Free Classic Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,583 Classic 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 Classic game rankings were last updated on 5/16/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best classic games on Steam
- Best classic Steam Deck games
- Best classic Steam games for Mac OS
- Best classic Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. 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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Classic game on Steam" with a Player Score of 83. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 42,185 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 35,528 positive reviews and 6,657 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 |
2. RuneScape ®
RuneScape is a high fantasy open world MMORPG. Explore an ever changing and evolving living world where new challenges, skills, and quests await. Featuring unprecedented player freedom, you choose how to play, adventure, and grow.
RuneScape ® has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,390 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,631 positive reviews and 3,759 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play RuneScape ® on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
3. RISK: Global Domination
Take over the world in RISK Global Domination, the iconic strategy board game.
RISK: Global Domination has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,472 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,671 positive reviews and 6,801 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play RISK: Global Domination on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/19/2020 |
| Franchise | SMG Studio |
| Developer | SMG Studio |
| Publisher | SMG Studio |
| Steam App Id | 1128810 |
4. Old School RuneScape
The best retro fantasy MMORPG on the planet. Old School is RuneScape but… older! This is the open world you know and love, but as it was in 2007. Saying that, it’s even better than that – Old School is shaped by you, its players, with regular new content, fixes and expansions voted for by the fans!
Old School RuneScape has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,419 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,937 positive reviews and 1,482 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Old School RuneScape on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Shakes and Fidget
Shakes & Fidget is a hilarious fantasy role-playing satire and at the same time, an award-winning RPG! Sounds crazy? With over 50 million enthusiastic players, it ranks among the most celebrated online role-playing games worldwide!
Shakes and Fidget has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,348 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33,160 positive reviews and 2,188 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Shakes and Fidget on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/25/2016 |
| Developer | Playa Games GmbH |
| Publisher | Playa Games GmbH |
| Steam App Id | 438040 |
6. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications
RetroArch has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,363 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,739 positive reviews and 624 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
7. EverQuest
Welcome to EverQuest® - the online game that started it all! No other MMO matches EverQuest's sheer content, now with 29 expansions and countless updates. EverQuest is free-to-play.
EverQuest has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,108 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,681 positive reviews and 427 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 EverQuest on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/13/2012 |
| Franchise | Daybreak Game Company |
| Developer | Darkpaw Games |
| Publisher | Daybreak Game Company |
| Steam App Id | 205710 |
8. Life is Strange 2
After a tragic incident, brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz run away from home. Fearing the police, and dealing with Daniel's new telekinetic power, the boys head to Mexico. Each stop on their journey brings new friends and new challenges.
Life is Strange 2 has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 31,834 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,381 positive reviews and 4,453 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 9/26/2018 |
| Franchise | DON'T NOD |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 532210 |
9. Quake Champions
Step into the Arena. Compete against players from around the world in this fast-paced shooter that combines the dark mythos of the original Quake with the skill-based competition of Quake III Arena. Become a Champion.
Quake Champions has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,577 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,623 positive reviews and 9,954 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 Quake Champions on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/18/2022 |
| Franchise | Bethesda |
| Developer | id Software |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Steam App Id | 611500 |
10. EverQuest II
EverQuest® II is the epitome of massively multiplayer gaming - the ultimate blend of deep features, heritage, and community.
EverQuest II has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,445 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,929 positive reviews and 516 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 EverQuest II on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/7/2011 |
| Franchise | Daybreak Game Company |
| Developer | Darkpaw Games |
| Publisher | Daybreak Game Company |
| Steam App Id | 201230 |
More Free Classic Games
Explore even more rankings for the 61 best free Classic games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 3,657 | 10/15/2020 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,318 | 10/14/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,599 | 2/19/2020 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,098 | 2/24/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,017 | 2/25/2016 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 607 | 9/14/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 367 | 12/13/2012 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 312 | 9/26/2018 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 285 | 8/18/2022 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 241 | 12/7/2011 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 217 | 11/19/2014 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 88 | 9/13/2016 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 54 | 9/16/2022 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 34 | 3/14/2023 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 34 | 3/27/2015 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 33 | 11/4/2013 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 32 | 10/13/2015 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 31 | 12/14/2017 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 29 | 4/26/2022 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 28 | 2/18/2020 | 86 | 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. (2024, May 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 9). RuneScape ® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). RISK: Global Domination on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 3). Old School RuneScape on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). Shakes and Fidget on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). RetroArch on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 5). EverQuest on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Life is Strange 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Quake Champions on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 8). EverQuest II on Steam. Steam Store.