well-written and captivating, evoking the nostalgia of the old computer era. This game has spawned two equally enjoyable paid sequels that are budget-friendly.
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Here are 25 free games on Steam that promise enjoyment for all. Share your favorite free-to-play titles on Steam in the comments below to expand this list.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
