Steam promotions are so frequent that it can be hard to keep track of free Steam games, but it’s occasionally worth paying attention to what’s on offer. While some free games might not even be worth the bandwidth that it takes to install them, plenty are hits that would usually be worth the full price of admission.
That’s especially true this week, as a couple of developers are offering limited-time access to popular games with strong review scores. Unfortunately, neither can be added to your library permanently without forking over some cash, but it might be worth giving them a spin for free while you can.
Right now, Squad and Gas Station Simulator are both available for free on Steam. The “Play for free” promotions last until September 28, disappearing at 1 PM EDT in typical Steam fashion. Unlike “Free to keep” promotions, those who download and play the games during this period will lose access at that time unless they choose to purchase a permanent license.
Squad and Gas Station Simulator are very different experiences, but they’ve both earned acclaim in their respective niches. Squad offers a tactical FPS experience that merges the scale of Battlefield with a comparatively realistic approach, rewarding those who take the time to invest in its learning curve. Gas Station Simulator, meanwhile, is exactly what it says on the tin, tasking players with the challenge of restoring an abandoned gas station and turning it into a successful enterprise.
Both games are also on sale during the promotional period, with the discounts sticking around for a few extra days afterward. Until October 1, Squad can be purchased for $19.99, a 50% discount from its typical price of $39.99. Gas Station Simulator is edging it out with a 55% discount, which takes it down from a standard $19.99 MSRP to $8.99.
For comparison, Squad‘s steepest Steam sale in history was a $15.99 promotion in July this year, while the $8.99 price for Gas Station Simulator is a new historical low.
If either title piques your interest, there’s no harm in redeeming the promotion and trying one or both out for a few days. At worst, you’ll have wasted a bit of your time on an unrestricted demo, and you might end up finding a new favorite. The frequent opportunities to try new games can result in some of the best experiences on Steam, a platform that often feels the gift that keeps on giving.
- Brand
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Valve
- Original Release Date
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September 12, 2003
