Free Base Building Games on Steam
Steam currently has 3,529 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 6/6/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best base building games on Steam
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- 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 130,748 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 96,881 positive reviews and 33,867 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 83, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 48,346 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,944 positive reviews and 7,402 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 16,923 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,245 positive reviews and 3,678 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 74,276 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,751 positive reviews and 8,525 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 175,702 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 164,460 positive reviews and 11,242 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. 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 #6 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,302 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,302 positive reviews and 1,000 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).
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 1,682 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,082 positive reviews and 600 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. 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 #8 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,511 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,129 positive reviews and 1,382 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.
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 7,098 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,181 positive reviews and 917 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. 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 #10 spot for the best free Base Building games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,861 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,748 positive reviews and 3,113 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 |
More Free Base Building Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Base Building games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,863 | 7/9/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,536 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3,352 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1,083 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 986 | 6/5/2021 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 873 | 9/1/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 847 | 12/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 771 | 4/24/2025 | 45 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 673 | 6/15/2017 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 628 | 10/8/2019 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 583 | 8/17/2023 | 97 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 518 | 2/26/2021 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 463 | 6/26/2023 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 455 | 5/22/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 409 | 2/28/2012 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 401 | 4/15/2025 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 356 | 8/31/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 356 | 3/15/2018 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 311 | 12/14/2015 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 295 | 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, June 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 28). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 4). Shop Titans on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 22). Fallout Shelter on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 14). Muck on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 17). 江湖客栈-The Jianghu on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). March of Empires on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 6). DARKEST DAYS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 4). Realm Grinder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 4). War Selection on Steam. Steam Store.