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| The newly spotted free games fall in different genres. Pictured: edited screenshots from Once Upon a Shell and The Scream of Darkness. |
Every January, Steam users perform a familiar ritual: sifting through the Winter Sale aftermath and discovering a fresh batch of "Free to Play" titles that quietly appeared over the holidays. This January 2026 is no different. A handful of new free games have popped up on the platform, but here’s the catch: almost all of them were actually released in the final weeks of December 2025. They’re not all winners, but nestled among the experimental and the odd are a few surprises that have already won over early players. We dove into the list to separate the potential gems from the coal.
The Early Standouts: High-Rated Free Adventures
While “free” often comes with caveats, several titles have already built impressive goodwill based on their early player reviews.
Leading the pack is Monstro Maestro, a 2D action-adventure with a focus on tough boss battles. With a stellar 94% positive rating from its first 50 reviews and partial controller support, it’s clearly hitting the right notes for fans of challenging, skill-based gameplay.
Not far behind in player affection is The Whittled Horse. This exploration-puzzle game charms with its hand-drawn cutscenes and promise of multiple endings, securing an 87% positive rating. Similarly, The Wild Darkness (85% positive) is attracting survival-roguelike fans to its mysterious, challenging world.
For those seeking a different kind of thrill, THE SCREAM OF DARKNESS offers a story-rich psychological horror experience, netting an 83% positive rating for its branching narrative. And if pure, chaotic fun is the goal, Drunk Driving Simulator (rated "Very Positive" from ~130 reviews) delivers exactly what its name promises: fun-filled 3D driving mechanics with full controller support. Speaking of which, a compatible controller like the GameSir Super Nova wireless controller (currently $40.45 on Amazon) can seriously enhance these hands-on experiences.
Solid Contenders with Growing Buzz
Beyond the top-rated titles, a group of games is building solid "Positive" reputations, each offering a distinct flavor.
Deckbuilding enthusiasts have two intriguing options: Fruit Fusion! combines the genre with retro-styled visuals and simple mechanics, while Rogue Slots merges deckbuilding roguelike elements with card battler gameplay. Both are off to promising starts.
For speed demons, Once Upon a Shell provides a unique twist as a roguelike racing game with PvE and cartoonish charm (81% positive). Platforming fans should look to Skybound, a 3D exploration platformer praised for its fluid parkour movement.
Rounding out this tier are the vibrant pixel worlds of the jump 'n' run Pingorile, the light combat and puzzles of the casual adventure Diluted, and the action-packed boss fights of Monstro Maestro (which also sits proudly in the top-rated category).
A Word of Caution & A Pro Tip
It’s important to temper expectations. The "free" label on Steam is a broad church, encompassing ambitious passion projects, clever demos, early experiments, and sometimes mere asset flips. A low review count, while normal for new releases, means your experience may vary. Always check the "Recent Reviews" filter and read the store page details carefully.
Furthermore, if you're enjoying these free PC titles on the go, you might want to check out Humble's latest handheld-friendly bundle, which offers a curated set of verified games for devices like the Steam Deck for a very low price. It's a great way to build a portable library.
The Verdict
This post-holiday free game drop is a classic Steam treasure hunt. While not every title will be worth the disk space, the strong early reception for games like Monstro Maestro, The Whittled Horse, and The Wild Darkness suggests there’s genuine quality to be found for the price of a download. For players willing to dig a little, Steam’s January freebies might just hold your next favorite hidden gem.
Ready to explore? Check out some of the top-rated titles mentioned:
- Dive into the retro deckbuilding of Fruit Fusion! on Steam.
- Test your survival skills in The Wild Darkness on Steam.
- Face the music in Monstro Maestro on Steam.
- Enjoy a casual puzzle adventure with Diluted on Steam.
- Experience the chaotic driving of Drunk Driving Simulator on Steam.
- Try your luck with the cards in Rogue Slots on Steam.
- Race through roguelike worlds in Once Upon a Shell on Steam.
- Parkour across beautiful landscapes in Skybound on Steam.
- Unravel a dark mystery in THE SCREAM OF DARKNESS on Steam.
- Jump into pixelated fun with Pingorile on Steam.
- Solve intricate puzzles in The Whittled Horse on Steam.
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| Screenshot from Skybound |
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| Screenshot from Rogue Slots |
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| Screenshot from Once Upon a Shell |
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| Screenshot from Drunk Driving Simulator |