Free Strategy Games on Steam

Steam currently has 34,500 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 12/23/2024.

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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 banner

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 8,448,798 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,342,545 positive reviews and 1,106,253 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 banner

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 2,477,847 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,462,494 positive reviews and 1,015,353 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.

3. 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 banner

Dota 2 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 2,401,537 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,960,475 positive reviews and 441,062 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).

  • Release Date:
    7/9/2013
  • Franchise:
    Dota
  • Developer:
    Valve
  • Publisher:
    Valve
  • Last Updated:
    12/23/2024
  • Steam App Id:
    570

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 banner

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 102,320 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 82,596 positive reviews and 19,724 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.

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 banner

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 84,439 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,872 positive reviews and 14,567 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.

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 banner

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 114,538 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 84,056 positive reviews and 30,482 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.

7. Cats

Cats — and that says it all. Interactive cat clicker. Click on cats for new cats. That's all, really.

Cats banner

Cats has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,935 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,075 positive reviews and 860 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.

8. 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 banner

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 79,727 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 59,947 positive reviews and 19,780 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.

9. 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 banner

Eternal Return has achieved a Player Score of 79, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,409 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,770 positive reviews and 12,639 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).

10. 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 banner

Limbus Company has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46,160 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 38,636 positive reviews and 7,524 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).

More Free Strategy Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Strategy games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Counter-Strike 2 banner image
781,708
8/21/2012
87
Free
View
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS banner image
315,163
12/21/2017
59
Free
View
Dota 2 banner image
306,308
7/9/2013
81
Free
View
Marvel Rivals banner image
251,680
12/6/2024
80
Free
View
Banana banner image
104,042
4/23/2024
82
Free
View
Once Human banner image
25,334
7/9/2024
73
Free
View
Cats banner image
20,847
5/21/2024
76
Free
View
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel banner image
13,859
1/19/2022
74
Free
View
Eternal Return banner image
13,164
7/20/2023
79
Free
View
Limbus Company banner image
11,663
2/26/2023
82
Free
View
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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.

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