Falling out of love with gaming is a very real possibility, even for lifelong gamers. Sticking with the same titles for years on end or only giving mainstream AAA gaming a chance can, over time, erode the joy that comes from playing games. What once felt like an escape from reality can start to feel like a chore, especially with games that demand a lot of time. This is especially true for free-to-play titles, which often rely on predatory monetization models to make themselves profitable.
Best Co-Op Games On Steam To Play Right Now
From online multiplayer titles to local masterpieces, Steam has plenty of fantastic co-op games that cover a wide spectrum of genres.
Being burnt out is not an anomaly, but an eventuality with these games, doubly so for fans who dedicate all of their free time to them. However, one of gaming’s biggest strengths as an art form is its sheer variety. Genres can differ so drastically that trying something outside one’s comfort zone can feel like discovering a whole new hobby, or rekindling an old flame. With the massive catalog Steam has on offer, finding games that can change one’s perspective is only a matter of looking long enough. Here are some top picks for free Steam games that can help players fall in love with gaming all over again.
The Finals
Destructive, High-Energy FPS Action
The Finals
- Released
- December 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS
For players who enjoy first-person shooters but are burnt out from giving the usual suspects a try, The Finals might just be the answer they’re looking for. This free-to-play arena shooter takes the genre’s core mechanics and ramps up the fun factor to eleven, with destructible environments, dynamic verticality, and a fast-paced, high-energy pacing that makes every match feel like a spectacle.
Playing with friends is great fun, but playing solo can be just as rewarding. It’s the kind of game that can reinvigorate a long–time FPS fan who feels fatigued by grounded military shooters. For fans looking to rekindle the joy in competitive play, The Finals provides a reminder of how fun shooters can be when they don’t take themselves too seriously.
Palia
Cozy Multiplayer Life Sim
Palia
- Released
- August 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, MMO
For players who are starting to get disillusioned with competitive or time-intensive games, Palia offers a cozier alternative, taking its cues from games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. Instead of constantly having to chase after loot to get the next high, players can spend their time cooking, farming, decorating their homes, or simply enjoying the game’s environments.
Palia serves as proof that games don’t always have to be about intensity. Diving into it feels like a much-needed palette cleanser, and can remind players of the sense of wonder and fun that games can capture in a way nothing else can.
Sky: Children of Light
A Soothing Gaming Retreat
Sky: Children of Light
- Released
- April 10, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Sky: Children of Light is a meditative experience that stands apart from most free-to-play titles. Developed by the creators of Journey, Sky promises contemplative exploration combined with puzzle-solving. It has MMO elements as well but engaging with those systems is entirely up to the player.
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In a market dominated by games vying for every scrap of attention they can get, Sky: Children of Light feels like a calm island that invites players to slow down and smell the roses. It’s a much-needed antidote for anyone feeling the need to rediscover their love for gaming once more.
Totally Accurate Battlegrounds
Lighthearted Battle Royale Fun
Totally Accurate Battlegrounds
- Released
- June 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Battle Royale
The easiest way to describe Totally Accurate Battlegrounds would be as a parody of the battle royale genre. Wacky ragdoll physics, over-the-top weapons, and hectic battles that devolve into an impossibly chaotic affair turn every match into a fever dream. However, underneath the wackiness, there is a surprisingly engaging game with a lot of depth, one that’s focused on delivering a fun experience first and foremost.
This shift in tone makes Totally Accurate Battlegrounds the perfect cure for battle royale burnout. Where other games can feel punishing for making mistakes, the sheer unseriousness inherent to TABG’s design philosophy makes it impossible to feel the sting of defeat as keenly.
Super Auto Pets
Adorable Strategic Auto-Battler
Super Auto Pets
- Released
- February 24, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Super Auto Pets is a cutesy auto-battler where players form teams of pets with unique abilities and pit them against others. It’s a cozy game with a massive following and a loyal player base that keeps matchmaking fun for all skill levels.
While there is a lot of strategic depth to Super Auto Pets’ seemingly simple battling system, it’s only relevant at the highest echelons of play; casual players don’t have to worry about forming perfect synergies all that much, making it one of the best pick-up-and-play titles among free Steam games.
Slapshot: Rebound
Frantic Physics-Based Hockey
- Platform: Steam
- Release date: April 11, 2024
- Developer: Oddshot Games
- Genre: Sports, Casual
Slapshot: Rebound is a physics-based ice hockey game that focuses on fun over precision. Unpredictable controls, frantic pacing, and moments of slapstick comedy as players scramble to score goals as the timer counts down are at the core of this experience.
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Because of its focus on the fun factor, Slapshot: Rebound is perfect to play with a group of friends, curing collective burnout one match at a time. While it retains some the competitive nature of the sport, it’s hard to take matches all that seriously when every goal feels like an accident gone right, making it a great pick for players who want to remember why games are fun in the first place.
Omega Strikers
Air Hockey Meets MOBA Action
Omega Strikers
- Released
- April 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Omega Strikers is a fast-paced 3v3 MOBA that feels like air hockey on steroids. Players pick a character at the start of every match and go head-to-head against others with the simple goal of, well, scoring goals. Unlike a lot of other MOBAs that rely on complexity or intricate systems to sell the concept, Omega Strikers goes with the simple approach. And it works!
Matches typically only last minutes, making it easy to jump in for a quick session and get out whenever players feel like it. For anyone looking to rekindle their love for competitive games, Omega Strikers might just be the answer they are looking for.
FPS Chess
Absurd Strategy Shooter Hybrid
- Platform: Steam
- Release date: May 21, 2022
- Developer: Meta Fork
- Genre: Shooter, Strategy
Sometimes the best way to reignite one’s passion for gaming is to play something truly bizarre, and FPS Chess fits that bill perfectly. On the surface, it looks like a traditional chess game, but when pieces meet, it devolves into a first-person shooter, with the winner being the one with the better aim.
Each chess piece works as essentially a different weapon class. The Rook, for example, is a sniper with the ability to land headshots from across the room. The Queen, on the other hand, wields a spraying machine gun that can devastate the entire board if given the chance to run amok unanswered. FPS Chess is a mix of strategy, gunplay, and absurd comedy that serves as a reminder of just how delightfully imaginative games can be.
Best Free Co-Op Games You Can Play On Steam
Are you and your friend looking for free-to-play co-op fun? Then, try out the following fantastic games on Steam.