Free Cold War Games on Steam
Steam currently has 441 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 5/13/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best cold war games on Steam
- Best cold war Steam Deck games
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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 620,386 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 453,595 positive reviews and 166,791 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. 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 64, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,914 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,218 positive reviews and 1,696 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 |
3. World of Warplanes
World of Warplanes is an aerial combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. The game throws 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 #3 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,081 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,631 positive reviews and 1,450 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 |
4. 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 75, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,274 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,049 positive reviews and 4,225 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 |
5. 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 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 481 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 422 positive reviews and 59 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 |
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 80, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 643 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 546 positive reviews and 97 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. Kriegsfront Battlescaper - Diorama Editor
Create mechs and battlefield dioramas using built-in photo mode, mecha builder, and level editor. Based on developer tools for our upcoming mecha turn-based tactics game, Kriegsfront Tactics.
Kriegsfront Battlescaper - Diorama Editor has achieved a Player Score of 83, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 78 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 74 positive reviews and 4 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.
| Release Date | 8/4/2022 |
| Franchise | Toge Productions |
| Developer | Toge Productions |
| Publisher | Toge Productions |
| Steam App Id | 1703930 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,211 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 978 positive reviews and 233 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 |
9. 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 #9 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 |
10. Object N
A classic-style hardcore dynamic shooter which takes place in a science underground center.
Object N has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 937 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 801 positive reviews and 136 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
More Free Cold War Games
Explore even more rankings for the 62 best free Cold War games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84,838 | 8/15/2013 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 115 | 11/17/2017 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 104 | 2/10/2022 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 89 | 2/15/2023 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 79 | 12/30/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 28 | 4/16/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4 | 8/4/2022 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4 | 12/16/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 6/30/2022 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 1/13/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 10/6/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 1/12/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 8/27/2020 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 9/6/2023 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 12/23/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 2/26/2020 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 2/9/2022 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 12/12/2024 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/5/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 11/15/2024 | 73 | 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, May 13). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 13). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 13). Armored Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 8). World of Warplanes on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 10). Operation: Harsh Doorstop on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). 2024: Mosaic Retrospective on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 13). 3 Days War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). Kriegsfront Battlescaper - Diorama Editor on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 10). SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Watch Your Back on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 12). Object N on Steam. Steam Store.