The big list of DRM-free games on Steam
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Revision as of 10:25, 9 October 2013 by Garrett (talk | contribs) (→Semi-indie: fixed point type (positive to neutral))
Key points
- This list only refers to the Windows versions of games - OS X and Linux versions may or may not be DRM-free.
- A Steam game is DRM-free if launching its .exe directly does not start Steam client or prompt for third-party DRM.
- DRM-free games can be moved outside
steamapps
and used freely. - Steam doesn't list which games are and aren't DRM-free.
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.
- Steamworks features like achievements, cloud, multiplayer and others won't work if game is launched outside of Steam client.
The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam
- This is a comparable list of Steam games which feature Third Party DRM.
Lists
- Games are grouped in different categories as to be easy to find. There should be at least 4 games to warrant their own list. Lists are alphabetical.
Bohemia Interactive
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
ARMA: Cold War Assault | Link | |
ARMA: Gold Edition | Link | |
ARMA II | Link | |
ARMA II: Operation Arrowhead | Link | Includes Army of the Czech Republic, British Armed Forces and Private Military Company DLCs. |
Take On Helicopters | Link |
Devolver Digital
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Hotline Miami | Link | Steamworks title. DRM free if you disable Steamworks when game launch. |
Serious Sam 2 | Link | |
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter | Link | |
Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter | Link |
Flash
- DRM can't be used on Flash games (that includes AIR, too) as per Steamworks FAQ.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Auditorium | Link | |
Botanicula | Link | Steamworks title. |
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten | Link | Steamworks title. |
Flight Control HD | Link | Steamworks title. |
Intrusion 2 | Link | Steamworks title. |
Machinarium | Link | |
Offspring Fling! | Link | Steamworks title. |
Samorost2 | Link | |
The Basement Collection | Link | Steamworks title. |
The Binding of Isaac | Link | Steamworks title. |
Trauma | Link |
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 made by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support.
- For independent games using Flash see Flash.
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. Run 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. |
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 | |
Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition | Link | |
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition | Link | Base game (Dread Lords [GalCiv2.exe ]) and Dark Avatar [GC2DarkAvatar.exe ] expansion are DRM free.
|
GT Legends | Link | |
GTR - FIA GT Racing Game | Link | |
GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game | Link | |
System Shock 2 | Link | |
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut | Link | It has Steam DRM, but you can use CD key for the free DRM backup (you get installation files) on GOG.com. |
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition | Link | Steamworks title. You can use CD key for the free DRM free backup (you get installation files) on GOG.com. |
Worms Pinball | Link |
Paradox Development Studio
- Every Paradox Development Studio game is DRM free and even some they publish (Paradox Interactive).
- 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 |
---|---|---|
Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game | Link | Steam and other DD have outdated v1.07 because Paradox dropped support. Download v1.08 patch and apply it. It is highly recommended by developers. After patch, game is DRM free. |
Crusader Kings Complete | Link | |
Crusader Kings II | Link | Includes all expansions and DLCs. |
Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game | Link | Steam has outdated v1.02. Download v1.03 patch from developers and read Installation notes - Steam users. After patch, game is DRM free. |
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 | |
For The Glory: A Europa Universalis Game | Link | Download v1.2 patch in archive for DRM free version of game. |
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete | Link | |
Hearts of Iron III | Link | Includes all expansions and DLCs. |
Majesty Gold HD | Link | Run MajestyHD.exe from the HD folder.
|
Majesty 2 | Link | |
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. |
SEGA
- Every game on the list (except Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I) is run on emulator, hence DRM free.
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack | Link | Pack includes: Altered Beast, Comix Zone, Crack Down, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, Golden Axe, Shadow Dancer, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Space harrier II and Vectorman. |
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 2 | Link | Pack includes: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Bonanza Bros, Columns, Ecco Jr, Eternal Champions, Fatal Labyrinth, Galaxy Force II, Kid Chameleon, Ristar and Super Thunder Blade. |
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 3 | Link | Pack includes: Alien Storm, Bio-Hazard Battle, Columns III, Decap Attack, Ecco: The Tides of Time, ESWAT: City Under Siege, Flicky, Golden Axe II, Sword of Vermilion and Virtua Fighter 2. |
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 4 | Link | Pack includes: Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole, Light Crusader, Shining Force, Shining Force II, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2 and Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair. |
SEGA Genesis Classics Pack 5 | Link | Pack includes: Beyond Oasis, Dynamite Headdy, Golden Axe III, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Revenge of the Shinobi, Streets of Rage 3, Vectorman 2 and Wonder Boy in Monster World. |
Sonic 3 and Knuckles | Link | |
Sonic 3D Blast | Link | |
Sonic Spinball | Link | |
Sonic the Hedgehog | Link | |
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Link | |
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I | Link | Steamworks title. |
ToeJam & Earl | Link | |
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron | Link |
Squere Enix
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Dungeon Siege | Link | |
Dungeon Siege II | Link | |
Thief Gold | Link | |
Thief II: The Metal Age | Link |
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. |
Ubisoft
Name | Store Page | Notes |
---|---|---|
Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition | Link | Run game via DX9 launcher. |
Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition | Link | |
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East | Link | Run H5_Game.exe from binDM folder, not from bin folder.
|
Rayman Origins | Link |