Free Difficult Games on Steam

Steam currently has 7,557 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 4/1/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

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 8,682,488 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,536,237 positive reviews and 1,146,251 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).

Release Date 8/21/2012
Franchise Valve
Developers
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 730

2. 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 banner

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,525,853 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,497,713 positive reviews and 1,028,140 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

3. 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 banner

Dota 2 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,462,939 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,008,204 positive reviews and 454,735 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).

Release Date 7/9/2013
Franchise Dota
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 570

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 banner

Banana has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 87,966 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 72,632 positive reviews and 15,334 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.

5. 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 banner

tModLoader has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 305,114 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 296,284 positive reviews and 8,830 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).

Release Date 5/16/2020
Developer TML Team
Publishers
Steam App Id 1281930

6. Blender

Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. Free to use for everyone, for any purpose.

Blender banner

Blender has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 70,078 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,519 positive reviews and 2,559 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

7. 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 banner

Albion Online has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 81,369 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,277 positive reviews and 17,092 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

8. 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 banner

Aimlabs has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,817 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 113,439 positive reviews and 9,378 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

9. SCP: Secret Laboratory

Deep within a secure underground facility, a sudden containment breach allows many of the secured anomalies to escape from their chambers. Assist the Foundation in re-securing the facility, help the Insurgency in their goal to capture it, or wreak havoc as an SCP in a frantic bid to escape.

SCP: Secret Laboratory banner

SCP: Secret Laboratory has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 210,796 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,824 positive reviews and 17,972 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 SCP: Secret Laboratory on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 12/29/2017
Developer Northwood Studios
Publisher Northwood Studios
Steam App Id 700330

10. TRIBE NINE

Defy the madness. Brutal Action RPG "TRIBE NINE" Set in the nation of Neo Tokyo, where absolute madness rules. Here, teens face life-or-death battles, constantly resisting the harsh and unjust world—all in pursuit of reclaiming their lost freedom and dreams.

TRIBE NINE banner

TRIBE NINE has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,690 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,817 positive reviews and 873 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 TRIBE NINE on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 2/19/2025
Developer Akatsuki Games Inc.
Publisher Akatsuki Games Inc.
Steam App Id 2376580

More Free Difficult Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Difficult games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Counter-Strike 2 steam charts
1,703,103
8/21/2012
86
Free
Steam Charts
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS steam charts
832,633
12/21/2017
59
Free
Steam Charts
Dota 2 steam charts
503,394
7/9/2013
81
Free
Steam Charts
Banana steam charts
115,439
4/23/2024
82
Free
Steam Charts
tModLoader steam charts
37,340
5/16/2020
96
Free
Steam Charts
Blender steam charts
12,114
4/24/2015
95
Free
Steam Charts
Albion Online steam charts
10,375
5/16/2018
78
Free
Steam Charts
Aimlabs steam charts
7,277
6/17/2023
91
Free
Steam Charts
SCP: Secret Laboratory steam charts
5,212
12/29/2017
90
Free
Steam Charts
TRIBE NINE steam charts
1,371
2/19/2025
74
Free
Steam Charts
Godot Engine steam charts
1,220
2/23/2016
82
Free
Steam Charts
Realm of the Mad God Exalt steam charts
1,077
2/20/2012
82
Free
Steam Charts
Source Filmmaker steam charts
842
7/10/2012
91
Free
Steam Charts
Bloons TD Battles 2 steam charts
512
11/30/2021
83
Free
Steam Charts
RaceRoom Racing Experience steam charts
508
2/12/2013
74
Free
Steam Charts
Warspear Online steam charts
221
11/2/2017
71
Free
Steam Charts
TrackMania Nations Forever steam charts
214
4/16/2008
88
Free
Steam Charts
Bloons TD Battles steam charts
212
4/20/2016
89
Free
Steam Charts
War Planet Online: Global Conquest steam charts
190
12/19/2017
62
Free
Steam Charts
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game steam charts
163
5/19/2020
84
Free
Steam Charts
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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, April 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Banana on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Blender on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Albion Online on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Aimlabs on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). SCP: Secret Laboratory on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 30). TRIBE NINE on Steam. Steam Store.

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