Free Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 34,769 Strategy games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Strategy game rankings were last updated on 1/17/2025.
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1. Counter-Strike 2
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Strategy game on Steam" with a Player Score of 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,492,423 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,378,238 positive reviews and 1,114,185 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Counter-Strike 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free. Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,488,881 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,470,541 positive reviews and 1,018,340 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:12/21/2017
- Franchise:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Developers:
- Publisher:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:578080
3. Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
Marvel Rivals has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 168,302 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 136,920 positive reviews and 31,382 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Marvel Rivals on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:12/6/2024
- Developer:NetEase Games
- Publisher:NetEase Games
- Last Updated:1/13/2025
- Steam App Id:2767030
4. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,414,468 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,970,215 positive reviews and 444,253 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,482 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,694 positive reviews and 14,788 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:4/23/2024
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/16/2025
- Steam App Id:2923300
6. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.
Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 117,087 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 85,987 positive reviews and 31,100 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Once Human on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:7/9/2024
- Developer:Starry Studio
- Publisher:Starry Studio
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:2139460
7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is the ultimate free-to-play cross-platform strategy card game with fast-paced Duels, stunning HD graphics and a new, dynamic soundtrack! Get ready to challenge Duelists around the world!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 80,354 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 60,334 positive reviews and 20,020 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:1/19/2022
- Franchise:Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/16/2025
- Steam App Id:1449850
8. Limbus Company
As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs.
Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 47,941 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,324 positive reviews and 7,617 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Limbus Company on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:2/26/2023
- Developer:ProjectMoon
- Publisher:ProjectMoon
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:1973530
9. Governor of Poker 3
Governor of Poker 3 is the best multiplayer poker game with a great design. In this multi-player version of Governor of Poker you compete live with thousands of real poker players to prove you are the number 1 Texas Hold ’em poker star!
Governor of Poker 3 has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,383 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,626 positive reviews and 4,757 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Governor of Poker 3 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:2/19/2016
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/14/2025
- Steam App Id:436150
10. Eternal Return
Eternal Return is a free-to-play, 2.5D perspective Battle Royale game. Search, Craft, Hunt, and Fight using a variety of characters. Plan your strategy and become the last survivor on this eternal experiment.
Eternal Return has achieved a Player Score of 79, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,942 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,174 positive reviews and 12,768 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Eternal Return on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:7/20/2023
- Developer:Nimble Neuron
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/16/2025
- Steam App Id:1049590
More Free Strategy Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/730
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2767030
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449850
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1973530
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 14). Governor of Poker 3 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/436150
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1049590