Free Tactical Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,885 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 3/21/2025.
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 87. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,665,724 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,522,569 positive reviews and 1,143,155 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 2,522,075 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,495,031 positive reviews and 1,027,044 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 984,627 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 661,400 positive reviews and 323,227 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 66, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 93,681 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 61,867 positive reviews and 31,814 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 |
| Developer | Team Jade |
| 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 1,148,425 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,028,438 positive reviews and 119,987 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. FragPunk
FragPunk is a thrilling 5v5 hero shooter where Shard Cards allow you to break the rules of combat and ensure that no two rounds are ever the same. Get ready to unleash your skills!
FragPunk has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,636 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,944 positive reviews and 7,692 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run FragPunk on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/6/2025 |
| Developer | Bad Guitar Studio |
| Publisher | Bad Guitar Studio |
| Steam App Id | 2943650 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 84,018 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 62,729 positive reviews and 21,289 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 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 34,135 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 32,527 positive reviews and 1,608 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 |
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 223,198 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 172,991 positive reviews and 50,207 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 | 12/7/2023 |
| 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 76, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,468 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 56,157 positive reviews and 17,311 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 757,327 | 8/21/2012 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 293,867 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 77,273 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 37,628 | 12/4/2024 | 66 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 36,251 | 10/10/2007 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 14,902 | 3/6/2025 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 12,666 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 10,911 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 8,970 | 12/7/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,236 | 12/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,783 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,837 | 11/15/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,278 | 6/17/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,424 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,118 | 2/21/2024 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,723 | 4/5/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,582 | 4/28/2021 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,453 | 1/27/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,069 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,185 | 2/19/2020 | 79 | 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, March 21). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 21). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 25). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 21). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 23). FragPunk on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 25). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 25). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). THE FINALS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 24). STALCRAFT: X on Steam. Steam Store.