14 best free Steam games to play right now

More games are added to Steam in a day than anyone could reasonably play, let alone afford. Even if you narrow down your search to free-to-play games, the selection is still intimidating. Just because a game is free doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. In fact, with the glut of “free” games filling the digital shelves, which only exist 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 free games catalog, which is why I’ve done the dirty work to present you only the best games on Steam that don’t cost a dime to play. We’ve made sure to include games from as many genres and styles as possible, such as shooters, card games, and indies, so that you can find a game tailored to your specific tastes. These will all work perfectly on PC, but make sure you check to see if they are verified for your Steam Deck if you want to take them on the go.

1 DOTA 2

Hardcore MOBA action

We’re starting out with a game for the hardcore players out there. DOTA 2 is neck-and-neck with League of Legends as the most popular MOBA on the market. For those unfamiliar, MOBAs are team-based games where two groups of heroes fight it out in an attempt to destroy the opposition’s base. It sounds simple on paper, but with the hundreds of heroes, team compositions, skills, items, and strategies, DOTA 2 is one of the most in-depth and intense multiplayer games on PC. If you get addicted, prepare to lose countless hours to this game. Best of all, all the heroes are free, so the only temptation to spend real money comes from cosmetics.

2 Overwatch 2

Evolving hero shooter

While it was a controversial move to override the original Overwatch when Overwatch 2 launched, the one benefit most could agree on was that it went free-to-play. As it stands, Overwatch 2 is the most fleshed-out and fully featured 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, Cry of Fear became so popular and fleshed out that it was released as a standalone title. Yes, I know this isn’t the best-looking game in terms of graphics, but its dark, rough, and grungy appearance only adds to the atmosphere the game presents. Truly great horror games are already hard to find, and that list shrinks even more if you limit it to free ones. If you’re looking for some powerful horror that doesn’t rely on jump scares, Cry of Fear is more than worth your time.

4 Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

Card battling bliss

If you, like us, found yourself playing more Gwent in The Witcher 3 than the main game, you already know you’ll love Gwent: The Witcher Card Game. This game takes the core card game and rebalances and expands it into its own full release, yet those same strategies of building your deck, smart placement of cards, and bluffing still apply. Since it’s been out for a while, there are already tons of cards and decks to collect, but the newest releases are initially restricted to those willing to pay.

5 Destiny 2

Outstanding gunplay and co-op FPS design

Destiny 2 has experienced its share of highs and lows, but there’s a consensus that its core FPS gameplay is unparalleled. It’s challenging to find other shooters, whether paid or free, that offer the same satisfying gameplay as Destiny 2. This alone makes it worth trying, even if the world and lore don’t initially grab your interest. As a persistent online experience, Destiny 2 is best enjoyed with friends. You can engage in PvP, embark on various story missions, or tackle raids that demand precise coordination and skill to complete.

6 Warframe

Space-ninja action

If you want to feel like an unstoppable tornado of death, spraying bullets and slicing 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, crafting new weapons and suits (frames), and then repeating the process. Thankfully, the grind never feels too repetitive, thanks to the slick and gratifying movement mechanics that are immensely satisfying to master.

7 Marvel Snap

Casual card collector

Trust me, I understand how daunting most collectible card games (CCGs) can be. They often feature hundreds of cards, each with numerous effects that interact and change depending on the context, making the learning curve steep and mastery seem unattainable. Marvel Snap simplifies the complexity of CCGs into an accessible format that’s easy to pick up and play while still retaining the enjoyment factor. The cards feature well-known Marvel heroes and villains, and matches last only 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. In fact, it’s suitable for a relatively niche audience, but those who get into it often become lifelong devotees. This space sandbox has gained notoriety over the years for evolving into a sort of miniature nation, complete with player-operated businesses, a fully functioning economy, and wars that unfold dynamically based on player interactions. Engaging with EVE Online means not only mastering its gameplay mechanics but also understanding the politics among different player factions that control various map sections. Even if it’s just out of curiosity, it’s one of the most unique games ever created and is worth trying to see if it captivates you.

9 Counter-Strike 2

Sweaty competitive FPS

Counter-Strike 2 is probably the sweatiest multiplayer FPS on the market, yet it’s also one of the most popular. The basic concept is simple: two teams buy weapons and equipment to clash in a series of rounds. What makes CS2 so intense is the combination of the lethality of the guns, which can take down players with just one or two well-aimed shots, and the necessity for precise aiming. This isn’t a game where you can simply spray in the general direction of your opponent and expect to hit your target. CS 2 is a slow-paced, methodical, and tense game where strategy is just as important as quick reflexes.

10 Apex Legends

A Battle Royale with legends

The battle royale genre tends to be dominated by Fortnite, but Apex Legends has been holding strong in the background for years now. Unlike others that followed the trend after Fortnite made its splash, Apex didn’t immediately follow with a copy-and-paste clone. Respawn took its time and created something fresh by incorporating the smooth and dynamic movement system from Titanfall 2 and unique characters from a hero shooter. The result is a highly addictive and unique take on the genre that stands on its own. It’s the perfect game to squad up with your friends for a night.

11 Deceit

Social deduction mayhem

Among Us stoked a fire within us to deceive and manipulate our friends into betraying each other — a fire I never knew I had. Deceit expands on that concept with additional mechanics and gameplay twists to make it even more intense. Each round starts with a group of players, some of whom are secretly infected, trying to escape a map. The normal players need to work together to collect items and unlock exits to three zones and finally escape before they’re picked off by the infected. The first-person perspective makes things tense enough, but throw in the blackout periods and the horrific form the infected players can take when they strike, and you have a recipe for screams and laughter in equal measure.

12 VRChat

Just chillin’

Hey, not every game has to be a competitive or objective-driven experience. Sometimes, you just want to chill out with your friends from across the world. Sure, there are plenty of games you can play within VRChat, but you’re also free to just lounge around and hang out with all the wacky avatars people wear. Everything here is user-created, so you really can spend a day just exploring all the weird locations and things people have built.​​​​​​​

13 Old School RuneScape

Nostalgic MMORPG

If you were a gamer in the early to mid-2000s, then you probably have some nostalgia for RuneScape. If that name hasn’t crossed your mind in over a decade, you might be surprised to know the game is still going strong! 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 remembered it. From the blocky characters to the insanely grindy leveling system, this is a blast from the past you might just fall in love with all over again.

14 Team Fortress 2

The OG hero shooter

Before the hero shooter genre was even a thing, Team Fortress 2 had perfected the formula. While Overwatch 2 is great for its sheer size and scope, Team Fortress 2 has remained rock-solid for nearly two decades, thanks to its perfectly balanced roster of nine characters. New weapons and tweaks are made here and there, but no new characters are added to potentially upset the meta. That doesn’t mean the game isn’t worth playing, however. There’s a reason it’s still so popular all these years later, after all. The charming art style and emergent gameplay that unfolds in every game will probably keep TF2 alive for another decade.

Related

7 ways to fix slow game downloads on Steam

If you are finding that Steam is downloading slowly, then these tips might help speed things up.

FAQ

Q: How to find and play free Steam games

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

1. Create a Steam account at the Steam website if you don’t have one.
2. Download and install the Steam client, then log in.
3. Click “Store” at the top of the client.
4. Under “Games,” select “Free to Play.”
5. Browse free games, select one, and go to its store page.
6. Click “Play Game” or “Install Game” to download.
7. After installation, find the game in your library and click “Play” to start.

Remember, while the game itself is free, some free-to-play games might offer in-game purchases or microtransactions.