Free Cold War Games on Steam
Steam currently has 419 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 2/19/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best cold war games on Steam
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- Best cold war Linux games on Steam
- 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 594,835 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 434,410 positive reviews and 160,425 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 17,240 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,327 positive reviews and 3,913 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 4,788 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,157 positive reviews and 1,631 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. 2024: Mosaic Retrospective
2024: Mosaic Retrospective is a charity-fundraising picross/minesweeper hybrid featuring a single ENORMOUS puzzle inspired by global news stories from throughout the year.
2024: Mosaic Retrospective has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 277 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 252 positive reviews and 25 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 | 12/30/2024 |
| Franchise | Divide The Plunder |
| Developer | Mark Ffrench |
| Publisher | Divide The Plunder |
| Steam App Id | 3380760 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,927 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,546 positive reviews and 1,381 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 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 613 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 530 positive reviews and 83 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.
7. Watch Your Back
You are some small-time journalists, exploited by your boss. When an abandoned Cold War-era shelter is discovered, your boss sends you there to do the story of a lifetime. Only you two will know what awaits you in there...
Watch Your Back has achieved a Player Score of 47, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 75 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34 positive reviews and 41 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 | 6/30/2022 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2012070 |
8. Bung Ball
Bung Ball is a of game the which that if you of in the ball out with it ability then that for other which players to arena off and win.
Bung Ball has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 129 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 127 positive reviews and 2 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 Bung Ball on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/10/2023 |
| Developer | Slap Chicken Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2436280 |
9. Catgirl Chess
The sequel to Chess we've all been waiting for! Yes, that's right, 3D chess with Catgirls! Play online with a friend today! A highly refined game for the delight of your intellectual capacity.
Catgirl Chess has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11 positive reviews and 2 negative reviews — making it "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 | 10/11/2024 |
| Developer | Snazzy Games |
| Publisher | Snazzy Games |
| Steam App Id | 3185070 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,706 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,498 positive reviews and 208 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 |
More Free Cold War Games
Explore even more rankings for the 61 best free Cold War games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37,383 | 8/15/2013 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 188 | 2/15/2023 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 88 | 11/17/2017 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 75 | 12/30/2024 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 71 | 2/10/2022 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 35 | 4/17/2023 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 6/30/2022 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 6/10/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 10/11/2024 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 11/27/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 9/30/2020 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 12/16/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 10/6/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/23/2018 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 11/15/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 8/6/2024 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 12/12/2024 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 10/14/2022 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 9/1/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 9/6/2023 | 83 | 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, February 19). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). Operation: Harsh Doorstop on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Armored Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 8). 2024: Mosaic Retrospective on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). World of Warplanes on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 17). 3 Days War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 29). Watch Your Back on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Bung Ball on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 16). Catgirl Chess on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 17). Desert Bus VR on Steam. Steam Store.