Steam just handed gamers four brand new free titles, and every one of them is loaded with fast, chaotic action. From a hammer wielding dog to a Vampire Survivors style roguelite, these indie games are live on the platform right now and ready to download. And with the Steam Spring Sale 2026 just days away, this weekend is shaping up to be one of the best times to be a PC gamer.
What Are the Four New Free Steam Games?
The four free games on Steam are Escape Up, Crimson Loop, Dog’s Walts, and Ze Gunner.1 All of these games are completely free to play, meaning that you can claim them and they will be permanently added to your library.1
Each title brings something different to the table. But they all share one thing in common: intense, action driven gameplay built for quick sessions and high replay value.
Here is a quick breakdown of all four games:
| Game | Genre | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Escape Up | Action Platformer | Tower climbing with leaderboards |
| Dog’s Walts | Physics Score Attack | Hammer wielding dog chaos |
| Crimson Loop | Auto Shooter Roguelite | Wave survival with upgrades |
| Ze Gunner | Base Defense | 360 degree turret combat |
New free to play indie games on Steam March 2026
Escape Up and Dog’s Walts Bring Pure Arcade Fun
In Escape Up, players climb a tower and defeat monsters as they try to escape. Killing all the monsters in a room unlocks the next room. Players can challenge other climbers on the leaderboards and see how fast they can manage to escape.2
The difficulty ramps up with every floor. If you love timed runs and competitive climbing, this one is built for you.
Dog’s Walts puts players in control of a cute and clueless dog who smashes soldiers off the stage with a hammer to score points. Featuring 3D visuals with 2D style controls, it is easy to play, chaotic, and hard to stop.3
Both games are perfect for players who want something they can pick up in seconds and lose hours to.
Crimson Loop Channels the Vampire Survivors Formula
If you have played Vampire Survivors, you already know how addictive auto shooter roguelites can be. In Crimson Loop, players fight their way through waves of increasingly frenzied hordes of monsters, earning upgrades, powerups, and abilities in a mysterious yet satisfying adventure to uncover the story behind their origins and the Loop.4
The game follows the proven loop of survive, upgrade, and survive longer. Each run builds on the last, giving players stronger abilities over time.
For fans of the genre, Crimson Loop is a no brainer. It costs nothing, and the roguelite structure means every run feels fresh.
Ze Gunner Tests Your Reflexes With Nonstop Base Defense
Ze Gunner is a base defense game where players control a turret system with unlimited ammo and need to protect their base from incoming enemies. When the enemies get close to the base, they will start to fire.5
The setup is simple. You sit in the center. Enemies come from all directions. You shoot everything that moves.
Target switching speed is everything in this game. As enemy waves grow denser and faster, the pressure becomes relentless. It is a pure test of reaction time and precision.
Deponia Free Giveaway Ends March 16
While these four indie titles are permanent free to play additions, there is one major limited time deal that PC gamers should not miss.
Steam users can add the 2012 hand drawn comedy adventure game Deponia to their game libraries for free. Gamers who are interested in claiming Deponia for their Steam libraries should act fast, as this latest promotion is only active until March 16.6
Claim Deponia before March 16 at 10 a.m. PT. Once added to your library, it is yours to keep forever.
The game was released in 2012 by developer Daedalic Entertainment, which also developed games like Blackguards, State of Mind, and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.6 It is a classic point and click title with over 2,900 player reviews, 77% of which are positive.7
HowLongToBeat puts Deponia at around 8 hours for the average player to complete the main story, with completionists tending to get closer to 10 and a half hours from the game.6 That is a solid chunk of gameplay for a game that costs absolutely nothing right now.
This Steam promotion marks the first time that Deponia has ever been free on the platform since its release.6 The game has enjoyed regular discounts down to $0.99, but it is usually priced at $9.99.6
Players who grab Deponia for free and enjoy it may also like to know that the game has multiple sequels: Chaos on Deponia, Goodbye Deponia, and Deponia Doomsday, released in 2012, 2013, and 2016, respectively.6
Steam Spring Sale 2026 Starts March 19
The timing of these free games is not a coincidence. The Steam Spring Sale 2026 runs March 19 to 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific.8
Valve classifies it as one of its four Steam wide seasonal sales for 2026, alongside the Summer Sale, Autumn Sale, and Winter Sale.9 That means this is not a small promotional event. It is one of the biggest discount windows on the entire PC gaming calendar.
Indie games often see deeper discounts during the Spring Sale, with potential price cuts reaching up to 70%.10 Major titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring are expected to have significant discounts during the sale.10
Quick tips to prepare for the Steam Spring Sale:
- Add games to your wishlist now so you get notified the moment prices drop
- Check price history on tracking sites to spot truly good deals
- Set a spending limit before the sale goes live to avoid impulse buying
- Compare sale history when the discounts go live, and avoid buying games just because the percentage looks dramatic9
Between four new free to play titles dropping this week, the Deponia giveaway ending today, and the Spring Sale launching in just three days, Steam is giving PC gamers more reasons than ever to open the platform this weekend. Whether you are a roguelite junkie, a platforming enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good deal, there is something waiting for you right now. Drop a comment below and tell us which of these free games you are trying first, and which titles are sitting at the top of your Spring Sale wishlist.
