Free Real-Time with Pause Games on Steam
Steam currently has 439 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 4/3/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time with pause games on Steam
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- 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 72,184 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,395 positive reviews and 6,789 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. 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 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 385 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 319 positive reviews and 66 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 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,084 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 540 positive reviews and 544 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 293 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 243 positive reviews and 50 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 |
5. 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 65, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8 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 |
6. 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 81, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 74 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69 positive reviews and 5 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 |
7. 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 59, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13 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.
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 149 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 116 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 |
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 55, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Real-Time with Pause games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6 positive reviews and 4 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 | 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 11 best free Real-Time with Pause games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,014 | 2/14/2012 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 6 | 2/15/2017 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 3 | 7/5/2017 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 3/25/2019 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 3/28/2023 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 6/19/2024 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 11/6/2023 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 1/3/2020 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 1/1/2019 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 7/4/2024 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 8/28/2023 | 60 | 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, April 3). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 3). Crusader Kings II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 9). Command Ops 2 Core Game on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). Starship Theory on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 26). Tribe XR | DJ Academy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 22). Subtension on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 8). DSS war party on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 20). Gutasaga on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). Everyone Dies on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Day of Defeat: Source Press Review on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 17). There's no dragon ! on Steam. Steam Store.