Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,812 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 10/2/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best base building games on Steam
- Best base building Steam Deck games
- Best base building Steam games for Mac OS
- Best base building Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
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 149,264 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 113,303 positive reviews and 35,961 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 50,182 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42,622 positive reviews and 7,560 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 76, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,233 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,439 positive reviews and 3,794 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 75,712 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,941 positive reviews and 8,771 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,743 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,104 positive reviews and 639 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).
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 178,122 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 166,556 positive reviews and 11,566 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. War Selection
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map.
War Selection has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,328 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,123 positive reviews and 3,205 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play War Selection on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/8/2019 |
| Developer | Glyph Worlds |
| Publisher | Glyph Worlds |
| Steam App Id | 1022450 |
8. Viking Rise
Race against other players to explore Valhalla and conquer Midgard!
Viking Rise has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 691 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 492 positive reviews and 199 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Viking Rise on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/22/2024 |
| Developer | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 2819520 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,463 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,629 positive reviews and 1,834 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.
10. SUPREMACY: WORLD WAR 3
This Long Term Strategy Game lets you take control of the armed forces of your nation. Become responsible for its military expansion, technological research and economic development. Form alliances and wage total war for global dominance on the battlefields of World War 3.
SUPREMACY: WORLD WAR 3 has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,524 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,188 positive reviews and 1,336 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run SUPREMACY: WORLD WAR 3 on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/15/2018 |
| Developer | Dorado Games |
| Publisher | Dorado Games |
| Steam App Id | 784950 |
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,906 | 7/9/2024 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,572 | 10/15/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,373 | 5/5/2020 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,311 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 990 | 12/11/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 883 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 836 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 718 | 5/22/2024 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 711 | 4/24/2025 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 695 | 3/15/2018 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 695 | 6/25/2023 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 565 | 6/15/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 491 | 2/26/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 471 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 446 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 345 | 2/16/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 328 | 9/18/2014 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 299 | 8/31/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 280 | 7/1/2021 | 57 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 271 | 12/14/2016 | 59 | 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, October 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 29). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 23). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). War Selection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). Viking Rise on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 28). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 26). SUPREMACY: WORLD WAR 3 on Steam. Steam Store.