It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussionSteam games you can play without the Steam client(1830 posts) (1830 posts) 
(1830 posts) 
Pages:
1
25
37
38
39
40
41
75
100
122
This is my favourite topic
Posted August 19, 2017

Westerado
Dath's Hangover

Both games are working fine without Steam on Win7/64.
Posted August 21, 2017
Knightshift

can be played without steam running (Win7/64). However you will need your activation key (which can be saved into a textfile) and you will also need the standard registry entrys in this case. Those can be seen by opening the file 254060_install.vdf. The easiest way to save them would be to let the game start for the first time and then export the registry keys from

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Reality Pump

into one file which can then be imported on another PC by double clicking on the file. Without this registry entry the game will crash during launch.
Posted August 24, 2017
Princess Remedy In a Heap of Trouble can be added to the list. Tested on both 64-bit Windows 7 and 10.
Posted August 25, 2017
Just a note on Viscera Cleanup Detail, the multiplayer also works without Steam via LAN, including the House Of Horror DLC, it's just a pain to get it working sometimes regardless of playing via Steam or without it.

Normally when playing a LAN game, I just use the 32bit launcher, load up a map & once I'm in game, get the other person to start the game via the 32bit launcher & at the main screen down the bottom right, you should see the other persons active game.

There's an option to join multiplayer via IP, so the same method may work (after the host has an active game, click join>via IP). As for the Steam version, I'm guessing a similar method should work.
Post edited August 25, 2017 by bliip
Posted August 25, 2017
Lakeview Cabin Collection

Create steam_appid.txt with the number 361990 in it. Game is running without Steam on Win7 / 64.
Posted August 26, 2017
Woo, okay, we're all updated again! Sorry for the wait, it's been a long month.

Thanks to the reports in this thread, I've removed Machinarium from the list. If we figure out that there is a way to run the updated version without Steam, let me know, and I'll add it back. Can anyone else confirm the rest of that short list of games that are no longer working?
Posted August 26, 2017
Thanks for continuing to maintain this list! I have it bookmarked and check it frequently, so I'm happy to contribute.

Also, another game I forgot to mention is The Expendabros. Tested on the same platforms as above (64-WIN7/10) Then, there's Khimera: Destroy All Monster Girls. The game does alert you if it's not connected to Steam, but it plays perfectly fine otherwise. In fact, you can even earn in-game achievements and sync them with Steam once you later decide to run them through the client.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by aonaselk
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
PookaMustard: I was able to find that another game is DRM-free.
Pirates of Black Cove Gold

The game was downloaded through a Windows XP virtual machine containing Steam, and ran on the host machine running Windows 10 without Steam installed fine. I was able to take control of the ship, sail a bit, and shoot the two ships that appeared with cannons.

EDIT:
In addition, I found out that Woodle Tree Adventures is also DRM-free from Steam using the same procedure as outline above. It even has the soundtrack in MP3 form, ready to use by your favorite music player!

Who knew that when I download this game that I wouldn't even have to try and figure out which files to remove to get it running without Steam? I really remember it asking for Steam back then.

EDIT 2:
Just got word that Transistor runs DRM-free on Linux via Steam.

SUBSEQUENT EDITS:
*Verified Space Channel 5 Part 2 through Steam and ran it on my host machine; works dandy. What I remember however, is that it will RUN Steam if it exists, but will not bother if it doesn't and play anyway. Downloaded through a XP VM and played through a Windows 10 host machine up to the main menu.

*Robowars which is given away by IndieGala is also DRM-free, same Windows and virtual machine method

*Barrier X is also DRM-free, Windows+virtual machine

*Crazy Taxi is the same case as Space Channel 5.

*RPG Maker games, depending on their nature, can be replaced with generic RPG Maker executables and run safely and without Steam. For instance, Memories of a Vagabond can be made DRM-free by finding a generic RGSS executable, such as the one I provide here. In order to do that, you must go to your game's directory and enter the properties of the executable and read the description. If it says "RGSS Player," you can replace it with the exec I linked above. If it says "RGSS2 Player," you should replace it with this executable, and if it says "RGSS3 Player," you should replace it with this executable. The games might run and might not run, so you should report those that do work that way.

*Pixel Puzzles Japan. Windows + virtual machine test.

*Red Faction can be made DRM-free through the official patch provided here. Simply copy and paste the downloaded file to your Red Faction directory. I couldn't get Pure Faction to run on Windows 10 though.

*Super Sanctum TD. Windows + virtual machine test.

*SEGA Bass Fishing, same as Crazy Taxi and Space Channel 5.
I've tried to get Pirates of Black Cove to run on a win 7 machine with the steam.exe file removed and it fails every time with the message SteamAPI_Inti() failed left in the log file. Any ideas what is going wrong?

Edit: I have tried it with no DLC and with DLC, get the same result each time.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by thraxman
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
aonaselk: I've tried to get Pirates of Black Cove to run on a win 7 machine with the steam.exe file removed and it fails every time with the message SteamAPI_Inti() failed left in the log file. Any ideas what is going wrong?

Edit: I have tried it with no DLC and with DLC, get the same result each time.
I still had one key for this and I am also running win7 so I am downloading the game right now and see if I can help.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by MarkoH01
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
thraxman: I've tried to get Pirates of Black Cove to run on a win 7 machine with the steam.exe file removed and it fails every time with the message SteamAPI_Inti() failed left in the log file. Any ideas what is going wrong?

Edit: I have tried it with no DLC and with DLC, get the same result each time.
Huh. I was pretty sure it worked without Steam in the first place. Maybe it detects Steam is installed and therefore pesters you about Steam? If so, try it on another PC or similar.
Posted August 26, 2017
Have just tried Pirates on a Windows 10 laptop which has never had steam installed on it, got the same result. maybe its just the version I'm using, its not the Gold version, that's not there any more. I had to buy the game and DLC separately.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by thraxman
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
thraxman: Have just tried Pirates on a Windows 10 laptop which has never had steam installed on it, got the same result. maybe its just the version I'm using, its not the Gold version, that's not there any more. I had to buy the game and DLC separately.
Just tried it with the gold version (like I said I had ann old key) and it works without any problems. Renaming steam, copying the folder ... it started on first try.

Seems to be a different version than the original+dlc.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by MarkoH01
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
thraxman: Have just tried Pirates on a Windows 10 laptop which has never had steam installed on it, got the same result. maybe its just the version I'm using, its not the Gold version, that's not there any more. I had to buy the game and DLC separately.
avatar
MarkoH01: Just tried it with the gold version (like I said I had ann old key) and it works without any problems. Renaming steam, copying the folder ... it started on first try.

Seems to be a different version than the original+dlc.
Just tired that, and yet again... maybe its just my version, but I can'y see any changes or updates in steams logs.
Post edited August 26, 2017 by thraxman
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
MarkoH01: Just tried it with the gold version (like I said I had ann old key) and it works without any problems. Renaming steam, copying the folder ... it started on first try.

Seems to be a different version than the original+dlc.
avatar
thraxman: Just tired that, and yet again... maybe its just my version, but I can'y see any changes or updates in steams logs.
Change your chat settings or accept my invite and I might help you.
Posted August 26, 2017
avatar
thraxman: Just tired that, and yet again... maybe its just my version, but I can'y see any changes or updates in steams logs.
avatar
MarkoH01: Change your chat settings or accept my invite and I might help you.
Done.
Pages:
1
25
37
38
39
40
41
75
100
122
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionSteam games you can play without the Steam client(1830 posts) (1830 posts) 
(1830 posts)