Best Short 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 short games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free short games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Back to Bed
Guide Bob the sleepwalker to the safety of his bed by taking control of his subconscious guardian, Subob. Explore a surreal and hand-painted dream world, avoid dangers and get Bob safely back to bed.
Northmark: Hour of the Wolf
Adventure across the lands of Northmark and save your homeland from the plot in this original card RPG.
The Room
A mysterious invitation leads to the attic of an abandoned house. In the room is a cast-iron safe laced with strange carvings and on top, a note from your distant companion. It promises something ancient and astonishing concealed in the iron chamber - you need only find a way in.
Soul Gambler
Soul Gambler puts YOU in the role of Faust, an ordinary young man living in the present day whose DESTINY is about to be change forever.
Sakura Spirit
Rising Judo Star Gushiken Takahiro was two weeks away from the match that would make or break his career -- a championship match where the winner is then signed up to be a young national athlete for Japan. He was very determined to win, in order to fulfill his dreams of finally representing his country for a sport he loves so much.
The Howler
Use gravity, tension, and wind currents to get your hot air balloon to its destination, dropping off cargo on your way, in this ultra-challenging physics-based game. All art used in the Howler was meticulously created by classically-trained experienced painters.
Spoiler Alert
Spoiler Alert is a video game that tests your platforming skills… in reverse. It’s a comedy platformer that you play backwards.
Reversion - The Escape (1st Chapter)
It’s 2035 in Buenos Aires, or where Buenos Aires used to be. You’ve just woken up in a hospital, and you can’t remember anything. All you know is you have to escape and find out what happened to the city. And how to save it.
Murdered: Soul Suspect
MURDERED: SOUL SUSPECT™ takes players into a whole new realm of mystery where the case is personal and the clues just out of reach, challenging gamers to solve the hardest case of all… their own murder.
The Fall
Take the role of ARID, the artificial intelligence within a high-tech combat suit. The Fall is a unique combination of adventure-game puzzle solving and side-scroller action, all set within a dark and atmospheric story. Get ready for a disturbing journey as you explore the world of The Fall.
Among the Sleep - Enhanced Edition
Among the Sleep: Enhanced Edition is a new and improved version of the award winning first person horror adventure. In the game you play as a small child trapped in a weird nightmare where you go looking for your mom.
Monochroma
Monochroma is a cinematic puzzle platformer. It’s a game about being a kid, growing up with a little brother that needs your help, facing obstacles and solving unique puzzles in a dystopian 1950's setting.
A Story About My Uncle
A Story About My Uncle is a first person platforming adventure game about a boy who searches for his lost uncle, and ends up in a world he couldn’t imagine existed. The movement is a crucial part of the games core gameplay – focusing on swinging through the world with a grappling hook that gives the player a wonderful sense of speed and...
They Breathe
They Breathe is a short journey into the depths of a forest filled with water. As you swim deeper, it's up to you to figure out the rules of an insidious ecosystem where nothing is as it first seems, and where everyone is after the same precious resource – oxygen!
Transistor
Discover the world of Transistor, a sci-fi-themed action RPG from the creators of Bastion.
Chronology
A platform-adventure game about time travelling, puzzle solving and a friendship between an Old Inventor and a Snail.
Lili: Child of Geos - Complete Edition
Lili is a quirky adventure RPG hybrid with stunning visuals, silky-smooth graphics, a cinematic story-line, and a fresh new way to deal with enemies.
Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink
Unburied secrets burn like wild steam – nothing is what it appears!
Oknytt
Oknytt is an old school point-and-click adventure game where the player takes the role of a small, seemingly insignificant creature, leading it through a dark world filled with beings and areas inspired by Swedish folklore, in search of a place to belong.
Actual Sunlight
A short interactive story about love, depression and the corporation.
Dominique Pamplemousse
Dominique Pamplemousse in “It’s All Over Once The Fat Lady Sings!” is a unique and offbeat stop motion animated detective adventure game about gender and the economy. Also, all the characters frequently burst into song.
Year Walk
In the old days man tried to catch a glimpse of the future in the strangest of ways.Experience the ancient Swedish phenomena of year walking through a different kind of first person adventure that blurs the line between two and three dimensions, as well as reality and the supernatural.
The Yawhg
The Yawhg is a one-to-four player choose-your-own-adventure game that randomizes a unique story every time you play. The evil Yawhg is returning. How will the town’s locals lead their lives in the meanwhile, and what will they do when the dreaded Yawhg finally arrives?
Most played short games on Steam
Take a look at the top short games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES
World-renowned Kojima Productions brings the Metal Gear Solid franchise to Steam with METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES. Play as the legendary hero Snake and infiltrate a Cuban military base to rescue the hostages. Can you make it out alive? METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES is a stealth, action and tactical game developed and published by KONAMI. Released on December 18th 2014 has received 16,956 reviews of which 14,283 were positive and 2,673 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played short game, thanks to its 217 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.2
14,283
2,673
217
players
2. Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
You are the one and only Duck Detective, a depressed and recently divorced duck who must quack the case. Inspect evidence, make de-duck-tions, and solve this no-murder mystery! Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a casual, adventure and detective game developed and published by Happy Broccoli Games. Released on May 22nd 2025 has received 909 reviews of which 902 were positive and 7 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played short games.
9.3
902
7
51
players
3. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami
Solving crime is no walk in the pond. You are a down-on-his-luck detective who also happens to be a duck. Use your powers of de-duck-tion to inspect evidence, fill in the blanks, and bust the case wide open! This is a short but twisty detective case. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a detective, investigation and casual game developed and published by Happy Broccoli Games. Released on May 23rd 2024 has received 5,090 reviews of which 4,870 were positive and 220 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played short games.
9.2
4,870
220
39
players
4. Spilled!
Clean up ocean waste in this short & relaxing game! Recycle, earn coins and upgrade your boat. Explore new areas. Clean bigger spills and different kinds of waste! Spilled! is a short, relaxing and casual game developed and published by Lente. Released on March 26th 2025 has received 2,592 reviews of which 2,470 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played short games.
9.1
2,470
122
23
players
5. Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island
You're a detective, and a frog, and it's time to solve a mystery. Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island is a comedy, short and casual game developed by Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker and published by worm club and SUPERHOT PRESENTS. Released on November 22nd 2018 has received 5,048 reviews of which 4,667 were positive and 381 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played short games.
8.9
4,667
381
18
players
6. Pineapple on pizza
Can a video game convey a flavor? Pineapple on pizza is a free to play, short and dark comedy game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2023 has received 24,279 reviews of which 23,752 were positive and 527 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played short games.
9.6
23,752
527
13
players
7. Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
You're a detective, and a frog, and it's time to solve a mystery. Also there's a wizard. Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard is a comedy, casual and short game developed by Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker and published by worm club and SUPERHOT PRESENTS. Released on December 09th 2019 has received 1,980 reviews of which 1,890 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played short games.
9.1
1,890
90
10
players
8. Assemble with Care
Repair old-school objects in this cozy puzzle game. Join antique-restorer Maria, as she arrives in the sun-soaked town of Bellariva and set out on a journey of helping the townsfolk reconnect. Assemble with Care is a casual, indie and puzzle game developed and published by ustwo games. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 8,690 reviews of which 7,890 were positive and 800 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played short games.
8.8
7,890
800
9
players
9. Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County
You're a detective, and a frog, and it's time to solve a mystery in the wild west. Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County is a comedy, funny and short game developed by Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker and published by worm club and SUPERHOT PRESENTS. Released on October 26th 2022 has received 1,824 reviews of which 1,801 were positive and 23 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played short games.
9.4
1,801
23
6
players
10. The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
Are you The Rightful King™ or just a filthy peasant? The sword is waiting for you to lift it, but it gets longer and heavier each time some else succeeds... The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king is a free to play, indie and short game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2022 has received 8,614 reviews of which 7,817 were positive and 797 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played short games.
8.8
7,817
797
6
players
Best deals on short games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of short games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted short games.
1. qomp
You are the Ball. Escape. qomp is a short, precision platformer and pixel graphics game developed by Stuffed Wombat, Britt Brady, Miroko and Clovelt and published by Atari. Released on February 04th 2021 has received 483 reviews of which 468 were positive and 15 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for short category.
9.0
468
15
-96%
5.69€
0.26€
2. A Mortician's Tale
A Mortician's Tale is a short, story-driven game about a mortician tasked with running a funeral home. A Mortician's Tale is a casual, indie and female protagonist game developed and published by Laundry Bear Games. Released on October 18th 2017 has received 1,353 reviews of which 969 were positive and 384 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in short games.
6.9
969
384
-95%
8.19€
0.44€
3. Gomo
How far would you go to save your best friend?For Gomo, the answer to this question is clear: To the end of the world and further, if necessary.Join him on his journey through the bizarre 2D landscapes of this dreamlike Point & Click Adventure! Gomo is a adventure, indie and point & click game developed by Fishcow Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on December 06th 2013 has received 1,795 reviews of which 1,383 were positive and 412 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in short games.
7.4
1,383
412
-93%
4.99€
0.39€
4. Hamlet or the Last Game without MMORPG Features, Shaders and Product Placement
The original puzzle adventure game based on twisted William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Hamlet or the Last Game without MMORPG Features, Shaders and Product Placement is a adventure, indie and point & click game developed and published by Denis Galanin (mif2000). Released on October 22nd 2012 has received 544 reviews of which 345 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for short games.
6.1
345
199
-93%
4.99€
0.35€
5. Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard
You're a detective, and a frog, and it's time to solve a mystery. Also there's a wizard. Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard is a comedy, casual and short game developed by Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker and published by worm club and SUPERHOT PRESENTS. Released on December 09th 2019 has received 1,980 reviews of which 1,890 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for short games.
9.1
1,890
90
-92%
4.99€
0.40€
6. Dear RED - Extended
Dear Red is a game based on two choices: Truth or Lie. Each of your choices will lead to a different result. Dear RED - Extended is a indie, rpg and rpgmaker game developed by Lee Sang and published by Sometimes You. Released on April 12th 2016 has received 392 reviews of which 259 were positive and 133 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for short games.
6.3
259
133
-92%
2.99€
0.24€
7. Assemble with Care
Repair old-school objects in this cozy puzzle game. Join antique-restorer Maria, as she arrives in the sun-soaked town of Bellariva and set out on a journey of helping the townsfolk reconnect. Assemble with Care is a casual, indie and puzzle game developed and published by ustwo games. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 8,690 reviews of which 7,890 were positive and 800 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for short games.
8.8
7,890
800
-91%
6.59€
0.61€
8. KIDS
A game of crowds. KIDS is a indie, casual and adventure game developed by Mario von Rickenbach and Michael Frei and published by Playables. Released on May 28th 2019 has received 1,934 reviews of which 1,604 were positive and 330 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for short games.
8.0
1,604
330
-90%
3.99€
0.42€
9. Thirty Flights of Loving
Explore the world of Thirty Flights of Loving through a first-person short story. Take a deep dive with high-flying schemers, lovelorn criminals, and more stray kittens than you can shake a stick at. Thirty Flights of Loving is a first-person, experimental and walking simulator game developed and published by Blendo Games. Released on August 20th 2012 has received 1,826 reviews of which 1,152 were positive and 674 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for short games.
6.2
1,152
674
-90%
4.99€
0.50€
10. A Bird Story
An experimental short from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise: A simple & surreal 1-hour interactive animation about a boy and an injured bird, told without dialogues.If you're looking for To the Moon-like experience, I'd suggest playing Finding Paradise first. A Bird Story is a indie, story rich and great soundtrack game developed and published by Freebird Games. Released on November 07th 2014 has received 10,276 reviews of which 8,718 were positive and 1,558 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for short games.
8.3
8,718
1,558
-87%
3.99€
0.54€
Free short games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play short games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play short games.
1. Pineapple on pizza
Can a video game convey a flavor? Pineapple on pizza is a free to play, short and dark comedy game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2023 has received 24,279 reviews of which 23,752 were positive and 527 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
9.6
23,752
527
13
players
2. The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
Are you The Rightful King™ or just a filthy peasant? The sword is waiting for you to lift it, but it gets longer and heavier each time some else succeeds... The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king is a free to play, indie and short game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2022 has received 8,614 reviews of which 7,817 were positive and 797 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.8
7,817
797
6
players
3. How Fish Is Made
Are sardines trustworthy? Are you? Do you want to be? How Fish is Made is a janky little jaunt through the world of surrealist storytelling. Now featuring a Katamari-like DLC! How Fish Is Made is a surreal, short and horror game developed by Wrong Organ, Johanna Kasurinen, Jeffrey Tomec and Martin Halldin and published by Wrong Organ and CRITICAL REFLEX. Released on January 14th 2022 has received 4,784 reviews of which 4,566 were positive and 218 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 short games on Steam.
9.2
4,566
218
5
players
4. The Cat and the Coup
In The Cat and the Coup, you play the cat of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran. During the summer of 1953, the CIA engineered a coup to bring about his downfall. The Cat and the Coup is a free to play, indie and cats game developed by Peter Brinson and Kurosh ValaNejad and published by Peter Brinson and Kurosh ValaNejad and USC Games. Released on June 15th 2011 has received 1,068 reviews of which 1,000 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.8
1,000
68
2
players
5. Port of Call
Imagine waking up on a small dock with no recollection of who you are or how you got there. The first person you find is a grumpy, old man who enlists you to work on his ferry boat which seems to have materialized behind you. Port of Call is a indie, adventure and free to play game developed and published by Underdog Games. Released on August 28th 2015 has received 1,251 reviews of which 1,102 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.4
1,102
149
2
players
6. Project Hailstorm
Step into the shoes of a researcher in the depths of the antarctic and uncover the mysteries behind Project Hailstorm. Project Hailstorm is a walking simulator, 3d and first-person game developed and published by Imbrium. Released on February 10th 2025 has received 501 reviews of which 412 were positive and 89 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
7.7
412
89
2
players
7. The Plan
A fly ascends to the skies, pondering the pointlessness of its brief existence. The Plan is a free to play, indie and atmospheric game developed and published by Krillbite Studio. Released on February 14th 2014 has received 23,087 reviews of which 21,304 were positive and 1,783 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
9.0
21,304
1,783
1
players
8. Carpe Diem
Seize the day Carpe Diem is a free to play, anime and visual novel game developed and published by Moonlit Works. Released on November 30th 2015 has received 8,542 reviews of which 7,614 were positive and 928 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.7
7,614
928
1
players
9. how do you Do It?
"how do you Do It?" puts players in the role of an 11-year-old girl whose mother has just stepped out for an errand. The girl immediately grabs her dolls and furtively attempts to figure out how sex works using these plastic surrogates. how do you Do It? is a free to play and indie game developed by Nina Freeman, Emmett Butler, Decky Coss and Joni Kittaka and published by None. Released on February 27th 2015 has received 2,551 reviews of which 2,158 were positive and 393 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.1
2,158
393
1
players
10. TREE
TREE tells a story of a relationship between a boy and his tree. What starts off as a simple connection, over time it grows into something deeper. TREE is a free to play, indie and casual game developed and published by The Strangers. Released on August 13th 2018 has received 2,233 reviews of which 2,092 were positive and 141 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free short games on Steam.
8.9
2,092
141