If it’s free, it’s for me! We’ve likely all heard that idiom before, but if you’re anything like me, it resonates on a near-cellular level. As a lifelong penny-pincher, I sometimes struggle to splurge even when I need something. These frugalities don’t diminish when it comes to personal hobbies like gaming, either. Retail prices for consumer technology are currently at record highs, and routinely shelling out $80 for AAA titles is simply unsustainable for the average player. Thankfully, free Steam games are becoming increasingly popular.
Before you click ‘Add to Library,’ note that not every free download is a quality one. As digital storefronts like Steam and Nintendo’s eShop are littered with uninspired shovelware, uncomfortably sensual life sims, and AI-generated game art bearing that loathsome yellow tint, we’re here to cut out the middleman and connect you with unique, entertaining, and legitimate titles from independent developers and tiny teams worldwide. Prep your PC and juice that Steam Deck — these new (free!!!) games are available now on Steam.
LAVALAMP
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 2026
GENRE: Walking Simulator
“3D first-person walking simulator with a side of exploration/interaction with the environment. The game tells the story of the Space Lemmings from Space who, after running many experiments with breakfast alphabet and the space-time continuum, got blocked between dimensions (or something).” Find LAVALAMP (and its entrancing soundtrack) on Steam.
Run Coffee Run
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan 9, 2026
GENRE: Action; Adventure
“A fast-paced FPS platformer where staying awake is the challenge. Unlock movement upgrades, explore a compact island, drink coffee to delay sleep, and find the fastest path to escape before you collapse. Also features a corporate office tower full of dogs.” Add Run Coffee Run to your Steam library here.
Le Petit Raccoon
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2026
GENRE: Stealth; Cooking
“Le Petit Raccoon is a stealth cooking game where you must steal food to cook for your hungry guests! Steal food from the grocery store, but don’t get caught! Time is of the essence, and your customers are waiting.” Add Le Petit Raccoon to your Steam library here.
Project Homecoming Heaven
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 2026
GENRE: Simulation; Casual
“Play as a Trauma Cleaner; a housecleaning service that receives requests from bereaving families to clean up rooms and houses left by the deceased.” Players will learn about the deceased and select which sentimental items should be given to their families or kept for your cleaning business. Add Project Homecoming Heaven to your Steam library here.
Project KILLDANCE
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 2026
GENRE: Strategy; Action
“Project KILLDANCE is a Noir tactical action featuring a one-army strategy and instant-death combat. Slowly observe surroundings, choreograph each killing move, leave no survivor, and become the spectral death.” Add Project KILLDANCE to your Steam library here.
Party Party Anxiety!
STEAM RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 2026
GENRE: Strategy; Card Battler
“Step into the shoes of a person battling social anxiety at a prom party. Meet people and play your cards correctly to respond to their conversation. Play the correct cards to establish relationships or play them wrong and everything will become scarier and haunt your social anxiety even more.” Add Party Party Anxiety! to your Steam library here.
