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
Master Reboot
Imagine a world where death is no longer final, where precious memories are saved to enjoy forever, where your soul is immortal. Master Reboot is a haunting first-person sci-fi adventure.
Slender: The Arrival
Slender Man returns more terrifying than ever. You're on your own. No one to help you. No one to hear you scream. Relive the horror all over again with cutting edge visuals for the 10th Anniversary Update and experience survival horror at its finest.
Nihilumbra
Discover the beautiful world of Nihilumbra and join Born on his adventure to find himself whilst trying to escape from his inevitable curse. Born was created from the absolute nothingness: The Void. But somehow he separates himself from the black emptiness and appears in the world.
Sparkle 2 Evo
Control the evolution with the touch of your finger. Can you grow the biggest Sparkle in the world?
The Stanley Parable
The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.
Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior
After the battle is over, someone has to cleanup the mess! Introducing Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior from RuneStorm, a unique crossover mini-game that combines the worlds of Viscera Cleanup Detail and Shadow Warrior.
Escape Goat
Escape Goat is a puzzle platformer where you take control of a goat, who has been imprisoned for witchcraft, and overcome traps and obstacles to escape the Prison of Agnus. Fear not, for with your supreme agility, sturdy horns, and the help of a magic mouse friend, you can turn the tables on foes and use the environment to your advantage.
Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos
From Dischan Media, creators of the highly acclaimed Juniper's Knot, comes Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos.Dysfunctional Systems is a visual novel series featuring Winter Harrison, a student mediator from a utopian world. Learning to Manage Chaos is the first entry in the series.What is a mediator?
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dear Esther comes a new first-person horrorgame that will drag you to the depths of greed, power and madness. It will bury its snout into your ribs and it will eat your heart.
Castle of Illusion
Mickey Mouse returns to star in Castle of Illusion, a fantastical reimagining of the Sega Genesis classic.
Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons
Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director, Josef Fares and top-tier developer Starbreeze Studios. Control both brothers at once as you experience co-op play in single player mode, like never before.
Electronic Super Joy
Electronic Super Joy is a brutally hard platformer set in a world of pulse-pounding electronic music. Run, jump, smash & fly your way through 45+ weird & different levels, with low-gravity, world rotation, giant monsters & swarming missiles.
Gone Home
June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.
DuckTales: Remastered
DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful hand-crafted reimagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time. Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan alike.
Ittle Dew
Adventuress Ittle Dew and her sidekick Tippsie crash onto a strange island, filled with loot and mysterious inhabitants. It quickly dawns on the duo that this might become their biggest adventure yet.Ittle Dew boils down the classic adventure formula until there is only fun left.
Bleed
Wryn is a girl with a big arsenal and big dreams -- she wants to be the ultimate videogame hero! Help her take down the Greatest Heroes of All Time in an action-packed bid to claim the title for herself and show the world what a true hero looks like!
Dragon's Lair
Haven't heard of Dragon's Lair?! Well, you play the heroic Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon! Originally released in the summer of 1983, Dragon's Lair has solidified itself as a cultural icon in gaming.
Monster Loves You!
Live the life of a Monster, from birth to elderhood and beyond, making decisions that affect the world of Monsters and Humans. Solve problems. Meet animals and interesting people. Get to know them. Eat them. Make your own story!
DLC Quest
What happens when DLC practices go too far? An indie developer makes a game that mocks the industry and its foibles, that's what! Defeat the bad guy, save the world and get the girl! But first you'll need to find coins to buy DLC to enable animation, sound and even pausing.
Proteus
Proteus is a game about exploration and immersion in a dream-like island world where the soundtrack to your play is created by your surroundings. Played in first-person, the primary means of interaction is simply your presence in the world and how you observe it.
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. 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. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in short games.
9.1
1,890
90
-92%
4.99€
0.40€
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. 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 #4 position in the best deals for short games.
6.3
259
133
-92%
2.99€
0.24€
5. 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 #5 position in the best deals for short games.
6.1
345
199
-93%
4.99€
0.35€
6. 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 #6 position in the best deals for short games.
8.8
7,890
800
-91%
6.59€
0.61€
7. 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 #7 position in the best deals for short games.
8.0
1,604
330
-90%
3.99€
0.42€
8. 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 #8 position in the best deals for short games.
6.2
1,152
674
-90%
4.99€
0.50€
9. 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 #9 position in the best deals for short games.
8.3
8,718
1,558
-87%
3.99€
0.54€
10. Pilgrims
Pilgrims is a playful adventure game, created by the team behind Machinarium and Samorost. Roam the land as you please and make new friends, share a laugh with your fellow travelers and help them complete their little stories, your way. How many different solutions can you find? Pilgrims is a hand-drawn, short and stylized game developed and published by Amanita Design. Released on October 07th 2019 has received 5,110 reviews of which 4,909 were positive and 201 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for short games.
9.3
4,909
201
-86%
6.99€
0.98€
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