There are so many amazing games on Steam. Although it’s hard to narrow it down to the best, there’s certainly something for everyone on this list. I’ve chosen a few of the most-played and top-rated games on Steam, as well as a few classics that never seem to get old.
Best games on Steam
The Portal Series (Portal and Portal 2)
Each game in the Portal series is $9.99 and they are both worth every penny. The games involve unique and challenging portal-based puzzles. You have to figure out the best way to manipulate your surroundings and navigate to the end of each puzzle. The witty writing polishes off this series even more.
There are areas where you can only play single player, like the first few levels of Portal. Eventually, you can play online with friends and the games become a new, enjoyable experience. These two games are definitely ones to add to your collection.
Stardew Valley
This is a sweet farming simulator in which you inherit your grandfather’s farm in Stardew Valley. You have to fix up the farm and learn to make a living from growing and tending to your crops, fishing, mining, and more. It’s so easy to spend hours in this game and feel like only minutes have gone by.
There are over 30 non-player characters (NPCs) in the game that are unique and interesting to talk to every day. You are eventually able to choose from some of the NPCs to marry and have kids with later in the game.
The developers also added a multiplayer function a year or so ago, so now you can play the game with up to 3 friends at one time. From finding all the artifacts for the museum to trying to reach the bottom of Skull Cavern, there is plenty to keep you engaged in this game. For $14.99, this game is a steal.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Skyrim is a classic game to own for a reason. It’s won over 200 Game of the Year Awards, and it has stood the test of time. The enhanced Special Edition was recently released in 2016 for $39.99 and it looks fantastic. The Special Edition also brought with it new quests, characters, weapons, and more.
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Skyrim is a single player fantasy role-playing game (RPG). There are so many different characters you can play as, and many different skill builds you can pursue. There is a story to follow, but the game is massive and open-world, so you’re free to explore the world at your own pace.
The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition
There are not enough great things I can say about this game. You play as Geralt of Rivia, a witcher, or a professional monster slayer, and follow a riveting storyline. You could easily spend over 150 hours in this game; there’s crafting, magic, gruesome fights, beasts, humor, and much more. The Game of the Year edition comes with the base game and all the expansions.
You have free reign to decide whether you follow side quests or the main story. You also have multiple skills to choose from to upgrade, so you can build Geralt in whatever way suits your fight style. The game is regularly $49.99, but it goes on sale all the time. It’s currently available for $14.99.
Borderlands 2
Although there is a pretty interesting story to follow in the game, this game is great for its shooting mechanics and variety of weapons. You play as one of four vault hunters, each equipped with their own unique set of skills and special powers.
Throughout the game, it’s your mission to take down the CEO of the evil Hyperion corporation, Handsome Jack. There are quite a few side quests and bosses leading up to Handsome Jack that the game never loses your interest. The animation style is really awesome too – it has sort of a comic book feel to it.
You can play this game by yourself or with up to 3 other players through online co-op. What’s awesome about the online co-op functionality is that it’s drop-in/drop-out, so you don’t have to restart the game for other players to join. You can grab this game for only $19.99.
Terraria
For only $9.99, Terraria comes packed with content; you could spend 200 hours in this game and still have stuff to do. Terraria is a 2D action sandbox game, and you can customize how you want to spend your time.
You can choose to build yourself a giant mansion and spend most of your time collecting raw materials and crafting. You can seek out the toughest bosses in the game and defeat all of them. Or, you can search for the most treasured or rare items in the game. It’s really up to you.
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The game is super inexpensive for all that it has to offer you. Plus, the developers just released the final update for the game a few weeks ago, so you’ll be playing the final version of the game.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is the latest in the series of a famous first-person shooter franchise. It’s also one of the most-played games on Steam, and for good reason. It’s a highly competitive online team-based tactical game that requires you to use strategy to win. The game has a huge learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really fun.
Sometimes you play defense, coordinating with your team to prevent the other team from breaching your strongholds. And sometimes you play offense, using tactical maps and observation drones to your advantage to get to the other team. You can pick up Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege for $19.99.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Similar to Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, this game includes online team-based, tactical gameplay. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or more commonly known as CS:GO, was released in 2012, but it’s still one of Steam’s most-played games.
The game is free to play, so if you’re looking to test out an online team-based strategy game, this is a great place to start. You can see if you like the genre without shelling out any money. CS:GO features new maps, game modes, characters, and updated versions of classic Counter-Strike content.
Garry’s Mod
Garry’s Mod is one of the most popular options on Steam and a classic for your collection. It’s described as a physics sandbox because you spawn objects and use them to create whatever you want to.
You can play from hundreds of modes that follow a different goal, like “Prop Hunt,� which is a unique version of hide-and-seek. Or, you can just create your own contraptions and build your own game to play. It’s really fun by yourself or online with friends. Plus, it’s only $9.99.
A Hat in Time
This is a 3D platformer that features a little girl traveling through space. Her adventure through space is stopped when she loses the Time Pieces needed to power her ship. You travel through the world, completing various missions while you search for the lost Time Pieces.
She, and the rest of the world, are adorably animated, and it’s quite an enjoyable game to play. The gameplay is easy and relaxing, perfect for winding down at the end of the day. You can buy this game for $29.99.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
The games in the Halo series have previously been exclusive to Xbox consoles. Now, with the Master Chief Collection, you have a chance to play 6 games that have been optimized for PC. Games are being released separately, but if you spend the $39.99 for the Master Chief Collection, you’re guaranteed access to all the updates.
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The Master Chief Collection will include a total of 67 campaign missions. Plus, each game released into the collection will also have its own multiplayer maps, modes, and game types. When all 6 games are released, players will have access to over 120 multiplayer maps.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is another great strategy game that is completely free to play. If you’re interested in the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre, or MOBA genre, this is your chance to try it out with no strings attached. You can learn the basics of the game by playing against bots. Then, once you feel comfortable with your skills, you can move into hero demo mode. And eventually, you can be matched with other online players at your skill level.
All of the heroes available to play in Dota 2 are completely free to you. Fans can pay for cosmetics and fun add-ons if they want to, but all the essentials you need to play are provided for free. Dota 2 consistently gets regular updates, one of the many reasons it’s one of the most-played games on Steam.
Red Dead Redemption 2
This game is a western open-world adventure in which you play as outlaw Arthur Morgan. You are on the run and have to steal and fight your way across America to survive. Red Dead Redemption 2 has won over 175 Game of the Year awards. With its gripping story and fun gameplay, I can understand why.
Plus, you’ll also have access to Red Dead Online, where you can sort of create your own story. A few of the many things you can do include running an underground distillery as a Moonshiner or creating a business as a Trader. The game is $59.99, but it occasionally goes on sale.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition
This is a story rich RPG that uses tactical turn-based combat. You have 6 character options to choose from, each equipped with their own backgrounds and quests. I love that you have so many unique character options to choose from. You can play the game as another character and potentially have a different experience.
The game gives you total freedom to explore the world and play at your own pace. You can master over 200 skills in 12 different skill schools. You can play on your own or with up to 3 other players online. I’ve seen Divinity: Original Sin 2 go on sale frequently as well, but it’s regularly priced at $44.99.