By Jacob Miller | Nov 06, 2026
How the Free Weekend Works
A Free Weekend turns paid games into free-to-play ones for a limited time. Players get full access until the deadline, then need to buy the game to keep playing. Losing a game you're enjoying is a shame, but both titles come with a discount if you decide to pick them up.
Payday 3
Payday 3 is a co-op first-person shooter where players team up for bank robberies and other major heists. It is set mainly in New York City, and the returning Payday Gang takes on increasingly dangerous jobs, with up to four players stealing valuables and escaping with the loot. Each robbery can be handled in different ways. Players can sneak past security and complete objectives unnoticed, or go in guns blazing and fight off waves of police. As in Payday 2, the real draw is planning and pulling off robberies with friends, especially when things go wrong.
The game launched on September 21, 2023 from Starbreeze Entertainment, which is also the publisher, and takes about 15 hours to beat. Its overall Steam rating is 45% Mixed across 32K reviews, though more recent reviews are 77% Mostly Positive. A 70% discount runs until November 12, bringing the price to $8.99.
Age of Wonders 4
Age of Wonders 4 is a fantasy turn-based strategy game where players build empires, raise armies and conquer rival kingdoms. Customization is a big focus, letting players shape their own civilizations with different races, cultures and magical abilities. From there, the game turns to expanding territory, gathering resources, researching technology, diplomacy and warfare. Battles happen on tactical maps where players command their armies directly, while the Tome of Magic system unlocks powerful upgrades. With many routes to victory, every campaign feels different.
It released on May 2, 2023, from developer Triumph Studios and publisher Paradox Interactive. Expect 20 or more hours of play. It holds an 82% Very Positive rating from 11K reviews, and a 60% discount until November 18 brings it down to $19.99.
What Else Is Free?
Steam's Free-to-Keep promotion has just one offer right now, and it is less impressive than usual. It lets players download and keep something forever if they claim it in time. This weekend, that is the Classic American Hunter DLC Pack for anyone playing the new release of Hunting Simulator 3.
