Free Shoot 'Em Up Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,836 Shoot 'Em Up 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 Shoot 'Em Up game rankings were last updated on 11/16/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best shoot 'em up games on Steam
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- Best shoot 'em up Steam games for Mac OS
- Best shoot 'em up Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Sven Co-op
Sven Co-op is a co-operative game originally based around Valve Software's Half-Life. In this game players must work together against computer controlled enemies and solve puzzles as a team.
Sven Co-op holds the #1 spot for "best free Shoot 'Em Up game on Steam" with a Player Score of 92. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 31,795 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,763 positive reviews and 2,032 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 Sven Co-op on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 1/22/2016 |
| Developer | Sven Co-op team |
| Publisher | Sven Co-op team |
| Steam App Id | 225840 |
2. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere!
Metal Slug: Awakening has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,413 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,305 positive reviews and 1,108 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 Metal Slug: Awakening on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 7/19/2024 |
| Developer | Tencent |
| Publisher | HaoPlay Limited |
| Steam App Id | 2963870 |
3. Graalonline Era
Era is a modern 2D action MMO RPG. Purchase weapons and work with a gang to compete in activities such as special events, base capturing and PvP battles in the Spar Complex, or start your own gang and chart your own path!
Graalonline Era has achieved a Player Score of 65, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 639 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 433 positive reviews and 206 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Graalonline Era on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/17/2024 |
| Developer | GraalOnline |
| Publisher | Toonslab |
| Steam App Id | 2358050 |
4. Chicken Invaders Universe
A deliciously addictive core of finger-blistering shooting action, surrounded by delectable morsels of galactic exploration, spacecraft customization, and community competitions.
Chicken Invaders Universe has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,630 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,305 positive reviews and 325 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 Chicken Invaders Universe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/15/2022 |
| Franchise | InterAction studios |
| Developer | InterAction studios |
| Publisher | InterAction studios |
| Steam App Id | 1510460 |
5. The Braves
Demolish hordes of enemies and survive against all odds! Unlock different characters, find powerful skill combinations and embark on an exciting journey through the variety of very different worlds in this cute but unforgiving roguelike game!
The Braves has achieved a Player Score of 70, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,926 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,383 positive reviews and 543 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 The Braves on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 5/3/2024 |
| Franchise | 101XP |
| Developer | 101XP GAME STUDIOS |
| Publisher | 101XP |
| Steam App Id | 2479830 |
6. Zombie Gunship Survival
The Apocalypse came and went. All we have left is our will to survive, the endless hordes of zombies, and enough bullets to rip them all to shreds.
Zombie Gunship Survival has achieved a Player Score of 50, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,101 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,043 positive reviews and 1,058 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Zombie Gunship Survival on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/22/2021 |
| Developer | Flaregames |
| Publisher | Flaregames |
| Steam App Id | 1597480 |
7. Star Lusts
StarLusts is a bullet hell-style shoot ‘em up game which fuses sci-fi, mecha, and anthropomorphic themes. Players become Captains of an Earth Federation ship, leading mecha Cadettes through space to battle alien threats and capture ancient beauties called Mimics.
Star Lusts has achieved a Player Score of 62, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 177 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115 positive reviews and 62 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Star Lusts on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
8. 瘟疫清零计划 Project Zero
这是一款3D俯视角的Roguelike射击游戏。 通过选择不同的天赋，玩家将Build出一个超强幸存者。 从而可以更好地击杀丧尸，并且活下来。 最终，玩家将会背负结束这场瘟疫的使命，为“清零”而战吧！
瘟疫清零计划 Project Zero has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,626 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,365 positive reviews and 261 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 | 9/11/2022 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2088250 |
9. All-Time Battle
Locked in a stalemate war scientist come up with a new plan. Rather then battle over places of land battle over places of when and disrupt the future.
All-Time Battle has achieved a Player Score of 45, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 40 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17 positive reviews and 23 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 | 10/24/2020 |
| Franchise | Broken Bunny Studios |
| Developer | Broken Bunny Studios, Inc |
| Publisher | Broken Bunny Studios, Inc |
| Steam App Id | 1427640 |
10. Capcom Arcade Stadium
Relive the Capcom classics! Get 1943 -The Battle of Midway- and game logo wallpapers free with your download!
Capcom Arcade Stadium has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Shoot 'Em Up games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,572 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,497 positive reviews and 2,075 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $59.99 |
| Release Date | 5/24/2021 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 1515950 |
More Free Shoot 'Em Up Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Shoot 'Em Up games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 295 | 1/22/2016 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 180 | 7/19/2024 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 89 | 2/17/2024 | 65 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 64 | 12/15/2022 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 61 | 5/3/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 58 | 9/22/2021 | 50 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 27 | 7/28/2025 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 19 | 9/11/2022 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16 | 10/24/2020 | 45 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 16 | 5/24/2021 | 54 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 9/26/2025 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 2/20/2024 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 12/4/2009 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 3/1/2024 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 9/21/2023 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 2/27/2018 | 53 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 3/3/2025 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | 4/12/2024 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 5/12/2025 | 53 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 3/6/2022 | 82 | 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 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 16). Sven Co-op on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). Metal Slug: Awakening on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 6). Graalonline Era on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 15). Chicken Invaders Universe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 15). The Braves on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 14). Zombie Gunship Survival on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 16). Star Lusts on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 5). 瘟疫清零计划 Project Zero on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 12). All-Time Battle on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 3). Capcom Arcade Stadium on Steam. Steam Store.