Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,744 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 9/3/2025.
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 75. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 145,259 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 109,684 positive reviews and 35,575 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 17,166 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,395 positive reviews and 3,771 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 84, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 49,704 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42,185 positive reviews and 7,519 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 2,350 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,329 positive reviews and 1,021 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 75,324 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,675 positive reviews and 8,649 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 |
6. 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 47, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,252 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,519 positive reviews and 1,733 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.
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 62, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,730 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,097 positive reviews and 633 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 38,643 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 38,268 positive reviews and 375 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. 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 #9 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 177,627 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 166,120 positive reviews and 11,507 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).
10. Viking Rise
Race against other players to explore Valhalla and conquer Midgard!
Viking Rise has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 669 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 480 positive reviews and 189 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 Viking Rise on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 5/22/2024 |
| Developer | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 2819520 |
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14,282 | 7/9/2024 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,069 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,506 | 10/15/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 888 | 8/31/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 840 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 632 | 4/23/2025 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 586 | 12/11/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 537 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 454 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 421 | 5/22/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 384 | 6/15/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 380 | 2/26/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 378 | 6/26/2023 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 323 | 3/15/2018 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 320 | 2/16/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 294 | 9/18/2014 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 286 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 283 | 8/31/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 283 | 12/14/2016 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 265 | 7/1/2021 | 58 | 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, September 3). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 3). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 2). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 26). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 22). 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 3). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 29). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 1). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 30). HoloCure - Save the Fans! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 27). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 31). Viking Rise on Steam. Steam Store.