10 Best Free-to-Play Games on Steam (July 2024)

If you're trying to save money but still want to dive into new gaming experiences, Steam is your best bet. With over 4,000 free-to-play games in its library, you may never need to spend money on a game again. Nevertheless, sifting through all those titles can be overwhelming, especially if you're looking for a specific type of game. So instead, save yourself some time and check out our recommendations for the best free-to-play games on Steam this month.

10. Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is a thrilling first-person shooter game that offers a rich and immersive experience. Players step into the shoes of Guardians, powerful warriors chosen to protect the last safe city of humanity. The game has a captivating storyline where players can explore different planets, engage in various missions, and uncover hidden secrets. Additionally, the graphics are stunning, providing a visually impressive backdrop for all the action. The gameplay here is intense and varied, featuring both player-versus-environment (PvE) and player-versus-player (PvP) modes. In PvE, players can team up with friends or other players to tackle challenging missions, raids, and events. The cooperative aspect adds depth and strategy, hence, requires teamwork and coordination. PvP, on the other hand, pits players against each other in competitive matches.

9. PUBG: Battlegrounds

PUBG: Battlegrounds is a battle royale game that drops players onto an island where they must fight to be the last person standing. The game starts with players parachuting onto the map, where they must scavenge for weapons, armor, and supplies. The map gradually shrinks, so players are forced into closer encounters, increasing the intensity of the game. The gameplay is strategic and requires quick thinking and careful planning. Players can choose to go solo or team up with friends in duo or squad modes. Here, communication and coordination are key in team modes, as players must work together to outsmart and outgun their opponents. The game offers a variety of maps, each with unique environments and challenges. Plus, each match is different, with random loot spawns and varying player strategies.

8. Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap is a fast and fun collectible card game, winning awards for its great design. Players build a deck of 12 cards, with each card featuring a Marvel superhero or villain, each with unique powers. The goal is to outsmart your opponent, and the game is quick to learn, taking only a few minutes. Matches are short, lasting around three minutes, keeping the action fast. There are over 50 locations from the Marvel Universe to play in, each with special abilities, so every match feels different. You start with a free deck and can earn new cards by playing more.

7. Nightmare Kart

Nightmare Kart is a thrilling vehicular combat racing game set in eerie, gothic streets. Players take on the role of beast hunters, forced into a bizarre local tradition where they must compete in a high-stakes tournament. The races feature 12 unique vehicles made of copper and steam, each offering different abilities and strengths. To succeed, players wield powerful weapons to destroy their rivals and eliminate beasts that roam the streets, raising their top speed. Additionally, performing tricks and drifts generates Æther, which can be used to boost speed. Also, challenging boss encounters must be overcome to uncover the dark secrets behind this nightmarish competition.

6. Summoners War

Summoners War is a popular RPG where players enter the Sky Arena to battle for Mana Crystals. You create strategies using over 1,500 unique monsters, each with special skills. The game includes tactical RPG features like 23 different Rune sets to boost your monsters' abilities. You can decorate your village, battle other summoners, explore dungeons, and fight in PvP matches. In addition, the real-time raids let teams of three players battle powerful bosses together. You can summon and evolve a special monster called the Homunculus to enhance your strategies. The World Arena offers real-time battles against players worldwide with a unique pick-and-ban system.

5. Warframe

Warframe is a fast-paced action game set in a futuristic sci-fi universe where players control powerful warriors called Tenno. In the game, players use melee attacks, firearms, and special abilities to defeat enemies. You can play missions alone or with friends, which makes it more fun. Missions are varied, including tasks like defending points, rescuing hostages, and eliminating targets. The game world is big, with different planets and locations to explore, each offering unique challenges. Warframe's core mechanics involve agile movements, letting players perform acrobatic moves like wall-running and sliding, adding a dynamic twist to combat.

4. The First Descendant

The First Descendant is an exciting third-person looter shooter where players become Descendants, special warriors fighting to save humanity. You can play solo or team up with up to four players to take on giant bosses. The game has fun and strategic boss battles, thrilling gunfights, and lots of loot to collect. To get stronger, players must complete missions and World Missions, where teamwork is very important. In The First Descendant, you protect the Ingris continent from invaders, uncovering the secrets of the Descendants as you go. The game offers a variety of characters, each with their own battle styles and skills. Additionally, you can create your own fighting style using grappling hooks, guns, and unique abilities.

3. Hamster Playground

Hamster Playground is a delightful simulation game where you care for and train adorable hamsters to compete in various fun challenges. First, players can guide their hamsters through mazes and drag races, with the goal of being the first to cross the finish line to earn rewards and tasty treats. Additionally, the game offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing you to compete with friends locally or online. Moreover, you’ll need to develop your hamsters' abilities and skills to face tougher opponents and win races. With simple controls, the game is easy to play, yet it still offers intense competition.

2. Once Human

If you want an exciting multiplayer survival game, Once Human is perfect for you. Set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future, the game introduces an alien entity called Stardust, which affects humans, animals, plants, and the environment. As a Meta-Human, you must use the power of Stardust to survive. You can face the challenges alone or team up with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, and compete for resources. Survival is tough; you must find food and clean water while avoiding monsters. And besides surviving, you must battle various enemies and big bosses from other dimensions to get powerful items.

1. Enlisted

The final game on our list, Enlisted, is an MMO squad-based shooter that brings World War II battles to life. In Enlisted, you command an entire squad instead of just one soldier. If a soldier in your squad falls, you can switch to another and keep fighting. The game features battlefronts from around the world, like the Pacific islands, Normandy, Berlin, Moscow, Stalingrad, and Tunisia. You can fight for the USA, USSR, Germany, or Japan, with each having unique weapons, vehicles, and uniforms. The game includes over 350 types of military equipment, such as tanks, armored cars, and aircraft, making combat varied and exciting.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? What do you think are the best free-to-play games on Steam? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!