Free Tactical Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,585 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 1/15/2025.
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 8,489,822 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,376,044 positive reviews and 1,113,778 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 2,488,820 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,470,494 positive reviews and 1,018,326 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. 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 #3 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,905 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,498 positive reviews and 18,407 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 |
4. 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 #4 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 975,295 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 657,054 positive reviews and 318,241 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 |
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 1,136,980 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,013,924 positive reviews and 123,056 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. 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 #6 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 68,800 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 52,771 positive reviews and 16,029 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).
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 80,321 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 60,311 positive reviews and 20,010 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 31,131 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,679 positive reviews and 1,452 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 215,150 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 166,199 positive reviews and 48,951 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. 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 #10 spot for the best free Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,942 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,174 positive reviews and 12,768 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 |
More Free Tactical Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Tactical games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,105,679 | 8/21/2012 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 329,688 | 12/21/2017 | 59 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 79,784 | 12/4/2024 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 68,406 | 11/5/2020 | 67 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 59,547 | 10/10/2007 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 20,642 | 12/9/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 18,291 | 1/19/2022 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 15,133 | 3/21/2022 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 13,017 | 12/7/2023 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 10,041 | 7/20/2023 | 79 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,117 | 11/15/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,794 | 1/27/2023 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6,782 | 4/28/2021 | 83 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,971 | 5/23/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,601 | 6/17/2023 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,191 | 2/23/2024 | 80 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,888 | 2/21/2024 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,761 | 4/6/2020 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,733 | 11/20/2024 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,471 | 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 15). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 15). Counter-Strike 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 9). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Delta Force on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 10). Apex Legends™ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 15). STALCRAFT: X on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 15). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 7). OBS Studio on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). THE FINALS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Eternal Return on Steam. Steam Store.