Ethan Crossfield 
Steam is offering five paid games at no cost through September 14 at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET. The lineup covers open-world shooting, medieval multiplayer combat, colony management, Formula 1 racing, and cooperative heists, giving players a broad set of full games to test before deciding whether to buy.
What Happened
The current Steam Free Weekend promotion includes Borderlands 4, Mordhau, Surviving Mars: Relaunched, F1 25 2026 Season Edition, and Crime Boss: Rockay City. Players can access each game during the promotional window without purchasing it, while discounted purchase prices are available for several titles afterward.
This is a temporary access offer, not a permanent giveaway. Unlike Steam's Free-to-Keep promotions, these games do not remain in a player's library when the event ends. Anyone interested in trying the lineup must launch and play the games before the September 14 deadline.
Why It Matters
The promotion gives players a practical way to evaluate five very different releases. Borderlands 4 sends four new Vault Hunters to Kairos, a planet controlled by the authoritarian Timekeeper, and centers on character builds, Action Skills, and weapon collecting. It can be purchased for $34.99 with a 50% discount through September 24.
Mordhau is the multiplayer-focused option, featuring battles of up to 64 players, cavalry, siege weapons, ranged combat, and a cooperative Horde mode. Its 80% discount reduces the price to $5.99 through September 17. Surviving Mars: Relaunched instead asks players to manage oxygen, water, food, electricity, and expanding domes while developing laws through the Martian Assembly. It carries a $19.99 price with a 50% discount.
F1 25 2026 Season Edition combines racing with My Team, the Braking Point story, and a 2026 Season Pack. Its 30% discount brings it to $34.99 through September 17. Crime Boss: Rockay City rounds out the selection with solo and four-player cooperative heists, plus a roguelike campaign. It costs $1.99 after a 90% discount through September 24.
What to Watch Next
The main question is how much of each game can realistically be experienced before access expires. Mordhau does not have a traditional campaign to complete, making it better suited to repeated multiplayer sessions. Borderlands 4's core campaign is possible to sample but difficult to finish during the event. Crime Boss offers a meaningful solo mode, although its cooperative content expands the trial's appeal.
Surviving Mars: Relaunched is the least likely to reveal everything in one weekend because colony management develops over extended play. F1 25 is more immediately approachable, particularly for players interested in its shorter story content, but its broader racing and career features require additional time.
Key details for players
- All five games are playable free on Steam until September 14 at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET.
- Free Weekend access ends after the deadline; these are not Free-to-Keep claims.
- Mordhau is the strongest pick for large-scale multiplayer battles.
- Surviving Mars: Relaunched is aimed at players who prefer long-form strategy and management.
- Players who enjoy a trial can purchase participating games at promotional prices.
Steam Free Weekend lineup
| Game | Genre | Steam rating | Discounted price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 4 | Open-world looter shooter | Mixed | $34.99 |
| Mordhau | Multiplayer slasher | Very Positive | $5.99 |
| Surviving Mars: Relaunched | Colony sim | Mixed | $19.99 |
| F1 25 2026 Season Edition | Sports simulation | Very Positive | $34.99 |
| Crime Boss: Rockay City | Co-op action heist | Mostly Positive | $1.99 |
Expert View
Steam's strongest move here is variety rather than a single headline attraction. The promotion serves different audiences without requiring a long-term commitment, while the follow-up discounts make the weekend function as a hands-on trial period. Players should prioritize based on available time: Mordhau and Crime Boss deliver quick multiplayer sessions, while Borderlands 4 and Surviving Mars are better judged through sustained play.
