Two substantial PC games are free to play on Steam this weekend, but neither is a permanent giveaway. PAYDAY 3 and Age of Wonders 4 are available without an upfront purchase until Monday, November 9, 2026. That makes this a useful weekend to test two very different games before their trials disappear.
When does the Steam free weekend end?
Both offers are scheduled to end on Monday, November 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific, 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Steam’s store countdown is the best final check because it automatically reflects your account region and can account for a publisher changing the deadline.
The PAYDAY 3 Steam page identifies the promotion as a free trial running from November 5 through November 9. The Age of Wonders 4 Steam page likewise shows a free-play weekend and a separate purchase discount.
These are free weekends, not “free to keep” offers. You can install and play the full base games during the promotional window. When the timer expires, Steam will require a license purchase before you can launch them again. Your save files and achievements remain attached to your account, so buying later should let you continue instead of starting over.
Which free game should you download first?
Choose PAYDAY 3 if you want a shorter, immediately readable co-op session. Its heists support stealth and loud approaches, and the free weekend is a practical way to see how matchmaking, gunplay, progression, and the current performance feel on your PC. The game is also running a double Infamy Points event during the trial, giving new players a quicker look at progression.
Choose Age of Wonders 4 if you want a longer strategy test. It combines a turn-based 4X campaign map with tactical battles and highly customizable factions. A first campaign can easily consume the entire weekend, so start this download first if your goal is to judge the faction builder, diplomacy, city management, and combat systems rather than simply sample the opening hour.
Storage and download time matter. Install the game you actually expect to play rather than queueing both on a slow connection. You can also initiate a Steam remote download if your PC is online, but confirm that the correct drive has enough space before leaving it unattended.
Do you need to buy the DLC?
No. A free weekend should give you access to the base game needed to evaluate its core loop. DLC is optional and does not become permanently owned just because it appears during a promotional event. Store bundles may advertise large percentage discounts, but the cheapest bundle is not automatically the best choice.
For PAYDAY 3, first check whether the heists and progression are enjoyable with your usual group. For Age of Wonders 4, decide whether the base faction customization and campaign pacing hold your attention. Expansion passes make more sense after that test, not before it.
How to install either game for free
- Sign in to the Steam desktop client.
- Open the game’s store page.
- Select Play Game or the free trial option rather than a purchase button.
- Choose an install drive and wait for the download to finish.
- Launch the game before the countdown reaches zero.
If Steam still shows a price, restart the client and reopen the store page. Also make sure you are looking at the base game, not a paid edition or DLC bundle. Region restrictions can affect some promotions.
What happens after November 9?
The installed files may remain on your drive, but the temporary license will end. Steam will replace the Play button with a purchase option. Uninstalling afterward will not delete cloud-backed progress, although games can also store local saves, so verify cloud synchronization before removing anything.
If you compare PC storefront benefits, our guide to Xbox Play Anywhere versus Steam explains why a Steam purchase does not include an Xbox console license. The new Xbox PC app update is also worth checking if you split your library between Steam and Game Pass.
The smart move is simple: treat this weekend as a no-cost performance and gameplay test. Download early, play the base game you are genuinely curious about, and only consider a discounted purchase after the trial has answered your questions.