Free Tactical Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,100 Tactical 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 Tactical game rankings were last updated on 5/9/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best tactical games on Steam
- Best tactical Steam Deck games
- Best tactical Steam games for Mac OS
- Best tactical Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
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 holds the #1 spot for "best free Tactical game on Steam" with a Player Score of 86. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,764,732 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,602,398 positive reviews and 1,162,334 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).
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 has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,545,119 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,511,570 positive reviews and 1,033,549 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. Apex Legends™
Apex Legends is the award-winning, free-to-play Hero Shooter from Respawn Entertainment. Master an ever-growing roster of legendary characters with powerful abilities, and experience strategic squad play and innovative gameplay in the next evolution of Hero Shooter and Battle Royale.
Apex Legends™ has achieved a Player Score of 67, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 991,184 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 665,478 positive reviews and 325,706 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 Apex Legends™ on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 11/5/2020 |
| Franchise | Apex Legends Official |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1172470 |
4. Delta Force
Delta Force, a free-to-play 1st-person tactical shooter, returns as the latest in the classic series. With 25 years defining the genre, Delta Force is back with an upgraded arsenal of weaponry, jaw-dropping environments, and a truly dynamic world.
Delta Force has achieved a Player Score of 64, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 106,319 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 68,440 positive reviews and 37,879 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 Delta Force on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/4/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | TiMi Studio Group |
| Steam App Id | 2507950 |
5. Team Fortress 2
Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities. Constantly updated with new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats!
Team Fortress 2 has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,155,022 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,036,740 positive reviews and 118,282 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 Team Fortress 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
6. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is the ultimate free-to-play cross-platform strategy card game with fast-paced Duels, stunning HD graphics and a new, dynamic soundtrack! Get ready to challenge Duelists around the world!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,855 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,824 positive reviews and 22,031 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" 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.
| Release Date | 1/19/2022 |
| Franchise | Yu-Gi-Oh! |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1449850 |
7. OBS Studio
Free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming
OBS Studio has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,952 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,251 positive reviews and 1,701 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run OBS Studio on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/21/2022 |
| Developer | OBS Project |
| Publisher | OBS Project |
| Steam App Id | 1905180 |
8. Eternal Return
Eternal Return is a free-to-play, 2.5D perspective Battle Royale game. Search, Craft, Hunt, and Fight using a variety of characters. Plan your strategy and become the last survivor on this eternal experiment.
Eternal Return has achieved a Player Score of 78, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 64,667 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 51,439 positive reviews and 13,228 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 Eternal Return on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/20/2023 |
| Developer | Nimble Neuron |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1049590 |
9. THE FINALS
Join THE FINALS, the world-famous, free-to-play, combat-centered game show! Fight alongside your teammates in virtual arenas that you can alter, exploit, and even destroy. Build your own playstyle in this first-person shooter to win escalating tournaments and lasting fame.
THE FINALS has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 228,609 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 177,661 positive reviews and 50,948 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 THE FINALS on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/8/2023 |
| Developer | Embark Studios |
| Publisher | Embark Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2073850 |
10. STALCRAFT: X
STALCRAFT: X is the largest open-world online game in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Explore the world full of mutants and anomalies alone or with friends — unforgettable emotions guaranteed.
STALCRAFT: X has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 76,248 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 58,063 positive reviews and 18,185 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 STALCRAFT: X on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Free Tactical Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Tactical games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,137,533 | 8/21/2012 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 381,956 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 164,570 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 103,743 | 12/4/2024 | 64 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 42,254 | 10/10/2007 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 23,973 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 18,319 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,035 | 7/20/2023 | 78 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,586 | 12/8/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 11,806 | 12/9/2022 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,510 | 11/15/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,050 | 6/17/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,145 | 4/29/2021 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,924 | 3/6/2025 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,526 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,998 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,954 | 1/26/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,596 | 2/21/2024 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,971 | 4/5/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,700 | 4/4/2018 | 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, May 9). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 9). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 7). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 9). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 10). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 8). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 8). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 10). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 6). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 9). THE FINALS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, May 7). STALCRAFT: X on Steam. Steam Store.