10 Best Steam Games Of All Time, According To User Ratings

Steam‘s ever-expanding storefront is arguably the most competitive place in the gaming industry, with an endless deluge of interesting games all competing for attention. Picking up a following of any kind is an achievement, and plenty of interesting titles never make it to the big leagues. Rising to the very top, meanwhile, is nearly impossible, but something has to.

Steam’s rating system is based on the percentage of positive reviews rather than specific scores, but combining that ratio with the volume of reviews yields some interesting results. Steam250 uses this data to calculate a score rating for each game, offering a good look at what titles have earned the most universal acclaim.

Schedule 1 – 8.76

Schedule 1 might be the least likely inclusion on this list, but it’s managed to dethrone Garry’s Mod to earn a spot at number 10. While this breakout indie hit doesn’t look like much at a glance — frankly, it’s downright ugly — the drug-dealing gameplay loop has managed to hook an enormous number of players.

As the newest game to near the top of the Steam ratings, it’s unlikely that Schedule 1 will hold its position forever. So far, however, frequent updates have continued to expand the game and address fan requests. If developer TVGS can keep up the pace, it might not be knocked out of the top ten any time soon.

Portal – 8.77

When Valve’s Portal released in 2007, it effectively teleported puzzle games into a new dimension. Its well-crafted brainteasers alone would be enough to make it a classic, and when you add some incredible storytelling into the mix, it ends up smoking most of the competition.

The only downside to the original Portal is that it’s incredibly short, which prevents it from taking the puzzle complexity quite as far as it could. Even so, it’s a fantastic experience that has earned its place in the top ten-rated games on Steam.

Hades – 8.78

Hades is a spectacular dungeon crawler rooted in tons of great lore, mythology, mystery, discovery, and action. As the ideal game for any fan of Greek mythology, it’s become a go-to roguelike game for many fans of the genre. The game’s compelling narrative and addictive gameplay have helped to cement its popularity since its release in 2020.

In Hades, Zagreus is making his attempt to escape the Underworld. As he dies, players are sent back to the beginning to try again, making the game incessantly challenging and forcing the player to push on to do better as they unlock more skills. Hades 2 has now delivered an excellent sequel, but if Steam ratings are anything to go by, the original game still edges it out.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 – 8.78

Euro Truck Simulator 2 lets players drive semi-trucks in Europe and deliver cargo for various routes. Completing tasks gives the player in-game money and experience that can then be used to buy upgrades for various cosmetics and new vehicles.

There are plenty of countries that the player can drive through, and the game continues to receive updates that expand the range of the map. The ability to traverse the landscape and view the serene nature is the sole reason fans adore this game so much. The game is geared towards delivering a realistic experience and has thus become a beloved source of escapism for many.

Vampire Survivors – 8.79

Vampire Survivors is another roguelike that’s captured the hearts of many, this time applying the loop to the shoot ’em up genre. Players have the option to choose from a wide range of different characters to play, with each one offering variance in their abilities.

One of the most valued aspects of any video game is how much time a player can invest without the gameplay becoming boring or repetitive. While Vampire Survivors might seem simple, its large range of characters solves this issue and offers new ways to face the incoming horde of enemies every run.

Left 4 Dead 2 – 8.80

On top of being one of the best FPS games of all time, Left 4 Dead 2 is the perfect game to play with others. The co-op horde shooter features different game modes. including Campaign and Singleplayer, as well as a “Realism” mode that increases the challenge.

While this game is focused on teamwork, the single-player mode allows fans to tackle the challenge solo. However, as it was designed to be a multiplayer experience, the game shines the best when played with others. No discussion of the best co-op games is complete without mention of Left 4 Dead, and the sequel makes significant improvements on the original title, offering more gameplay options and advanced technology.

People Playground – 8.81

People Playground is an offbeat game that presents obstacles in which the player must kill various people. In many ways, the game is comparable to Crush the Castle and even Angry Birds, but the array of possibilities that the game presents is uniquely large.

Despite its cartoony style, People Playground is extremely violent, tasking the player with inventing dozens of different methods to kill people. It’s a little surprising to see a gory sandbox achieve such spectacularly high ratings, but there’s plenty to do in-game, and it offers players the opportunity to get creative with their ideas.

Terraria – 8.82

Terraria is one of the best sandbox games ever made, building on the creativity of Minecraft with a greater focus on RPG elements. Fighting terrifying bosses can be just as important as building the perfect home, making dungeon delves equally risky and rewarding.

Taking all of its memorable events into account — and the potential to tackle them all with friends — it’s hard to argue that Terraria doesn’t have a special flair. The title delivers addictive and memorable gameplay that fans continue to enjoy even after logging dozens of hours into it.

Portal 2 – 8.85

Against all odds, the sequel to the original Portal has become even more loved than the first. Portal 2 expands on everything great about its predecessor, with a fantastic story, amazing characters, a memorable soundtrack, and, of course, brilliant puzzles. The game is also a fair bit longer than the first, giving it a lot more room to develop all of these aspects further.

15 years later, Portal 2 remains a high-water mark for video games. It’s a fascinating text on posthumanism, digital spaces, and the very nature of playing a game, but it’s also just fun. Very, very fun. Almost fun enough to be the highest-rated game on Steam, but not quite.

Stardew Valley – 8.87

Stardew Valley has climbed the charts over the years, finally securing a spot as the highest-rated game on Steam. In many ways, its the perfect farming sim, sucking in players who quickly forget about reality as they take over their land by growing various crops and raising livestock.

However, it’s not just a farming sim. The players can face many enemies, receive quests from NPCs, and even focus on building a family. Over the years, it’s continued to receive substantial free updates, which likely accounts for much of its growing acclaim. With much to do and so much freedom on offer to players, it’s a Steam game that fans have been returning to and loving since its release in 2016.