Three co-op games, including a popular space sandbox with Very Positive user reviews, are free to play on Steam until September 1. This comes shortly after Steam gave away Dead in Bermuda, now followed by a longer list of free-to-play titles that feature some well-regarded co-op experiences.
The co-op genre has had an incredible year on Steam, with recent stats showing that many of the platform's top performers focus on cooperative gameplay. Hit titles like PEAK and R.E.P.O. Show that there is a strong demand for co-op games, with fans eager for more experiences like these. Valve's storefront seems well aware of this trend, surprising players with a lineup of popular titles in the genre.
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Co-Op Games That Are Free-to-Play on Steam Right Now
Until September 1, Steam users can play Space Engineers, Unrailed 2: Back on Track, and SWORN for free. Buying all three would normally cost about $60 USD, making this a great chance to test whether they're worth the price. Each game features expansive cooperative gameplay, with Unrailed 2 even letting players battle other teams in co-op mode.
SWORN is an isometric action roguelike for up to four players. Its core gameplay revolves around clearing procedurally generated maps, inspired by American artist Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy. Space Engineers, by contrast, is a sci-fi sandbox that supports up to 16 players in both cooperative and competitive modes, with players building bases, exploring new locations, and trying to survive harsh outer space conditions. Finally, Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a top-down adventure focused on building train tracks across ever-changing maps, each presenting unique challenges.
Steam has also made Nightingale free to play this weekend. The game is an open-world survival and crafting experience with online co-op. However, it currently holds "Mixed" reviews, making this an ideal opportunity to try it out and decide if it's worth buying. Forts is also free-to-play on Steam and, unlike Nightingale, has Very Positive reviews. The free-to-play lineup doesn't end there, though, as players interested in single-player experiences can also try Darkest Dungeon 2, widely regarded as one of the best dungeon crawlers in recent years.
The good news is that most of these games are also discounted by 30% to 75%, so players looking to keep them can grab them at a reasonable price. Space Engineers, for example, is currently priced at around $5 USD, a solid deal for a game with plenty of replay value. Unrailed 2: Back on Track is 30% off as well, dropping from $20 to $14. Both Unrailed 2 and SWORN are still in early access, with SWORN set for full release on September 25. There's no official global release date for Unrailed 2 yet, but it is expected to reach version 1.0 soon after being in early access since November 2024.
