Free Tactical Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,579 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 1/10/2025.
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 8,484,829 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,371,882 positive reviews and 1,112,947 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
Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free. Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.
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 2,488,202 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,469,914 positive reviews and 1,018,288 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 976,449 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 657,922 positive reviews and 318,527 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 70, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 61,011 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 43,349 positive reviews and 17,662 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 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 1,136,701 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,013,368 positive reviews and 123,333 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 80,219 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 60,247 positive reviews and 19,972 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 31,088 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,639 positive reviews and 1,449 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 79, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 63,790 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,889 positive reviews and 12,901 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. STALCRAFT: X
STALCRAFT: X is the largest online game set in the open world of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Dive into this universe, filled with mutants and anomalies alone or with friends — unforgettable experiences are guaranteed!
STALCRAFT: X has achieved a Player Score of 76, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 68,947 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 53,031 positive reviews and 15,916 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).
10. World of Warships
Immerse yourself in thrilling naval battles and assemble an armada of over 600 ships from the first half of the 20th century — from stealthy destroyers to gigantic battleships. Change the look of your ship, choose upgrades to suit your play style, and go into battle with other players!
World of Warships has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 145,383 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 112,506 positive reviews and 32,877 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 World of Warships on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/15/2017 |
| Franchise | Wargaming Group Ltd. |
| Developer | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Publisher | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Steam App Id | 552990 |
More Free Tactical Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Tactical games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 767,789 | 8/21/2012 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 316,149 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 68,331 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 54,476 | 12/4/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 43,054 | 10/10/2007 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 15,752 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 11,558 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 10,235 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 9,863 | 12/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 7,207 | 11/15/2017 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,119 | 12/7/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,251 | 6/17/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,868 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,462 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,386 | 4/28/2021 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,212 | 2/21/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,957 | 1/27/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,691 | 8/22/2024 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,786 | 4/5/2021 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,403 | 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, January 10). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 9). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 7). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 11). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 8). STALCRAFT: X on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 8). World of Warships on Steam. Steam Store.