Want to invite a loyal friend for a few competitive matches or delve into an engaging story in co-op, but one of you hasn't purchased the game? It's the perfect time to explore the best multiplayer games available on Steam, all without any cost. We've compiled a list of 15 for two player games that ensure a fantastic time with friends, free of hassles or expenses.

WarframeImage: x.com

Dota 2

  • Genre: MOBA
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: July 9, 2013
  • Download:  Steam

Is further commentary even necessary here? Dota 2 remains one of the most popular games globally, and that status seems unshakeable. It's free, and for those who are fans of the genre, countless hours await on its epic battlefields.

Dota 2Image: YouTube

The best part? In Dota 2, you can team up not just as a duo, but as a quintet. Gather your friends, log in, and let the battle commence!

Warframe

  • Genre: Action/RPG
  • Developer: Digital Extremes
  • Release Date: March 27, 2013
  • Download: Steam

What's cooler than space ninjas donning ultra-stylish exoskeletons? That's right — a vast multiplayer universe dedicated to these ninjas, teeming with content and receiving regular updates.

WarframeImage: YouTube

Warframe ensures there's never a dull moment. While some players might be drawn to its lore and co-op main story, others might fancy PvP battles or immerse themselves in the quest for new gear and weapons.

Apex Legends

  • Genre: Battle Royale
  • Developer: Respawn Entertainment
  • Release Date: February 4, 2019
  • Download: Steam

A standout in the contemporary Battle Royale scene, Apex Legends boasts impressive visuals combined with deep, dynamic gameplay. Assemble a three-player squad or team up as a duo, select characters with unique abilities, and strive to become legends in the arena.

Apex LegendsImage: YouTube

Starting from 2020, Apex Legends graced Steam's library as a free title. Only cosmetics and loot boxes might prompt in-game purchases, depending on your preference.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

  • Genre: MMORPG
  • Developer: BioWare Austin
  • Release Date: December 20, 2011
  • Download: Steam

Immerse yourself in a sprawling multiplayer RPG set in the Star Wars universe, evolving and expanding for over a decade. Unlike many MMOs, this game promises an intricate narrative teeming with memorable characters, allowing players to shape its course.

Star Wars The Old RepublicImage: Steam

The Old Republic is even better with a companion. Though each class offers a distinct storyline, players can collaborate in special dungeons, showcasing their prowess.

Goose Goose Duck

  • Genre: Social Game/Survival
  • Developer: Gaggle Studios
  • Release Date: October 3, 2021
  • Download: Steam

In the realm of fun free-to-play games, Goose Goose Duck deserves a shoutout. It's reminiscent of Among Us, drawing inspiration from the timeless "Mafia" game. The objective? Deceive your friends, master the art of treachery, and emerge as the last one standing.

Goose Goose DuckImage: YouTube

Goose Goose Duck's appeal lies in its accessibility — it's completely free, making it an ideal choice for assembling a group of social deduction aficionados.

Counter-Strike 2

  • Genre: FPS
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: September 27, 2023
  • Download: Steam

The beloved tactical shooter is favored by many gamers around the world. Yes, CS2 currently has its share of issues, but the developers are actively working to resolve them, ensuring a comfortable gaming experience for players.

CS2Image: Steam

Furthermore, there's no obligation to compete for a spot in the global rankings or to turn your passion for CS2 into an e-sport. Instead, you can always invite a couple of friends and have a great time without any additional pretenses.

Destiny 2

  • Genre: FPS/RPG
  • Developer: Bungie
  • Release Date: September 6, 2017
  • Download: Steam

Destiny 2 is an expansive, visually stunning, and incredibly well-crafted blend of first-person shooter and role-playing game elements. Here, you'll create a character from one of three unique classes and embark on an exciting adventure across the galaxy with a couple of loyal friends.

Destiny 2Image: x.com

The base version of Destiny 2 is available for free, while various expansions will require additional payment. But don't fret about that just yet: even the base game content will provide you with a couple of hundred (!) hours of engaging gameplay — from enjoying an interesting storyline to battling in numerous PvP modes.

Brawlhalla

  • Genre: Fighting
  • Developer: Blue Mammoth Games
  • Release Date: October 17, 2017
  • Download: Steam

Two-player games can be quite diverse. A colorful and dynamic fighting-platformer that allows for a rumble with up to eight players at once! Akin to Super Smash Bros., the goal isn't to kill your opponent but to simply knock them out of the arena. And it's completely free and regularly updated.

BrawlhallaImage: gamesunit.de

Moreover, Brawlhalla regularly hosts crossover events with other popular universes, which is an appealing feature for players.

Unturned

  • Genre: Survival
  • Developer: Smartly Dressed Games
  • Release Date: July 8, 2017
  • Download: Steam

A quirky mix of DayZ, Minecraft, and Roblox, Unturned is dedicated to surviving a zombie apocalypse. Here, you'll need to traverse a large open map, build camps, gather food and weapons, drive vehicles, and not forget to play pranks on other players.

UnturnedImage: YouTube

Over the years, Unturned has come a long way and now boasts a vast array of diverse content. What better reason to gather friends, create a dedicated server, and take a shot at the walking dead?

Path of Exile

Genre: Action/RPG

Developer: Grinding Gear Games

Release Date: October 23, 2013

Download: Steam

The only project capable of wresting the crown of the best "Action/RPG game" from Diablo. Large, complex, beautiful, dynamic, and free – Path of Exile has a lot to offer its players. In return, all they need to do is be attentive and spend time learning the intimidatingly large character skill tree.

Path of ExileImage: YouTube

Otherwise, Path of Exile is a classic representative of the genre. Choose one of the available classes, destroy billions of monsters, and collect rare equipment from their cold bodies. And so on, ad infinitum.

SMITE

  • Genre: MOBA
  • Developer: Hi-Rez Studios
  • Release Date: March 25, 2014
  • Download: Steam

A fairly popular third-person MOBA telling the story of epic battles between gods from the mythologies of various peoples of the world. It offers almost 120 characters, several game modes, and regular content updates.

SMITEImage: Reddit

From the very beginning, you will have access to five free gods, while the rest will need to be purchased with special in-game currency. However, don't worry – it's awarded after every match played, and soon you'll have all the desired characters in your collection.

Paladins

  • Genre: FPS
  • Developer: Evil Mojo Games
  • Release Date: May 8, 2018
  • Download: Steam

A team-based multiplayer shooter clearly inspired by Overwatch and Team Fortress 2. While the Overwatch developers were breaking the monetization system and dealing with the fallout from endless scandals around the studio, the authors of Paladins focused solely on their game – and brought it to an incredibly high-quality level!

PaladinsImage: YouTube

Here you'll find not only the usual battles between heroes of different classes, but also mountable animals, a card system with special bonuses, and a rich variety of game modes designed for all kinds of users.

SCP: Secret Laboratory

  • Genre: FPS/Horror
  • Developer: Northwood Studios
  • Release Date: December 29, 2017
  • Download: Steam

A multiplayer horror game based on the super-popular SCP franchise. Here, you'll need to move through procedurally generated corridors of a secret laboratory and complete tasks for one of the available sides: prisoners, scientists, military, traitors, or SCP entities – otherworldly monsters with unique abilities.

SCP Secret LaboratoryImage: YouTube

In addition to standard modes, players enjoy role-playing in this game. With full immersion in the story and the creation of hundreds of unique situations.

Albion Online

  • Genre: MMORPG
  • Developer: Sandbox Interactive
  • Release Date: July 17, 2017
  • Download: Steam

A unique MMORPG with a classless leveling system and an economy entirely built on the actions of the players themselves. Absolutely any item from the game world can be crafted independently, then sold to someone else, and something important obtained in return. Essentially, it's a multiplayer sandbox where you can do whatever your heart desires: fight monsters or grow vegetables.

Albion OnlineImage: YouTube

Of course, spending free time in Albion Online is much more fun with a loyal friend. It will be easier to engage in crafts, defeat opponents, and trade successfully.

Team Fortress 2

  • Genre: FPS
  • Developer: Valve
  • Release Date: October 10, 2007
  • Download: Steam

The absolute classic of team shooters, which gave birth to Overwatch, Paladins, and hundreds of other clones. Team Fortress 2 was released about 16 years ago, but it still looks and plays magnificently. Unique characters with diverse gameplay styles, a multitude of available maps, and hundreds of cosmetic items to adorn your fighter.

Team Fortress 2Image: YouTube

Still reading this article? Hurry up and download Team Fortress 2 — and let's see who can rack up more kills first!

These were the best free-to-play games on Steam for two players. Of course, this list does not include all the cooperative and free projects on Steam — merely for the sake of space. What do you think, which games should be added to our next top?

Main image: me.pcmag.com