Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,431 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 4/24/2025.
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 73. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 125,968 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 93,074 positive reviews and 32,894 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 16,795 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,160 positive reviews and 3,635 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 47,710 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,344 positive reviews and 7,366 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. 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 ?, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of undefined reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of undefined positive reviews and undefined negative reviews — making it "null" 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.
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 73,704 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,260 positive reviews and 8,444 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. 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 #6 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 174,750 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 163,607 positive reviews and 11,143 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).
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,546 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 37,184 positive reviews and 362 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 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,665 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,073 positive reviews and 592 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).
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 7,054 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,143 positive reviews and 911 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. The Perfect Tower II
The Perfect Tower II is a mix between an incremental and a tower defense game. Build a town, manage resources and explore a variety of mini-games and tons of upgrades. Fully automate your game and watch numbers going up!
The Perfect Tower II has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,598 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,169 positive reviews and 429 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 The Perfect Tower II on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/26/2021 |
| Franchise | Fire Sword Studios |
| Developer | Fire Sword Studios |
| Publisher | Fire Sword Studios |
| Steam App Id | 1197260 |
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,121 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,092 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,840 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,080 | 4/24/2025 | ??? | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 879 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 690 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 659 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 620 | 12/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 605 | 6/15/2017 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 456 | 2/26/2021 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 422 | 6/26/2023 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 376 | 5/22/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 334 | 3/15/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 313 | 12/14/2015 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 312 | 8/31/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 304 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 231 | 7/2/2021 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 227 | 2/16/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 226 | 2/27/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 204 | 5/16/2022 | 62 | 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, April 24). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 22). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 25). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 17). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 8). HoloCure - Save the Fans! on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 12). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Realm Grinder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 10). The Perfect Tower II on Steam. Steam Store.