The gaming world is constantly evolving, with new titles and evergreen classics capturing the hearts of players globally. If you’ve just watched the video above from Deface Games on some of the most popular PC games on Steam, you’re already on track to discovering some truly exceptional experiences. This article expands on those highlights, diving deeper into the gameplay, critical acclaim, and unique elements that made these titles stand out in 2020 and beyond. We’re focusing on the best and most popular PC games on Steam, providing additional context and insights for an intermediate gaming audience looking for their next immersive adventure.
Steam, as the undisputed titan of PC game distribution, hosts a vast library, and identifying the “hottest” games goes beyond mere sales figures; it reflects community engagement, critical praise, and innovative gameplay. Let’s delve into the titles that defined a significant year for PC gaming.
1. Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition: A Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece
Kicking off our list of popular Steam games is Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition, a game that made a massive splash when it transitioned from PlayStation exclusive to PC. This action role-playing game plunges players into a breathtaking post-apocalyptic world where humanity has fallen from grace, and vast mechanical creatures now roam the land. Players assume the role of Aloy, a skilled hunter on a quest to uncover the mysteries of her past and the origins of these robotic beasts.
The combat in Horizon Zero Dawn is particularly lauded for its depth and variety. Aloy isn’t just about brute force; she employs a range of tactical approaches, from setting intricate traps with her Tripcaster to precision archery and spear attacks. Her ability to dodge, sprint, slide, and roll provides dynamic evasion options against formidable foes. A key mechanic is the Focus, a small headpiece that allows Aloy to scan machines, revealing their weak points, patrol paths, and the valuable components they drop. These components, including electricity and metal, are crucial for crafting a wide array of resources, from ammo and satchels to potent elemental resistances and antidotes. Weapons can be further enhanced with modification slots, allowing for increased damage or specialized effects, significantly impacting strategic encounters.
Critically, the game garnered widespread acclaim, achieving an average Metascore of 84/100 for its PC release. Reviewers consistently praised its stunning open world, compelling narrative, exceptional visuals that push graphical boundaries, engaging combat system, and strong character development. This blend of narrative depth, visual fidelity, and satisfying gameplay firmly cemented its place as one of the most beloved action RPGs of its time and a staple among the best PC games.
2. Wasteland 3: A Tactical RPG with Frosty Choices
Next on our journey through popular Steam games is Wasteland 3, a robust role-playing video game that expertly blends tactical turn-based combat with impactful narrative choices. Set in the desolate, freezing wastelands of post-apocalyptic Colorado, players control the last surviving member of Team November, a Ranger squad hailing from Arizona. This squad-based RPG, viewed from an isometric perspective, offers a rich, choice-driven experience where every decision carries weight, influencing the game’s world and its intricate storyline.
The game’s revamped combat system introduces environmental hazards, adding a layer of strategic depth to every encounter. Players must consider terrain, cover, and elemental effects to gain an advantage. Beyond combat, the Ranger base serves as a crucial hub for operations, allowing players to embark on quests, conduct research, gather vital materials, and establish supply lines with various factions through radio contact. As the campaign progresses, this base can be upgraded, reflecting the Rangers’ growing influence in the harsh landscape. A significant addition to the series is the player-controlled vehicle, which facilitates world traversal and provides essential storage for supplies, streamlining exploration. Notably, the entire main campaign of Wasteland 3 can be played cooperatively, allowing players to team up and navigate its unforgiving world together, either synchronously or asynchronously, making it a standout title for fans of deep, choice-driven RPGs on PC.
3. Microsoft Flight Simulator: The World at Your Fingertips
Prepare for an unparalleled level of realism with Microsoft Flight Simulator, a title that redefines the simulation genre and stands as one of the most popular PC games for enthusiasts. This isn’t just a game; it’s a meticulously crafted simulation that allows players to pilot a wide array of aircraft and soar across the entire planet. The astounding feat of mapping and modeling the entire Earth is achieved through a sophisticated combination of Bing satellite imaging and extensive manual detailing, offering access to all 37,000 airports globally.
The level of detail is simply unprecedented. From the individual buildings in major cities to the subtle undulations of vast deserts, every corner of the world is rendered with incredible fidelity. Beyond static visuals, Microsoft Flight Simulator integrates real-time data, simulating actual daily air traffic across the globe. Players can even choose to filter out non-realistic pilots in multiplayer, ensuring an authentic experience. The weather system is equally groundbreaking; dynamic volumetric clouds cast realistic shadows over the landscape, creating breathtaking vistas. This commitment to realism, coupled with stunning graphics, sets a new benchmark for visual fidelity in gaming, making it a monumental achievement in simulation and a dream for any aspiring virtual pilot.
4. Sea of Thieves: The Ultimate Pirate Adventure
Hoist the sails and embark on epic adventures with Sea of Thieves, a first-person action-adventure game that has captivated a massive community on Steam as one of its most popular titles. Players assume the role of a procedurally generated pirate, setting out to earn the title of “ultimate pirate legend” by completing voyages for various trading companies. The game’s shared-world design means that players will regularly encounter other pirate crews, leading to unpredictable and often thrilling interactions.
Cooperation is key in Sea of Thieves. Solo and duo players navigate nimble sloops, while larger groups control formidable brigantines (three-man) or galleons (four-man), requiring coordinated efforts for tasks like steering, manning cannons, navigating, and scouting from the crow’s nest. Naval combat is a core element, where hostile players can attack with cannonballs or even board your ship. Damage below deck causes water to flow in, necessitating quick repairs with wood planks and bailing water with buckets to prevent sinking. The Anniversary update further enriched the experience with the “Arena” cooperative multiplayer mode, where four teams compete on smaller maps to gather silver, demonstrating the game’s ongoing evolution and commitment to dynamic pirate gameplay that keeps it high on the list of popular Steam games.
5. Hades: A Rogue-like Gem from the Underworld
Breaking free from the chains of tradition, Hades stands out as a critically acclaimed rogue-like action role-playing video game and a consistent favorite among popular Steam games. Players embody Zagreus, the immortal Prince of the Underworld, in his defiant attempts to escape his father Hades’ realm and reach Mount Olympus. Each escape attempt is a unique run, challenging players through a randomized series of rooms filled with enemies and potential rewards.
Combat in Hades is fluid and fast-paced, relying on a combination of main weapon attacks, powerful dash abilities, and mystical magic. What sets Hades apart is its ingenious “Boon” system. At the start of each run, and throughout, one of the Olympian gods offers a “gift”—a choice of three persistent boosts themed after the specific deity (e.g., Zeus offers lightning boons, Poseidon water-based attacks). This system ensures incredible build diversity and replayability, as players constantly adapt their strategy. Furthermore, the game features a captivating narrative, interwoven with each death. Zagreus returns to the House of Hades, where interactions with various Underworld characters not only advance the story but also provide quests and additional rewards. The persistent elements between runs, combined with its engaging combat and rich storytelling, have earned Hades numerous accolades, including multiple “Game of the Year” awards, solidifying its status as a must-play title for any fan of action RPGs and rogue-likes.
6. Crusader Kings III: A Dynasty Simulator of Epic Proportions
For those who relish grand strategy and intricate storytelling, Crusader Kings III offers an unparalleled experience, cementing its place as one of the most popular PC games in the strategy genre. This dynasty simulator plunges players into the tumultuous Middle Ages, tasking them not merely with ruling a kingdom, but with managing a sprawling family line through generations of intrigue, warfare, and succession.
The game introduces sophisticated mechanics for dynasty management. Cadet branches can form, granting them a degree of independence while remaining part of the larger family tree. Dynasty heads utilize a new “Renown” resource to exert control and influence over their house members, adding a layer of political depth. A significant visual upgrade from previous installments, characters are now rendered with full-body 3D models, replacing 2D portraits, which enhances immersion. Character traits play a crucial role, influencing stats and behavior; acting against a character’s inherent traits can increase stress, leading to potential breakdowns. The genetic system is highly detailed, allowing characters to pass on both positive and negative characteristics to their descendants, leading to fascinating emergent narratives. Players can choose from five distinct lifestyles, each with three skill trees, enabling specialization in areas like diplomacy, warfare, or intrigue. With a map that is about four times more detailed and slightly larger than its predecessors, encompassing numerous playable regions and government types with unique tenets and bonuses, Crusader Kings III offers virtually limitless replayability and is a pinnacle of grand strategy gaming.
7. Risk of Rain 2: A 3D Rogue-like Shooter Revolution
Shifting gears to a high-octane experience, Risk of Rain 2 is a rogue-like third-person shooter that brilliantly transitions its predecessor’s 2D charm into a vibrant 3D environment, establishing itself as a popular Steam game for those seeking intense, randomized action. Players control a survivor stranded on an alien planet, fighting for survival against hordes of monsters.
The core gameplay loop involves navigating diverse environments, eliminating alien threats, and looting chests to acquire items that incrementally boost offensive and defensive capabilities. The primary objective on each level is to locate and activate a randomly placed teleporter. Once activated, players must withstand a relentless onslaught of aliens, including powerful bosses, until the teleporter is fully charged. Killing enemies grants experience and currency, which is used to open more chests, yielding random item drops. A crucial mechanic is the escalating difficulty; over time, the game spawns progressively more powerful and dangerous creatures, forcing players to adapt their strategies rapidly. Progression is also tied to achievements, which unlock new playable characters, items, and game modifiers, ensuring long-term engagement. Supporting up to four players in online multiplayer, Risk of Rain 2 delivers a chaotic yet incredibly rewarding cooperative experience, where teamwork and quick thinking are paramount to surviving the planet’s ever-increasing threat levels.
8. Among Us: The Social Deduction Phenomenon
Despite its 2018 release, Among Us exploded in popularity in 2020, becoming an overnight triumph and arguably one of the most successful and popular PC games of the year, especially through its availability on Steam. This online multiplayer social deduction game thrives on deception and teamwork, set in a captivating space-themed environment.
The game supports between four to ten players, who are randomly assigned one of two roles: most are Crewmates, while a predetermined number (one to three) are Impostors. Crewmates are tasked with completing mini-games around the map—such as rewiring electrical panels or fueling engines—which represent vital maintenance work. Their goal is to either complete all tasks before being eliminated or successfully identify and vote out all Impostors. Impostors, on the other hand, are given a fake list of tasks to blend in, while secretly sabotaging systems, using vents for quick movement, identifying fellow Impostors, and discreetly murdering Crewmates. The Impostors win if they manage to kill enough Crewmates so their numbers are equal, or if a critical sabotage (like reactor meltdown or O2 depletion) countdown runs out. The simple yet compelling gameplay, coupled with its focus on communication and psychological strategy, made Among Us a global sensation, driving countless hours of engaging social interaction and cementing its place as a unique title among popular Steam games.
9. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout: The Zany Battle Royale
Adding a splash of vibrant color and chaotic fun to our list of popular Steam games is Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. This platformer Battle Royale title draws inspiration from popular game shows like Takeshi’s Castle and Wipeout, as well as classic playground games. Up to 60 players, represented by charming jelly-bean-like figures, compete in a series of randomly selected mini-games, all with the goal of being the last one standing.
Players navigate three-dimensional obstacle courses, utilizing jumps, grabs, and dives to overcome challenges. Each round tests different skills, from racing to the finish line to cooperative tasks or survival against environmental hazards. Obstacles are designed to add complexity and often result in hilarious eliminations. Players who are too slow or fail to meet specific requirements for a mini-game are eliminated until only a handful remain for the final round. The ultimate winner is determined in a climactic mini-game specifically designed for smaller player counts. The game’s accessibility, combined with its pure, unadulterated fun and the ability to customize characters with various cosmetics and emotes, quickly made Fall Guys a phenomenon, offering a refreshing, light-hearted take on the Battle Royale genre and a firm favorite on Steam.
10. Cyberpunk 2077: The Highly Anticipated RPG
Rounding out our list of the most popular PC games on Steam, particularly in 2020, is Cyberpunk 2077. Developed and published by CD Projekt, this first-person open-world role-playing video game garnered immense hype and became one of the most pre-ordered and sold video games on Steam in 2020 even before its full release. Players step into the shoes of V, a mercenary in the sprawling, dystopian Night City, with extensive customization options for appearance, background, and clothing.
The game boasts an intricate perk tree that allows players to specialize in various combat styles, from melee and blades to different firearm types (handguns, shotguns, rifles, sniper rifles), hacking, and assassination. Furthermore, players can upgrade and purchase Cyberware implants from black markets, granting military-grade abilities that drastically alter gameplay. Movement mechanics are fluid, featuring cover systems, aiming, running, jumping, double jumping, and sliding. Weapons are highly customizable, with upgrades affecting accuracy and reloading speed, visibly manifested in character animations. A notable design choice is the inclusion of non-lethal options for weapons and Cyberware, allowing players to complete the entire game without killing anyone if they choose, offering unprecedented player agency. Without a doubt, the anticipation and sheer scale of Cyberpunk 2077 made it the biggest game release of 2020, drawing massive attention from the global gaming community.
Unpacking 2020’s Steam Hits: Your Questions Answered
What is this article about?
This article explores some of the most popular PC games available on Steam that were prominent in 2020 and beyond. It gives insights into their gameplay, features, and why they were popular.
What is Steam, as mentioned in the article?
Steam is described as the leading platform for distributing PC games, hosting a massive library of titles. It’s where you can find and play many popular computer games.
What kinds of games are mentioned in this list?
The article covers a wide variety of popular PC game genres. These include action role-playing games, tactical RPGs, flight simulators, pirate adventure games, and social deduction games.
Can I play these games with other people?
Yes, many of the games featured offer multiplayer options. Titles like Sea of Thieves, Among Us, and Risk of Rain 2 are specifically designed for cooperative or competitive play with friends.
