Steam is a leading platform for PC gamers, and it’s easy to see why. It’s reliable, frequently offers excellent deals, and boasts a massive library of games – everything from big-name titles to exciting independent games. While most games are available elsewhere, a small number are exclusive to Steam.
Okay, so if you’re like me and Steam is where I do most of my gaming, you need to snag these rare games when they go on sale. A lot of them are made by Valve themselves, but I’m leaving out the original Half-Life because it ended up on PS2, and Half-Life 2 too, since it was part of The Orange Box which meant you could play it on PS3 and Xbox 360 – and honestly, it still runs great on those older consoles!
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Garry’s Mod
The Sandbox That Spawned Multiple Iconic Games
As a huge fan, I have to say that Garry’s Mod is one of the most important games on Steam, in my opinion. It basically launched a ton of incredibly popular game types – things like Trouble in Terrorist Town and Prop Hunt, which everyone knows and loves. It’s just a really fun way to mess around with different objects and create your own experiences.
You can also create characters and toss objects around just to experiment. But the real appeal is still all the content created by other players – it provides endless fun. Remember when gaming YouTubers were constantly playing Prop Hunt? It was a classic!
Aperture Desk Job
A Special Portal Treat For Steam Deck Enjoyers
The Steam Deck has a neat little game called Aperture Desk Job made by Valve. It’s a short experience where you’re starting a new job, and fans of Valve’s other games might recognize the setting!
So, this game is set in the Portal universe, which is awesome! You basically go through a typical workday, and it’s got that same hilarious vibe you’d expect from other Valve games. Honestly, it feels a bit like a tech demo for the Steam Deck, but since it’s totally free, I’d say it’s absolutely worth checking out at least once. I had a blast!
Cruelty Squad
A Punch Of Color And Cruelty Directly To Your Retina
Let’s talk about climbing the ranks – like in the game Cruelty Squad. This fast-paced, retro-style FPS throws you into colorful, chaotic levels packed with enemies.
You’ll be sent into a dangerous, rundown world – which the creators jokingly call a “garbage world” – on a mission to impress your company. If you like games where you can explore and interact with the environment, like Deus Ex, or enjoy tactical shooters similar to Rainbow Six, you’ll likely enjoy this. Be warned, it’s a violent and graphic game, but it intentionally evokes the feel of classic first-person shooters.
DOTA 2
A Continuation Of The Iconic MOBA That Started It All
The first Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft 3 was incredibly popular and ultimately evolved into the fantastic MOBA game DOTA 2 we know today. Even if you prefer League of Legends, it’s hard to ignore DOTA 2‘s lasting influence on gaming culture – it even inspired a song by Basshunter!
Esports are incredibly popular, and it’s understandable why some players prefer them. Unlike League of Legends, most esports titles are free to play and give you access to all characters right away. While some say these games are harder to learn and the matches take longer, the open access is a big draw.
Team Fortress 2
A Hero Shooter That Remains A Banger Years After
Valve’s Team Fortress 2 is a fantastic free-to-play game that any fan of hero shooters should experience. Games like Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and Valorant all owe a lot to Team Fortress 2 and the games that came before it.
While it has a much smaller group of characters, each one feels unique, and the matches recapture the fun, unpredictable energy of early Overwatch – when everyone was still figuring things out. If you long for those days, you should definitely try this game. It remains a truly exceptional experience.
Counter-Strike 2
The Freshest Take On The Iconic Tactical Shooter
The Counter-Strike series is a hugely important part of the video game world, especially when it comes to competitive multiplayer. Starting as a modification for Half-Life, its strategic shooting gameplay has become incredibly refined over time. Combined with a thriving esports scene and its accessibility as a free-to-play game for players of all levels, Counter-Strike has truly earned its reputation as a brilliantly designed game.
Counter-Strike 2 stays true to what made CS:GO great, offering the same core gameplay with modern improvements to graphics and sound. Despite ongoing issues with cheaters, the game’s consistent popularity on Steam proves just how strong the series remains.
Half-Life: Alyx
An Incredible Showcase Of VR Mechanics And Details
After years of waiting, Half-Life fans finally received Half-Life: Alyx. Though not the traditional sequel many expected, it’s an incredible VR game that exceeds all expectations for the platform. It offers a deeply immersive experience, making you feel truly present in the Half-Life universe, and the VR controls are remarkably well-designed.
The most impressive part of this game is easily its stunning visuals, sound, and immersive atmosphere. It truly sets the standard for VR experiences, successfully blending a compelling story with fast-paced, engaging gameplay – something we’d love to see more of in VR gaming.
Project Zomboid
A Highly Detailed Retro Zombie Survival Game
Besides games made by Valve themselves, Project Zomboid is one of the most popular titles on Steam. This incredibly engaging zombie survival game has been in development for over a decade and has earned a dedicated following among fans of the genre.
Project Zomboid offers a huge, immersive open world with incredibly detailed survival mechanics – you’ll need to manage everything from thirst and hunger to even boredom. It’s a truly challenging experience, though fans of extremely complex survival games might also enjoy Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead. If you prefer a zombie game with better graphics and a similar level of depth, Project Zomboid is definitely worth checking out to see what all the excitement is about.
Black Mesa
Fans Poured Their Love Into This Half-Life Remake
Okay, let’s be real – you can’t talk about the best games you can only get on Steam without mentioning Half-Life. It’s seriously one of the greatest horror first-person shooters ever made, following Gordon Freeman as things go horribly wrong in a science lab. It was a huge deal back in the day and basically defined a generation of gamers. And of course, it started all the rumors about Half-Life 3 – which, hey, maybe we’ll actually see it someday!
Okay, so technically Half-Life isn’t totally a Steam exclusive because it got ported to the PS2. But that’s why I want to talk about Black Mesa – it’s this incredible fan project that completely revamped the original Half-Life, giving it a serious visual upgrade. Honestly, either way you play it, you’re in for an amazing experience, and it’s a great reminder of when games just had to be good from the start to succeed.
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2026-02-18 06:06