The digital distribution gaming platform Steam offers thousands of different games, but only twenty titles made it to our list of the 20 most played games. Which ones are they?
Most played games on Steam
Counter Strike 2 leads the popularity rankings on Steam
Steam is a digital platform by Valve Corporation, aimed at distributing digital copies of games while also providing multiplayer and communication support for players. In addition to community integration (including real money trading on the community marketplace), Steam offers a simple way to purchase, download, and have games available in one place.
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Ranking of the most played titles on Steam as of April 2024
Using Steam requires registration, but otherwise it is free to use. You must pay for individual video games, of course (some are free). Either you pay only the single purchase price or you upload money to a virtual Steam wallet – however, the remaining balance cannot be withdrawn from there (although we have many reviews on websites that allow withdrawal by selling items from the digital Steam inventory – such as skins). Of course, games from Valve (Counter Strike, DOTA 2, Half Life…) are available on Steam, but most major companies use this platform for distribution. As of today, the number of games offered has climbed above 70,000 units and today we present to you the 20 most played games (the ranking changes day by day and this one is current as of April 4, 2024).
1. Counter Strike 2
The most successful multiplayer FPS of the present tops the playability rankings on Steam. Over a million players are currently moving through the game daily, and this is also due to a very successful tournament (the first Major in CS2), which took place at the end of March and reached record viewership. Counter Strike 2 regularly occupies the top spot and only leaves it occasionally for a few days, which is usually caused by the release of another major game.
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Counter-Strike 2 |
2. DOTA 2
The popular MOBA title DOTA 2 from Valve ranks second on our list. The game has its highs and lows and is not always in this position, but its player base is still strong. The competitive MOBA game League of Legends surpasses it and CS, but is not available on Steam.
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Dota 2 |
3. PUBG: Battlegrounds
Surprisingly, the game PUBG from 2017, which looked to have had its peak long ago, has reached third place in our rankings. The developers took to heart the criticism from the community, and their ongoing care for their video game has borne fruit. The game still has mixed reviews, but thanks to many updates, it still meets today’s standards and remains one of the leading Battle Royale titles.
4. Apex Legends
The free shooter Apex Legends, besides proper action, offers the choice of hero to play as. Since its release in 2020, the game has gained a loyal player base who appreciate regular updates and the expansion of character numbers. Reviews of this game vary, but the numbers speak clearly, and today it is the fourth most played game on Steam.
5. NARAKA: BLADEPOINT
The combat game NARAKA: BLADEPOINT for up to 60 players offers a really interesting adrenaline action rush. If you are looking for a casual game, hands off, because NARAKA has a very fast pace of its matches, in which players use parkour and a wide arsenal of weapons. At the same time, the player chooses from offered heroes who have their own specific abilities. The last one alive wins.
6. Stardew Valley
This relaxing thing has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of players around the world with its pleasant (yet complex) gameplay and pixel graphics. In Stardew Valley, you inherit a plot on an island and it’s up to you what you do with it. Will you make it a profitable farm or would you rather spend time mining in extensive caves? The island is of course inhabited, and interaction with other residents is unavoidable. This game is ideal for long winter evenings.
7. Grand Theft Auto V
The GTA series is notorious for its violence, but of course, it’s not just about that. The game Grand Theft Auto V offers great gameplay in an open world with an interesting story, but it reached seventh place in the ranking of the most played games on Steam due to its multiplayer. It is still popular and various community servers offer all kinds of activities (currently especially Roleplaying servers are popular).
8. Wallpaper Engine
The reason this “game” (rather a program) is ranked so high is that it runs automatically in the background. It allows its user to set impressive live backgrounds with plenty of different options.
9. Helldivers 2
The action-packed cooperative fight against space bugs and robots is a fresh multiplayer affair and its setting reminds of the movie series Starship Troopers. Join other defenders of the free universe and show the bugs who’s boss using a wide arsenal of weapons and available missions.
10. Palworld
We won’t beat around the bush, we’ll tell you right away that this is a rip-off of Pokémon (developer Palworld is currently facing several lawsuits). The game concept focuses on catching cute monsters and fighting and does it darn well. So even though it’s a copied and slightly modified core, players are able to overlook it due to the cute graphics and good gameplay. Thanks to this, Palworld occupies the tenth place in the ranking of the most played games on Steam.
11. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
A similar game concept to police and villains like Counter Strike is also found in the game Rainbow Six Siege, which however approaches the whole topic a bit differently. Compared to CS, it is more realistic and offers the possibility of destroying the game environment, making it a suitable alternative for team tactical shooters.
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Rainbow Six |
12. Call of Duty
This entry on Steam serves as the main hub for the Call of Duty series. It includes subtitles Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, and Warzone, which are currently the most played multiplayer CoD video games (with the Battle Royale simulator Warzone being the most popular). By combining players from several games into one product, Call of Duty occupies the twelfth place.
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Call of Duty |
13. Monster Hunter: World
Join other players to form a group of adventurers who hunt monsters. In Monster Hunter: World, many challenges await in the form of bloodthirsty beasts that need to be eliminated. In addition to various hunting gadgets, cooperation with other players and your ability to react quickly will help you. This fantasy game bets on fairly good graphics and a sophisticated combat system.
14. Path of Exile
One of the best alternatives to the Diablo series, Path of Exile, is suitable for all hardcore action RPG players. As you progress through the world, kill enemies, and complete quests, you gain new levels, through which you learn new abilities. The skill tree here is branched in all directions, and it’s up to you which path you choose. Players return to this Diablo-like game especially for its end-game content. PoE is completely free, and a long-awaited sequel is on the way.
15. Crab Game
The series Squid Game captivated millions around the world with its original story, and the developer studio Dani tries to transfer the survival game concept into its game Crab Game. In it, the player, along with other participants, plays various games known from childhood. Failure means death and elimination, while the last one standing wins.
16. Unturned
A decimated world, zombie apocalypse, danger at every corner… In Unturned, you (alone or in a group) find yourself in a vast environment where survival is the only goal. You must find food, craft weapons, and fight with other survivors for valuable resources. All this in a simple animated graphic style that has its own charm and is iconic for Unturned.
17. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Although the reviews for Dragon’s Dogma 2 are rather mixed, it still is an interesting story-driven RPG that offers dozens of hours of entertainment to anyone who can immerse themselves in its dark fantasy world. Creating your own character is a given, and a well-done action combat system offends no one. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, and it’s up to you and your decisions which direction it will turn.
18. Warframe
Join forces with your friends in the action online shooter Warframe, where you face hordes of enemies, such as robots. Whether you choose melee or firearms is up to you, as is the direction in which your character’s skills will develop. The game is completely free and offers a quality looter-shooter experience.
19. Team Fortress 2
It’s surprising that even seventeen years after its release, Team Fortress 2 still makes it into the ranking of the most played games on Steam, but here we are! Join a proper animated online battle frenzy as one of nine selectable characters and help your team to victory. TF2 still has a wide player base and even offers the possibility to participate in esports competitions today.
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Team Fortress 2 |
20. Baldur’s Gate 3
Winner of the 2023 Steam Awards for Best Game of the Year and Best Story, Baldur’s Gate 3, has occupied the top spots on our list in recent months, but it’s a surprise for a story RPG to hold a position in the rankings for so long. A perfect transfer of the gaming system from Dungeons & Dragons into the video game world is replayable even after several playthroughs and offers endless possibilities with a strong story.
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