The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch are all excellent home video game consoles, but sometimes it's just better to play on PC. You'll find platform-exclusive titles, free online play, and console ports that sometimes boast superior audio and video fidelity. A large and healthy mod community strengthens the platform's appeal, too. If you're a PC gamer—or long to be one—there's no better place to start hunting for titles than Steam, a digital marketplace packing thousands of titles.
So, how do you sort through the many games in Valve's store? Don't worry, we've done it for you. Here you'll find games so good that PCMag bestowed upon them our coveted Editors' Choice award. Whether you're looking for a hot new shooter, a thrilling fantasy RPG, or mind-boggling strategy game, our list almost certainly has something that will pique your interest.
If you're playing on a Windows PC, all you need to do is download and install these games. If you're playing on the Steam Deck, first check Valve's game compatibility list to see if your titles of interest work in the Proton-enhanced, SteamOS environment, or require additional actions on your end. So far, hundreds of Steam games are Steam Deck verified, according to info pulled from SteamDB. A green checkmark indicates that game is fully verified to run well on Steam Deck; a yellow checkmark indicates that the game is playable on Steam Deck, “but requires extra steps or manual work from the user.” Keep in mind, games that require an online connection may not be ideal for on-the-go-Steam Deck play unless you can find a Wi-Fi signal.
Of course, this is only a starter list; for a much, much deeper dive, please read our roundup of the best PC games, the majority of which are available on Steam.
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