5 Survival Games On Steam That Are Totally Free To Play

Aug 05, 2026 - 01:13

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5 Survival Games On Steam That Are Totally Free To Play

Published Aug 4, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

James is a gaming writer from London who has spent thousands of hours exploring titles from every genre. Though he has a particular affinity for multiplayer titles like World of Warcraft, Destiny 2 and League of Legends, he has also put thousands of hours into single-player experiences, from deep RPGs to epic PC strategies. When he's not playing or writing, he can usually be found supporting his beloved Brentford FC.

Just as horror games put people in situations where they can experience immense scares from the safety and comfort of their own rooms, survival games do something similar. Sometimes its nice to fend for yourself without the genuinely high risk of death, and if you are a fan of the genre, there are few better places to go than Steam.

The platform has obviously become the premier option for anyone looking to play PC games, and the survival genre is no exception. Even better than that, there are some great options out there that don't even require you to spend any money, so we have rounded up five of the best into a handy list, so you can start making plans for next weekend.

Once Human

Arguably the game that drew the most attention at launch on this list, Once Human might not be as popular as it once was, but there is still a genuinely solid survival game here. Set in a post-apocalyptic alternate future where monstrous enemies roam free, the game features some of the best base building around, as well as hundreds of ways to customize weapons, and deep survival mechanics that can quickly leave you in the dirt.

Fallout Shelter

The lesser-appreciated cousin of the mainline single-player games, Fallout Shelter allows players to run their very own vault, complete with all of the problems that come with that. Raiders will attack, food issues will occur and you might even have problems from within, all as you desperately struggle to create a home in the nuclear wasteland.

Unturned

Staggeringly created by solo developer Nelson Sexton at the frankly ridiculous age of just 16, Unturned is an open world zombie survival sandbox game built in Unity. You choose your skills and are thrust into a map with just your clothes, and from there you'll have to manage health, food, water, oxygen and radiation levels, all while dodging zombie attacks as you try to survive. Lighter than some of the other options on this list, it might have the most charm on this list.

Muck

Muck is a very different option than most in that it's a survival roguelike where the emphasis is on short play sessions, rather than continually building on your save for months. It comes with all of the usual survival fare, so you can craft, build, fight, and grow your character, all while exploring an island filled with a genuinely impressive array of foes.

No More Room In Hell

For those of you who prefer the more hardcore side of the survival spectrum, No More Room In Hell may well be the best pick for you. Originally built in the Source Engine (technically as a mod), the game takes inspiration from George Romero's "Of the Dead" series. As such, you can expect plenty of zombies who all think you look delicious and plenty of other hazards, all while trying to keep your base alive in the game's survival mode.