Free Difficult Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,368 Difficult 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 Difficult game rankings were last updated on 11/20/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best difficult games on Steam
- Best difficult Steam Deck games
- Best difficult Steam games for Mac OS
- Best difficult Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Counter-Strike 2
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Difficult game on Steam" with a Player Score of 86. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,171,632 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,920,123 positive reviews and 1,251,509 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 Counter-Strike 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,594,775 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,108,119 positive reviews and 486,656 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
3. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,632,155 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,573,727 positive reviews and 1,058,428 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/21/2017 |
| Franchise | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 578080 |
4. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 92,214 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 75,559 positive reviews and 16,655 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 4/23/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2923300 |
5. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege X
Rainbow Six Siege X is the reference in tactical team shooters, where elite strategy and execution triumph. Enjoy free access to Quick Match, Unranked and Dual Front game modes with a selection of operators.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege X has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,455,743 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,206,131 positive reviews and 249,612 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege X on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/1/2015 |
| Developer | Ubisoft Montreal |
| Publisher | Ubisoft |
| Steam App Id | 359550 |
6. tModLoader
Dig, Fight, and Build your way through the world of player-created mods on Terraria with tModLoader - this DLC makes modding Terraria a reality!
tModLoader has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 335,338 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 325,591 positive reviews and 9,747 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play tModLoader on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. Free to use for everyone, for any purpose.
Blender has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 79,518 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 76,516 positive reviews and 3,002 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Blender on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/24/2015 |
| Developer | Blender Foundation |
| Publisher | Blender Foundation |
| Steam App Id | 365670 |
8. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion.
Albion Online has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 87,121 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 68,524 positive reviews and 18,597 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 Albion Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/16/2018 |
| Developer | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Publisher | Sandbox Interactive GmbH |
| Steam App Id | 761890 |
9. Aimlabs
Aimlabs is the aim trainer of choice for over 40 Million players, from beginners to esports pros. Our unique aim analysis optimizes your gameplay, targets your weaknesses & builds key skills for any FPS game! Time to warm up with our unlimited scenarios & rank up in-game!
Aimlabs has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 129,020 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 118,385 positive reviews and 10,635 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 Aimlabs on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/17/2023 |
| Developer | State Space Labs, Inc. |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 714010 |
10. EVE Online
Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding sci-fi sandbox MMO. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.
EVE Online has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,395 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,453 positive reviews and 9,942 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play EVE Online on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Difficult Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Difficult games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,312,483 | 8/21/2012 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 772,683 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 487,241 | 12/21/2017 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 54,831 | 4/23/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 32,860 | 12/1/2015 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 30,141 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,032 | 4/24/2015 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,739 | 5/16/2018 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,758 | 6/17/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 4,643 | 12/16/2010 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,522 | 12/29/2017 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,642 | 8/17/2020 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,333 | 2/24/2016 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,090 | 2/20/2012 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 936 | 7/10/2012 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 888 | 2/12/2013 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 700 | 5/19/2020 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 339 | 11/30/2021 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 300 | 9/14/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 213 | 11/2/2017 | 70 | 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, November 20). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 20). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 19). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 12). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 17). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 20). Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege X on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 20). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 20). Blender on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 27). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 20). Aimlabs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 19). EVE Online on Steam. Steam Store.