Top Free Steam Games to Claim & Keep in AU | Dec 2025

Top Steam Free Games to Download This Week (December 2025)

G’day, fellow gamers! If you’re looking to score some epic PC games without spending a cent, you’ve come to the right place. Steam is a treasure trove of free entertainment, especially with the holiday season in full swing. We’re constantly on the lookout for every deal, from limited-time giveaways that let you keep games forever to free-to-play weekends. This guide is your go-to resource for all the steam free games you can grab right now in Australia. Let’s dive in and fill up your library!

This week is a cracker for steam free games to keep. Major developers often celebrate the festive season by making one of their premium titles completely free for a short period. It’s the perfect time to snag a game you’ve had your eye on. Here’s what’s on offer right now:

• Keep Forever Giveaway: CyberGlitch 2066 – Usually $39.95, this indie RPG is 100% off until December 24th! Once you claim it, it’s yours to keep in your library forever, no strings attached. This isn’t a demo or a trial; it’s the full game, for free.
• Free Weekend Trial: BattleFrontier Tactics – Want to try before you buy? You can play this popular squad-based shooter for free all weekend, until Monday at 4 AM AEST. Note that it will be removed from your library after the trial ends unless you decide to purchase it (usually at a steep discount!).

ACTION REQUIRED: Don’t sleep on these offers! The CyberGlitch 2066 giveaway is a genuine steam free games limited time deal. Head to the Steam store page and click “Add to Account” before it’s too late. You don’t even need to install it right away; just claim it to secure your copy forever.

Best Free-to-Play Games on Steam (2026 Edition)

Beyond the limited-time giveaways, Steam is home to some of the biggest games in the world, which happen to be completely free to play. These aren’t temporary deals; they are permanently free, supported by in-game purchases like cosmetic skins or battle passes. Here are some of the best free games on Steam that you can download and play right now.

When you’re playing online, it’s good to be aware of how gaming platforms handle your data to ensure your privacy is protected. Most free-to-play games are safe, but knowledge is power!

FPS & Shooters

• Counter-Strike 2: The gold standard for competitive tactical shooters. A high-skill ceiling and a massive global player base make this a must-play for FPS fans. Monetisation is purely cosmetic through weapon skins.
• Apex Legends: A fast-paced, character-driven battle royale where legendary contenders battle for glory, fame, and fortune on the fringes of the Frontier. Monetisation includes cosmetic items and new characters (who can also be unlocked via gameplay).
• Destiny 2: A massive online action MMO-shooter. Explore the mysteries of our solar system and engage in responsive first-person combat. The base game is free, with large expansions available for purchase.

MOBA & Strategy

• Dota 2: One of the biggest games on the planet. This Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) boasts a huge roster of heroes and complex strategic gameplay that rewards teamwork. All heroes are free, with monetisation focused on cosmetics.

MMORPGs

• Lost Ark: A sprawling fantasy MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) with satisfying ARPG-style combat and a deep world to explore. Monetisation includes convenience items and cosmetics.
• Warframe: Become a space ninja in this slick and stylish third-person co-op action game. The gameplay is fast, fluid, and incredibly fun. Almost everything can be earned in-game without spending real money, though it can be a grind.

Steam Christmas Sale & Holiday Giveaways

The end of the year is prime time for PC gamers. The annual Steam Winter Sale, often called the Christmas Sale, is legendary for its massive discounts and festive cheer. This is your best chance to find deals related to steam free games december 2025 and scoop up bargains for the year ahead.

During the sale, thousands of games go on sale, with discounts often hitting 90% or more. While “100% off” giveaways are less common than during other events, they do happen! The best way to find them is to check the store’s front page daily. Beyond full games, the Christmas event often includes free community items like trading cards, profile backgrounds, and animated stickers that you can earn just by browsing your discovery queue. When making purchases during the sale, it’s always wise to keep your payment information secure to avoid any holiday headaches.

How to Find and Track Free Steam Games

Waiting for a freebie to fall into your lap is one thing, but actively hunting them down is the true art of the bargain gamer. With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you’ll never miss a free game again.

Upcoming Steam Free Games & Sales Calendar (2026)

Looking ahead is key to planning your gaming budget. While Valve doesn’t announce official dates too far in advance, the major sales follow a predictable pattern. Here’s a speculative calendar for 2026 based on previous years:

Spring Sale

Expected mid-to-late March 2026. A great time for post-holiday bargains.

Summer Sale

The big one! Expected late June to early July 2026. This is a massive event with the deepest discounts of the year.

Autumn Sale

Expected late November 2026. Coincides with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Winter Sale

Expected late December 2026. The festive finale to the year’s sales.

Don’t forget about Steam Next Fest events! These happen several times a year and let you play hundreds of free demos for upcoming games. It’s a fantastic way to discover new indie gems before they’re even released.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I find limited-time free games on Steam?

The best methods are to check the “Specials” tab on the Steam store daily, follow gaming news sites that announce these deals, and use third-party trackers. The most popular and reliable tracker is the website SteamDB, which has a dedicated section for free promotions.

Do Steam free games stay in my library forever?

It depends on the type of offer. You need to know the difference:

• Free-to-Play: These games (like Dota 2 or Apex Legends) are always free and stay in your library as long as you have them installed.
• 100% Off / Giveaway: When a paid game is offered for free for a limited time, you must “claim” it during the promotional period. Once claimed, it is yours to keep and play forever, just as if you had bought it.
• Free Weekend: This is a temporary trial. You can download and play the full game for a limited period (usually 2-3 days). After the weekend ends, the game will be locked in your library unless you purchase it.

When is the next Steam sale?

Steam hosts four major seasonal sales each year: Spring (March), Summer (June/July), Autumn (November), and Winter (December). Based on this pattern, the next major event after the Winter 2025 sale will be the Spring Sale in March 2026.

Can I get Steam trading cards from free games?

Generally, yes, but with a catch. For permanent “Free-to-Play” titles, you typically need to spend money on in-game purchases to become eligible for card drops (roughly one card drop per US$9 spent). However, for paid games that are given away for free (a “100% off” deal), they usually grant you their full set of card drops just for playing, as if you had purchased the game normally.