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 27th 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, multiplayer and survival game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on April 15th 2025 has received 13,528 reviews of which 11,513 were positive and 2,015 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 17,057 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.3
11,513
2,015
17,057
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 67,909 reviews of which 47,703 were positive and 20,206 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. While seeing 12,572 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
47,703
20,206
12,572
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 6,544 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
6,544
players
4. 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 16,706 reviews of which 14,623 were positive and 2,083 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 2,986 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played early access games.
8.6
14,623
2,083
2,986
players
5. Soulstone Survivors
Face the Lords of the Void and their endless minions, collect their Soulstones and become a god! In this Action Roguelite, unveil secret spells, craft mighty weapons, unlock multiple characters, discover game-breaking synergies and conquer the power of the void. Soulstone Survivors is a action roguelike, bullet hell and early access game developed and published by Game Smithing Limited. Released on November 07th 2022 has received 21,150 reviews of which 19,285 were positive and 1,865 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,922 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played early access games.
8.9
19,285
1,865
2,922
players
6. Soulmask
Escaping a deadly sacrificial ritual, you find an ancient mystical mask on your journey. This mask holds potent knowledge, changing the world you knew. Face the harsh challenges of nature, survive, rally followers, and build your own tribe. Explore and unveil the truths behind the enigmatic mask. Soulmask is a early access, survival and multiplayer game developed by CampFire Studio and published by Qooland Games. Released on May 30th 2024 has received 14,366 reviews of which 11,570 were positive and 2,796 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. With 2,277 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played early access games.
7.9
11,570
2,796
2,277
players
7. 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 dating sim game developed and published by NPC Studio. Released on August 05th 2024 has received 19,025 reviews of which 18,628 were positive and 397 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,952 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played early access games.
9.5
18,628
397
1,952
players
8. Motor Town: Behind The Wheel
Enjoy realistic driving in the open world. Relaxing cargo deliveries or driving buses and taxis will give you enough money to buy new cars and parts. You can test your driving skills at the race track. It's all about pure driving pleasure! Motor Town: Behind The Wheel is a early access, open world and driving game developed and published by P3 Games. Released on December 17th 2021 has received 5,584 reviews of which 5,255 were positive and 329 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 1,910 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played early access games.
9.1
5,255
329
1,910
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 19,280 reviews of which 16,579 were positive and 2,701 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 1,850 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played early access games.
8.4
16,579
2,701
1,850
players
10. 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 1,808 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played early access games.
8.9
13,116
1,325
1,808
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 27th 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 314 reviews of which 273 were positive and 41 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 89% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in early access games.
8.0
273
41
-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. 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 8,130 reviews of which 6,650 were positive and 1,480 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.0
6,650
1,480
-78%
9.68€
2.13€
5. 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 3,157 reviews of which 2,819 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 #5 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.6
2,819
338
-76%
14.54€
3.49€
6. 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 #6 position in the best deals for early access games.
7.6
3,369
965
-73%
19.93€
5.38€
7. 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 2,384 reviews of which 1,752 were positive and 632 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 73% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for early access games.
7.1
1,752
632
-73%
24.19€
6.53€
8. Quasimorph
Take on a role of a hardened PMC fighter in a dark turn-based extraction RPG. Engage in unforgiving combat, manage your ship and pile up the bodies of your clones to unravel the dark mystery behind threat to all life. Quasimorph is a early access, extraction shooter and simulation game developed by Magnum Scriptum and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on October 02nd 2023 has received 4,145 reviews of which 3,407 were positive and 738 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 67% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.0
3,407
738
-67%
20.09€
6.63€
9. Gloomwood
Trapped in a dark, Victorian city consumed by an ancient curse, you must plan your survival and daring escape using nothing but stealth, an arsenal of eccentric weapons, and your wit in this haunting adventure inspired by the immersive sims and survival horror greats of the late 90s and early 2000s. Gloomwood is a early access, immersive sim and stealth game developed by Dillon Rogers, David Szymanski, Nate Berens and Thomas Porta and published by New Blood Interactive . Released on September 05th 2022 has received 6,296 reviews of which 5,984 were positive and 312 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 65% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for early access games.
9.2
5,984
312
-65%
19.60€
6.86€
10. The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time
The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time is a sandboxy physics game for 1-8 players, with everything from sneaky heists to hilarous stupidity to baking pizzas. With continuous updates, plenty of maps, and hundreds of items, clothes and quests, it has something for everyone. The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time is a early access, heist and comedy game developed and published by That Fish and That Other Fish. Released on July 02nd 2021 has received 2,709 reviews of which 2,433 were positive and 276 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 65% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for early access games.
8.6
2,433
276
-65%
12.37€
4.33€
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 27th 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 67,909 reviews of which 47,703 were positive and 20,206 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. With 12,572 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
47,703
20,206
12,572
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 16,706 reviews of which 14,623 were positive and 2,083 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 2,986, this early access game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free early access games on Steam.
8.6
14,623
2,083
2,986
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 1,033, this early access game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free early access games on Steam.
8.8
1,566
117
1,033
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 608 reviews of which 500 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 939 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
500
108
939
players
5. 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 564 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.6
973
255
564
players
6. 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 476 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.0
6,407
2,511
476
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 417 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
417
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 412 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
412
players
9. 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 392 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
8.7
340
18
392
players
10. 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 390 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free early access games on Steam.
7.3
28,231
10,042
390
players