A new free weekend promotion on Steamnot to be confused with Steam's Free-to-Keep promotion, is live now and allows players to check out four games without paying a single penny after the promotional period closes (May 18 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET). Each game can be played for free from today until May 18th, at the time of writing, but they can no longer be played after that. But should any of these games tickle your fancy, they'll all be discounted until either May 21st or May 28th. The cheapest discount is 35%, but it goes up to 75% during the extended promotion period.
It is worth mentioning GreedFall: The Dying World joined a free weekend promotion on May 13, before these games did, and it's also available during the same promotion, just a day shorter. It ends on May 17th but has a discount too. If that doesn't appeal to Steam users, then they have four other options, and if those four options don't appeal to some, then GreedFall: The Dying World is a solid fantasy RPG worth checking out for free.
Steam's Free-to-Keep promotion has 6 upcoming 100% free games
The back of Steam's Free-to-Keep campaign reveals six games that will be made available for free in the coming weeks/months.
Steam's Big Free Weekend
As previously mentioned, each of the new games in Steam's new Free Weekend promotion is unplayable May 18 at 10am PT/1pm ET, which means aspiring players should be sure to download ASAP and dive in. While free game promotions of any kind can sometimes have weak games, it's worth noting that each of the included titles has positive reviews. Players can now check out V Rising, Misery, Make Way, and Astral Ascension. To claim, Steam users simply need to go to the Steam page and claim them as they normally would, although they should be aware that they will lose access if not purchased before the expiration date. To help readers choose which game(s) is best for them, Steam links are provided with each detailed breakdown below.
GameRant Quiz
Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s)
Open-World Survival Game V Rising is free on Steam right now
V rises know what makes survival games addictive but also what makes them frustrating, cut it out and focus on the best parts of the genre. Players step into the shoes of a newly awakened vampire, which immediately gives the game more character than most open-world survival games. Players must, as they progress, hunt villagers for blood, avoid being hit by sunlight, and build their own castles. The combat is fast, the bosses are difficult, and it all feeds into a successful series of sandbox systems. It's a game that manages to feel atmospheric, brutal and strangely satisfying all at once.
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Open world vampire survival with castle building
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PvE and PvP multiplayer options along with solo play
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Boss-driven progression system unlocks new abilities
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Daylight survival mechanics add constant tension
- Can you beat it this weekend? No, it takes 60+ hours to beat
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Play V Rising for free on Steam
Co-Op Survival Game Misery is free on Steam right now
Misery leans heavily into the oppressive atmosphere, throwing players into a bleak survival experience where just staying alive is meant to feel like an achievement. Unlike many post-apocalyptic games, where “post-apocalyptic” is the bigger picture but otherwise mundane is moment-to-moment, it focuses on ensuring the opposite. The world is meant to feel harsh minute by minute, where resources are scarce, exploration is deadly, and I mean, there's some misery involved in everything. There's a rawness to the experience that helps sell the thrill, especially for players who like survival games that prioritize immersion and desperation over power fantasies.
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Hard post-apocalyptic survival game
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Resource management and exploration-focused progression
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Dark, oppressive world design built around tension
- Can you beat it this weekend? Yes, it takes about 10 hours to beat
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Play MISERY for free on Steam
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Online Racing Game Make Way is free on stream right now
Make way feels like the kind of multiplayer game designed specifically to destroy friendships in the best way possible. Instead of just racing on ready-made courses, players build the course themselves before immediately throwing each other into utter chaos filled with hazards, power-ups, loops, weapons and disasters waiting around every corner. It's a simple concept, and it definitely works well at it.
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Players build courses together between rounds
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Chaotic top-down multiplayer racing game
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Weapons, hazards and traps constantly change races
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Inspired by party racers like Micro Machines and Mashed
- Can you beat it this weekend? Yes, it takes ~5 hours to beat
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Play Make Way for free on Steam
Action Roguelike game Astral Ascent is free on Steam right now
There is a reason Astral Ascension has become such an easy recommendation for roguelike fans. It takes the fast-paced combat and repeatable loop that players expect from the genre, and then injects it with gorgeous pixel art, fluid platforming, and so on. Each run feels like a balancing act between chaos and control as players experiment with spells, buildings and character abilities while pushing through the Garden's brutal Zodiac bosses. What really helps Astral Ascension what stands out is how energetic it feels from moment to moment, helping to create that ever-important “one more run” vibe that permeates the best action roguelikes.
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Four playable heroes with distinct fighting styles
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Dozens of spells and build combos across runs
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Handcrafted pixel art worlds and Zodiac boss fights
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Solo play or two player co-op support
- Can you beat it this weekend? Maybe, ~22 hours to beat, but an addictive game loop can easily add hours
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Play Astral Ascent for free on Steam
