Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,986 Base Building 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 Base Building game rankings were last updated on 11/24/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best base building games on Steam
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- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
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1. 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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Base Building game on Steam" with a Player Score of 76. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 157,240 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 120,739 positive reviews and 36,501 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 |
| Steam App Id | 2139460 |
2. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 50,933 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 43,322 positive reviews and 7,611 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 Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/15/2020 |
| Franchise | Age of Empires Franchise |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Steam App Id | 933110 |
3. Shop Titans
Shop Titans is the ultimate RPG shopkeeper simulation. Craft powerful equipment, stock your shop and sell to aspiring heroes… at a markup! Hire heroes and explore dungeons to gather valuable materials to craft with. There’s never a dull moment in the world of Shop Titans!
Shop Titans has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,355 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,538 positive reviews and 3,817 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 | 5/5/2020 |
| Developer | Kabam Games, Inc. |
| Publisher | Kabam Games, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 1258080 |
4. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.
Fallout Shelter has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 76,430 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,562 positive reviews and 8,868 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 | 3/29/2017 |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Steam App Id | 588430 |
5. Muck
Muck is a survival-roguelike. Collect resources, find items & build a base to survive for as long as you can.
Muck has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 179,113 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 167,436 positive reviews and 11,677 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 Muck on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
6. March of Empires
Claim your title as Shogun, Highland King, Northern Tsar or Desert Sultan and join this genre-redefining strategy game where you will wage constant war for real territorial conquest! Fortify your castle, fuel a massive army, and enter the ultimate fight for realm domination!
March of Empires has achieved a Player Score of 62, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,761 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,117 positive reviews and 644 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play March of Empires on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. DARKEST DAYS
DARKEST DAYS is a zombie shooting RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a sudden zombie outbreak. Explore a dark yet captivating open world, build a sanctuary with fellow survivors, grow stronger, and fight for survival.
DARKEST DAYS has achieved a Player Score of 48, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,818 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,830 positive reviews and 1,988 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 DARKEST DAYS on the Steam Deck.
8. New Day
New Day is an upcoming life simulation game where almost anything can happen! Create your own islanders, design their apartments, and get involved with their day-to-day life as they divulge into unexpected friendships, problems, and more!
New Day has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 432 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 391 positive reviews and 41 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.
| Release Date | 12/25/2024 |
| Developer | Scrapbook Studios |
| Publisher | Scrapbook Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2428440 |
9. Doomsday: Last Survivors
New tower defense gameplay! The apocalypse has come, and zombies are running amok. As the leader of the survivors, collect and use resources to defend their last shelter!
Doomsday: Last Survivors has achieved a Player Score of 64, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 766 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 509 positive reviews and 257 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Doomsday: Last Survivors on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/26/2023 |
| Developer | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 2439510 |
10. Realm Grinder
Grow your realm, build alliances, and explore one of the deepest idle RPGs ever!
Realm Grinder has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,247 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,301 positive reviews and 946 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 6/15/2017 |
| Franchise | Kongregate |
| Developer | Divine Games |
| Publisher | Kongregate |
| Steam App Id | 610080 |
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11,262 | 7/9/2024 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,084 | 10/15/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,782 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,179 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 827 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 629 | 12/11/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 532 | 4/24/2025 | 48 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 521 | 12/25/2024 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 473 | 6/26/2023 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 454 | 6/15/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 408 | 5/22/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 408 | 3/15/2018 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 405 | 2/26/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 386 | 2/27/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 367 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 339 | 7/2/2021 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 272 | 2/16/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 247 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 243 | 11/30/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 239 | 8/31/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts |
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, November 24). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 24). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 22). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 25). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 25). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 6). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 21). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 24). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 24). New Day on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 18). Doomsday: Last Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 19). Realm Grinder on Steam. Steam Store.