Free Cold War Games on Steam
Steam currently has 408 Cold War 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 Cold War game rankings were last updated on 12/10/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best cold war games on Steam
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- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
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1. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
War Thunder holds the #1 spot for "best free Cold War game on Steam" with a Player Score of 73. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 572,218 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 419,198 positive reviews and 153,020 negative reviews — making it "Mostly 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 | 8/15/2013 |
| Franchise | Gaijin Network Ltd |
| Developer | Gaijin Entertainment |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 236390 |
2. Operation: Harsh Doorstop
Operation: Harsh Doorstop is the ultimate, free to play, tactical shooter sandbox. Play singleplayer, multiplayer, or co-op modes and explore thousands of community-created maps, weapons, and vehicles via the Steam Workshop. Created by ex-developers of Squad, Red Orchestra, and Insurgency.
Operation: Harsh Doorstop has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,193 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,541 positive reviews and 3,652 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 Operation: Harsh Doorstop on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/15/2023 |
| Developer | Drakeling Labs |
| Publisher | Drakeling Labs |
| Steam App Id | 736590 |
3. Armored Warfare
Wage war against players around the world with an unstoppable arsenal of powerful armored combat vehicles. Use 300+ vehicles to engage in furious PvP tank combat, complete co-op missions, and crush your enemies on breathtaking maps, from scorching deserts to neon-drenched urban jungles.
Armored Warfare has achieved a Player Score of 65, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,690 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,101 positive reviews and 1,589 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Armored Warfare on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/17/2017 |
| Franchise | Wishlist Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Wishlist Games |
| Steam App Id | 443110 |
4. World of Warplanes
World of Warplanes is an aerial combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. Throwing players into a never-ending battle for dominance of the skies.
World of Warplanes has achieved a Player Score of 70, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,824 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,483 positive reviews and 1,341 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 World of Warplanes on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/10/2022 |
| Franchise | Wargaming Group Ltd. |
| Developer | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Publisher | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Steam App Id | 790710 |
5. 3 Days War
3 Days War is a unique multiplayer strategy war game. Integrating the mechanics of RTS+4X, it allows dozens of players to engage in a three-day real-time strategy competitionon. Commanders, use your skills, strategies, games and even deception to become the ultimate winner!
3 Days War has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 587 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 510 positive reviews and 77 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" 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.
6. Armchair Commander
A turn-based strategy game where you can experience WWII campaigns and explore alternate history scenarios made by the community.
Armchair Commander has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 65 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 60 positive reviews and 5 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 10/6/2023 |
| Developer | Zack Sima |
| Publisher | Indie War Games |
| Steam App Id | 2598940 |
7. All Walls Must Fall - A Tech-Noir Tactics Game
All Walls Must Fall is a Tech-Noir Tactics game set in Berlin 2089, where the Cold War never ended.
All Walls Must Fall - A Tech-Noir Tactics Game has achieved a Player Score of 68, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 331 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 237 positive reviews and 94 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play All Walls Must Fall - A Tech-Noir Tactics Game on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/23/2018 |
| Franchise | inbetweengames |
| Developer | inbetweengames |
| Publisher | inbetweengames |
| Steam App Id | 628290 |
8. Liquidators
Chernobyl, USSR, 1986. Three nuclear plant workers go on a daring mission to prevent a radioactive fallout that would affect half of Europe. Every moment is permanent, and all is at stake.
Liquidators has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,040 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 995 positive reviews and 45 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" 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.
| Release Date | 9/30/2020 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1382200 |
9. Desert Bus VR
Desert Bus is back and better than ever! The 1998 Penn and Teller cult hit mini-game is coming to virtual reality, so you can fully immerse yourself in the thrilling eight-hour trip from Arizona to Nevada. It’s almost like you’re driving the “wheel” thing!
Desert Bus VR has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,697 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,495 positive reviews and 202 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 Desert Bus VR on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/27/2017 |
| Developer | Dinosaur Games |
| Publisher | Gearbox Software, LLC |
| Steam App Id | 638110 |
10. SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue
SimRail - The Railway Simulator Prologue presents the full range of possibilities of the newest and best simulator of the work of train driver. Take on the challenge and take the controls of a freight or passenger train!
SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,170 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 949 positive reviews and 221 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 SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/16/2021 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1803190 |
More Free Cold War Games
Explore even more rankings for the 58 best free Cold War games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32,283 | 8/15/2013 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 130 | 2/15/2023 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 74 | 11/17/2017 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 65 | 2/10/2022 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 34 | 4/17/2023 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 10/6/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 2/23/2018 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 9/30/2020 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 11/27/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 12/16/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/30/2022 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 9/6/2023 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 8/3/2022 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/16/2020 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 10/16/2015 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 5/15/2020 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 2/16/2024 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/23/2018 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/12/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 8/6/2024 | 67 | 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, December 10). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Operation: Harsh Doorstop on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Armored Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 7). World of Warplanes on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). 3 Days War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Armchair Commander on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). All Walls Must Fall - A Tech-Noir Tactics Game on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 15). Liquidators on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 1). Desert Bus VR on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 24). SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.