Best Old School games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated old school games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free old school games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Strife: Veteran Edition
Hailed as the original FPS-RPG game that spawned countless imitators, Strife: Veteran Edition is a love letter to the classic from 1996.
Airline Tycoon Deluxe
Airline Tycoon Deluxe is a funny economy simulation proceeding in realtime and assigning you the complete responsibility for an airline.
Lords of Xulima
Lords of Xulima is a challenging Role-playing game set on the mythical continent of Xulima, where Gods and humans once walked side by side. Experience a genuine RPG featuring over 100 hours of gameplay, and discover one of the most epic sagas ever told.
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition revives the classic RPG with fresh updates for modern players. Build a party of Dungeons & Dragons heroes and explore the frozen tundra in this retro fantasy adventure.
Legend of Grimrock 2
Legend of Grimrock 2 is a dungeon crawling role playing game with a modern execution but an oldschool heart. A group of four prisoners have shipwrecked on the secluded Isle of Nex. The island is filled with ancient crumbled ruins, mysterious shrines and a vast underground network of dungeons.
METAL SLUG X
“METAL SLUG X”, one of the most highly praised titles in the series among Metal Slug fans for its refined balance and game volume, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!
Super Win the Game
Throw on your nostalgia goggles and travel back in time with Super Win the Game, a retro-core explosion of exploration and platforming action!!
Gauntlet™ Slayer Edition
The classic Gauntlet 4-player co-op action gameplay returns in a completely new experience! Battle the endless hordes of foes as you and your friends fight for treasure and glory via both local and online co-op multiplayer. Invade the Darkness!
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut
From the producer of the original Fallout comes Wasteland 2. With over 80 hours of gameplay, deck out your Ranger squad with devastating weaponry, test the limits of your strategy skills, and bring justice to the Wasteland! The choices are yours…but so are the consequences.
Quake Live
Experience the most exciting and fast-paced FPS gameplay while competing with players from around the world in over 100 arenas, a dozen game modes, and with persistent career stats tracking, in this online features-focused successor to Quake III Arena.
Reprisal Universe
Reprisal Universe places you in charge of the very elements themselves. Raise and lower land to expand your tribes, harness the power of fire and water. Explore the hidden mysteries of the Universe and gather your people together once again.
Risen 3 - Titan Lords
The world has been abandoned by its gods and is scarred from the rampage of the Titans. Humanity is struggling to regain strength. You, however, have more pressing concerns: your own life has been shattered and you must set off to reclaim what is lost amidst the darkness spreading throughout the world.
Contraption Maker
The spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine from its original designer and programmer. Play 100s of puzzles. Build and share elaborate contraptions with an huge variety of parts and critters.
Z
“Z”, the classic Real Time Strategy Game by the Bitmap Brothers. Fans of this classic strategy title are in for a real treat. Everything is in here from the terrific comedy cut scenes to the frantic game play making this is the definitive version of Z.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.
Lifeless Planet Premier Edition
PREMIER EDITION - While seeking life on a distant planet, an astronaut discovers an abandoned Russian town. He suspects his mission is a hoax until a mysterious young woman saves him from a strange and deadly phenomenon...
Enemy Mind
A retro shooter with a new power: the power to become any ship.Lost in the depths of space, you are a being of pure psychic energy with the uncanny power to take over and control anything you see in order to survive.Built for PC, Enemy Mind lets you battle your way through 70+ waves of challenging enemies.
Splatter - Zombiecalypse Now
You like top-down-shooter with a film-noir singleplayer campaign, challenging fights against zombies and monsters, gory splatter effects and destructible level environments? Fight your way through an apocalyptic city in the single player story mode, and test your skills in the survival mode.
Final Fantasy III (3D Remake)
FINAL FANTASY® III, one of the best-loved games from the epic RPG series, available on Steam.
World of Guns: Gun Disassembly
World of Guns: Gun Disassembly lets you delve into the inner workings of guns from the largest gears to the smallest screws
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein®: The New Order reignites the series that created the first-person shooter genre. Wolfenstein offers a deep game narrative packed with action, adventure and first-person combat.
You Have to Win the Game
You Have to Win the Game is a free exploration platformer with a retro 1980s PC aesthetic.
Most played old school games on Steam
Take a look at the top old school games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Erenshor
Erenshor is a single player nod to the MMORPGs of the past. Partner up with our signature "Simulated Players" to experience all of the joys of open-world MMORPG gameplay on your own schedule and without the time commitments. There are thousands of items, quests, raids, and secrets to discover! Erenshor is a early access, rpg and adventure game developed and published by Burgee Media. Released on April 14th 2025 has received 717 reviews of which 672 were positive and 45 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played old school game, thanks to its 340 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.8
672
45
340
players
2. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft
Play the original three Tomb Raider adventures with all expansions and secret levels in this definitive collection. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a female protagonist, action-adventure and action game developed by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics and published by Aspyr. Released on February 13th 2024 has received 6,726 reviews of which 6,027 were positive and 699 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 193 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among old school games based on player count.
8.7
6,027
699
193
players
3. FlyKnight
Explore, fight, loot and fish! Solo or in co-op mode in this Old School First Person Dungeon Crawler. Earn your knighthood as you oppose the evil witch Lunamoth and stop her curse which prevents everyone from growing wings. FlyKnight is a dungeon crawler, first-person and souls-like game developed and published by Wabbaboy. Released on January 31st 2025 has received 7,747 reviews of which 7,488 were positive and 259 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played old school games.
9.4
7,488
259
97
players
4. Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Dransik. Dransik has been besieged by the sinister forces of Talazar, preying on mortals. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, defeat powerful bosses, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market. Play YOUR way! Ashen Empires is a rpg, mmorpg and old school game developed and published by Iron Will Games and LLC. Released on September 02nd 2022 has received 396 reviews of which 301 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played old school games.
7.2
301
95
90
players
5. Friends vs Friends
A frantic, online PvP shooter that combines combat and deck building. Choose a character, customize your card-based loadout, and get ready for the fights of your life! Friends vs Friends is a card game, action and old school game developed by Brainwash Gang and published by Raw Fury. Released on May 30th 2023 has received 13,170 reviews of which 10,954 were positive and 2,216 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played old school games.
8.1
10,954
2,216
78
players
6. Munchkin Digital
Kill the monsters & grab the loot in the classic card game! Munchkin Digital is a dragons, funny and old school game developed and published by Dire Wolf. Released on March 09th 2023 has received 1,301 reviews of which 974 were positive and 327 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played old school games.
7.2
974
327
35
players
7. Amanda the Adventurer
Join Amanda and her pal Wooly on a series of adventures as they explore and learn about our wonderful world! With several NEW play-along, laugh-along, learn-along episodes there's always fun to be had! Just make sure to do everything Amanda says or she might get angry. Amanda the Adventurer is a horror, first-person and puzzle game developed by MANGLEDmaw Games and published by DreadXP. Released on April 25th 2023 has received 6,254 reviews of which 5,869 were positive and 385 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played old school games.
9.1
5,869
385
31
players
8. STAR WARS™: Dark Forces Remaster
The evil Empire is currently creating a doomsday army behind a veil of secrecy. However, they are no match for the Rebel Alliance's covert operations division. Your mission is to infiltrate the Empire and put an end to their plans for terror and domination. STAR WARS™: Dark Forces Remaster is a action, fps and shooter game developed by Nightdive Studios and LucasArts and published by Nightdive Studios. Released on February 28th 2024 has received 1,176 reviews of which 1,061 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played old school games.
8.5
1,061
115
25
players
9. projectM Music Visualizer
Experience psychedelic and mesmerizing visuals by transforming music into equations that render into a limitless array of user-contributed visualizations. projectM Music Visualizer is a colorful, simulation and music game developed and published by projectM. Released on July 26th 2020 has received 386 reviews of which 369 were positive and 17 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played old school games.
8.8
369
17
21
players
10. Moonring
A dark-fantasy, turn-based, retro-fusion of classic turn-based RPGs and roguelikes, all presented with a unique neon aesthetic. Moonring is a rpg, retro and medieval game developed and published by Fluttermind and LLC. Released on September 28th 2023 has received 2,064 reviews of which 1,986 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played old school games.
9.2
1,986
78
19
players
Best deals on old school games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of old school games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted old school games.
1. Cavern of Dreams
Embark on a magical quest as Fynn the dragon to rescue your unhatched siblings from the mysterious Cavern of Dreams in this N64-style 3D platformer. Gain new abilities, meet unique characters, solve puzzles, and beware of the mysterious villain. Cavern of Dreams is a old school, 3d platformer and cute game developed by Bynine Studio and published by Super Rare Originals. Released on October 19th 2023 has received 1,118 reviews of which 1,050 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 92% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for old school category.
8.9
1,050
68
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
2. Amanda the Adventurer
Join Amanda and her pal Wooly on a series of adventures as they explore and learn about our wonderful world! With several NEW play-along, laugh-along, learn-along episodes there's always fun to be had! Just make sure to do everything Amanda says or she might get angry. Amanda the Adventurer is a horror, first-person and puzzle game developed by MANGLEDmaw Games and published by DreadXP. Released on April 25th 2023 has received 6,254 reviews of which 5,869 were positive and 385 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 89% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in old school games.
9.1
5,869
385
-89%
9.09€
1.00€
3. Time Loader
Time Loader is a story-driven puzzle-platformer with tiny robots, alternate realities, nostalgic music, and primitive tech from the 90s! Time Loader is a logic, story rich and investigation game developed by Flazm and published by META Publishing. Released on November 03rd 2021 has received 471 reviews of which 394 were positive and 77 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 87% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in old school games.
7.8
394
77
-87%
7.69€
1.00€
4. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft
Play the original three Tomb Raider adventures with all expansions and secret levels in this definitive collection. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a female protagonist, action-adventure and action game developed by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics and published by Aspyr. Released on February 13th 2024 has received 6,726 reviews of which 6,027 were positive and 699 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for old school games.
8.7
6,027
699
-84%
28.31€
4.53€
5. Friends vs Friends
A frantic, online PvP shooter that combines combat and deck building. Choose a character, customize your card-based loadout, and get ready for the fights of your life! Friends vs Friends is a card game, action and old school game developed by Brainwash Gang and published by Raw Fury. Released on May 30th 2023 has received 13,170 reviews of which 10,954 were positive and 2,216 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for old school games.
8.1
10,954
2,216
-80%
9.90€
1.98€
6. Ion Fury
3D Realms, creators of Duke Nukem 3D, Prey, and Max Payne, are excited to team up with Voidpoint to bring back the legendary Build Engine, famously known for classic first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, and Blood. Ion Fury is the real deal! Ion Fury is a boomer shooter, fps and retro game developed by Voidpoint and LLC and published by 3D Realms. Released on August 15th 2019 has received 7,689 reviews of which 6,998 were positive and 691 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for old school games.
8.8
6,998
691
-70%
25.00€
7.50€
7. Praetorians - HD Remaster
Relive the celebrated real-time strategy classic Praetorians, re-imagined in high definition. Praetorians is set amidst the political machinations of an emerging Roman Empire. Praetorians - HD Remaster is a strategy, rts and old school game developed by Torus Games and Pyro Studios and published by Kalypso Media. Released on January 24th 2020 has received 974 reviews of which 891 were positive and 83 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 68% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for old school games.
8.6
891
83
-68%
20.19€
6.46€
8. Munchkin Digital
Kill the monsters & grab the loot in the classic card game! Munchkin Digital is a dragons, funny and old school game developed and published by Dire Wolf. Released on March 09th 2023 has received 1,301 reviews of which 974 were positive and 327 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 63% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for old school games.
7.2
974
327
-63%
12.43€
4.60€
9. Chasm: The Rift
Prepare for terror in this ground-breaking classic old-school FPS. Following the destruction of Time you are left to battle in this horrific hellhole of multilevel interconnected missions populated by gruesome grotesque creatures. Chasm: The Rift is a fps, retro and shooter game developed by Action Forms and General Arcade and published by SNEG. Released on October 10th 2022 has received 386 reviews of which 330 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for old school games.
8.0
330
56
-50%
19.99€
9.99€
10. Phantom Fury
Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison is back in this highly interactive mix of first person action and road movie adventure. Embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey around the USA. Use an enormous arsenal of weapons and skills to battle treacherous soldiers and vile mutants, all while trying to save mankind. Phantom Fury is a action, fps and old school game developed by Slipgate Ironworks™ and published by 3D Realms. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 682 reviews of which 424 were positive and 258 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for old school games.
6.1
424
258
-50%
24.99€
12.49€
Free old school games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play old school games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play old school games.
1. Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Dransik. Dransik has been besieged by the sinister forces of Talazar, preying on mortals. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, defeat powerful bosses, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market. Play YOUR way! Ashen Empires is a rpg, mmorpg and old school game developed and published by Iron Will Games and LLC. Released on September 02nd 2022 has received 396 reviews of which 301 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free old school games on Steam.
7.2
301
95
90
players
2. projectM Music Visualizer
Experience psychedelic and mesmerizing visuals by transforming music into equations that render into a limitless array of user-contributed visualizations. projectM Music Visualizer is a colorful, simulation and music game developed and published by projectM. Released on July 26th 2020 has received 386 reviews of which 369 were positive and 17 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free old school games on Steam.
8.8
369
17
21
players
3. Moonring
A dark-fantasy, turn-based, retro-fusion of classic turn-based RPGs and roguelikes, all presented with a unique neon aesthetic. Moonring is a rpg, retro and medieval game developed and published by Fluttermind and LLC. Released on September 28th 2023 has received 2,064 reviews of which 1,986 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free old school games on Steam.
9.2
1,986
78
19
players
4. AQtion
Get ready for intense, skill-based FPS action with AQtion! Featuring the best of Action Quake 2, enjoy fast-paced combat, realistic weapons, and thrilling multiplayer battles. Dominate the arena now on Steam! AQtion is a free to play, old school and action game developed by AQ2World Team, TNG Team and A-Team (Akimbo) and published by AQ2World Team. Released on June 01st 2022 has received 416 reviews of which 330 were positive and 86 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free old school games on Steam.
7.5
330
86
1
players
5. Slay Together: Fantasy MMORPG
Join thousands of players in Slay Together, an action-packed MMORPG! Engage in thrilling battles, delve into dungeons with friends, and master diverse crafts like forging, woodworking, tailoring, and more! Slay Together: Fantasy MMORPG is a fantasy, character customization and co-op game developed and published by Owl Tribe Entertainment. Released on January 31st 2019 has received 527 reviews of which 361 were positive and 166 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free old school games on Steam.
6.6
361
166