Best Early Access Games on Steam

Steam currently has 10,466 Early Access games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Early Access game rankings were last updated on 11/30/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Vampire Survivors

Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you.

Vampire Survivors banner

Vampire Survivors holds the #1 spot for "best Early Access game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 241,637 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 238,008 positive reviews and 3,629 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $3.74 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $3.74
Release Date 10/20/2022
Developer poncle
Publisher poncle
Steam App Id 1794680

2. Wallpaper Engine

Use stunning live wallpapers on your desktop. Animate your own images to create new wallpapers or import videos/websites and share them on the Steam Workshop!

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Wallpaper Engine has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 841,066 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 824,578 positive reviews and 16,488 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $3.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Wallpaper Engine on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $3.99
Release Date 11/16/2018
Developer Wallpaper Engine Team
Publisher Wallpaper Engine Team
Steam App Id 431960

3. Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher is the tale of Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth on the ‘Far, Far Range’ where she tries her hand at making a living wrangling slimes.

Slime Rancher banner

Slime Rancher has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 127,091 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 124,462 positive reviews and 2,629 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Slime Rancher on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $1.99
Release Date 8/1/2017
Franchise Monomi Park
Developer Monomi Park
Publisher Monomi Park
Steam App Id 433340

4. ULTRAKILL

ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.

ULTRAKILL banner

ULTRAKILL has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 135,698 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 132,802 positive reviews and 2,896 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $18.74 to play and 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 $18.74
Release Date 9/3/2020
Franchise New Blood Interactive
Developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala
Publisher New Blood Interactive
Steam App Id 1229490

5. Lethal Company

A co-op horror about scavenging at abandoned moons to sell scrap to the Company.

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Lethal Company has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 452,395 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 440,178 positive reviews and 12,217 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Lethal Company on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 10/23/2023
Developer Zeekerss
Publisher Zeekerss
Steam App Id 1966720

6. BeamNG.drive

A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.

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BeamNG.drive has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 285,890 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 278,432 positive reviews and 7,458 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play BeamNG.drive on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 5/29/2015
Developer BeamNG
Publisher BeamNG
Steam App Id 284160

7. Dyson Sphere Program

Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.

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Dyson Sphere Program has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 82,364 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 80,447 positive reviews and 1,917 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $15.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dyson Sphere Program on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $15.99
Release Date 1/21/2021
Developer Youthcat Studio
Publisher Gamera Games
Steam App Id 1366540

8. Rhythm Doctor

Save patients with your rhythm mastery! Rhythm Doctor is a rhythm game where you heal patients by defibrillating in time to their heartbeats. Learn each patient's unique heartbeat and defeat boss viruses trying to sabotage your rhythm, all set to heart-pumping, soul-soothing music.

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Rhythm Doctor has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,165 positive reviews and 322 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.39 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.39
Release Date 2/26/2021
Franchise 7th Beat Games
Developer 7th Beat Games
Publishers
Steam App Id 774181

9. Subnautica

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.

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Subnautica has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 291,390 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 282,492 positive reviews and 8,898 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.89 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $9.89
Release Date 1/23/2018
Franchise Unknown Worlds
Developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Publisher Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Steam App Id 264710

10. Satisfactory

Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!

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Satisfactory has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Early Access games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 207,409 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 201,211 positive reviews and 6,198 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $31.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Satisfactory on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $31.99
Release Date 9/10/2024
Franchise Coffee Stain
Developer Coffee Stain Studios
Publisher Coffee Stain Publishing
Steam App Id 526870

More Early Access Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Early Access games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Vampire Survivors steam charts
7,481
10/20/2022
97
$3.74
Steam Charts
Wallpaper Engine steam charts
72,430
11/16/2018
97
$3.99
Steam Charts
Slime Rancher steam charts
9,481
8/1/2017
97
$1.99
Steam Charts
ULTRAKILL steam charts
2,768
9/3/2020
97
$18.74
Steam Charts
Lethal Company steam charts
21,234
10/23/2023
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
BeamNG.drive steam charts
14,629
5/29/2015
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Dyson Sphere Program steam charts
3,982
1/21/2021
96
$15.99
Steam Charts
Rhythm Doctor steam charts
56
2/26/2021
96
$14.39
Steam Charts
Subnautica steam charts
9,711
1/23/2018
96
$9.89
Steam Charts
Satisfactory steam charts
27,886
9/10/2024
96
$31.99
Steam Charts
DAVE THE DIVER steam charts
4,994
6/28/2023
96
$13.99
Steam Charts
Crab Champions steam charts
996
4/1/2023
96
$7.49
Steam Charts
TCG Card Shop Simulator steam charts
7,917
9/15/2024
95
$12.99
Steam Charts
SANABI steam charts
173
11/8/2023
95
$9.74
Steam Charts
Ravenfield steam charts
1,014
5/18/2017
95
$11.87
Steam Charts
shapez 2 steam charts
1,169
8/15/2024
95
$18.74
Steam Charts
Wobbledogs steam charts
172
3/15/2022
95
$19.99
Steam Charts
Phasmophobia steam charts
28,208
9/18/2020
95
$15.99
Steam Charts
Blade and Sorcery steam charts
903
6/17/2024
95
$29.99
Steam Charts
Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades steam charts
422
4/5/2016
95
$19.99
Steam Charts
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Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews 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. (2024, November 30). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Vampire Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). Wallpaper Engine on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). ULTRAKILL on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 10). Lethal Company on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). BeamNG.drive on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Dyson Sphere Program on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 1). Rhythm Doctor on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Subnautica on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 1). Satisfactory on Steam. Steam Store.

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