Do you ever feel like entertainment costs are spiraling out of control? Because same. I’m juggling so many subscription services, but there’s barely any time to enjoy them. Sorry, Disney+, but you had to go. The same goes for my Nintendo Switch Online subscription—why am I even paying for that? Someone, please enlighten me, especially since I’ve been gaming almost exclusively on my PC lately.
It’s time to cut the subscriptions and explore free-to-play games instead. Or at least stick to games that only require a one-time purchase. Actually, now that I think about it, I’ve already downloaded tons of games in the past that I’ve barely touched—it’s time to change that!
To help both you and me, I’ve put together this list of free Steam games to enjoy guilt-free this month. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for a bonus game (and a video!) that didn’t make it onto this list!
LITTLE TRAVELER
In Little Traveler, you step into the tiny shoes of Nora, a Thumbelina-like character who travels from house to house, lending a hand to small families in need. Your mission? Stay hidden while bringing happiness back to the life of a lonely widow. Can you navigate all three levels without being discovered?
OPE
Ôpe is a charming 3D platformer where you take on the role of Bô, a tiny but courageous hero. With 10 captivating levels to explore, your adventure will guide you through magical forests and ancient temples. Master skills like wall dashing, rock pushing, double-jumping, and even transforming into a small sphere to overcome obstacles and uncover secrets!
BEWILDERED
Bewildered is a visually stunning action-adventure game crafted by students, where teamwork is key. Partner with a mighty beast to fight back against corruption and rescue your island from doom. Use your relic to command the creature, dodge danger with precision, and combine your unique abilities to seal the portal and restore peace once and for all!
AZTLAN UNCOVERED: PROLOGUE
Unleash your inner Lara Croft in Aztlan Uncovered, a thrilling 3D action-adventure game. Explore a newly unearthed temple, using your equipment and sharp mind to uncover its secrets. Solve intricate puzzles with a unique time device that lets you manipulate the state of specific objects, unlocking the mysteries of this ancient world.
PORCELAIN TALES
Step into the tiny shoes of a porcelain garden gnome in Porcelain Tales. Brought to life by a witch, your mission is to help gather all the missing items. Made of delicate porcelain, you’ll need to move carefully and avoid damage as you sneak around. With just one chapter, it offers a fun and short adventure that’s perfect for a quick playthrough.
TRIKAYA
Trikaya is a relaxing first-person puzzle game set in a long-forgotten temple. Your goal is to recover a mysterious artifact that has been hidden away for centuries. Use the powers of earth, fire, and wind to solve puzzles, uncover the artifact’s history, and restore it to its ancient glory.
POSTMOUSE
Postmouse is a charming third-person puzzle platformer where you play as an adorable mouse on a mail delivery mission. Step outside your cozy home and embark on an exciting adventure, exploring ancient ruins, solving puzzles, and meeting delightful animals along the way. Deliver letters to those eagerly awaiting news from their loved ones, and experience the joy of connecting hearts through the power of mail.
SHEEPY: A SHORT ADVENTURE
Sheepy: A Short Adventure is a heartwarming indie game inspired by classics like Hollow Knight and Ori. You play as Sheepy, an abandoned toy brought to life, who finds itself in unexpected and dangerous places that no plushie should ever go. This short pixel art adventure is beautifully complemented by its amazing soundtrack, which has captured the hearts of many players. It’s hard to believe it’s free—definitely a hidden gem worth playing!
CAT-ACLYSM
Cat-aclysmn is an action-adventure student project where you play as Vexa, the vibrant owner of a café called Catuccino. When your mischievous cat, Catuccino, runs away and starts a revolution to take over the city, it’s up to you to bring him back. Embark on a wild chase, battling evil robocats along the way in an effort to reclaim your beloved feline and restore order to the city!
MOOSE LOST IN THE WOODS
Moose Lost in the Woods is a delightful 3D platformer that encourages you to get lost in a whimsical Swedish-inspired forest. Run, leap, bounce, and explore while filling your backpack with fun treasures! Your goal? Find as many pine cones as you can while enjoying the serene and playful adventure.
SHUTTER
Shutter is a cozy, short third-person puzzle game where you step into the shoes of Keith, a new employee at the space-age research center L.I.E. (Learn, Investigate & Exploit). Using your camera, you manipulate objects through perspective (think Superliminal), unlocking mysteries hidden within the center. With its intriguing puzzles and mysterious atmosphere, it’s a captivating game that offers plenty of intrigue in a brief playthrough.
VIRIDI
Viridi is a soothing, work-from-home companion game where you can watch your succulents grow while you go about your day. Leave the game open in a second window and tend to your virtual garden, offering you a peaceful escape during busy moments. It’s a calming, safe haven you can return to whenever you need a quiet break from the hustle.
A PARK FULL OF CATS
If you love a good hidden object game, A Park Full of Cats is sure to delight. Step into a charming amusement park filled with thrilling rides and hidden cats waiting to be discovered. Search high and low as you explore the park, with each cat cleverly hidden in plain sight. The best part? It’s completely free to play!
GREEN REAPER
Green Reaper is a combat-focused third-person game set in a beautifully designed greenhouse. You play as Rubin, a rose blessed by the goddess Antheia and armed with her sacred scythe. When mushroom marauders invade the greenhouse, threatening the life of the garden goddess and her creations, it’s up to you to protect them. Venture through the expansive greenhouse, battling the invaders and restoring peace to the sacred garden.
EVERY LETTER
Every Letter is a cozy single-player game perfect for aspiring writers. Using an old-fashioned typewriter, you’ll craft heartfelt letters that embody your clients’ thoughts and emotions. As you type, you’ll uncover intertwining stories across multiple clients’ requests, get to know the charming quirks of the typewriter, and discover your own personal connection to the art of letter writing.
MEMORIES
Memories is a heartwarming dress-up game that explores how our clothes influence our mood and the memories we associate with them. Despite being free to play, it offers a remarkably emotional experience. Blending dress-up gameplay with visual novel elements, Memories uses a pastel, dream-like art style to evoke feelings of nostalgia and sadness, highlighting the emotional connection we have with the clothes we wear.
THE LOOKER
The Looker is a playful, free-to-play puzzle game set on a mysterious island, featuring over 55 creative puzzles spread across several enchanted locations. A lighthearted parody of The Witness, this short yet fun game offers unique challenges that vary in difficulty but never take themselves too seriously. It’s perfect for a quick, enjoyable puzzle-solving adventure.
CHECK IT OUT!
If you’re on the hunt for a free-to-play game like Supermarket Simulator, give Check it Out! a try. In this relaxing game, you step into the shoes of a cashier, encountering a variety of quirky and questionable customers. It turns the often mundane task of customer service into a fun and engaging experience. Honestly, if the customers in my store were even half as interesting as these, my day would fly by!
PLANT THERAPY
Plant Therapy is the ultimate cozy plant-collecting game where you can build your own indoor garden right in the heart of New York City. With over 60 unique plants to collect, grow, and repot, you’ll experience the simple joy of nurturing your greenery. As you wait for your plants to grow, you can decorate your apartment, collect artwork, and bask in the peaceful, calming atmosphere of your little sanctuary.
SKY: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT
Sky: Children of the Light is a cozy, open-world adventure where you soar above the clouds in a peaceful, serene world. New players, affectionately called Moths because of their brown capes, are guided by seasoned players who help them navigate the game. With minimal dialogue and direction, the game encourages players to seek guidance from others, making it a beautiful exploration of the buddy system.
Created by thatgamecompany—the same studio behind Journey—Sky shares many elements with its predecessor, like flying creatures, sandy landscapes, and the presence of a mysterious stranger. But Sky takes the buddy system even further, allowing for more meaningful cooperation and connection. And exciting news: Sky: Children of the Light will be available on Steam starting April 2024!
PALIA
Palia is currently my favorite cozy game, and I can’t recommend it enough. While it’s not without its bugs and glitches—something that can be frustrating at times—it holds incredible potential to become something really special.
Set in a world where humans were once extinct but are now making a comeback, Palia invites you to uncover the mystery behind humanity’s disappearance while building a new life in this vibrant world.
The game is free-to-play on both Steam and Nintendo Switch, though a word of caution: the graphics on the Switch aren’t as polished as the PC version. That said, if you’re only playing on the Switch, you might not notice the difference. I mostly play it on Switch myself, and still find it incredibly enjoyable!
