Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,472 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 5/14/2025.
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 73. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 128,434 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 95,094 positive reviews and 33,340 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. 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 #2 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,865 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,204 positive reviews and 3,661 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 |
3. 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 83, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 48,069 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,693 positive reviews and 7,376 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 |
4. 江湖客栈-The Jianghu
Hey,you! This is not a place where the Beggar's can come in and beg for help! Without 100k silver coins, never think you can use our "Jianghu Inn" sign. what? Surprisingly, we managed to get together! Do you really want to give it a try?
江湖客栈-The Jianghu has achieved a Player Score of 56, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,289 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,293 positive reviews and 996 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. 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 45, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,149 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 955 positive reviews and 1,194 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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.
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,955 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,474 positive reviews and 8,481 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 |
7. 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 63, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,673 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,077 positive reviews and 596 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).
8. HoloCure - Save the Fans!
Play as your favorite Vtubers from Hololive! Fight, explore, and clear your way through armies of fans and save them from their mind-control in this unofficial free fan-game.
HoloCure - Save the Fans! has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,788 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 37,427 positive reviews and 361 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play HoloCure - Save the Fans! on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/17/2023 |
| Developer | KayAnimate |
| Publisher | KayAnimate |
| Steam App Id | 2420510 |
9. Realm Grinder
Grow your realm, build alliances, and explore one of the deepest idle RPGs ever!
Realm Grinder has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,073 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,160 positive reviews and 913 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 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 175,199 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 164,020 positive reviews and 11,179 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).
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,921 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,483 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,932 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,878 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,180 | 4/24/2025 | 45 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,008 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 797 | 12/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 719 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 614 | 6/15/2017 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 564 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 555 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 521 | 5/21/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 498 | 6/26/2023 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 445 | 3/15/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 418 | 2/26/2021 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 384 | 4/15/2025 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 239 | 12/14/2015 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 232 | 2/27/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 218 | 5/6/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 207 | 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, May 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 15). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 7). HoloCure - Save the Fans! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Realm Grinder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.