Best PvE 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 pve games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free pve games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Raw Metal
Infiltrate the depths of an exoplanet mining facility to scavenge for gear and challenge a corrupt megacorporation. Utilize gadgets and equipment in high-stakes stealth, and hone your fighting skills in breakneck combat in this stylish stealth-action dungeon crawler.
Toy Shire: Room One
Are you prepared for a thrilling toy army tower defense adventure? Welcome to the Toy Shire! Battle diverse foes in various locations, defend your family, and repel foes from your area. Save the world by strengthening your defense with toy towers! FULL GAME AVAILABLE NOW!
Contra: Operation Galuga
The legendary Contra series returns! This reimagining of the classic run-'n'-gun action game from the ‘80s features new stages, new enemies, new play mechanics, and co-op combat for up to 4 players!
King of the Bridge
Face off against the bridge troll in his bizarre game of chess! Decrypt, Twist and Enforce the rules as your devious opponent attempts to break them in King of the Bridge!
Hospital 666
Hospital 666 is a 1-4 player horror escape game. Traverse through eerie hospital levels while observing the occurrence of anomalies and choosing the correct elevator. Some abnormal bosses will chase you to death, and you must find the right way to escape them.
The Outlast Trials
Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror, this time with friends. Whether you go through the trials alone or in teams, if you survive long enough and complete the therapy, Murkoff will happily let you leave… but will you be the same?
WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024
Welcome to WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024! Dive into the world of football like never before. Choose an existing club or start your own. Manage either men or women, lead your club to new heights, and become the next manager legend!
The Mobius Machine
Discover a vast alien world. Fight the ferocious local fauna and killer machines. Reveal its secrets and find a way to escape. The Mobius Machine is a side-scroller action adventure, with an emphasis on free-form exploration and intense combat.
GUARDS!
GUARDS! is a 1-4 player coop fantasy FPS that puts you in the underfunded and over-zealous steel boots of the City Watch. Kick down doors, bust criminals and cause excessive property damage as you fight to restore law and order to the corrupt city of New Alestead.
Welcome to ParadiZe
Paradise isn't exactly what you hoped for: it's infested with zombies! Thankfully, you can control them. Capture them and teach them to farm or fight. They will help you defend our camp while you explore the world looking for… a new paradise.
Bootstrap Island
Bootstrap Island is an intense, realistic VR survival game, inspired by "Robinson Crusoe". As the sole survivor of a 17th-century shipwreck you must quickly learn and adapt to survive against vicious beasts, explore the island and improve your skills to discover the mysteries of the tropical island.
Inkulinati
Inkulinati is a turn-based strategy game straight from medieval manuscripts, where a rabbit’s bum can be deadlier than a dog's sword. Become a master of the Living Ink, build your own bestiary, defeat medieval superstars and collect perks to unleash hidden powers.
Nightingale
Nightingale is an open world survival crafting game, where you’ll adventure across the mysterious and dangerous Fae Realms. As a daring Realmwalker, you’ll defeat monstrous enemies, survive hostile environments, and build elaborate estates in a visually stunning Gaslamp Fantasy world.
Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters
Experience the award-winning space saga. Travel to hyperspace, discover alien worlds, and meet an eclectic cast of characters. Find out what happened after the Ur-Quan invasion. And if the war still rages, fight for Earth and the Alliance of Free Stars!
Sonder
Experience an innovative co-op adventure where two players have to work together. Engage in collaborative puzzle solving and dynamic combat with each player having unique abilities. Delve into a psychological narrative that explores the essence of humanity.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
DEEP ROCK GALACTIC: SURVIVOR is a single player survivor-like auto-shooter. Take on hordes of lethal aliens, mine riches, and unlock powerful upgrades to survive, as you wield the full arsenal of Deep Rock Galactic. It's one dwarf against all of Planet Hoxxes!
ESCAPE FROM BOYKISSER
ESCAPE FROM BOYKISSER is a psychological horror game that immerses the player in the sterile rooms of BACKROOMS.
HELLDIVERS™ 2
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
Legendary Tales
Legendary tales is a VR Action roleplaying game with up to 4 player co-op. Collect items, enhance your abilities and fight your way through an ever changing dungeon to make your own Legendary Tales.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
From the creators of Batman: Arkham, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a genre-defying third-person action shooter where the ultimate band of misfits must do the impossible: Kill the Justice League.
Legendary Hoplite
A combination of Action RPG and Tower Defense: slay monsters, find weapons, upgrade your armies, defend your base… Prevent humanity from extinction at the hands of monsters from Greek mythology and ancient tribes. Don't let them cross the gate, commander!
Chushpan Simulator
A game in which you have to go from an insignificant person to the king of the world
Project Demigod
Suit up and save the day in Project Demigod, a physics-driven superhero sandbox with limitless possibilities.Most played pve games on Steam
Take a look at the top pve games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. HELLDIVERS™ 2
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter. HELLDIVERS™ 2 is a online co-op, pve and third-person shooter game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation Publishing LLC. Released on February 08th 2024 has received 989,576 reviews of which 755,031 were positive and 234,545 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played pve game, thanks to its 18,780 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.6
755,031
234,545
18,780
players
2. MIR4
MIR4 is a free-to-play open world K-fantasy MMORPG that can be cross-played on both PC and mobile devices. MIR4 is full of action and features numerous large scale clan PVP battles. Join now and become a legend. MIR4 is a pve, mmorpg and pvp game developed by Wemade Next and published by Wemade. Released on August 25th 2021 has received 14,512 reviews of which 9,470 were positive and 5,042 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. While seeing 14,279 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among pve games based on player count.
6.4
9,470
5,042
14,279
players
3. Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is a 1-4 player co-op FPS featuring badass space Dwarves, 100% destructible environments, procedurally-generated caves, and endless hordes of alien monsters. Deep Rock Galactic is a dwarf, co-op and pve game developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on May 13th 2020 has received 339,834 reviews of which 330,525 were positive and 9,309 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 3,898 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among pve games based on player count.
9.6
330,525
9,309
3,898
players
4. GrandChase
Grand Chase is a free side-scrolling online action RPG with anime inspired graphics. Enjoy exciting adventures in dungeons and PvP with unique characters. GrandChase is a action, free to play and pve game developed and published by KOG. Released on July 27th 2021 has received 24,096 reviews of which 15,238 were positive and 8,858 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. With 3,634 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played pve games.
6.3
15,238
8,858
3,634
players
5. Gems of War - Puzzle RPG
Gems of War is a Match-3 RPG from the original creators of Puzzle Quest! Start your RPG journey and fight puzzle battles through hundreds of quests, or build your army of troops and go to war in strategic PVP match-3 combat! Gems of War - Puzzle RPG is a free to play, match 3 and puzzle game developed by Infinity Plus 2 and published by 505 Games. Released on November 20th 2014 has received 8,790 reviews of which 7,067 were positive and 1,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 751 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played pve games.
7.8
7,067
1,723
751
players
6. The Forever Winter
The Forever Winter is a tactical shooter where you and your squad must loot the dead to survive under the shadow of terrifying and gargantuan war machines locked in a never-ending conflict. Millions of deaths later the war continues with our latest April update! The Forever Winter is a early access, extraction shooter and pve game developed and published by Fun Dog Studios. Released on September 24th 2024 has received 18,231 reviews of which 13,222 were positive and 5,009 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. With 362 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played pve games.
7.1
13,222
5,009
362
players
7. Pax Dei
Welcome to a vast, social sandbox MMO inspired by the legends of the medieval era. Here, myths are real, ghosts exist, and magic is unquestioned. Join thousands of players as you explore the land, build your home, forge your reputation, and craft your own stories. What world will you make? Pax Dei is a pve, sandbox and mmorpg game developed by Mainframe Industries and published by Mainframe Industries and New Tales. Released on June 18th 2024 has received 5,888 reviews of which 4,099 were positive and 1,789 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. With 307 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played pve games.
6.8
4,099
1,789
307
players
8. Minion Masters
An addictive fast-paced hybrid of Card games & Tower-Defense. Play 1v1 - or bring a friend for 2v2 - and engage in epic online multiplayer battles full of innovative strategy and awesome plays! Collect 200+ cards with unique mechanics, all free! Minion Masters is a pve, trading card game and stylized game developed and published by BetaDwarf. Released on May 24th 2019 has received 64,849 reviews of which 58,064 were positive and 6,785 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 247 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played pve games.
8.8
58,064
6,785
247
players
9. Idle Skilling
Idle Skilling is the ultimate Idle Game with years of content! Meant to be played for 5-10 minutes a day, you gradually unlock new skills like mining, fishing, pet breeding, crusading, potion-making, lab-research, construction, and more! With new updates coming, you'll never run out of stuff to do! Idle Skilling is a free to play, idler and simulation game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on September 15th 2022 has received 2,185 reviews of which 1,561 were positive and 624 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. With 235 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played pve games.
6.9
1,561
624
235
players
10. Counter-Strike Nexon
Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS offering competitive PvP and PvE action including content from the original Counter-Strike and all new game modes, map creation function, weapons, and hordes of Zombies! Counter-Strike Nexon is a free to play, fps and zombies game developed by Valve and NEXON and published by NEXON. Released on October 07th 2014 has received 42,618 reviews of which 28,330 were positive and 14,288 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 219 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played pve games.
6.6
28,330
14,288
219
players
Best deals on pve games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of pve 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 pve games.
1. Biped
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on moment-to-moment collaboration between 2 players. Biped is a fantasy, co-op and character customization game developed by NEXT Studios and published by NEXT Studios and META Publishing. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 8,658 reviews of which 7,459 were positive and 1,199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Featuring a massive 87% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for pve category.
8.4
7,459
1,199
-87%
12.15€
1.58€
2. Orcs Must Die! 3
Slice, burn, toss, zap, grind and gib massive hordes of repugnant orcs in this long-awaited successor to the award-winning Orcs Must Die! series. Orcs Must Die! 3 is a tower defense, co-op and strategy game developed and published by Robot Entertainment. Released on July 23rd 2021 has received 14,018 reviews of which 12,005 were positive and 2,013 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 82% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in pve games.
8.4
12,005
2,013
-82%
25.33€
4.56€
3. Tribes of Midgard
A vibrant blend of survival and action RPG for 1-10 players! Craft legendary items, grow your home base and embark on an epic journey through procedural realms to face towering creatures hel-bent on unleashing Ragnarök. Valhalla can wait, Einherjar! Tribes of Midgard is a open world survival craft, online co-op and multiplayer game developed by Norsfell and published by Gearbox Publishing. Released on July 27th 2021 has received 22,362 reviews of which 17,120 were positive and 5,242 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 80% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in pve games.
7.5
17,120
5,242
-80%
19.95€
3.99€
4. SD GUNDAM BATTLE ALLIANCE
SD Gundam Battle Alliance is a multiplayer Gundam action RPG where you can smash foes solo or with friends in thrilling mechanized combat. Acquire new mobile suits, power them up, and take them into battle in various missions! SD GUNDAM BATTLE ALLIANCE is a mechs, action rpg and robots game developed by Artdink and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on August 24th 2022 has received 5,816 reviews of which 3,664 were positive and 2,152 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 76% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for pve games.
6.2
3,664
2,152
-76%
49.21€
11.81€
5. GUARDS!
GUARDS! is a 1-4 player coop fantasy FPS that puts you in the underfunded and over-zealous steel boots of the City Watch. Kick down doors, bust criminals and cause excessive property damage as you fight to restore law and order to the corrupt city of New Alestead. GUARDS! is a online co-op, co-op and first-person game developed by WYLDERZONE and Lowkey GameDev and published by WYLDERZONE. Released on March 01st 2024 has received 400 reviews of which 282 were positive and 118 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for pve games.
6.7
282
118
-75%
14.79€
3.69€
6. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Extraction
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Extraction is a tactical, co-op, PvE first-person shooter where you and your squad face an evolving alien threat. Teamwork, tactics, and flawless execution are key to your survival. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Extraction is a fps, action and online co-op game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. Released on June 15th 2023 has received 2,808 reviews of which 1,840 were positive and 968 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for pve games.
6.4
1,840
968
-75%
39.99€
9.99€
7. CryoFall
CryoFall is a sci-fi colony simulation survival game set on a forgotten planet in a distant future. Master technology, agriculture, trading, industry, cybernetics, exploration, and more! CryoFall is a colony sim, crafting and pve game developed by AtomicTorch Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 29th 2021 has received 6,144 reviews of which 4,842 were positive and 1,302 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 74% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for pve games.
7.7
4,842
1,302
-74%
20.00€
5.20€
8. Age of Darkness: Final Stand
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a dark fantasy survival RTS where you must illuminate, build and defend humanity’s last bastion against hordes of Nightmares. Set in the remnants of a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, you decide. Will you hide in the light? Or take back your world. Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a action rts, tower defense and rts game developed and published by PlaySide. Released on January 15th 2025 has received 9,330 reviews of which 7,180 were positive and 2,150 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for pve games.
7.5
7,180
2,150
-60%
27.33€
10.93€
9. Inkbound
A turn-based tactical roguelike from the creators of Monster Train. Play solo or co-op, create powerful builds, and save the Atheneum. Inkbound is a tactical rpg, turn-based tactics and rogue-lite game developed and published by Shiny Shoe. Released on April 09th 2024 has received 3,645 reviews of which 3,192 were positive and 453 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 58% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for pve games.
8.4
3,192
453
-58%
28.86€
12.12€
10. Hellbreach: Vegas
Hellbreach: Vegas is a Wave-based First-Person Shooter for 1-4 players, made with passion by a one man dev team! Set your loadout, kill, and earn cash. Take a spin on the various slot machines and level up to improve your survival chances. Are you ready to try your luck? Hellbreach: Vegas is a online co-op, indie and fps game developed by Infinity Ape Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive. Released on August 14th 2024 has received 528 reviews of which 396 were positive and 132 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 56% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for pve games.
7.1
396
132
-56%
14.95€
6.58€
Free pve games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play pve 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 pve games.
1. MIR4
MIR4 is a free-to-play open world K-fantasy MMORPG that can be cross-played on both PC and mobile devices. MIR4 is full of action and features numerous large scale clan PVP battles. Join now and become a legend. MIR4 is a pve, mmorpg and pvp game developed by Wemade Next and published by Wemade. Released on August 25th 2021 has received 14,512 reviews of which 9,470 were positive and 5,042 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. With 14,279 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free pve games on Steam.
6.4
9,470
5,042
14,279
players
2. GrandChase
Grand Chase is a free side-scrolling online action RPG with anime inspired graphics. Enjoy exciting adventures in dungeons and PvP with unique characters. GrandChase is a action, free to play and pve game developed and published by KOG. Released on July 27th 2021 has received 24,096 reviews of which 15,238 were positive and 8,858 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 3,634, this pve game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free pve games on Steam.
6.3
15,238
8,858
3,634
players
3. Gems of War - Puzzle RPG
Gems of War is a Match-3 RPG from the original creators of Puzzle Quest! Start your RPG journey and fight puzzle battles through hundreds of quests, or build your army of troops and go to war in strategic PVP match-3 combat! Gems of War - Puzzle RPG is a free to play, match 3 and puzzle game developed by Infinity Plus 2 and published by 505 Games. Released on November 20th 2014 has received 8,790 reviews of which 7,067 were positive and 1,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 751, this pve game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free pve games on Steam.
7.8
7,067
1,723
751
players
4. Minion Masters
An addictive fast-paced hybrid of Card games & Tower-Defense. Play 1v1 - or bring a friend for 2v2 - and engage in epic online multiplayer battles full of innovative strategy and awesome plays! Collect 200+ cards with unique mechanics, all free! Minion Masters is a pve, trading card game and stylized game developed and published by BetaDwarf. Released on May 24th 2019 has received 64,849 reviews of which 58,064 were positive and 6,785 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 247 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free pve games on Steam.
8.8
58,064
6,785
247
players
5. Idle Skilling
Idle Skilling is the ultimate Idle Game with years of content! Meant to be played for 5-10 minutes a day, you gradually unlock new skills like mining, fishing, pet breeding, crusading, potion-making, lab-research, construction, and more! With new updates coming, you'll never run out of stuff to do! Idle Skilling is a free to play, idler and simulation game developed and published by Lavaflame2. Released on September 15th 2022 has received 2,185 reviews of which 1,561 were positive and 624 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 235 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free pve games on Steam.
6.9
1,561
624
235
players
6. Counter-Strike Nexon
Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS offering competitive PvP and PvE action including content from the original Counter-Strike and all new game modes, map creation function, weapons, and hordes of Zombies! Counter-Strike Nexon is a free to play, fps and zombies game developed by Valve and NEXON and published by NEXON. Released on October 07th 2014 has received 42,618 reviews of which 28,330 were positive and 14,288 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 219 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free pve games on Steam.
6.6
28,330
14,288
219
players
7. AdventureQuest 3D
The Void King is raising an army in secret. Death has chosen you as his champion to bring him down. Adventure & quest alongside your friends in this bizarre cross-platform MMORPG from the creators of the original, and comically-redundantly named... AdventureQuest! Weekly releases! AdventureQuest 3D is a mmorpg, exploration and hack and slash game developed and published by Artix Entertainment and LLC. Released on October 28th 2022 has received 9,251 reviews of which 7,559 were positive and 1,692 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 185 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free pve games on Steam.
8.0
7,559
1,692
185
players
8. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense
Infinitode 2 - a strategy in the Tower Defense genre, in which the player will have to build towers to protect his base from endless waves of enemies. The game features huge maps, lots of towers, resource miners, upgrade tree and map editor. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense is a level editor, tower defense and building game developed and published by Prineside. Released on May 06th 2021 has received 3,608 reviews of which 3,294 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 142 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free pve games on Steam.
8.8
3,294
314
142
players
9. Waven
Forge your own destiny! Choose your character, equip your best spells and sail from island to island in quest of fortune and glory. Level up your hero and your strategy in this free-to-play tactical multiplayer RPG with unique colorful graphics. Waven is a tactical rpg, turn-based tactics and pve game developed by Ankama Studio and published by Ankama Games and New Tales. Released on August 16th 2023 has received 4,853 reviews of which 3,929 were positive and 924 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free pve games on Steam.
7.9
3,929
924
90
players
10. Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop
Co-operative top-down shooter game available for free. An epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics. Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop is a twin stick shooter, pve and top-down shooter game developed and published by Reactive Drop Team. Released on April 20th 2017 has received 22,524 reviews of which 21,381 were positive and 1,143 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free pve games on Steam.
9.3
21,381
1,143
60
players