The big list of DRM-free games on Steam
This is just beginning. List will be updated in the following days and weeks.
There is DRM free games DB but it's huge mess, and there are many missing games. There will be corresponding thread in Steam powered forums.
List is made because of
- people who continuously claim that Steam is DRM which is complete BS, and
- for some unknown reason Steam Store pages don't mark DRM free games.
Definition of DRM free game - DRM free (game) means no copy protection i.e. you can use it without any sort of restriction. In practical term:
- game’s .exe can be launched directly and Steam client won’t pop up
- game’s .exe can be launched directly and there won’t be any additional DRM pop up
- game’s folder can be copied outside steamapp folder and used freely
What is Steamworks? It is an API for gaming developers. They can use it for free to include a set of Steam features and solutions. Steamworks is not DRM, it's just one optional part of it. There are many games which are Steamworks but are DRM free. That will be noted.
- Steaworks features like achievements, cloud, multiplayer and other won't work if game is launched outside of Steam client.
The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam is here.
Games are grouped in different categories so they should be easier for finding. There should be at least 4 games for the list to be created. List is alphabetical.
Larian Studios
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Beyond Divinity | Link | |
Divine Divinity | Link | |
Divinity II: Developer's Cut | Link | Free upgrade for owners of Divinity II: Ego Draconis or Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga. |
Divinity: Dragon Commander | Link | Steamworks title. |
Indie
Independent video games (commonly referred to as indie games) are video games created by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
A Virus Named TOM | Link | Steamworks title. |
Cogs | Link | Steamworks title. |
Dungeon Defenders | Link | Steamworks title. DRM free if you switch it to GameSpy mode before launching. |
Dungeons of Dredmor | Link | Steamworks title. |
Faerie Solitaire | Link | Steamworks title. |
FEZ | Link | Steamworks title. Use FEZ_LaunchOption.exe to disable Steamworks so you can use DRM free version. |
FTL: Faster Than Light | Link | |
Gratuitous Tank Battles | Link | Steamworks title. |
Gratuitous Space Battles | Link | |
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 | Link | Steamworks title. |
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 | Link | Steamworks title. |
Sol Survivor | Link | Steamworks title. |
Super Meat Boy | Link | Steamworks title. |
Strike Suit Zero | Link | Steamworks title. |
The Binding of Isaac | Link | Steamworks title. |
VVVVVV | Link |
Others
This list features non-indie, AAA (big publishers) and games outside publishers in separate paragraphs.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Alpha Protocol | Link | Run ~\Binaries\APGame.exe, not APLauncher.exe. |
Deus Ex: GotY Edition | Link | |
Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition | Link | |
Rayman Origins | Link | |
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I | Link | |
System Shock 2 | Link | |
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut | Link | You can use CD key for free DRM backup on GOG.com and for the bonus content. |
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition | Link | Steamworks title. You can use CD key for the free DRM free backup on GOG.com and for the bonus content. |
Worms Pinball | Link |
Paradox Development Studio
Every Paradox Studio game is DRM free. Paradox stated many times their developed games are and will be DRM free like this one post or by their CEO.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Crusader Kings Complete | Link | |
Crusader Kings II | Link | Includes all expansions and DLCs. |
Europa Universalis III Complete | Link | Includes Heir to the Throne and Divine Wind expansions and all DLCs. |
Europa Universalis IV | Link | Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs. |
Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition | Link | |
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete | Link | |
Hearts of Iron III | Link | Includes all expansions and DLCs. |
March of Eagles | Link | |
Sengoku | Link | |
Victoria I Complete | Link | |
Victoria II | Link | Includes A House Divided and Heart of Darkness expansions and all DLCs. |
Semi-indie
Games developed by indie studio/developer but published by big publisher.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bastion | Link | Steamworks title. |
Fairy Bloom Freesia | Link | Steamworks title. |