The 15 best Steam Early Access games to try out on PC in 2024

Even after all these years, Steam Early Access is enjoying unfading popularity among PC gamers. This is hardly surprising, as the financial aspect has been its main appeal from the very beginning. With this program, developers can get additional funds for their projects, while players have the opportunity to buy cheap Steam games.

Sadly, it also has a “dark side,” as it is often treated as a market research tool, and many titles never get past that stage. However, our list of the best Early Access games can serve as proof that gamers can discover a plethora of hidden gems within the program. Let’s not forget that such hits as Arma 3, Prison Architect, and Hades achieved broader recognition thanks to this platform.

What are the best Early Access games on PC right now?

We didn’t want the article to sound like an ode to the good old days. That’s why we’ll focus on more recent titles. Without any delay, here’s our list of the best Early Access games on Steam. 

Battlebit Remastered

With 18 maps, 10 different modes, and a wide range of customizable weapons, this game is already packed with content despite being in Early Access. No wonder it’s become an instant hit with gamers.

Drawing inspiration from the Battlefield series, it offers thrilling large-scale online battles with up to 254 players. The Battlebit Remastered release date has yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be out within the next two years. During this time, it’ll undoubtedly receive numerous upgrades, enhancing the overall experience.

Although the Battlebit Remastered price is relatively low, some of you may still be looking for discounts. If that’s the case, you can use the widget below to set up an alert to be updated about the best deals available.

Project Zomboid

Next on our list of the best Early Access games is Project Zomboid, which has been part of the program for almost a decade. Don’t let its long development time deter you; it still deserves your attention. Prepare to immerse yourself in an unforgiving post-apocalyptic world teeming with hordes of relentless undead.

The brain-eaters pose a significant threat, but surviving isn’t just about outwitting them; you must also contend with the harsh and unpredictable weather conditions that can prove equally treacherous. With ongoing updates, the game continues to evolve, making it worth keeping an eye on it.

Lethal Company

If you’ve clicked on this article to find the best new Steam games, here’s a great pick. Lethal Company has surged to the top of the charts and garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, all while still in Early Access! What makes this horror game so special that it’s capturing widespread attention?

For starters, it offers a co-op experience for up to 4 players, so it’s a popular choice among groups of friends who’re looking to have some spooky fun. In Lethal Company, you become an employee (well, more like a slave) of a galactic corporation tasked with gathering resources from abandoned bases. But there are dangerous monsters lurking around, so you’ll have to cooperate in order to survive!

If you’re looking for other opportunities to get a scare and have lots of fun with a group of friends, check out our article about the best co-op horror games to play in 2024.

No Rest for the Wicked

No Rest for the Wicked is a new addition to our list of the best Early Access games. What sets it apart from many other titles is that it comes from an established developer. It’s from Moon Studios, the minds behind the acclaimed Ori series. 

Unlike their previous works, this game takes a different direction in both art style and gameplay. It’s an action RPG with combat reminiscent of soulslikes, requiring strategic thinking in every battle. As far as the setting goes, you’re thrown into a world ravaged by the plague, and it’s up to you to help stop it.

Phasmophobia

Although Phasmophobia was designed for virtual reality, it can also be played without VR goggles. A cooperative horror game allows you to become a member of a ghost-hunting team whose main task is to explore haunted places and gather evidence for the existence of ghosts.

However, the spirits keep their secrets tight and try to hinder the searchers’ actions as much as possible. The speech detection system implemented by the developers also deserves praise. It allows you to interact with ghosts using your own voice. Despite the introduction of such unusual mechanics, the price of Phasmophobia is still pretty affordable.

Thronefall

This is another interesting finding in the vast catalog of early access games on Steam. Thronefall, a well-received tower defense game, is actually very simple. Here, you don’t have to complete a long tutorial to get a handle on the rules.

The gameplay is focused on developing your kingdom during the day and defending it from hordes of enemies that invade it when darkness falls. Building new structures will provide you with more gold or armed forces, and there are many weapons to unlock. Thronefall is really addictive and has great replayability, so it’s a good choice for all fans of simple strategies.

Starship Troopers: Extermination

Starship Troopers: Extermination sends you to the planet Valaka, overrun by repulsive Bugs (actual insects, not the technical issues in video games). As the title suggests, your mission is to eradicate the menacing threat. However, it’s not all on your shoulders, as this FPS offers a co-op mode for up to 16 players.

Together, you’ll not only eliminate the enemy but also retake and rebuild bases, establish refineries, and scavenge for valuable resources. Since you’re significantly outnumbered, the game requires close cooperation.

Core Keeper

Core Keeper is an action RPG with roguelike elements that takes players to subterranean labyrinths, where they search for a mysterious artifact. The gameplay mainly focuses on mining for resources, building bases, and crafting equipment. It also features fishing and farming mechanics, so even those less adventurous will find something for themselves.

Moreover, the game offers multiplayer, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. All in all, Core Keeper provides a lot of content, even though it’s in Early Access. We ensure you’ll be engrossed with it for hours, just like any other title from our list of the best farming games to play on PC & Steam.

Songs of Conquest

If you’re a fan of the Heroes of Might and Magic series, this one might be right up your alley. Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy inspired by the cult classics of the genre and centers on managing the kingdom and exploring vast lands. The game provides a complex combat system, where you have to think through your steps to take the best advantage of your troops’ abilities and their position on the battlefield.

However, one of its most impressive features is the level editor, which allows you to create your adventures with scripted events and written dialogue and share them with others. Moreover, as you progress in one of two offered campaigns, you can unlock verses to a unique song about your triumphs or failures, which fits perfectly into the game’s medieval-ish universe.

Timberborn

Imagine an Earth with no other inhabitants than beavers. Will those ingenious animals thrive and create a better civilization than humans? Well, you should play Timberborn to check it out. It is a city-builder with elements of survival, where you control one of the beaver factions that have their own distinctive features and develop a functional colony despite harsh conditions and natural disasters.

During the playthrough, you need to manage your resources efficiently and care for the well-being of your rodents, providing them with enough food and making their environment neatly decorated with wooden monuments. Overall, we reckon it’s one of the best Steam Early Access games.

Deep Rock Galactic Survivor

Continuing our list of upcoming Steam games is Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. It’s a spin-off from Deep Rock Galactic, but not an FPS like the original. Instead, it’s an auto-shooter, similar to the popular Vampire Survivors. You’ll play as a dwarf astronaut sent to the hostile planet of Hoxxes to mine valuable resources. However, the caverns are teeming with enemies, making the task anything but easy. Luckily, you’ll have a variety of weapons at your disposal, including rifles, rocket launchers, and flamethrowers.

With procedurally generated locations, each round offers a brand-new adventure. Your goal? Complete mission objectives and safely make it back to the Drop Pod. Are you up to the challenge? Get your copy and find out!

Palworld (Included with PC Game Pass)

It’s hard to find a gamer who hasn’t heard of Palworld. It quickly gained immense popularity after its launch in January 2024. While it doesn’t currently boast the same staggering concurrent player numbers, it remains quite well-liked, especially among Pokémon fans who don’t own a Nintendo console or are disappointed with the state of the game franchise.

In Palworld, much like the beloved series from the Big N, you capture adorable creatures. But instead of training and using them to battle, you put them to work. And think of all the creative ways you can play when you have the option to invite friends to join you.

Interested? Game Pass subscribers can check out Palworld on PC, consoles, and Xbox cloud devices. Below, you’ll find offers for one-month membership.

Enshrouded

Another addition to our lineup of Early Access games is Enshrouded. It whisks you away to Embervale, a realm overrun by mutated beasts that lurk around every corner. As the Flameborn, it’s your duty to ignite the ancient fire and restore the land to its former glory.

True to the survival genre, you’ll spend much time exploring an open world for treasure, fighting enemies, and crafting items. Building is particularly impressive in Enshrouded, as it’s voxel-based and offers a lot of creative freedom. Whether you prefer to play solo or team up with friends, you’ll have a blast.

Slime Rancher 2 (Included with PC Game Pass)

If you’ve been following Early Access games for some time, you may already be familiar with Slime Rancher. Here comes the sequel to this fun first-person adventure, and it’s packed with new places for Beatrix LeBeau to explore.

The game features a cast of brand-new cute slimes to collect. With the money you earn from ranching them, you’ll buy new upgrades and items to expand your slime farm. Slime Rancher 2 is a very fun experience, and we can’t wait for it to get more content with future updates!

Farthest Frontier

The last title in our selection of the best Steam Early Access games is Farthest Frontier, a complex RTS from the creators of Grim Dawn. Its gameplay centers around managing a medieval village. You’ll gather resources to build various buildings, cultivate crops to ensure villagers eat properly, and deal with different circumstances, such as outbreaks of diseases or attacks by raiders.

Farthest Frontier caters to different players, allowing you to disable some options for a more relaxing experience or make your playthrough as tricky as possible. Regardless of your choice, you’ll surely have a lot of fun, as it’s a truly unique city builder on the market.

If you’re looking for similar gameplay, you might be interested in reading our list of the top city building games that let you unleash your hidden strategy skills.

That’s everything we’ve prepared for our list of the best Early Access games on Steam. What do you think about the program? Have you ever tried any of these titles? Feel free to let us know in the comment section below!