Playing party games with a few friends is some of the most fun you can have in gaming. The problem is that a lot of people have friends who either cannot or will not buy paid party games, and someone always ends up getting left out.
On Steam, there are a surprising number of free party games available, ranging from mediocre to genuinely great. We tried a lot of different options to find the best ones, and we made a point to include a couple that most people have not heard of before.
With that said, here are the best free party games on Steam right now.
Sword Game
Sword Game is an incredibly simple take on the Stick Fight formula. As the name suggests, the only weapon in the game is a sword.
Going in, it is hard to know what to expect. The game is low budget, but it is surprisingly enjoyable. The standout mechanic is sword growth. Every time you defeat another player without dying, your sword gets bigger. Eventually it grows so large that hitting anyone becomes a challenge on its own, which leads to some genuinely funny moments, especially when one person is walking around with a massive sword and can barely use it.
Since this is a party game, the AI is not great, so playing it solo is not really worth your time. There is a decent variety of maps, though some are better than others. The hazard maps can get annoying, but there is no penalty for dying on them, so it stays lighthearted.
For a free game, it is a solid pick for a few hours of entertainment with friends.
Drunken Wrestlers 2
If you have spent any time browsing the free section on Steam, you have probably seen Drunken Wrestlers pop up at some point.
It is a physics-based fighting game where you punch and beat up the other player until they get knocked out. The physics feel satisfying in that weird, chaotic way that makes these kinds of games work. It is a little wonky, but that is part of the appeal.
There is character customization so you can make your wrestler look however you want, and there is also custom mod support through the Steam Workshop. Hundreds of extra maps are available to download, which adds a lot of replay value for a free game.
One practical upside worth mentioning is that the game runs on just about anything. Even lower-end PCs will have no problem running it, so frame drops and crashes are not something you need to worry about.
Life on Pizza
Life on Pizza puts you and your friends in the role of pizza toppings trying to avoid being eaten for as long as possible.
A giant mouth works its way around the pizza, and small ants will actively try to push you toward the edge to speed things along. It sounds simple, and it is, but the chaos of four players all trying to survive at once makes it work.
The game has both PVP and PVE modes, different powerups, and a few game modes that change things up enough to keep it fresh. The competitive survival mode is a highlight.
The one thing worth knowing is that if you are not playing locally, you will need to use Steam Remote Play to get everyone in. Remote Play can be hit or miss depending on your connection, so keep that in mind before organizing a session with people online.
RISK: Global Domination
Most people have heard of the RISK board game, and this is a digital version of it. If you are not familiar, RISK is a strategy game built around capturing territories on a map and fighting other players by rolling dice.
RISK: Global Domination is a faithful adaptation of the board game with clean animations and some optional extra mechanics. The base game captures what makes RISK enjoyable, and any mechanics you do not like can be turned off in the settings. It also supports crossplay, so you can play with people on other platforms including mobile.
One thing worth noting is that the game uses a token system. You get 150 tokens to start, and each match costs 5 tokens. You can play quite a bit before running out, but eventually you may need to buy more. Most people never reach that point, but it is something to be aware of.
Overall, it is a great way to play RISK without buying a physical copy.
Super Totally Ultimate Dad Showdown
Super Totally Ultimate Dad Showdown is a four-player party game where you compete in weird dad-themed minigames.
The three minigames currently in the game are the baby stroller race, the dad depot, and penny pincher. Each one has its own maps, and while the game is on the smaller side, what is there is genuinely fun to play with a group. As of this writing, the game supports local co-op and Remote Play Together, with full online multiplayer planned for a future update.
If you enjoy party games and want something a little different, it is worth giving this one a shot.
Bro Falls
If you have played Fall Guys or seen footage of it, Bro Falls is essentially the same concept but completely free.
You play as different types of food moving through obstacle course levels to finish in first place. The levels follow the same general style as Fall Guys, with traps, moving platforms, and competitive chaos. You cannot play locally, but you can join friends online without any issue.
One notable addition since the game's early days is that the broccoli character who used to control traps around the course is now a playable player. You can actually spawn in as the broccoli and interfere with the course while others try to finish, which is a cool change that adds another layer to matches.
The game is actively being updated with new maps, and the developer is clearly still working on it. For people who do not want to spend money on a similar experience, Bro Falls is a genuinely good free option.
Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is probably the most well-known game on this list, and that reputation is earned. It is a 2D platform fighter in the same vein as Super Smash Bros, with a large and active community behind it.
A handful of characters are available for free, with the rest locked behind purchases. The free roster is enough to enjoy the game, and buying additional characters is entirely optional. For local play with friends, the starter characters are more than enough to have a good time.
The gameplay is fast, the combat is satisfying, and the overall level of polish is far above what you would expect from a free game. If you want a party game that also has real competitive depth, Brawlhalla is the best option on this list.
Rubber Bandits: Summer and Christmas Prologue
If you enjoy physics-based fighting games, Rubber Bandits is worth trying.
There are two free prologue versions available, the Summer Prologue and the Christmas Prologue, each built around a seasonal map theme. You can customize your character and play 2v2 or free-for-all matches with friends. The goal is simple: pick up whatever you can find on the map and knock out the other players.
It is straightforward, it runs on almost anything, and the physics make every match feel a little different. Simple games like this tend to work well as party games because the learning curve is basically nonexistent.
Beat Me! Puppetonia Tournament
Beat Me! Puppetonia Tournament is one of the strongest free party games on Steam and probably the most underrated pick on this list.
The concept puts you and up to five other players in the role of puppets competing in a puppet tournament. The art style is vibrant, the maps are interactive, and the physics-based combat is the kind of thing that leads to genuinely memorable moments with a group.
The game supports up to 6 players online and local multiplayer on the same PC, which is a big deal if you ever have people over or want to play with family. There are over 100 interactive levels and multiple game modes to change up how matches play out.
This is the free version of a full game, but it does not feel limited. The combat is fun, the variety is there, and it is the kind of game that tends to stick around in your Steam library long after you first install it.
