Free Cold War Games on Steam
Steam currently has 465 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 10/2/2025.
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
- 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 72. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 664,365 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 482,931 positive reviews and 181,434 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. Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars
Clash with global players in this epic real-time strategy game!
Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,673 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,805 positive reviews and 1,868 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/3/2019 |
| Developer | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | IGG SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 1041320 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,959 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,587 positive reviews and 4,372 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,093 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,305 positive reviews and 1,788 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 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,251 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,713 positive reviews and 1,538 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. 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 #6 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 598 positive reviews and 76 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 688 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 581 positive reviews and 107 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.
8. 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 44, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 220 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 94 positive reviews and 126 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 | 8/8/2025 |
| Developer | Krieg Games Ltd. |
| Publisher | Krieg Games Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 2771910 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,244 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,006 positive reviews and 238 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 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best free Cold War games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 77 positive reviews and 8 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 Armchair Commander on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/6/2023 |
| Developer | Zack Sima |
| Publisher | Indie War Games |
| Steam App Id | 2598940 |
More Free Cold War Games
Explore even more rankings for the 68 best free Cold War games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42,456 | 8/15/2013 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 978 | 6/3/2019 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 167 | 2/15/2023 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 155 | 11/17/2017 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 82 | 2/10/2022 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 48 | 12/30/2024 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 36 | 4/17/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16 | 8/8/2025 | 44 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 12/16/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 10/6/2023 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 12/23/2021 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 1/13/2021 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 8/4/2020 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 2/26/2020 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/10/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 1/12/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 3/25/2022 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/30/2022 | 48 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/14/2025 | 44 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 8/27/2020 | 80 | 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, October 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). Operation: Harsh Doorstop on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). Armored Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 12). World of Warplanes on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 27). 2024: Mosaic Retrospective on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 2). 3 Days War on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 30). PANZERKAMPF® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 2). SimRail - The Railway Simulator: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 27). Armchair Commander on Steam. Steam Store.