Steam players looking for something new to play this weekend have two very different games available completely free for a limited time.
From now until September 28 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET, players can download and play Squad and Gas Station Simulator as part of the latest Steam Free Weekend.
Unlike permanently free games, these promotions provide temporary access to the full games. Once the Free Weekend ends, players will need to purchase them if they want to continue playing.
Both games are also heavily discounted during the promotion.
Squad Is Free to Play This Weekend
The first game included this weekend is Squad, the large-scale tactical military shooter developed and published by Offworld.
Originally released on September 23, 2020, Squad focuses heavily on communication, teamwork and realistic large-scale combat.
Matches can feature 50 versus 50 players, with teams divided into squads that need to coordinate across enormous battlefields.
Instead of simply running around looking for kills, players are expected to perform specific battlefield roles. These include medics, squad leaders and vehicle crews, alongside several other specialized positions.
Communication plays a major role in the experience. Squad features proximity voice chat alongside dedicated communication systems designed to help squads coordinate attacks, defenses and vehicle movements.
Don’t Expect a Single-Player Campaign
Anyone interested in Squad should know that it is fundamentally a multiplayer game.
There is no traditional single-player campaign to work through during the Free Weekend.
The game instead revolves around its large multiplayer battles, realistic weapons, military vehicles and faction-specific equipment.
That makes the Free Weekend particularly useful for anyone who has been interested in Squad but wasn’t sure whether its slower and more tactical approach to military shooters would be for them.
Squad currently holds a Very Positive Steam rating of around 84%, based on more than 80,000 user reviews.
Squad Is Also 50% Off
Players who enjoy the game won’t have to immediately pay its regular price.
Squad is currently available with a 50% discount until October 1.
That drops the price from $39.99 to $19.99 during the promotion.
With the Free Weekend ending before the discount disappears, players have several days to decide whether they want to permanently add the game to their Steam library.
Gas Station Simulator Is Also Free
Not interested in spending the weekend getting shouted at by a squad leader while artillery lands around you?
Steam’s second Free Weekend game offers something considerably different.
Gas Station Simulator is also completely free to play until September 28.
Developed by Drago Entertainment, the simulation game originally launched on September 15, 2021.
Instead of fighting across military battlefields, players are tasked with rebuilding and operating a rundown gas station in the middle of the desert.
And there’s considerably more involved than simply selling fuel.
Turn a Ruined Gas Station Into a Business
Players begin with a neglected gas station that needs plenty of work before it can become a successful business.
You’ll need to clean the property, repair equipment, manage deliveries and gradually expand the station with additional services.
As the business grows, players can hire employees, unlock upgrades and improve different parts of the station.
Vehicle maintenance, driving and unexpected events also help break up the normal routine.
The core experience is estimated to take roughly 12 hours, making this one particularly interesting for players hoping to get through a substantial portion of the game before the Free Weekend expires.
Players who become hooked can continue well beyond that with additional content and expansion opportunities.
Gas Station Simulator Gets a 55% Discount
Gas Station Simulator is also receiving a sizeable discount alongside the Free Weekend.
The regular $19.99 price has been reduced by 55% to $8.99.
Unlike Squad’s discount, however, this deal is scheduled to end alongside the Free Weekend on September 28.
Gas Station Simulator currently has a Very Positive rating of approximately 87% on Steam, based on more than 10,000 user reviews.
Two Very Different Games for the Weekend
This week’s selection is considerably varied.
Players looking for serious multiplayer combat can jump into Squad and experience its massive 50v50 battles without spending anything.
Those wanting something more relaxed can instead spend the weekend cleaning up, rebuilding and expanding their own desert business in Gas Station Simulator.
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from trying both.
The important part is remembering that this isn’t a permanent giveaway. Squad and Gas Station Simulator are only free to play until September 28.
Once the promotion ends, you’ll need to purchase the games to keep playing.
For PC players sitting around wondering what to play this weekend, however, Steam has just provided two more options without asking for anything upfront.
