Steam Makes 3 Games 100% Free Until July 13

While Steam’s free-to-keep promotion may be many gamers’ preferred program since it grants permanent access to games as opposed to temporary, users shouldn’t sleep on its free-to-play weekends. Sure, players will only have free access to the following three Steam games until July 13, but that could be just enough time to get attached to the titles.

This particular Steam free-to-play weekend, which runs from July 9 to July 13, offers three very different genres of video games to enjoy: a first-person survival game packed with building, exploration, and dinosaurs, a cozy multiplayer idle game, and a roguelite city builder. With such a wide range of gameplay being offered for free this weekend, most gamers are likely to be interested in at least one of the following games.

Gamers have until July 13 to play as much of ARK: Survival Ascended, Gogh, and Against the Storm as they want. As is usually the case with Steam Free Weekend promotions, the games will be discounted during and shortly after their free-to-play period, allowing players to purchase permanent access to the titles if they find that they’re up their alley. For those curious about the 3 titles listed above, the following breakdowns should help decide which of the games are worth a look.

ARK: Survival Ascended

image via Studio Wildcard

Undoubtedly the most well-known game on the list due to its animated series and potential as a streaming title, Ark: Survival Ascended is a stunning Unreal Engine 5 remake of the hit game Ark: Survival Evolved. From Megalodons to T-Rexes to Dodos, every creature was given a visual overhaul for this new version, with character models and the game’s maps becoming more breathtaking as well. New additions like photo mode and quality-of-life changes like a UI overhaul are certainly welcome, though it is important to note that the game has mixed reviews because of its performance issues. With crashes likely even on powerful hardware as a result of its cutting-edge visuals, players shouldn’t expect this early-access version to run perfectly. Additionally, expensive mods and DLC have sparked controversy despite the core crafting and combat being very enjoyable.

• Release Date: October 26, 2023
• Genre: Survival, Open-World
• Developer: Studio Wild Card
• Overall rating: 60% positive
• Can you beat it before the free-to-play promotion ends? With the default map offering hundreds of hours of content, not to mention other maps being available, players won’t be seeing all the game has to offer over one weekend.
• Price and discount information: $44.99 → $11.24 (Until July 23)
• Steam Link: Play ARK: Survival Ascended for free until July 13 at 1:00 PM.

Against the Storm

image via Eremite Games

Essentially the exact opposite of ARK: Survival Ascended, which is well-known but divisive, this city builder may have flown under the radar due to its niche genre, yet it’s beloved by nearly everyone that has played it. Critically acclaimed for its smart balance of city-building and roguelite elements, every run truly is different, and players will be making permanent progress despite some inevitable missteps. Players can expect to manage a range of citizens with different strengths, trying to keep them on the best task possible while also dealing with constant storms that produce enemies and other threats. For those craving the “one more run” feel that all the best roguelites deliver, this strategy game is certainly worth a look.

• Release Date: December 8, 2023
• Genre: Strategy, City-Builder
• Developer: Eremite Games
• Overall rating: 95% positive
• Can you beat it before the free-to-play promotion ends? Completing the first Seal, an endgame goal that drastically improves future runs, takes about 20 hours and can be done over the free weekend. However, because the game is built for replayability, there is another 100 hours of content to see.
• Price and discount information: $29.99 → $8.99 (Until July 23)
• Steam Link: Play Against the Storm for free until July 13 at 1:00 PM.

Gogh

image via ambr

Offering the least raw gameplay of the 3 titles being offered for free this weekend, Gogh is a game meant to be “played” while doing other things. Studying for an exam? At the office grinding away on spreadsheets? Watching a TV series or sporting event and looking to kill time during commercials? Gogh is a perfect idle game for these scenarios, as it sees players creating not only anime avatars, but work environments filled with their choice of images and gifs to house them in. Gogh players will be able to relax with others online in the same area, chatting or even watching YouTube videos together in-game, having their avatars emote as they do so. Additionally, in-game tools like to-do lists and timers will help with real world work, while those that simply want to work alongside their avatars can do so by using the mini-window mode.

• Release Date: April 30, 2025
• Genre: Cozy, Customization, Idle
• Developer: ambr
• Overall rating: 93% positive
• Can you beat it before the free-to-play promotion ends? N/A, as there’s nothing to “beat” in Gogh.
• Price and discount information: $11.99 → $7.19 (Until July 23)
• Steam Link: Play Gogh for Free until July 13 at 1:00 PM.

Except for Gogh, which was already quite cheap to begin with, these discounts are truly massive. So, if Steam users are impressed with any of the titles listed above, buying them as soon as possible would be a wise move.