Steam is home to an enormous library of PC games, with genres ranging from RPGs to puzzle platformers. For gamers, it can be overwhelming to sift through the thousands of options available. To make things easier, this guide will focus on the top-rated Steam games—those with over 100,000 reviews and an impressive 95% or higher positive rating. Whether you’re a fan of intense shooters, immersive RPGs, or strategic simulations, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive into the top-rated games on Steam and discover what makes them so special.
A Variety of Genres
Steam’s top-rated games encompass a wide array of genres, ensuring that every gamer can find something they’ll love. Whether you’re looking for an epic adventure, a heart-pounding horror experience, or a challenging puzzle, the following genres represent the best of what Steam has to offer.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
RPGs are a beloved genre that allows players to dive deep into richly crafted worlds and narratives. Two of the most acclaimed RPGs on Steam are The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Divinity: Original Sin 2. The Witcher 3 immerses players in a vast open world filled with complex characters, gripping storylines, and tough moral choices. It’s not just about slaying monsters but also about making decisions that shape the world around you.
On the other hand, Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers a more tactical experience. Its turn-based combat system requires strategic thinking, and its cooperative multiplayer mode allows you to team up with friends for a unique RPG experience. Both games offer deep, engaging content that has earned them a spot among the top-rated Steam games.
Survival Horror
For gamers who enjoy a good scare, Steam has a wealth of top-rated survival horror games. Titles like Resident Evil 2 and The Forest stand out for their ability to keep players on the edge of their seats. Resident Evil 2, a remake of the classic 1998 game, is a perfect blend of horror and action, with tense combat scenarios and a creepy atmosphere that leaves players wanting more.
The Forest is a different kind of horror experience, placing you in an open-world environment where you must survive against the elements and a tribe of cannibalistic mutants. The game’s unique blend of survival mechanics and horror elements make it a standout in the genre and a must-play for fans of survival horror.
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
First-person shooters have long been a favorite genre for many gamers, and Steam’s top-rated list includes some of the best. DOOM Eternal and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are two FPS games that provide fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action. DOOM Eternal is known for its relentless combat and stunning visuals, as players battle demons across various hellish landscapes. The game’s smooth controls and satisfying gunplay make it a top choice for FPS fans.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, often referred to as CS, is a tactical shooter that requires precision and teamwork. As one of the most popular competitive shooters in the world, CShas maintained its position as a top-rated Steam game thanks to its intense, skill-based gameplay and thriving esports community.
Platformers
Platformers have a special place in gaming history, and Steam’s top-rated games include some exceptional titles. Celeste and Hollow Knight are two platformers that have garnered widespread acclaim. Celeste challenges players with its tight controls and difficult levels, all while telling a touching story about overcoming personal struggles.
Hollow Knight takes players on a journey through a beautifully crafted underground world filled with challenging enemies and intricate level design. Its blend of exploration, combat, and storytelling makes it a standout in the genre and one of the top-rated Steam games.
Classic and Influential Titles
Some games have not only stood the test of time but have also shaped the gaming industry. These classic titles are still beloved by gamers and continue to influence new releases.
Half-Life: A Revolutionary Game
Half-Life is one of the most iconic games in history, and it’s easy to see why. Released in 1998, Half-Life revolutionized the first-person shooter genre with its immersive storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and advanced AI. Players assume the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist who must fight his way through a research facility overrun by alien creatures and government soldiers.
Half-Life’s blend of action, puzzle-solving, and narrative set a new standard for the FPS genre. Its influence can still be felt in many modern shooters. The game’s success also led to the release of Half-Life 2, which further cemented the franchise’s legacy as one of the greatest in gaming history.
Portal: A Groundbreaking Puzzle Game
Portal is another game that has left a lasting impact on the industry. Originally released as part of The Orange Box collection in 2007, Portal quickly became a fan favorite due to its unique gameplay and witty writing. The game challenges players to solve a series of puzzles using a portal gun that can create two connected portals on flat surfaces. This simple yet innovative mechanic, combined with the game’s dark humor and memorable characters, made Portal an instant classic.
Portal’s influence can be seen in many modern puzzle games, and its success led to the release of Portal 2, which expanded on the original game’s concepts and received widespread critical acclaim.
Exploration and Survival-Themed Games
Exploration and survival-themed games offer players the chance to immerse themselves in vast, open-world environments and test their survival skills against various challenges. These games often combine elements of exploration, resource management, and environmental storytelling, creating unique and engaging experiences.
Subnautica: An Underwater Adventure
Subnautica is one of the most highly rated survival games on Steam, and it’s easy to see why. The game takes place in an alien ocean where players must gather resources, build underwater bases, and fend off dangerous creatures to survive. The game’s stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere make exploration a joy, while the constant threat of danger keeps players on edge.
What sets Subnautica apart from other survival games is its emphasis on exploration and discovery. The game encourages players to venture deeper into the ocean to uncover its secrets, with each new area offering unique challenges and rewards. Whether you’re crafting new equipment, exploring a sunken wreck, or encountering a terrifying sea monster, Subnautica offers an unforgettable gaming experience.
Dead Cells: Endless Replayability
Dead Cells is another standout in the exploration and survival genre, offering players a unique blend of roguelike and metroidvania gameplay. In Dead Cells, players navigate procedurally generated levels, battling enemies and collecting upgrades along the way. Each death sends the player back to the beginning, but with new abilities and knowledge that make subsequent runs easier and more rewarding.
The game’s fast-paced combat, combined with its challenging difficulty and addictive progression system, makes Dead Cells a game that’s hard to put down. Whether you’re a fan of roguelikes or just looking for a game with endless replayability, Dead Cells is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Strategy and Simulation Games
Strategy and simulation games offer players the opportunity to engage in complex, thought-provoking gameplay. Steam’s top-rated list features several standout titles in this genre, each offering a unique blend of strategic depth and engaging mechanics.
Balloons Tower Defense 6: A Tower Defense Masterpiece
Balloons Tower Defense 6 is a fan-favorite in the tower defense genre, offering players a colorful and engaging experience that’s both challenging and fun. The game tasks players with defending against waves of balloons by strategically placing towers with various abilities. As the game progresses, players can upgrade their towers and unlock new ones, adding depth and complexity to the gameplay.
What makes Balloons Tower Defense 6 stand out is its polished gameplay, charming visuals, and the sheer amount of content it offers. With multiple maps, game modes, and challenges, there’s always something new to discover. Whether you’re a seasoned tower defense veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Balloons Tower Defense 6 offers endless hours of strategic fun.
Factorio: Infinite Possibilities
Factorio is a game that has earned a reputation for being one of the most complex and rewarding simulation games on Steam. In Factorio, players
