Free Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam
Steam currently has 487 Real-Time with Pause 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 Real-Time with Pause game rankings were last updated on 11/26/2025.
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- Best real-time with pause games on Steam
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1. Crusader Kings II
Explore one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.
Crusader Kings II holds the #1 spot for "best free Real-Time with Pause game on Steam" with a Player Score of 89. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,091 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,191 positive reviews and 6,900 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 Crusader Kings II on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/14/2012 |
| Franchise | Crusader Kings Official |
| Developer | Paradox Development Studio |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 203770 |
2. Chronigma
Master time in this story-rich time-bending puzzle game. You travel back in time to be in two places at once, to solve puzzles impossible to complete alone. Your success hinges on your ability to collaborate with yourself. Can you learn to manipulate time to save humanity?
Chronigma has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 46 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "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.
3. Command Ops 2 Core Game
Command Ops 2 is a wargame engine that lets you assess, plan, order and react at the operational level just like a real Corps, Division and Brigade commander. What sets Command Ops 2 apart from the competition is the most advanced and realistic model of command decision-making.
Command Ops 2 Core Game has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 401 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 334 positive reviews and 67 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 | 2/15/2017 |
| Franchise | Lock 'n Load Publishing |
| Developer | Panther Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 521800 |
4. Day of Defeat: Source Press Review
Day of Defeat: Source Press Review has achieved a Player Score of 0, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 0 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 0 positive reviews and 0 negative reviews — making it "No user reviews" on Steam.
It is not available to play on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam App Id | 304 |
5. DSS war party
A real-time grand strategy game set in a low fantasy world. Recruit vast armies to conquer the world. Dominate through strategic resource management and production chains.
DSS war party has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 92 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 85 positive reviews and 7 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 DSS war party on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 6/19/2024 |
| Developer | vikingfabian |
| Publisher | vikingfabian |
| Steam App Id | 1223150 |
6. Starship Theory
Starship Theory is a ship building survival game. Mine and trade to gather resources. Plan and construct new upgrades. Train and manage crew. Fight to survive.
Starship Theory has achieved a Player Score of 50, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,098 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 550 positive reviews and 548 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 7/5/2017 |
| Developer | Reconnect Software |
| Publisher | Reconnect Software |
| Steam App Id | 574760 |
7. Everyone Dies
[Great time killer game] People have never been so close to extinction, and all because of one mistake of nature. A dove a symbol of peace, love, purity, hope? Not in 2027.
Everyone Dies has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 157 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 122 positive reviews and 35 negative reviews — making it "Mostly 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 | 1/3/2020 |
| Developer | JPEG OF PAIN GAMES |
| Publisher | JPEG OF PAIN |
| Steam App Id | 1203560 |
8. Subtension
Outfit, crew and command your submarine to save what's left of humanity beneath the seas of a ruined earth. Man your sub's systems and take aim in this real-time strategy epic! Inspired by FTL, this subnautic student project serves as our first 2-semester release.
Subtension has achieved a Player Score of 67, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9 positive reviews and 2 negative reviews — making it "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 | 3/28/2023 |
| Developer | WolverineSoft Studio |
| Publisher | WolverineSoft |
| Steam App Id | 2251660 |
9. Gutasaga
Gutasaga - 2D Strategy RPG pre-viking era game. Immerse yourself in the 550 - 600 AD saga. Be the Viking who opened trade routes with Constantinople. Encounter over 40 nations with unique cultures on your journey. Succeed in trading 205 historically recreated goods. Or try raids and piracy.
Gutasaga has achieved a Player Score of 61, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15 positive reviews and 7 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 Gutasaga on the Steam Deck.
10. Small Kingdoms Prologue
Rule a small fantasy kingdom and conquer your rival as you build up your cities and armies on the world map and command your troops on the battlefield. Small Kingdoms is a streamlined grand strategy and real-time strategy game, the Small Kingdoms Prologue is a free introductory campaign
Small Kingdoms Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 64, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21 positive reviews and 8 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 Small Kingdoms Prologue on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/28/2023 |
| Developer | Bad Logic Studios |
| Publisher | Bad Logic Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2533030 |
More Free Real-Time with Pause Games
Explore even more rankings for the 12 best free Real-Time with Pause games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 939 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 11/25/2025 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 2/15/2017 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 1/1/2019 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 6/19/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2 | 7/5/2017 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 1/3/2020 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 3/28/2023 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 11/6/2023 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 8/28/2023 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 3/25/2019 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/4/2024 | 57 | 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 26). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Crusader Kings II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 22). Chronigma on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 26). Command Ops 2 Core Game on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Day of Defeat: Source Press Review on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 13). DSS war party on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 17). Starship Theory on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 12). Everyone Dies on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, September 28). Subtension on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 5). Gutasaga on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 1). Small Kingdoms Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.