Free Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam
Steam currently has 400 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 10/16/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time with pause games on Steam
- Best real-time with pause Steam Deck games
- Best real-time with pause Steam games for Mac OS
- Best real-time with pause Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
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 72,048 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,266 positive reviews and 6,782 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. Tribe XR | DJ Academy
Become a DJ: Learn to DJ on Pioneer DJ equipment. Join daily workshops. Connect with community. Level up your skills. Perform to the world. Start your FREE 7 DAY TRIAL today. Access all the premium content.
Tribe XR | DJ Academy has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 277 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 231 positive reviews and 46 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 Tribe XR | DJ Academy on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/25/2019 |
| Developer | TribeXR Inc. |
| Publisher | TribeXR Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 877850 |
3. 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 69, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8 positive reviews and 1 negative reviews — making it "9 user reviews" 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 |
4. 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 58, placing it in the #4 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 14 positive reviews and 8 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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 |
5. 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 58, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12 positive reviews and 7 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.
6. 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 71, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 144 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 111 positive reviews and 33 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,073 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 533 positive reviews and 540 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 |
8. 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 80, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 56 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 52 positive reviews and 4 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 | 6/19/2024 |
| Developer | vikingfabian |
| Publisher | vikingfabian |
| Steam App Id | 1223150 |
9. Day of Defeat: Source Press Review
Day of Defeat: Source Press Review has achieved a Player Score of 0, placing it in the #9 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 |
10. There's no dragon !
Alone on a plot of land with a few resources and a single building, your civilization will begin here. Exploit resources, explore and conquer other regions, develop technologies, and fend off relentless barbarian attacks. Everything is manageable: they don't have a dragon!
There's no dragon ! has achieved a Player Score of 62, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6 positive reviews and 2 negative reviews — making it "8 user reviews" 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 | 7/4/2024 |
| Developer | Objectif 3D |
| Publisher | Objectif 3D |
| Steam App Id | 2981050 |
More Free Real-Time with Pause Games
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best free Real-Time with Pause games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,871 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 3/25/2019 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 3/28/2023 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 8/28/2023 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 11/6/2023 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 1/3/2020 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 7/5/2017 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 6/19/2024 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/1/2019 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 7/4/2024 | 62 | 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. (2024, October 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Crusader Kings II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 1). Tribe XR | DJ Academy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 8). Subtension on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Small Kingdoms Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 8). Gutasaga on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 8). Everyone Dies on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 15). Starship Theory on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). DSS war party on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2023, July 11). Day of Defeat: Source Press Review on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 4). There's no dragon ! on Steam. Steam Store.