Best Early Access games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated early access games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free early access games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..Most played early access games on Steam
Take a look at the top early access games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 22nd 2025.
1. RuneScape: Dragonwilds
On RuneScape’s forgotten continent of Ashenfall, dragons have awoken. Gather, build, skill and craft to survive in this co-operative (1-4) survival crafting game. Only by mastering survival and uncovering ancient secrets can they hope to slay the Dragon Queen—alone or with allies. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a early access, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on April 15th 2025 has received 9,218 reviews of which 7,817 were positive and 1,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played early access game, thanks to its 47,238 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.3
7,817
1,401
47,238
players
2. Dark and Darker
An unforgiving hardcore fantasy FPS dungeon PvPvE adventure. Band together with your friends and use your courage, wits, and cunning to uncover mythical treasures, defeat gruesome monsters, while staying one step ahead of the other devious treasure-hunters. Dark and Darker is a early access, dungeon crawler and multiplayer game developed and published by IRONMACE. Released on June 07th 2024 has received 67,142 reviews of which 47,248 were positive and 19,894 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. While seeing 13,593 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among early access games based on player count.
7.0
47,248
19,894
13,593
players
3. Drive Beyond Horizons
Rev up your engines and venture into the unknown with Drive Beyond Horizons! Conquer dynamic landscapes, customize your ride, and unearth hidden treasures. Get ready for heart-pounding challenges and endless excitement. Your adventure starts now ! Drive Beyond Horizons is a early access, adventure and action game developed by Drive Beyond Horizons and published by Tacty Studio and Santor Games. Released on March 24th 2025 has received 1,436 reviews of which 1,180 were positive and 256 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. While seeing 6,230 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among early access games based on player count.
7.9
1,180
256
6,230
players
4. Dinkum
G'Day there! Get ready to start a new fair Dinkum life. Explore an island inspired by the wild Australian outback, featuring tropical eucalyptus forests, scorching deserts, and cool billabongs. Dinkum is a early access, open world survival craft and agriculture game developed by James Bendon and published by KRAFTON and Inc.. Released on July 14th 2022 has received 23,340 reviews of which 21,628 were positive and 1,712 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 4,289 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played early access games.
9.1
21,628
1,712
4,289
players
5. Fields of Mistria
Start your new life! Build the farm of your dreams as you discover a world brimming with possibilities. Magic, romance, and adventure all await you in this nostalgic farming / life sim RPG! Fields of Mistria is a early access, farming sim and rpg game developed and published by NPC Studio. Released on August 05th 2024 has received 18,827 reviews of which 18,437 were positive and 390 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,700 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played early access games.
9.6
18,437
390
2,700
players
6. Backpack Battles
A PvP inventory management auto battler! Buy and craft powerful items, then carefully arrange them in your backpack. Backpack Battles is a early access, auto battler and inventory management game developed by PlayWithFurcifer and published by PlayWithFurcifer and IndieArk. Released on March 08th 2024 has received 14,441 reviews of which 13,116 were positive and 1,325 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,584 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played early access games.
8.9
13,116
1,325
2,584
players
7. Elin
Successor to the roguelike RPG "Elona". Adventure, survival, crafting, home-building, myths passed down, and stories of humans and Elea spun. What scars will you leave on the land of Ylva? Elin is a early access, character customization and open world game developed and published by Lafrontier. Released on November 01st 2024 has received 6,321 reviews of which 5,934 were positive and 387 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 2,422 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played early access games.
9.1
5,934
387
2,422
players
8. Sky: Children of the Light
Sky: Children of the Light is a peaceful, award-winning MMO from the creators of Journey. Explore a beautifully-animated kingdom across seven realms and create enriching memories with other players in this delightful puzzle-adventure game. Sky: Children of the Light is a early access, cozy and mmorpg game developed and published by thatgamecompany. Released on April 10th 2024 has received 16,529 reviews of which 14,477 were positive and 2,052 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 2,417 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played early access games.
8.6
14,477
2,052
2,417
players
9. Farthest Frontier
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats. Farthest Frontier is a early access, historical and agriculture game developed and published by Crate Entertainment. Released on August 09th 2022 has received 19,209 reviews of which 16,518 were positive and 2,691 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 2,393 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played early access games.
8.4
16,518
2,691
2,393
players
10. Aviassembly
Build and fly your own airplane! Complete missions to earn money, upgrade your plane, and discover new locations in an open world. Aviassembly is a early access, flight and building game developed and published by Jelle Booij. Released on April 11th 2025 has received 1,016 reviews of which 990 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 2,337 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played early access games.
9.2
990
26
2,337
players
Best deals on early access games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of early access games available on Steam right now, updated on April 22nd 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted early access games.
1. Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2
Are you a fishing fanatic? With Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 you can prove it! Here's a fishing simulator with six picturesque locations where you'll catch more than 60 species of fish, including the giant tiger shark. Grab your rod, adventure awaits! Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 is a early access, fishing and simulation game developed by Silent Bear Studio and SHINING GAMES and published by Ultimate Games S.A.. Released on August 22nd 2022 has received 1,661 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 507 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 90% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for early access category.
6.7
1,154
507
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
2. Army Troop
Army Troop is an old-school PvP World War 2 online first-person shooter. Reminding you of the good old days World War games. Army Troop is a early access, action and indie game developed and published by Amonga99. Released on September 16th 2023 has received 312 reviews of which 272 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 89% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in early access games.
8.1
272
40
-89%
9.75€
1.07€
3. Fresh Start Cleaning Simulator
Fresh Start is a relaxing single player game, in which you embark on a mission to clean up the world and restore nature to its fresh and colorful shape. Watch as the world changes in front of your eyes as you help animals, solve puzzles and grow plants around you. Fresh Start Cleaning Simulator is a first-person, 3d and realistic game developed by Chicken Launcher and published by Awaken Realms. Released on December 20th 2022 has received 1,844 reviews of which 1,616 were positive and 228 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 88% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in early access games.
8.4
1,616
228
-88%
8.33€
1.00€
4. Seen
A lonely kid desperately tries to escape his dark world. Seen is a early access, indie and dark game developed and published by Seen Games. Released on June 20th 2019 has received 9,676 reviews of which 8,846 were positive and 830 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.9
8,846
830
-83%
2.89€
0.49€
5. Due Process
A PVP tactical FPS about PLANNING & EXECUTION. Sound strategy and good teamwork are essential for victory because new PROCEDURALLY-GENERATED MAPS are delivered every week. You'll face a new tactical challenge every round. Due Process is a early access, adventure and 3d game developed and published by Giant Enemy Crab. Released on November 03rd 2020 has received 8,089 reviews of which 6,612 were positive and 1,477 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.0
6,612
1,477
-78%
9.68€
2.13€
6. Low Magic Age
Adventure and fight in a medieval fantasy open world! Build heroic characters with various abilities, travel through villages, cities, or perilous dungeons. Strategic turn-based combat system and advanced character building - Fog of war, charging and flanking, and more in the fast-paced Arena mode. Low Magic Age is a early access, dungeons & dragons and turn-based combat game developed and published by Low Magic Studios. Released on January 10th 2017 has received 3,154 reviews of which 2,816 were positive and 338 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 76% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.6
2,816
338
-76%
14.54€
3.49€
7. PropHunter
PropHunter - a fresh representative of the genre of hide and seek on the net! The players are divided into two teams - one team is hiding by taking the form and properties of objects, the second team is seek to find for impostors among props. The team that eliminates its rivals wins! PropHunter is a early access, multiplayer and arcade game developed and published by Alone Fox Games. Released on August 06th 2021 has received 809 reviews of which 648 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for early access games.
7.6
648
161
-75%
3.29€
0.82€
8. Hidden Deep
Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life. Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below… Hidden Deep is a early access, shooter and physics game developed by Cogwheel Software and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on January 24th 2022 has received 4,334 reviews of which 3,369 were positive and 965 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 73% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for early access games.
7.6
3,369
965
-73%
19.93€
5.38€
9. Occupy Mars: The Game
Survive and colonize Mars in a highly technical, open-world sandbox game. Build and upgrade your base, discover new regions, conduct mining operations, retrieve water, generate oxygen, grow crops, and fix broken parts. Occupy Mars: The Game is a early access, open world survival craft and open world game developed and published by ▲ Pyramid Games. Released on May 10th 2023 has received 2,378 reviews of which 1,750 were positive and 628 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 73% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for early access games.
7.1
1,750
628
-73%
24.19€
6.53€
10. Frozen Flame
A challenging exploration and survival adventure, set in the dying world of Dragons. Only those who harness the power of Frozen Flame have the means to survive the harsh conditions of the realm and able to muster the strength to cleanse it for good. Frozen Flame is a early access, open world survival craft and online co-op game developed by Dreamside Interactive and published by Ravenage Games and 2P Games. Released on November 17th 2022 has received 2,857 reviews of which 1,895 were positive and 962 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 72% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for early access games.
6.5
1,895
962
-72%
29.82€
8.35€
Free early access games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play early access games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 22nd 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play early access games.
1. Dark and Darker
An unforgiving hardcore fantasy FPS dungeon PvPvE adventure. Band together with your friends and use your courage, wits, and cunning to uncover mythical treasures, defeat gruesome monsters, while staying one step ahead of the other devious treasure-hunters. Dark and Darker is a early access, dungeon crawler and multiplayer game developed and published by IRONMACE. Released on June 07th 2024 has received 67,142 reviews of which 47,248 were positive and 19,894 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. With 13,593 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free early access games on Steam.
7.0
47,248
19,894
13,593
players
2. Sky: Children of the Light
Sky: Children of the Light is a peaceful, award-winning MMO from the creators of Journey. Explore a beautifully-animated kingdom across seven realms and create enriching memories with other players in this delightful puzzle-adventure game. Sky: Children of the Light is a early access, cozy and mmorpg game developed and published by thatgamecompany. Released on April 10th 2024 has received 16,529 reviews of which 14,477 were positive and 2,052 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 2,417, this early access game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free early access games on Steam.
8.6
14,477
2,052
2,417
players
3. SAO Utils 2: Progressive
SAO Utils 2 provides you a fresh-new customizable Full-Dive 3D app launcher with varieties of themes, desktop widgets and powerful utilities. SAO Utils 2: Progressive is a utilities, software and anime game developed by Joshua Chen and published by Studio GPBeta. Released on November 05th 2022 has received 1,683 reviews of which 1,566 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 914, this early access game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free early access games on Steam.
8.8
1,566
117
914
players
4. Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense
Endless idle tower defense game full of deep strategy and combat mechanics. Unlock and upgrade dozens of epic fantasy heroes to defeat an infinite swarm of enemy monsters. Strategize hero positions, synergies, and skills for an effective defense, then sit back and let the auto-battler do its thing! Idle Hero TD - Tower Defense is a early access, strategy and tower defense game developed and published by Swell Games LLC. Released on May 03rd 2024 has received 601 reviews of which 494 were positive and 107 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 888 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.8
494
107
888
players
5. Brighter Shores
Brighter Shores is an all new adventure from award winning MMORPG designer Andrew Gower. It is an enchanting point-and-click style RPG with hundreds of hours of gameplay, set in a land of magic and mysteries, with a huge number of professions to try, and something new to find around every corner. Brighter Shores is a early access, mmorpg and rpg game developed and published by Fen Research Ltd. Released on November 06th 2024 has received 8,918 reviews of which 6,407 were positive and 2,511 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 529 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.0
6,407
2,511
529
players
6. BAPBAP
Join BAPBAP, the Roguelike Party game where no two matches are ever the same. Round up your homies, pick a character, and build a giga-unfair build that'll make them hate you - then do it all over again! BAPBAP is a early access, pvp and deckbuilding game developed and published by BAP HQ. Released on March 12th 2025 has received 1,228 reviews of which 973 were positive and 255 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 519 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.6
973
255
519
players
7. Slapshot: Rebound
Slapshot: Rebound is a physics-based multiplayer game where you play an arcade style match of hockey. No shoot button, no puck glue, no RNG. It’s up to you and your team to take control of the puck, pass, shoot, outplay your opponents. Play with your friends or team up with other Slapshot players! Slapshot: Rebound is a early access, sports and arcade game developed and published by Oddshot Games. Released on April 11th 2024 has received 8,613 reviews of which 7,247 were positive and 1,366 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 464 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
8.2
7,247
1,366
464
players
8. Book of Yog Idle RPG
The Book of Yog is a 3D idle RPG game presented with a Cel-Shading art style. You can rally heroes, develop the kingdom and explore the secrets of a lost world. Dozens of heroes, hundreds of skills, thousands of loot for you to combine freely. Come to embark on a journey to build the strongest team! Book of Yog Idle RPG is a early access and massively multiplayer game developed and published by 元气工作室. Released on July 29th 2022 has received 7,051 reviews of which 4,488 were positive and 2,563 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 463 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
6.3
4,488
2,563
463
players
9. Quake Champions
Step into the Arena. Compete against players from around the world in this fast-paced shooter that combines the dark mythos of the original Quake with the skill-based competition of Quake III Arena. Become a Champion. Quake Champions is a arena shooter, hero shooter and early access game developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on August 18th 2022 has received 38,273 reviews of which 28,231 were positive and 10,042 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 387 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.3
28,231
10,042
387
players
10. Warudo
Warudo is the flexible & personalized 3D VTubing software you have always wanted. Built-in face & hand tracking, custom 3D assets, Twitch/YouTube integration, blueprint system, C# plugins, and so much more. Warudo is a animation & modeling, video production and early access game developed and published by Hakuya Labs. Released on July 14th 2023 has received 358 reviews of which 340 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 320 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
8.7
340
18
320
players