Steam Free Games roundup for October 26, 2026: what’s free to keep, what’s a free weekend, and how to claim them

New permanent free-to-keep games on Steam around October 26, 2026

In addition to the four well-known free-to-keep titles, Steam began listing three more titles as permanently free-to-keep around this date. The complete permanent-free roster now includes Crash Bandicoot: Dr. Mancell and Mr. Flame; Stolemates; Goliath Rogue; Wood Watch, along with Heavy Wake; Shenaniguns; and Cartomancy Anthology (22-games-in-1). Each title brings a distinct vibe, so you can curate a mini-library that covers platformer rhythm, frenetic party chaos, roguelike progression, and horror storytelling all without spending a cent.

Crash Bandicoot: Dr. Mancell and Mr. Flame is a nostalgic throwback to the franchise’s PlayStation era. It arrived on Steam on October 7 as a free-to-download, keep-forever indie platformer that recreates classic PS1-era controls—jumping, spinning, and sliding—while centering a musical collaboration between Waterflame and Josh Mancell, the original Crash Bandicoot soundtrack composer. The game features an endless boss battle synced to the music, with escalating difficulty that echoes the original thrill of Crash Bandicoot’s roots, now freely available to all players.

Stolemates is a unique four-player multiplayer experience set in a Toronto-inspired playground. Players race to steal a Heart from opponents and hold onto it for as long as possible, using six power-ups and a fast-paced tag-meets-party-game dynamic to create chaotic, chaotic fun with friends both locally and online.

Goliath Rogue offers a Vampire Survivors–style roguelike with a stronger emphasis on RPG progression. Players battle increasingly difficult waves, collecting loot, upgrading equipment, and unlocking new abilities across runs. Distinctive features include persistent town upgrades, crafting systems, and multiple playable heroes, with equipment and talents carried over between runs to support a more continuous progression loop. All of these elements contribute to a richer roguelike experience that remains free to play on Steam.

Wood Watch delivers a tense, Halloween-ready horror experience. It’s a standalone, free title released on October 9 that channels a Five Nights at Freddy’s–style survival vibe with security-camera-based gameplay. You shelter in an RV deep in the woods after accidentally opening the gates of hell, watching for demons that arrive at night and gradually uncovering the truth behind the catastrophe.

Rounding out the roster, three additional titles have joined the permanent-free camp: Heavy Wake, a 2026 dark fantasy RPG; Shenaniguns, a cooperative shooter; and Cartomancy Anthology, a collection edition featuring 22 games in one. These titles are listed as permanently free-to-keep on Steam around the same time, expanding the set of no-cost options for players who want long-term access without purchases.

Direct Steam store pages for these titles can be found by searching their names on Steam (for example, Heavy Wake, Shenaniguns, Cartomancy Anthology) or by using Steam’s search results pages if you want to jump straight into a store listing.

Steam Free Weekend (October 22–October 26) and a deeper look at DeadPoly

Steam’s Free Weekend lineup includes DeadPoly, which has been made free to play through October 26 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. DeadPoly is an open-world zombie survival-crafting game that blends third-person shooting, scavenging, crafting, and base-building with a distinctive low-poly art style. It’s developed by TFL Games and supports solo play or online co-op, with features like farming, fishing, hunting, and customization of firearms and vehicles. The game’s reception has been generally positive, with a large portion of players recommending it in recent reviews. The overall impression is aided by the indie nature of the project—a single developer’s effort—adding a sense of ambition behind the rough edges commonly found in early-stage titles.

For players who want to jump in quickly, the Steam page for DeadPoly is the fastest route to claim the free access window and start playing right away. The game’s strong low-poly aesthetic and robust open-world systems make it a compelling pick for fans of zombie-survival titles, even as they watch for ongoing updates from the developer.

What else is free on Steam right now

In addition to the four main free-to-keep games and DeadPoly’s Free Weekend, Steam is running promotions around other content. Notably, Free-to-Keep promotions include Squad DLC and Popcorn & Premieren, each available for a limited window. Specifically, Squad DLC is listed as free-to-keep until October 25, and Popcorn & Premieren is free-to-keep until October 29. Separately, a trio of titles has moved permanently to free-to-play: Heavy Wake (a dark fantasy RPG), Shenaniguns (a cooperative shooter), and Cartomancy Anthology (22-games-in-1).

As always, regional availability for these new free-to-keep titles can vary, especially for multi-region releases or bundling. Steam pages for MXGP 26, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack, and Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack note the regional caveats, and platforms may vary access by region.

Nacon titles: MXGP 26, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack, and Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack

Three Nacon-published titles are listed as free-to-keep for Steam players, with some caveats. MXGP 26 is described as the next entry in the MXGP series, bringing an official 2026 championship experience. Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack invites players into an extended car-enthusiast experience, with more customization options for automotive fans. Finally, Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack gives players a specialized armory package that aligns with hunting simulation enthusiasts. For Hunting Simulator 3, Steam notes that the title will arrive on Steam beginning October 29, offering a free-to-keep opportunity for a limited time in select regions. The game emphasizes authentic hunting gear and authentic weapon models, including Beretta, Winchester, Browning, and other major brands.

It’s important to point out that, like past free-to-keep releases, regional availability for these three Nacon titles remains uncertain in several territories. In practice, that means some players may see different access levels or delays based on location, and MXGP 26 and Gear.Club Unlimited 3 do not have confirmed release dates beyond October 2026 in some listings.

Direct Steam search links for these titles can be used to locate their pages quickly, and SteamDB notes provide further context on regional release expectations where relevant.

Quick picks: which free game should you download first?

If you’re short on time and want a clear recommendation, consider these quick fits. Horror or tense moments? Wood Watch is designed for a Halloween weekend atmosphere with tense security-camera gameplay and an eerie story. Want something cooperative with friends? Stolemates offers chaotic four-player party action around stealing a Heart. Nostalgia and arcade vibe lovers can lean into Crash Bandicoot: Dr. Mancell and Mr. Flame, a free tribute that channels the original series with modern polish. For roguelike fans who enjoy persistent upgrades, Goliath Rogue delivers a Vampire Survivors–style loop with added RPG progressions and a persistent town. Finally, Hunting Simulator 3 is ideal for fans of hunting gear and realistic weaponry; MXGP 26 and Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack will appeal to racing and car-enthusiast players once fully available in their regions.

For readers who want a single-line takeaway, the best all-around starter could be Wood Watch for a quick scare and tense play during Halloween, with Crash Bandicoot offering a nostalgic, easy-to-pick-up entry point for long-time fans.

How to claim and download free games on Steam

To claim a free title, open Steam and search for the game you want, or click through directly from this guide’s links. On the game’s store page, select Add to Library or Install, depending on the offering, and the game will be added to your Steam library for permanent access if it’s a Free-to-Keep title. For DeadPoly’s Free Weekend, install or launch the game within the limited window; if you miss the window, the game may revert to a standard price or return to a free-to-play status only if the publisher changes the terms. Always verify the exact end times on the store page to avoid losing access.

Direct store links provide the fastest path to action. For example, you can locate heavier Wake, Shenaniguns, Cartomancy Anthology, and the other free-to-keep titles via Steam’s search results and then add them to your library with a single click. Likewise, you can reach the Nacon titles (MXGP 26, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack, Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack) and the Squad and Popcorn & Premieren DLCs through their respective Steam pages or searches to ensure you claim the content before the deadlines.

FAQ

Q: Are the DLCs free to keep forever? A: The article lists Squad DLC as free-to-keep until October 25 and Popcorn & Premieren as free-to-keep until October 29, after which their status could change. Always check the store page for the current terms and end date.

Q: What happens if I miss DeadPoly’s free weekend? A: The free weekend offer ends at the stated time (October 26 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET). After the window closes, access depends on Steam’s or the publisher’s current pricing and distribution terms.

Q: Are the Nacon titles free for everyone? A: Regional availability can vary. The listings indicate caveats and do not guarantee universal access. Check the Steam page for MXGP 26, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack, and Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack to confirm regional availability in your region.

Notes and context

DeadPoly is highlighted as an indie zombie survival project developed by a single person, which helps explain some rough edges but also its strong, ambitious scope. This context is useful when interpreting its mixed-but-encouraging reception and ongoing development trajectory.

For readers seeking verification, SteamDB entries and official announcements provide context for the dates and regional availability mentioned above. When planning your downloads, consider how the regional status may affect access to MXGP 26, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 Signature Pack, and Hunting Simulator 3 Classic American Hunter Pack.