Steam users have until January 18th to add another free game to their digital libraries. PC gamers have had all kinds of free games to enjoy this past month, thanks in large part to the holiday season. During the holidays, PC gamers could check out Epic Games Store free mystery games, as well as a slew of random Steam games.
There is a big difference between free games on the Epic Games Store and free games on Steam. On the Epic Games Store, PC gamers know they can check in every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. CST and get a new freebie or two, while Steam is completely random. This makes it easier for Steam users to miss out on free games, but at least there's usually a decent-sized window to claim any given freebie on the platform.
Best Co-Op Games on Steam to Play Right Now
From online multiplayer titles to local masterpieces, Steam has tons of great co-op games covering a wide range of genres.
Current Steam Free Games
The latest free game from Steam is Initial Operations Onlineand it will be free on Steam until January 18th at 12:00 p.m. CST. Originally released in 2023, Initial Operations Online is basically a racing MMO with a “semi-open world” Japan that includes Mount Haruna, Mount Akagi, and the road to Irohazaka. The game loop involves earning money to buy new customization options and cars, with players able to compete with others online, battle for dominance on the leaderboards and more. The game features “realistic yet dynamic physics” as well as a day/night cycle. It has received “Mostly Positive” reviews since its initial release, so genre fans should be sure to claim it while they still can. If you happen to miss the freebie window, make a note of it Initial Operations Online is only $4.99 anyway, so buying it outright won't break the bank.
Initial Operations Online is made free just months before the next game from the developer is released. The new arcade racing game Akinaset in early 90s Japan, will feature similar games as Initial Operations Onlinewith a focus on multiplayer and drift racing. Akina is expected to be released sometime in early 2026, although a specific release date is not currently available. Racing game fans can expect an update too Initial Operations Online will be released that will act as a crossover between the two games.
Racing games may be niche, but you can't break free, so Steam users should be sure to grab Initial Operations Online while they still can. Again, Initial Operations Online will be free until January 18 at 12:00 p.m. CST. Meanwhile, there are other free games that PC players can claim. On the Epic Games Store, Bloond's TD 6 is free to claim and will be until January 15 at 10:00 a.m. CST. At that time, Bloons TD 6 will be cycled out of the Epic Games Store free games list and replaced by two more free games.
Current Epic Games Store free games
Once Bloons TD 6 cycled out, it will be replaced by Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness. For those unfamiliar with the games, both Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness are stealth games developed by Cyanide that received mixed reviews at the time of their individual releases, but should still appeal to fans of the genre. Styx: Masters of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness will be free on the Epic Games Store from January 15th to January 22nd, with their replacements yet to be announced.
