The best things in life are free, that’s what they say, and it’s something I can get behind. The smell of fresh cut grass, a gorgeous view from a vantage point, orperhaps a game on Steam with that glorious ‘Free’ label.
10 Best RPGs With Near Flawless Steam User Review Scores
Forget the journalists, trust the players.
There’s a cavalcade of free games on Steam from budding indie developers, but the truth of the matter is that so many of them aren’t worth your time at all, which is why I wouldsuggest filtering by Steam User Reviews.
If you do, you’ll find a wealth of games that don’t cost you a penny, but have amassed the love and adoration of the gaming community. It seems too good to be true, but I assure you, it’s not.
To prove it, we are going to list some incredible games that are completely free, but sit proudly as some of the highest-rated games that Steam has to offer. Keep your cash, it’s not wanted here!
For clarity, we will only be including games that have received a user review score of 95% or higher on this list. All scores are applicable at the time of writing but are subject to change.
10The Werecleaner
Full Moon Clean-up
The life of a professional cleaner can be a tough one, as you’ll need to clean up other people’s mess, use a lot of elbow grease to cut through the grime, and deal with all the fumes that come with industrial-grade cleaning supplies.
However, I don’t think that many cleaners can say that they juggle all this while also hiding the fact that they are a werewolf.
That’s the premise of The Werecleaner, a game that marries together doing basic cleaning tasks around the office with stealth-based gameplay as you try to hide your true self.
Your task is simple, but the stakes are high, and if you aren’t able to avoid the gaze of the workforce, then you’ll need to deal with the gory consequences before it becomes a bloodbath.
It’s a wonderfully silly game, and one that you can play for no cost at all. So, aside from blowing your cover, what have you got to lose?
9Nightmare Kart
We Still Call It Bloodborne Kart
Nightmare Kart
While I will always refer to this one as Bloodborne Kart, it seems that some more litigious sorts weren’t all that happy with this game’s old name.
Regardless, this game still managed to release, albeit under a different name, and the meme completed its evolution into a fully-fledged anddarn-right enjoyable kart racer.
With gritty PS1 demake visuals, this game stands out from the pack with a retro-horror vibe. But, alongside that, the game is also a love letter to the Yharnam-set Souls title, as well as the kart racers of old.
It’s a little bit CTR, it’s a little bit Twisted Metal, and it’s a whole lot of fun. Just don’t call it by its old name too loudly, or Sony’s lawyers will be on your case.
8Portal Reloaded
More Portals, More Problems
It’s often hard to decodewhat a Portal Modis and what a full-blown fan game using Portal as a base is. However, we are pretty confident in confirming that Portal Reloaded is the latter, and a bloody good one at that.
The main gimmick of Reloaded is that you have another portal added to the mix, adding even more complexity and scope to the twenty-five tests you’ll endure. This green portal controls time, and will effectively allow you to hop between two unique timelines, which is as mind-melting as it sounds.
The one caveat is that, because this is technically a mod, you do have to own a copy of Portal 2 to run Portal Reloaded. But, Portal 2 is always on sale as cheap as chips, so it shouldn’t be too hard to snag for next to nothing.
I will warn you, though, this mod is tailored towards Portal veterans, so be sure to brush up on your portal-based mechanics before you jump into this one.
7Doki Doki Literature Club
Unexpected Trauma
Doki Doki Literature Club!
While there is a paid version of Doki Doki that many would consider the definitive way to play, all you budget-conscious players will be happy to know that you’re able to still play the free version.
The free version is without a few bonus stories, but aside from that, you still get more or less the full experience, which is initially a happy-go-lucky dating sim, but soon becomes a harrowing psychological horrorthat will mess you up.
It’s a visual novel title, so there isn’t a wealth of actual gameplay to enjoy here, but you’ll be so invested in the characters, their stories, and getting an ending that you desperately want that you simply won’t care about the lack of hands-on action.
It’s one of the most unique, popular, and jarring visual novels ever produced and really shakes up the whole ‘pursuit of a waifu’ staple in a big way. So, provided you have the resolve to handle it, we would suggest you give it a try.
6The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog
Crack The Case, Fast!
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
If you’re in the market for a visual novel, but don’t want to endure the trauma that comes with playing Doki Doki, then might I suggest the surreal Sonic the Hedgehog game, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog.
This legitimate SEGA-backed title places you in the shoes of a detective who finds themselves in a classic Murder on the Orient Express scenario as the gang finds Sonic dead and needs to find out who the culprit is.
This leads to a lot of discussions with the well-known cast, partaking in a wealth of fun mini-games that punctuate the moments between chats, and of course, you’ll need to decide who done it in this classic whodunnit.
For an April Fools game, it’s surprisingly polished and interesting, which maybe indicates that we need to see more big swings from the Sonic franchise. Here’s hoping we do in the coming years.
5Illusion Carnival
There are some free games that look so unique and striking that it’s hard to believe that they aren’t raking in millions, and Illusion Carnival is certainly one of those games.
Offering a pop-up book meets carnival vibe, this game places you in the shoes of a lost soul trapped in Confettia, an amusement park that isn’t quite as fun and whimsical as it sounds.
Your goal is to break free, but to do so, you’ll need to get to know the residents of this afterlife amusement park, partake in anumber of high-octane mini-gamesthat will test your resolve, and solve puzzles that will reveal more about the strange and eerie world of Confettia.
It’s the perfect blend of sweet and sinister as the game combines dark, macabre humor with whimsical elements, an audacious art style, and so much more. It’s a free experience, but it beats me why, as this game could have easily been a moneymaker.
4Grimm’s Hollow
Reaper in Training
Grimm’s Hollow
When it comes to free games, a staggering number of them tend to be madewith the aid of RPG Maker,as it’s a great beginner development tool that can still produce games that stand out from the crowd.
Games like Omori, To the Moon, and many others are fine examples, but the best free-to-play example by a long shot is Grimm’s Hollow.
This Undertale-inspired freebie sees you travel through the afterlife working as a reluctant understudy to the Grim Reaper himself as you attempt to find your brother and escape the madness.
Offering a unique combat system, a simple and accessible RPG progression, and a rich storyline with multiple endings to pursue, it’s a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
But equally, it’s a game that won’t cost you a dime, so be sure to download it. Especially if you have milked Deltarune dry and are hankering for your next fix.
3Sheepy: A Short Adventure
Leaves You Wanting More
Sheepy: A Short Adventure
I’ve described many games as short and sweet down the years, but it’s hard to argue against Sheepy: A Short Adventure being the perfect embodiment of the phrase.
Sheepy may only run for an hour if you stop to smell the roses. But, the amount of value, memorable moments, and genuinely impressive mechanical gameplay features that are packed into this short runtime is astounding.
Alongside incredible pixel visuals, a cute plush protagonist, and a dystopian and unsettling world with pockets of beauty. You have a solid platformer with interesting boss encounters, a subtle and profound story, and attention to detail that feels at odds with the price tag, or lack thereof.
This linear metroidvania meets 2D platformeris every bit as good as any game within the genre pound-for-pound. Yet, you may experience it without breaking the bank. It’s a must-play, and perhaps one of the finest debut games of all time.
2Please Touch The Artwork 2
Poking and Prodding
While some people may find them a little one-note and plain, I’ve always been a huge fan of ‘find the object’ games. They may be games that are a bit ‘casual gamer’ spec, but call it a guilty pleasure.
That said, I think Please Touch the Artwork is a little too polished and intentionally designed to be written off as a mere guilty pleasure, as the game is as much a work of art as it is an object-finder extravaganza.
It’s an exceptionally short point-and-click adventure, but it’s one that feels so wholly unique and engaging from start to finish, with clever puzzles that make you feel like you’re in an art gallery, messing with the paintings and catching glares from the exhibition attendees.
Again, it’s another game that leaves you wanting more, but considering you can play this beloved sequel for literally nothing makes it worthwhile if you have about an hour to spare.
1Holocure - Save The Fans
Livestreaming Lunacy
HoloCure - Save the Fans!
When it comes to unanimously loved Steam games, you can’t really get away from the fact that Holocure is the highest reviewed game from Steam Users, not just regarding free games, but considering every game on the platform.
Is it the best game on Steam? In a word, no. But, it’s right up there as one of the best Bullet Heaven games in existence, rivaling the likes of Vampire Survivors while also offering a unique spin on the action.
This unique spin comes through the VTuber angle, but it also has the polish, both artistically and mechanically, to be considered a great bullet Heaven and not just a gimmicky clone.
So, if you have always wanted to try Vampire Survivors but were reluctant to fork over the cash to do so, then Holocure may be the answer to your prayers.
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Deep cuts with big worlds
