“Best” is always subjective and depends heavily on your preferred genres, playstyle, and what you’re looking for in a game. However, I can give you a curated list of critically acclaimed and wildly popular Steam games that represent a wide variety of genres and offer exceptional experiences.
Here’s a list that covers different tastes, from sprawling RPGs to cozy indies and intense action titles:
Top-Tier All-Arounders / Critically Acclaimed Masterpieces
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (RPG, Fantasy, Story-Rich)
- Why it’s great: Game of the Year 2023. An epic, choice-driven RPG with unparalleled character customization, deep tactical combat, and a compelling story in the D&D universe. Unbelievable replayability.
- Elden Ring (Action RPG, Open World, Challenging)
- Why it’s great: FromSoftware’s biggest success. A vast, breathtaking open world combined with challenging yet rewarding combat. Incredible exploration, lore, and boss design.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition (Open World RPG, Story-Rich)
- Why it’s great: Still a benchmark for open-world RPGs. Fantastic storytelling, memorable characters, deep lore, and excellent combat. The DLCs (Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine) are exceptional.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (Open World, Action-Adventure, Immersive Sim)
- Why it’s great: Unrivaled world detail and immersion. A poignant, character-driven story set in the dying days of the Wild West. Slow-burn but incredibly rewarding.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Action RPG, Open World, Sci-Fi)
- Why it’s great: A fantastic redemption story. Post-patch 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty DLC, it’s a stunning, immersive RPG with incredible world-building, characters, and satisfying combat.
- Hades (Action Roguelike, Indie, Greek Mythology)
- Why it’s great: Fast-paced, fluid combat, engaging characters, a narrative that unfolds with each run, and an addictive progression system. One of the best roguelikes ever made.
Diverse & Highly Recommended
- Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (Narrative RPG, Unique, Detective)
- Why it’s great: A truly unique RPG focused almost entirely on dialogue, skill checks, and psychological exploration. Incredible writing, unforgettable characters, and a dense, fascinating world.
- Portal 2 (Puzzle, First-Person, Comedy)
- Why it’s great: A timeless classic. Brilliant puzzle design, genuinely hilarious writing, and a fantastic co-op mode. A masterclass in game design and pacing.
- Stardew Valley (Life Sim, RPG, Farming)
- Why it’s great: The ultimate cozy game. Farm, fish, mine, build relationships, explore. Endless charm, content, and a relaxing, rewarding loop. Fantastic for unwinding.
- Hollow Knight (Metroidvania, Action-Adventure, Challenging)
- Why it’s great: A masterpiece of atmospheric exploration. Beautiful hand-drawn art, precise combat, a vast interconnected world, and a haunting score.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition (CRPG, Fantasy, Turn-Based)
- Why it’s great: If you love classic RPGs and tactical turn-based combat, this is incredible. Rich story, deep character customization, and an elemental combat system that encourages creativity. A precursor to Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Factorio (Automation, Management, Sandbox)
- Why it’s great: “The factory must grow!” An incredibly deep and addictive game about building and optimizing complex factories. If you like logistics, efficiency, and seeing your creations come to life, this is for you.
- Deep Rock Galactic (Co-op FPS, Mining, Sci-Fi)
- Why it’s great: “Rock and Stone!” Excellent co-op shooter where you play as space dwarves mining dangerous caves. Great class synergy, procedural levels, and a fantastic community.
- Valheim (Survival, Crafting, Exploration, Co-op)
- Why it’s great: A unique Viking-themed survival game with satisfying crafting, challenging boss fights, and a strong sense of exploration and progression. Great for playing with friends.
- Civilization VI (Turn-Based Strategy, 4X)
- Why it’s great: One more turn! Lead your civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Deep strategic gameplay, multiple victory conditions, and endless replayability.
How to Choose
- Do you want a deep story and character development? Baldur’s Gate 3, The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, Disco Elysium.
- Do you enjoy challenging combat and exploration? Elden Ring, Hades, Hollow Knight.
- Looking for something relaxing? Stardew Valley.
- Love puzzles and clever writing? Portal 2.
- Enjoy building and optimization? Factorio.
- Want to play with friends? Deep Rock Galactic, Valheim, Divinity: Original Sin 2 (co-op campaign).
No matter what you pick from this list, you’re in for a treat! Always check recent reviews and watch some gameplay videos to make sure it aligns with what you’re looking for.