Steam is offering five games for free this weekend, including the vampire survival hit V Rising and the narrative RPG GreedFall: The Dying World. Here are the details, deadlines, and discounts for each title.
Steam is running a free weekend promotion from May 14-18, 2026, giving players temporary access to five paid games at no cost. The lineup includes V Rising, Astral Ascent, GreedFall: The Dying World, MISERY, and Make Way, with a combined regular price of over $76. Each title also comes with significant discounts for players who want to keep playing after the free period ends.
Which Games Are Free on Steam This Weekend?
| Game | Regular Price | Genre | Free Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| V Rising | $34.99 | Vampire Survival ARPG | May 18, 10:00 AM PT |
| GreedFall: The Dying World | $49.99 | Narrative RPG | May 17, 10:00 AM PT |
| Astral Ascent | $9.50 (sale) | 2D Roguelite Platformer | May 18, 10:00 AM PT |
| MISERY | $7.29 | Co-op Survival | May 18, 10:00 AM PT |
| Make Way | $6.99 | Multiplayer Racing | May 18, 10:00 AM PT |
One important note: GreedFall: The Dying World’s free trial ends on May 17, a full day earlier than the other four titles. If you want to try it, prioritise downloading it first. For European players, the cutoff times are 6:00 PM BST / 7:00 PM CEST.
V Rising: The Standout Title of the Weekend
Developed by Stunlock Studios, V Rising is a vampire-themed survival action RPG that first hit Steam Early Access in May 2022, peaking at over 150,000 concurrent players. The full 1.0 release arrived in May 2024, and the game currently holds a “Very Positive” rating with 89% approval across more than 108,000 reviews on Steam.
Players awaken as a weakened vampire, hunting for blood to regain strength while avoiding the scorching sun. The gameplay loop blends open-world exploration, base building, crafting, and ARPG combat with WASD movement and cursor-based aiming. You can build and customise a gothic castle, convert humans into thralls, and either cooperate or compete with other players online. The base game is fully accessible during the free weekend, though DLC content remains locked.
V Rising is on sale for 55% off ($15.74) through May 21. All DLCs are 20% off, and the Complete Edition bundle stacks an additional 20% discount on top of that. If you have been eyeing this game, this is the cheapest it has ever been during a free weekend promotion.
GreedFall: The Dying World: A Choice-Heavy Fantasy RPG
GreedFall: The Dying World, developed by Spiders and published by Nacon, launched its full 1.0 version on March 10, 2026, after spending time in Early Access since September 2024. Set in a fantasy world inspired by 17th-century Europe, the game places you on a war-torn, disease-ravaged continent where every choice affects the story.
The game features 8 recruitable companions, a tactical pause combat system with three configuration profiles (Tactical, Focused, Hybrid), and branching dialogue that shapes alliances, betrayals, and romances. Steam reviews currently sit at “Mixed” with 62% positive ratings across 912 reviews, largely due to the significant combat overhaul compared to the original GreedFall.
The free trial period ends on May 17 at 10:00 AM PT (6:00 PM BST), so you have slightly less time with this one. A 30% discount brings the price down to $34.99 if you decide to purchase, valid through May 27.
Astral Ascent: Roguelite Perfection with a Brand-New DLC
Hibernian Workshop’s Astral Ascent is a 2D platformer roguelite with a 95% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating from 1,706 Steam reviews. Players choose from four heroes and battle through the Garden, an astral prison guarded by 12 Zodiac bosses. Dozens of unique spells allow you to build wildly different playstyles each run, and two-player local or online co-op is available via Steam’s Remote Play Together feature.
The free weekend coincides with the launch of the Arven the Wolf Blade DLC ($4.99) and a major free update that completely redesigns the Prowesses progression system. The base game is 60% off until May 28, and buying the complete bundle with all DLCs gives an extra 10% discount. For roguelite fans, this is an excellent entry point.
MISERY: STALKER-Inspired Co-op Survival
MISERY is a 1-5 player co-op roguelite survival game developed by Platypus Entertainment, released into Early Access in October 2025. Set in a nuclear disaster zone in the fictional Republic of Zaslavie, players scavenge radioactive ruins for resources, build bunkers, craft weapons, and explore a procedurally generated world filled with anomalies, mutants, and armed bandits.
Drawing clear inspiration from the STALKER franchise, MISERY offers a grim, atmospheric survival experience that works best with friends. The game is rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve and currently sells for $7.29. It is also on sale at 35% off during the free weekend event.
Make Way: Build the Track, Then Race on It
Make Way, developed by Ice BEAM and published by Secret Mode, is a top-down multiplayer racing game with one major twist: you build the track yourself. Players pick from a menu of track pieces, snap them together, then race across the course they just created. Each round adds new pieces, making courses progressively more chaotic and dangerous.
Supporting up to four players in local split-screen or online cross-platform multiplayer, Make Way is a party game in the spirit of Micro Machines and Mashed. It features weaponry, hazards, and the constant risk of falling off the edge. At $6.99, it is the cheapest game in this weekend’s free lineup, and a great choice for a casual gaming session with friends.
How to Access Free Weekend Games on Steam
- Open the Steam client and log into your account.
- Navigate to the game’s store page (search by title or browse the free weekend promotions).
- Look for the “Play Game” button in the pricing section of the store page.
- Click it to add the game to your library and begin downloading.
During a Steam free weekend, you get full access to the base game. Once the event ends, the game remains in your library but becomes unplayable until purchased. Any progress you made during the free weekend carries over if you buy the game later. Steam’s free weekend system does not require any payment information or commitment to try the games.
Which Game Should You Try First?
With five games available and limited time, here is a quick priority guide:
- For the longest-lasting experience: V Rising. Its survival ARPG loop, castle building, and multiplayer keep players engaged for dozens of hours. The 55% sale price makes it a strong buy if you enjoy it.
- For story-driven RPG fans: GreedFall: The Dying World. Start with this one since it ends a day earlier than the rest.
- For replayable, skill-based action: Astral Ascent. Each run feels different thanks to the spell system and Zodiac bosses. The new DLC and update make this the best time to try it.
- For co-op with friends: MISERY if you want intense survival, or Make Way if you want lighthearted party racing.
Discount Summary for After the Free Weekend
| Game | Discount | Sale Price | Sale Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| V Rising | 55% | $15.74 | May 21 |
| GreedFall: The Dying World | 30% | $34.99 | May 27 |
| Astral Ascent | 60% | ~$3.80 | May 28 |
| MISERY | 35% | ~$4.74 | Varies |
| Make Way | Not confirmed | $6.99 (regular) | – |
V Rising’s 55% discount and Astral Ascent’s 60% off represent the strongest value picks this weekend. The V Rising Complete Edition bundle layers additional savings with a 20% bundle discount on top of the individual sale prices, making it ideal for players who want the full experience with all DLC.
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