The 14 most worth-playing free Steam games right now

Main points

• There are tons of free games on Steam, so I’ve hand-picked the best games in every genre for you.
• From MOBAs to horror games to card games, these free games cater to every taste and provide a premium experience.
• While free to download, some games may entice you to make in-game purchases, so be aware of microtransactions.

In one day, more games are added to Steam than anyone can reasonably play, let alone afford. Even if you narrow your search to free games, the choice can still be daunting. Just because a game is free doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. In fact, with digital shelves flooded with tons of “free” games that exist solely to sell you microtransactions, finding a quality game can feel like navigating a minefield.

There’s no easy way to separate the trash from the treasure in Steam’s catalog of free games, which is why I’ve gone to great lengths to show you the best games on Steam that you can play without spending a dime. We’ve made sure to include as many genres and styles of games as possible, such as shooters, card games, and indie games, so you can find something to suit your specific tastes. These will all work perfectly on PC, but if you want to take them with you, be sure to check that they’re verified for your Steam Deck.

While all games listed are free to download and play, some may offer in-game microtransactions.

1 Dota 2

Hardcore MOBA action

We started out by building a game for hardcore gamers. DOTA 2 is neck and neck with League of Legends as the most popular MOBA on the market. For those unfamiliar, a MOBA is a team-based game in which two groups of heroes battle to try and destroy their opponent’s base. It sounds simple on the surface, but with hundreds of heroes, team compositions, skills, items, and strategies, DOTA 2 is one of the deepest and most intense multiplayer games on PC. If you are addicted, be prepared to waste countless hours in this game. Best of all, all heroes are free, so the only temptation to spend real money comes from cosmetics.

2 Overwatch 2

The ever-evolving hero shooter

While Overwatch 2 was controversial when it launched, overturning the original Overwatch, one benefit that most people can agree on is that it’s free to play. As it stands, Overwatch 2 is the most substantial and feature-rich hero shooter on the market. Currently, there are over 30 unique heroes to choose from, each with their own personalities, abilities, and roles to learn. New heroes, maps, and unique modes are constantly being added to keep the game fresh and engaging.

3 cry of fear

Classic horror experience

Originally released as a mod for Half-Life, Sounds of Fear became so popular and fulfilling that it was released as a standalone game. Yes, I know this isn’t the best looking game graphically, but its dark, gritty, and grungy look only adds to the atmosphere the game has to offer. Truly great horror games are already hard to find, and if you limit it to free games, the list shrinks even further. If you’re looking for some strong horror that doesn’t rely on jump scares, Sounds of Fear is definitely worth your time.

4 Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

card battle happiness

If you’re like us and find yourself playing more Gwent in The Witcher 3 than the main game, then you know you’re going to love the Gwent card game. The game takes the core card game and rebalances and expands it into its own full version, but the same strategies of building decks, intelligently placing cards, and bluffing still apply. Since it’s been out for a while, there’s already a ton of cards and decks to collect, but the latest version will initially be limited to those willing to pay.

5 Destiny 2

Excellent gunplay and cooperative FPS design

Destiny 2 has had its highs and lows, but the consensus is that its core FPS gameplay is unmatched. Finding other shooters (whether paid or free) that offer the same satisfying gameplay as Destiny 2 is a challenge. This alone makes it worth trying, even if the world and lore don’t initially pique your interest. As a persistent online experience, Destiny 2 is best enjoyed with friends. You can engage in PvP, perform various story missions, or tackle raids that require precise coordination and skill to complete.

6 war frame

Space Ninja Action

If you want to feel like an unstoppable tornado of death that sprays bullets and slices through aliens with ease, Warframe is the power fantasy you need in your life. Don’t get us wrong; the action is top-notch, but you need to enjoy the grind when playing Warframe. This game is all about running missions to collect resources, craft new weapons and suits (frames), and then repeat the process. Thankfully, grinding never feels too repetitive thanks to smooth and satisfying movement mechanics that are extremely satisfying to master.

7 Marvel Snapshot

Casual card collector

Trust me, I understand how intimidating most trading card games (CCGs) can be. They often have hundreds of cards, each with numerous effects that interact and change based on context, making the learning curve steep and mastery seemingly out of reach. Marvel Snap simplifies the complexity of CCGs into a format that’s easy to pick up and play while still retaining the fun. The cards feature famous Marvel heroes and villains, and games only last about 5 minutes at most, so there’s no need to commit to lengthy games.

8 EVE Online

Hardcore space sandbox

EVE Online isn’t for everyone. Indeed, it’s meant for a relatively niche audience, but those who get into it often become lifelong enthusiasts. Over the years, the space sandbox has gained notoriety for evolving into a kind of microstate, complete with player-run businesses, a fully functional economy, and wars that dynamically unfold based on player interactions. Participating in EVE Online means not only mastering its game mechanics, but also understanding the politics between the different player factions that control various parts of the map. Even if it’s just out of curiosity, it’s one of the most unique games ever made and worth trying to see if it appeals to you.

9 Counter-Strike 2

Sweaty competitive FPS

Counter-Strike 2 may be the most sweat-inducing multiplayer first-person shooter on the market, but it’s also one of the most popular. The basic concept is simple: two teams purchase weapons and equipment and clash over a series of rounds. What makes CS2 so intense is the combination of the lethality of firearms (it only takes one or two well-placed shots to knock out a player) combined with the necessity of precise aim. This is not a game where you can simply spray in the general direction of your opponent and hope to hit your target. CS 2 is a slow-paced, methodical, and tense game where strategy is as important as quick reactions.

10 apex legend

Legendary Battle Royale

The battle royale genre tends to be dominated by Fortnite, but Apex Legends has dominated the scene for years. Unlike other games that jumped on the bandwagon after Fortnite made a splash, Apex didn’t immediately launch a copy-paste clone. Respawn went to great lengths to combine Titanfall 2’s smooth, dynamic movement system with the hero shooter’s unique character to create something fresh. The result is a highly addictive and unique take on the genre. This is the perfect game to team up with friends for a night out.

11 cheat

social interpretation chaos

Among Us stokes the fire within us that deceives and manipulates our friends into betraying each other – a fire I never knew I had. Deception expands on this concept with additional mechanics and gameplay to make it even more intense. Each round begins with a group of players trying to escape the map, some of whom are secretly infected. Ordinary players need to work together to collect items and unlock the exits to the three areas, and ultimately escape before being captured by the infected. The first-person perspective keeps things tense enough, but add blackout periods and the horrific forms of infected players as they attack, and you’ve got equal parts screams and laughs.

12 virtual reality chat room

just relax

Hey, not every game has to be a competitive or goal-driven experience. Sometimes you just want to relax with friends from all over the world. Sure, you can play a lot of games in VRChat, but you can also just hang out with all the weird avatars people are wearing. Everything here is user-created, so you can really spend a day exploring all the weird locations and things people have built.​​​​​​​

VRChat is your best option if you have a VR headset, but it’s also fully playable on a regular PC.

13 Old School Runescape

Nostalgic massively multiplayer online role-playing game

If you were a gamer in the early to mid-2000s, you probably have some nostalgia for RuneScape. If you haven’t thought of this name in over a decade, you might be surprised to know that this game is still popular! The current version is a bit unrecognizable, but if you want to relive the glory days of 2007, Old School RuneScape is exactly as you remember it. From blocky characters to a crazy grinding system, this is a blast from the past and one you might just fall in love with again.

14 Team Fortress 2

OG hero shooting game

Team Fortress 2 perfected this model before there were any hero shooters. While Overwatch 2 is known for its sheer size and scope, Team Fortress 2 has remained rock solid for nearly two decades thanks to its perfectly balanced nine-character roster. There are new weapons and tweaks here and there, but no new characters added to potentially disrupt the meta. But that doesn’t mean the game isn’t worth playing. After all, there’s a reason why it’s still so popular after all these years. The captivating art style and fresh gameplay on display in each game could keep Team Fortress 2 alive for another decade.

FAQ

Q: How to find and play free Steam games

If you want to play free Steam games on PC, just follow these steps:

1. Create a Steam account If you don’t have the Steam website, please visit it.
2. Download and install the Steam clientand then log in.
3. Click “shop” at the top of the client.
4. under “game”, choose “Play for free.”
5. Browse free games, select one, then go to store page.
6. Click “play games” or “install game” go download.
7. Once installed, find the game in your library and click “Play” start.

Keep in mind that while the game itself is free, some free-to-play games may offer in-game purchases or microtransactions.