Free Cold War Games on Steam
Steam currently has 456 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 8/19/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best cold war games on Steam
- Best cold war Steam Deck games
- Best cold war Steam games for Mac OS
- Best cold war Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
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 648,089 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 473,726 positive reviews and 174,363 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 75, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,789 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,443 positive reviews and 4,346 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 from around the world with an unstoppable arsenal of 300+ powerful armored combat vehicles. Compete in 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 #3 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,040 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,282 positive reviews and 1,758 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. The game throws players into a never-ending battle for dominance of the skies.
World of Warplanes has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,198 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,693 positive reviews and 1,505 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. 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 #5 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 614 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 543 positive reviews and 71 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. PANZERKAMPF®
World war of tanks rages on. Join the battle in one of our real-world tanks! Upgrade your vehicles and destroy the enemy! Play with friends and dominate the war! Play for free, in intuitive and easy to grasp UI, with state-of-the-art graphics, particle effects and authentic sound!
PANZERKAMPF® has achieved a Player Score of 45, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 156 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69 positive reviews and 87 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 | 9/30/2025 (In 42 Days) |
| Developer | Krieg Games Ltd. |
| Publisher | Krieg Games Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 2771910 |
7. Mr. Prepper: Prologue
Mr. Prepper: Prologue is a free standalone version of the game Mr. Prepper, featuring an essential part of the story.
Mr. Prepper: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 80, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,544 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,116 positive reviews and 428 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 | 8/27/2020 |
| Franchise | Rejected Games |
| Developer | Rejected Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1340530 |
8. FUCK STALIN
Avenge millions of innocent victims and inflict brutal violence on the communist dictator Joseph Stalin using a wide range of torture tools thanks to the blessing of the free market.
FUCK STALIN has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 672 positive reviews and 114 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 FUCK STALIN on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 1/12/2024 |
| Developer | Sunday's Games |
| Publisher | Sunday's Games |
| Steam App Id | 2711350 |
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 1,708 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,496 positive reviews and 212 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. 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 #10 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 674 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 572 positive reviews and 102 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.
More Free Cold War Games
Explore even more rankings for the 67 best free Cold War games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,934 | 8/15/2013 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 130 | 2/15/2023 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 99 | 11/17/2017 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 61 | 2/10/2022 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 40 | 12/30/2024 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6 | 9/30/2025 | 45 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4 | 8/27/2020 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 1/12/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 11/27/2017 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 4/16/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 1/13/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 10/16/2015 | 52 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 2/26/2020 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 9/6/2023 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 2/23/2018 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 8/17/2024 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 12/12/2024 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/5/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 11/15/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 5/15/2020 | 82 | 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, August 19). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 19). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 18). Operation: Harsh Doorstop on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 14). Armored Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 14). World of Warplanes on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 16). 2024: Mosaic Retrospective on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 17). PANZERKAMPF® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 14). Mr. Prepper: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 17). FUCK STALIN on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 16). Desert Bus VR on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 20). 3 Days War on Steam. Steam Store.