"Steam must be running to launch this application"

I'm getting this error when I try to launch and it won't let me play MNC.

Restart pc, restart steam. Be sure that your firewall isn't blocking the game in some way. I'm pretty sure restarting steam will work just fine.
Try launching by using the exe in the game folder.
Verify the cache by right clicking on the game and going to the properties of it (in steam).

Try all the standard fixes.
You can also go to the steam folder and remove the clientregistry.blob file. Doubt it will work though.

Edit:
Some more fixes. It seems though that removing the clientregistry blob file works for other games.
Any way the other fixes, run steam.exe or the games exe as adminstrator.
Or, be sure that you have uninstalled any steam emulator that allows you to install every steam game you want. Maybe this is conflicting with the original steam client and is causing your problems.

i tried all the things you said and i am about ready to throw my laptop with rage cuz it still does not work.