10 new free-to-play games were recently added to Steam, offering new options for gamers looking for something to play at no charge. As the most popular digital distribution platform for PC gaming, Steam frequently adds free titles for players to check out. However, the latest batch of games is particularly intriguing, as it includes the high-profile, albeit divisive Highguard.
There is something for nearly every sort of gamer on Steam, from indie hits to blockbuster AAA releases. Each year, Valve’s PC gaming platform adds thousands of new titles. In fact, 2025 saw over 20,000 games come to Steam, according to SteamDB data. One reason for the platform’s popularity is its many sales, which allow gamers to purchase titles at steep discounts. In addition, many free games are released on Steam each month, giving users on a tight budget a lot to pick from.
One of the Best Steam Local Co-Op Games is Getting a Big Update Soon
One of the most popular co-op games on Steam is set to get a major update that will add plenty of fresh content for fans to enjoy.
10 New Free-to-Play Games on Steam
While 2026 has just gotten underway, Steam has already added many free-to-play games to its catalog in the new year. 10 of these that users can try right now include: Chicken Fren, Fortress Fury, Glassy Stare, Highguard, Knockoff, Potion Knight, SEGA Football Club Champions, Terminal Lucidity, Truckin’ It, and Where We Went. This selection covers a lot of bases, giving players everything from a cozy idler in Chicken Fren to a dark visual novel in Glassy Stare. It is worth noting that several of these games include in-game purchases, but they can all be played for free.
Among these free games, Highguard has doubtlessly created the most buzz in the gaming community. The PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment featured as the last big reveal at The Game Awards 2025. Created by former Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare developers, Highguard draws on elements from various shooters, such as Rainbow Six Siege and the aforementioned Apex Legends. While the game has “Mostly Negative” reviews on Steam so far, opinions have been varied online, with some maintaining that the gameplay is worth checking out.
Besides Highguard, the list of free-to-play titles on Steam has something to satisfy many types of gamers. For example, Fortress Fury could interest tower defense fans, as it tasks players with upgrading their tower to take down waves of enemies and features roguelite elements. Alternatively, Truckin’ It could be worth checking out for fans of online co-op games who are looking for something to play with a friend. As the name suggests, the goal of the game is to deliver cargo as quickly as possible without messing up. Rounding out the list, Potion Knight is a unique first-person shooter, Terminal Lucidity and Where We Went feature some puzzle gameplay, and SEGA Football Club Champions lets players manage a soccer team. It should be noted that SEGA Football Club Champions has “Mostly Negative” reviews on Steam. However, like the other games on this list, it is free to try out.
While Steam continues to add free games to its library, it is not the only platform where players can grab some titles at no charge. Notably, Epic Games regularly features free game deals, with the most recent one being Rustler. From now until January 29 at 11:00 a.m. EST, players can claim the top-down action game for free. After that, Definitely Not Fried Chicken will be free on the platform until February 5. Numerous other titles will likely be claimable throughout the year
It will be interesting to see what other free games are added to Steam in the months ahead. With thousands of games releasing on the service, some will be bigger hits than others. However, many could be worth checking out.
Source: ScreenRant
