Steam Officially Adds 4 New Free Games You Can Keep Forever (October 26)
Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.
Steam is without a doubt one of the best places for PC players to discover new games without spending a dime, but actually keeping track of all the newly announced free games is easier said than done. Valve's storefront adds new releases constantly, and while major launches tend to dominate the headlines, plenty of smaller projects are listed weekly without much fanfare.
Between Steam's ever-expanding free-to-play library, limited-time giveaways, free weekends, and playable demos, there's almost always something new to try. While some games are permanently free to download and play, others can only be claimed during a promotional window, while demos generally offer just a taste of the full experience and may only be up for a brief time.
With so many different options, it's easy for worthwhile releases to slip through the cracks. Fortunately, another batch of free games has just arrived on Steam, giving PC players four more titles to download and keep forever, starting October 26 (via X).
Steam users looking for a handful of fresh new releases without spending a penny can now snag the following titles for free as of October 26:
Crash Bandicoot fans are getting an amazing new freebie on Steam with Dr. Mancell and Mr. Flame, a nostalgic throwback to the franchise's original PlayStation era. Released October 7, the indie-developed 3D platformer celebrates a musical collaboration between Waterflame and Josh Mancell, the composer behind the original Crash Bandicoot soundtrack.
The game features an endless boss battle with attacks synchronized to the music, with increasing difficulty and classic PS1-inspired controls, including familiar jumping, spinning, and sliding mechanics from the OG experience. It arrives just in time for Crash Bandicoot's 30th anniversary AND Halloween, and it's a fitting tribute to the beloved franchise that's completely free to download and keep forever.
Stolemates is a unique multiplayer game designed around the city of Toronto, transforming a colorful, city-inspired playground into a frantic game of tag. Supporting up to four players locally or online, the goal is to steal a Heart from another player and hold onto it for as long as possible. Players can jump, dash, and use six different power-ups to outmaneuver their opponents, creating a chaotic party game that's perfect for playing with friends.
Goliath Rogue, on the other hand, is a Vampire Survivors-style roguelike that leans more into the RPG progression aspects and character customization. Players battle through increasingly difficult encounters, collecting loot, upgrading equipment, and unlocking new abilities along the way. Unlike traditional roguelikes, players retain their equipment, attributes, and talent trees between runs. There's even a persistent town to upgrade, alongside crafting mechanics and numerous playable heroes. Both games are completely free on Steam.
Finally, Wood Watch is the perfect free game to add to your library ahead of the Halloween weekend, delivering a terrifying point-and-click survival horror experience reminiscent of Five Nights at Freddy's. After accidentally opening the gates of hell, players take shelter in an RV deep in the woods, only to discover that the demons have followed them.
Each night, players have to monitor security cameras, manage their flashlight power, and fend off terrifying enemies with different attack patterns. Surviving an entire week reveals the truth behind the catastrophe and how to fix it. Released October 9, Wood Watch is completely free on Steam.
Although these four games cover wildly different genres, they all offer something new to enjoy without spending any money at all. With new free releases arriving regularly, it's always worth checking Steam to see what other hidden gems might be waiting to be discovered.
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