IMHO.

Free games like Magic Research

Below are 8 free-to-play Steam games similar to Magic Research, ranked by player overlap and content similarity. No purchase or Steam login required to view the list. Every pick is a full free-to-play title — not a demo, trial, or time-limited giveaway. imho.run's catalogue refreshes daily, so newly free or newly popular titles surface here without manual editing.

Want the full alternatives list (paid + free + Steam Deck + cheaper picks)? See the parent games like Magic Research page.

Ranked picks

  1. 1
    Life is Strange - Episode 1 — Steam game cover

    Life is Strange - Episode 1

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Adventure with Magic Research.

    Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

    2015ActionAdventureFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  2. 2
    Bongo Cat — Steam game cover

    Bongo Cat

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Simulation with Magic Research.

    Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?

    2025IndieSimulationMassively MultiplayerFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  3. 3
    The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog — Steam game cover

    The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Simulation and Casual with Magic Research.

    Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!

    2023IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  4. 4
    NGU IDLE — Steam game cover

    NGU IDLE

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Adventure and Simulation with Magic Research.

    NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up!

    2019IndieAdventureSimulationFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  5. 5
    Grimm's Hollow — Steam game cover

    Grimm's Hollow

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Adventure with Magic Research.

    A spooky, freeware RPG where you search the afterlife for your brother. Reap ghosts with your scythe, explore haunted caves, and eat ghostly treats on your journey through death.

    2019IndieAdventureRPGFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  6. 6
    Virtual Cottage — Steam game cover

    Virtual Cottage

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Simulation and Casual with Magic Research.

    Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere.

    2020IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  7. 7
    Magic Archery — Steam game cover

    Magic Archery

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Simulation with Magic Research.

    Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic.

    2024IndieSimulationRPGFreeDeck PlayableFree to playSimilar games →
  8. 8
    Coloring Pixels — Steam game cover

    Coloring Pixels

    Free-to-play alternative to Magic Research — no purchase or trial window. Shares Casual with Magic Research.

    A relaxing coloring by numbers game. Enjoy completing a variety of images with differing themes, complexity, and sizes.

    2018IndieFree To PlayCasualFreeFree to playSimilar games →