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The big list of DRM-free games on Steam

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 16:40, 23 April 2016 by AmethystViper (talk | contribs) (→‎Other: Adding the classic Doom series as they can be played without Steam.)

Project aim

  • List all games on Steam which are DRM-free, that meaning games which can be launched without the use of the Steam client.
  • DISCLAIMER: Currently this list isn't even remotely a complete listing of DRM-free games on Steam!

Instructions

  • Mention "Steamworks title." in the Notes column for any DRM-free games which use Steamworks when launched through the Steam client.
  • This list now features all versions of the games - Windows, OS X and Linux versions that are DRM-Free will now have indicators to the right.
  • Section headers - Games are grouped in multiple categories for ease of use. Sections are listed alphabetically under their respective header.

Definition of "DRM-free on Steam"

  • DRM-free on Steam does not refer to games which don't use third-party DRM; the Steam client is DRM if it is required to run the game.
  • DRM-free games on Steam are games which do not require the Steam client or any third-party DRM in order to launch said game's respective executable or startup script (.exe|.bin|.app|.sh).
  • DRM-free games can be moved outside of the Steam folder and used freely.
  • Steam does not have any official designation for games which are/aren't DRM-free - these must be tested by the editors themselves.

What is Steamworks?

  • Steamworks is an API for game developers. It can be used for free and is used to integrate Steam features and solutions within PC games. Steamworks DRM is called Custom Executable Generation (CEG) and like the every part of Steamworks, it's optional for the developers. There are many games which use Steamworks and are DRM-free. These specific games will be noted.
  • Steamworks-specific features such as Achievements, Cloud, Trading Cards, Leaderbords, multiplayer and other will not work if Steamworks games are launched outside of the Steam client.

Discussion

Other information

Main contacts

Developer/Publisher-Specific

Bohemia Interactive

Since GameSpy is shut down, major changes happened to ARMA series. You can read here about it.
ARMA II: Operation Arrowhead transitioned to Steamworks and BI added DRM.
Before you run listed games (except Tactics), run BattlEye (anti-cheat) from its folder or run game from Steam client to install it otherwise it will pop up message "bad serial number given in Setup".
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
ARMA: Cold War Assault Link
ARMA: Gold Edition Link
ARMA II Link
ARMA Tactics Link ?
Take On Helicopters Link

Devolver Digital

Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Hotline Miami Link Steamworks title. DRM-free if you disable Steamworks (on Windows) when game launches. Linux is DRM-Free out of the box. ?
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Serious Sam 2 Link
Serious Sam Classic: The First Encounter Link HD version has CEG.
Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter Link HD version has CEG.
Luftrausers Link Steamworks title. Leaderboards cannot be accessed if the user is not logged into Steam.
Heavy Bullets Link Steamworks title. Leaderboards cannot be accessed if the game is not launched through Steam.

Double Fine Productions

Every new game released by Double Fine Productions is DRM-free and even some they publish. Costume Quest is the only exception.[1]
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Broken Age Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Brutal Legend Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Psychonauts Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Spacebase DF-9 Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Stacking Link ? ?
The Cave Link Steamworks title. ? ?

Larian Studios

Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Beyond Divinity Link
Divine Divinity Link
Divinity II: Developer's Cut Link Free upgrade for owners of Divinity II: Ego Draconis or Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga.
Divinity: Dragon Commander Link Steamworks title.
Divinity: Original Sin Link Steamworks title. ? ?

inXile Entertainment

Every game released by inXile Entertainment is DRM-free.
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
The Bard's Tale Link ? ?
Wasteland 1 - The Original Classic Link ? ?
Wasteland 2 Link ?

Paradox Development Studio

Every Paradox Development Studio game is DRM-free and even some they publish (Paradox Interactive).
Paradox stated many times their developed games are and will be DRM-free.[2][3]
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game Link Steam and other digital distributors have outdated v1.07 because Paradox dropped support. Download v1.08 patch and apply it.

It is highly recommended by developers.[4] After patch, game is DRM-free.

Cities in Motion Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Commander: Conquest of the Americas Link Gold Edition tested.
Crusader Kings Complete Link
Crusader Kings II Link Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs. ?
Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game Link Steam has outdated v1.02. Download v1.03 patch from developers and read Installation notes - Steam users. After patch, game is DRM-free.
East India Company Link
Europa Universalis III Complete Link Steamworks title. Includes Heir to the Throne and Divine Wind expansions and all DLCs. ?
Europa Universalis IV Link Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs. ?
Europa Universalis: Rome - Gold Edition Link
For The Glory: A Europa Universalis Game Link Download v1.2 patch in archive for DRM-free version of game.
Hearts of Iron 2 Complete Link
Hearts of Iron III Link Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs. ?
Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Majesty Gold HD Link Run MajestyHD.exe from the HD folder.
Majesty 2 Link
March of Eagles Link Steamworks title.
Sengoku Link Steamworks title.
Victoria II Link Steam|215001/and Heart of Darkness] expansions and all DLCs.

SEGA

Every game in this list (sans Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I) is run in a DRM-free emulator.
Name Store Page Notes
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack Link Pack includes: Altered Beast, Comix Zone, Crack Down, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, Golden Axe, Shadow Dancer, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Space harrier II and Vectorman.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 2 Link Pack includes: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Bonanza Bros, Columns, Ecco Jr, Eternal Champions, Fatal Labyrinth, Galaxy Force II, Kid Chameleon, Ristar and Super Thunder Blade.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 3 Link Pack includes: Alien Storm, Bio-Hazard Battle, Columns III, Decap Attack, Ecco: The Tides of Time, ESWAT: City Under Siege, Flicky, Golden Axe II, Sword of Vermilion and Virtua Fighter 2.
SEGA Mega Drive Classics Pack 4 Link Pack includes: Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole, Light Crusader, Shining Force, Shining Force II, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2 and Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair.
SEGA Genesis Classics Pack 5 Link Pack includes: Beyond Oasis, Dynamite Headdy, Golden Axe III, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenium, Revenge of the Shinobi, Streets of Rage 3, Vectorman 2 and Wonder Boy in Monster World.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles Link
Sonic 3D Blast Link
Sonic Spinball Link
Sonic the Hedgehog Link
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Link
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I Link Steamworks title.
ToeJam & Earl Link
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron Link

Square Enix

Name Store Page Notes
Dungeon Siege Link
Dungeon Siege II Link
Thief Gold Link
Thief II: The Metal Age Link
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Link

Ubisoft

Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Anno 1404 Link Includes Venice add-on. Anno 1404 is European name and is used only in AU and NZ outside Europe. Game was pulled from Steam years ago but is back from March 2014. Returned version of game is updated to v1.3 and v2.1 and is same as retail version. TAGES DRM was removed in those last patches. There are TagesClient.dat and TagesClient.exe files but they are inert and can be deleted. Ubisoft didn't update Store page to remove warning about 3rd party DRM.
Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition Link Run game via DX9 launcher.
Dawn of Discovery Link Includes Venice add-on. Dawn of Discovery is Anno 1404's worldwide name outside Europe. Read Anno 1404 notes for further info.
Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition Link
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East Link Run H5_Game.exe from binDM folder, not from bin folder.
Rayman Origins Link

Valve

Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Half-Life 2 Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe Linux: ./hl2.sh. ?
Half-Life 2: Episode One Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game episodic Linux: ./hl2.sh -game episodic. ?
Half-Life 2: Episode Two Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game ep2 Linux: ./hl2.sh -game ep2. ?
Half-Life 2: Lost Coast Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game lostcoast Linux: ./hl2.sh -game lostcoast. ?
Counter Strike: Source Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game cstrike Linux: ./hl2.sh -game cstrike. Use console to create/join lan server. ?
Half-Life: Source Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game hl1 Linux: ./hl2.sh -game hl1. ?
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source Link Steamworks title. In Cmd/Terminal run: Windows: hl2.exe -game hl1mp Linux: ./hl2.sh -game hl1mp. Use console to create/join lan server. ?

Miscellaneous

Indie

Independent video games (commonly referred to as indie games) are made by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support. For the simplicity of this article, games published by those outside of the indie studio itself are also included in this list.
For independent games using Flash & AIR see the Flash & AIR section.
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
10,000,000 Link Steamworks title. ? ?
AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! for the Awesome Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Adventures of Shuggy Link Steamworks title.
A Virus Named TOM Link Steamworks title. ?
Air Control Link
Anna - Extended Edition Link Steamworks title. Windows version requires both Steam & Kalypso account login. ?
Avadon: The Black Fortress Link Steamworks title. ?
Bastion Link Steamworks title. ?
Black Ice Link Steamworks title - will work when Steam is completely off
Cogs Link Steamworks title. On Linux, requires 32-bit version of SDL installed or copied to game directory. ?
Commando Jack Link ?
Cortex Command Link ?
Dungeon Defenders Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Dungeons of Dredmor Link Steamworks title. ?
Delver Link ? ?
Escape Goat 2 Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Faerie Solitaire Link Steamworks title. ?
FarSky Link ? ?
Fez Link Steamworks title. On Windows, run FEZ_LaunchOption.exe to disable Steamworks so you can use DRM-free version. ?
FTL: Faster Than Light Link Steamworks title. ?
Gateways Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Goat Simulator Link Steamworks title. Might not save games without Steam.
Gratuitous Tank Battles Link Steamworks title. ?
Gratuitous Space Battles Link Steamworks title. Linux dependencies are easiest solved with "run.sh" from steam-runtime (not bound to Steam). ?
Infinity Runner Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Kerbal Space Program Link Steamworks title. ?
McPixel Link
Mercenary Kings Link Steamworks title. ?
Noitu Love 2: Devolution Link Steamworks title.
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas Link Steamworks title.
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee Link Steamworks title.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Link Steamworks title.
One Finger Death Punch Link
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 Link Steamworks title.
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 Link Steamworks title.
Racer 8 Link Steamworks title. ?
Receiver Link ? ?
Shipwreck Link Steamworks title. ? ?
Snuggle Truck Link Steamworks title. ?
SOL: Exodus Link Steamworks title.
Sol Survivor Link Steamworks title.
Super Crate Box Link
Super Meat Boy Link Steamworks title. ?
Strike Suit Zero Link Steamworks title. Warns about Steam absence but should play without issues. ?
Super Laser Racer Link Steamworks title.
Tallowmere Link Steamworks title. Warns about Steam absence (no achievements nor leaderboard submissions) but plays fine otherwise.
The Maker's Eden Link ? ?
Time Gentlemen, Please! and Ben There, Dan That! Special Edition Double Pack Link
Transistor Link Steamworks title. ?
Trapped Dead Link Steamworks title.
UnderRail Link ? ?
Unstoppable Gorg Link Steamworks title. ?
Uplink Link ? ?
Vertex Dispenser Link Steamworks title. ?
VVVVVV Link ?
Wizorb Link Steamworks title. Save data might not work unless Steam is running. ?
Woodle Tree Adventures Link Steamworks title. Delete/rename Steam DLLs to prevent Steam being detected and launched. ? ?

Other

This list features non-indie, AAA (big publishers) and games outside publishers in separate paragraphs.
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Alpha Protocol Link Run Binaries\APGame.exe, not APLauncher.exe.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition Link Steamworks title. Make a shortcut to Binaries\ShippingPC-BmGame.exe and add -nosteam to the end of the target. Steam saves are not compatible with non-Steam mode.[5]
Colin McRae Rally (2014) Link Steamworks title. Delete/rename Steam DLLs to prevent Steam being detected and launched. ?
Déjà Vu II: MacVenture Series Link ?
Doom Link Packaged with DOSBox v0.72.
Doom II: Hell on Earth Link Packaged with DOSBox v0.72.
Déjà Vu: MacVenture Series Link ?
Echelon (2001) Link
Echelon: Wind Warriors Link
Fable: The Lost Chapters Link
Final Doom Link Packaged with DOSBox v0.72.
Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition Link
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition Link Base game (Dread Lords [GalCiv2.exe]) and Dark Avatar [GC2DarkAvatar.exe] expansion are DRM-free.
GT Legends Link
GTR - FIA GT Racing Game Link
GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game Link
Legendary Link SecuROM paul.dll remnant in installation folder does nothing and the game still works if it is deleted.
Moto Racer Collection Link No Steam check in the launcher or any of the games (Moto Racer, Moto Racer 2, Moto Racer 3, Moto Racer 15th Anniversary).
Painkiller Redemption Link On Linux the game is probably DRM-Free, but it is heavily built/linked against the Steam-Runtime. ?
Postal Link Steamworks title.
Postal 2 Link Steamworks title.
Postal 2: Paradise Lost Link Steamworks title.
Saira Link
Scribblenauts Unlimited Link Steamworks title. Warns about Steam absence but plays without issues. Object editor and custom objects are not available when not launched from Steam.[5]
Shadowgate: MacVenture Series Link ?
Shadowgate (2014) Link Steamworks title. Delete/rename steam_api.dll and SteamworksNative.dll to prevent Steam being detected and launched. Bundled retro game installer is also DRM-free. ?
Sniper Elite Link Steamworks title.
Space Hack Link
System Shock 2 Link Steamworks title. On Linux it should be DRM-Free as well. It may be hard to launch though, since it is using a Wine-wrapper. ?
Tales of Monkey Island Complete Pack Link Only Chapter One. ?
Uninvited: MacVenture Series Link ?
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut Link It has CEG, but you can use the provided CD key to get the DRM-free backup copy (you get installation files) at GOG.com.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition Link Steamworks title. It has CEG, but you can use the provided CD key to get the DRM-free backup copy (you get installation files) at GOG.com.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Link
Worms Pinball Link

Flash & AIR

DRM can't be used on Flash and AIR games.[6]
Multi-Platform: You may sometimes be able to play these games on any platform supported by Flash. To do this extract the .swf file from the .exe of the Windows version and open it in the Flash Player. A good extraction tool is e.g. exe2swf.
Name Store Page Notes Win OS X Linux
Anodyne Link Steamworks title.
Auditorium Link
Botanicula Link Steamworks title.
Deep Under the Sky Link
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten Link Steamworks title.
Enemy Mind Link Steamworks title.
Flight Control HD Link Steamworks title.
Intrusion 2 Link Steamworks title.
Lilly Looking Through Link Steamworks title.
Lone Survivor Link Steamworks title.
Machinarium Link Multi-Platform: Use the extracted "00000004.swf".
Monster Loves You! Link Steamworks title.
Offspring Fling! Link Steamworks title.
Probability 0 Link
QuestRun Link Steamworks title.
Samorost 2 Link Multi-Platform: Use the extracted "00000003.swf".
Soundodger+ Link Steamworks title.
The Basement Collection Link
The Binding of Isaac Link Steamworks title.
The Last Door Link Steamworks title.
Trauma Link
Windosill Link Multi-Platform: Use the extracted "00000004.swf".


References