Key Takeaways
- Steam’s latest Free Weekend promotion features four paid games: Company of Heroes 3, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad, and Cities: Skylines 2.
- All four games are available to play for free until November 16, 2026, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
- Players can also purchase these games at significant discounts, with savings ranging from 30% to 85%.
- Company of Heroes 3’s free weekend follows its major 3.0 anniversary update, while IL-2 Sturmovik celebrates the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
Steam is giving PC gamers another reason to clear some space in their weekend gaming schedule. The platform’s latest Free Weekend promotion has arrived with four paid games that players can try without spending anything. This week’s selection has a little bit of everything, from large-scale World War 2 battles and realistic aircraft combat to cooperative roguelike shooting and city-building simulations.
The four games included in the promotion are Company of Heroes 3, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad, and Cities: Skylines 2. All four are available to play for free until November 16 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. That gives players a few days to experiment with games they might have been considering purchasing without committing to their full price.
However, there is one important detail worth remembering. Steam’s Free Weekend promotion is different from its Free-to-Keep giveaways. Players can enjoy the selected games during the promotional period, but the titles are not permanently added to their libraries. Once the promotion expires, access is removed unless players purchase the games.
The good news is that Steam has paired this weekend’s promotion with several attractive discounts. Anyone who finds a new favorite can purchase it at a reduced price and continue playing after November 16.
All 4 Free Steam Weekend Games (November 12–16, 2026)
This week’s selection is particularly interesting because none of the four games offers exactly the same experience. Company of Heroes 3 is aimed at real-time strategy fans, while IL-2 Sturmovik focuses on realistic World War 2 aircraft combat. Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core brings cooperative roguelike shooting into the mix, and Cities: Skylines 2 is there for players who would rather spend their weekend building a city than fighting another war.
- Company of Heroes 3: World War 2 real-time strategy.
- Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core: Cooperative roguelike first-person shooter.
- IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad: Combat flight simulation.
- Cities: Skylines 2: City-building and management simulation.
Here is what players should know about each game before downloading it.
1. Company of Heroes 3
Release Date: February 23, 2023
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Developer: Relic Entertainment
Publisher: Relic Entertainment
Steam Review Rating: Mixed (approximately 62% positive English-language reviews)
Purchase Discount: 67% off until November 19 ($19.79)
Company of Heroes 3 is probably one of the biggest attractions in this week’s promotion, especially for players who enjoy military strategy games. Developed by Relic Entertainment, the third main entry in the long-running franchise takes players to the Mediterranean theatre of World War 2, combining tactical battlefield combat with larger strategic decisions.
Players can command Allied and Axis forces, manage their units, capture important positions, and make decisions that can change the outcome of a battle. Unlike traditional strategy games that focus entirely on individual encounters, Company of Heroes 3 also offers a larger campaign experience where strategic planning matters just as much as winning individual fights.
There is another good reason to check out the game this weekend. The free access promotion arrives shortly after the release of Company of Heroes 3’s major 3.0 update on November 5. Released as part of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, the update is described by Relic as the biggest update the game has received since launch.
Update 3.0 brings improvements to visuals, environments, weather effects, audio, artificial intelligence, gameplay balance, maps, and campaigns. It also introduces additional content and changes for Final Stand, making this a particularly interesting time for newcomers to give the game another look.
Players who enjoy the free trial can also purchase Company of Heroes 3 with a 67% discount. The game is currently available for $19.79 instead of its regular $59.99 price, with the offer ending November 19.
For anyone interested in trying the updated experience, the official Steam listing for Company of Heroes 3 has the current free-play and purchase options.
2. Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core
Release Date: May 20, 2026
Genre: Cooperative Roguelike First-Person Shooter
Developer: Ghost Ship Games
Publisher: Ghost Ship Publishing and Coffee Stain Publishing
Steam Review Rating: Mixed (approximately 69% positive English-language reviews)
Purchase Discount: 50% off until November 26 ($14.99)
Fans of cooperative shooters have another interesting option in Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core. Developed by Ghost Ship Games, the game takes the familiar formula of sci-fi dwarves, dangerous mining operations, and alien enemies and combines it with roguelike mechanics.
Unlike a traditional shooter where players simply move through a fixed set of missions, Rogue Core focuses on procedurally generated caves and run-based progression. Players explore dangerous underground environments, fight waves of hostile creatures, collect upgrades, and work together to survive increasingly difficult encounters.
The game supports up to four players in online co-op, making it a good choice for anyone looking for something to play with friends over the weekend. Each run brings different opportunities to experiment with upgrades and combat strategies, so players have plenty of reasons to return for another attempt.
It is also worth remembering that Rogue Core is an Early Access release, meaning its development is still ongoing. The current Steam reviews are Mixed, with approximately 69% positive English-language reviews across more than 7,700 reviews. That is something potential buyers may want to consider before purchasing it.
For those who enjoy the free weekend, Steam is offering a 50% discount. Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is available for $14.99 instead of $29.99, and the discount lasts until November 26. Unlike the other games in this promotion, players have a little longer to decide whether they want to buy it.
3. IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad
Release Date: October 22, 2014
Genre: Combat Flight Simulation
Developer: FOR-GAMES CR LTD
Publisher: FOR-GAMES CR LTD
Steam Review Rating: Mostly Positive (79% positive English-language reviews)
Purchase Discount: 85% off until November 15 ($7.49)
Not every player wants to spend their weekend managing armies or fighting aliens in underground caves. For those who prefer realistic aircraft combat, IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad offers a completely different experience.
The combat flight simulator takes players into the skies above one of the most important battles of World War 2. Instead of controlling ground troops, players get behind the controls of historical aircraft and participate in missions inspired by the Battle of Stalingrad.
Historical accuracy and realistic flight mechanics are two of the game’s biggest selling points. The base game includes eight flyable aircraft, including the 1942 Il-2, the Ju 87 D-3 Stuka, and the He 111 H-6. Players can start with Quick Missions to get familiar with the aircraft or explore Pilot Career mode and join a historical air unit.
There are also multiplayer and cooperative options, along with VR support for players looking for a more immersive flying experience. Although the game originally launched in 2014, it remains an interesting option for anyone who enjoys detailed flight simulations.
This free weekend is also connected to a special occasion. The developers are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the IL-2 series, giving newcomers an opportunity to experience one of its major entries without paying the usual purchase price.
IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad currently has a Mostly Positive rating on Steam, with approximately 79% of its English-language reviews recommending it. The game is also available at an 85% discount for $7.49 instead of $49.99.
There is one catch, though. The purchase discount ends on November 15, which is a day earlier than the free weekend’s November 16 expiration date. Players interested in buying the game should keep that deadline in mind rather than waiting until the final hours of the free trial.
Anyone interested in flight simulators can also check the official Steam listing for IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad.
4. Cities: Skylines 2
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Genre: City Builder and Management Simulation
Developers: Iceflake Studios and Colossal Order
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Steam Review Rating: Mixed (58% positive English-language reviews)
Recent Steam Reviews: Mostly Positive (approximately 72% positive)
Purchase Discount: 30% off until November 19 ($34.99)
For players who would rather build something than destroy it, Cities: Skylines 2 is arguably the most relaxing option in this week’s Free Weekend selection. The city-building simulation puts players in charge of developing a settlement from the ground up and eventually turning it into a sprawling metropolis.
However, building a successful city is not as simple as placing a few roads and residential buildings. Players need to manage transportation, housing, businesses, public services, and the economy while making sure their growing population has everything it needs.
The game’s detailed simulation also means that seemingly small decisions can have long-term consequences. Poor traffic planning can create major congestion, while inadequate services and infrastructure can cause problems as the city expands. Players who enjoy management games will find plenty of systems to experiment with.
Cities: Skylines 2 has had a fairly mixed reception since its 2023 launch. Its overall English-language Steam review score currently sits at approximately 58% positive, although its recent reviews are in a better position at around 72% positive. This makes the free weekend a useful opportunity for players to see how the experience feels before spending money on it.
Those who decide to keep playing after November 16 can purchase the game with a 30% discount. It is currently available for $34.99 instead of $49.99, and the offer ends November 19.
When Does the Steam Free Weekend Promotion End?
All four games included in this week’s Steam Free Weekend promotion will remain playable until November 16, 2026, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. After that deadline, players will lose access to the trial versions unless they purchase the respective games.
It is important to distinguish these offers from Steam’s Free-to-Keep promotions. Free Weekend games are temporary trials, not giveaways that permanently add titles to a player’s library. Anyone who wants to continue playing after the promotion ends will need to purchase the game.
Fortunately, the current discounts make that decision a little easier. Here is a quick look at the purchase offers available alongside the promotion:
- Company of Heroes 3: $19.79 instead of $59.99 (67% off until November 19).
- Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core: $14.99 instead of $29.99 (50% off until November 26).
- IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad: $7.49 instead of $49.99 (85% off until November 15).
- Cities: Skylines 2: $34.99 instead of $49.99 (30% off until November 19).
Note: The prices above reflect the US Steam store listings checked for this promotion. Regional pricing and availability may differ.
Which Steam Free Weekend Game Should You Try First?
There is no shortage of variety in this week’s selection, so the best choice really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Strategy fans should probably start with Company of Heroes 3, particularly because the recent 3.0 update makes this an interesting time to jump in.
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is the obvious choice for anyone who has a few friends available for cooperative shooting, while IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is worth checking out if realistic aircraft combat sounds appealing. Meanwhile, Cities: Skylines 2 is ideal for players who enjoy slow-paced management games and can happily spend hours making sure their virtual citizens are satisfied.
With all four games available without an upfront purchase, there is little reason not to experiment with something outside your usual gaming preferences. Just remember that November 16 is the final day to enjoy the promotion, and the IL-2 Sturmovik purchase discount actually expires a day earlier.
