Free Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 36,212 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 4/3/2025.
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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 86. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,692,344 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,544,202 positive reviews and 1,148,142 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. 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 #2 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,463,803 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,008,851 positive reviews and 454,952 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).
3. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,528,786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,499,801 positive reviews and 1,028,985 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:4/4/2025
- Steam App Id:578080
4. 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 80, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 256,593 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 206,465 positive reviews and 50,128 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:4/2/2025
- Steam App Id:2767030
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 88,004 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 72,657 positive reviews and 15,347 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:4/3/2025
- 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 124,264 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,718 positive reviews and 32,546 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:4/4/2025
- 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 84,605 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,085 positive reviews and 21,520 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:4/3/2025
- 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 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 54,546 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46,666 positive reviews and 7,880 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:4/4/2025
- Steam App Id:1973530
9. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion.
Albion Online has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 81,420 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,325 positive reviews and 17,095 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Albion Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:5/16/2018
- Developer:Sandbox Interactive GmbH
- Publisher:Sandbox Interactive GmbH
- Last Updated:3/31/2025
- Steam App Id:761890
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 64,167 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,101 positive reviews and 13,066 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:4/3/2025
- 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, April 3). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/730
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 2). Marvel Rivals on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2767030
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449850
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Limbus Company on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1973530
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/761890
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1049590