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| The top 12 list is mostly dominated by indie games. Pictured: Steam Deck with the Best of 2025 promo picture. |
Another year, another incredible lineup of games on Steam. Valve has just dropped its annual retrospective, the "Best of 2025," and it’s more than just a list of top sellers. It’s a fascinating snapshot of what PC gamers loved this year, complete with a dedicated breakdown for the smash-hit portable, the Steam Deck. And the biggest story? Indie games aren't just holding their own—they’re dominating the conversation, proving that groundbreaking gameplay and artistry often trump blockbuster budgets.
You can explore the full, interactive charts for yourself right here on Steam's Official "Best of 2025" Charts.
The main list showcases the year's top earners and most-played titles, and while AAA heavyweights are present, the penetration of smaller studios is undeniable. This trend becomes even more pronounced when you filter for the Steam Deck. The portable PC has become a haven for indie darlings, with their often-perfect pick-up-and-play designs and stellar optimization making them ideal for on-the-go gaming.
So, what were Steam Deck owners playing most in 2025? Based on Valve's data, here’s a look at the top-performing titles (in no particular order), which reads like a "greatest hits" of modern gaming, blending timeless classics with hot new releases.
| Game Name | Release Year | Steam Deck Compatibility | Player Rating | Short Description | Regular Price | All-Time Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | 2017 | Verified | 97% | A masterpiece indie Metroidvania with haunting hand-drawn visuals. | $14.99 | $5.99 |
| Vampire Survivors | 2021 | Verified | 98% | The genre-defining action roguelite with deceptively simple pixel graphics. | $4.99 | $2.69 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 2020 | Verified | 88% | A dense, open-world action RPG in a breathtaking futuristic city. | $59.99 | $20.99 |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | 2025 | Verified | 93% | The long-awaited sequel, expanding the beautiful, deadly world of Hallownest. | $19.99 | $15.99 |
| Elden Ring | 2022 | Verified | 94% | The epic fantasy action RPG that redefined open-world exploration. | $59.99 | $35.99 |
| Hades II | 2025 | Verified | 96% | Supergiant's stellar sequel, offering more rogue-like dungeon-crawling brilliance. | $29.99 | $22.49 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 2019 | Playable | 91% | A monumental open-world adventure with an unforgettable story. | $59.99 | $14.99* |
| Hades | 2020 | Verified | 98% | The original rogue-like phenomenon with tight combat and a killer soundtrack. | $24.99 | $6.24 |
| Balatro | 2024 | Verified | 96% | The addictive poker-based rogue-like that took the world by storm. | $14.99 | $12.74 |
| Stardew Valley | 2016 | Verified | 98% | The quintessential farming life sim with endless charm and depth. | $14.99 | $7.49 |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 2015 | Verified | 96% | A landmark atmospheric RPG with a rich, story-driven world. | $39.99 | $3.99 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 2023 | Verified | 96% | The deep, party-based RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. | $59.99 | $44.99 |
*Lowest price available on Humble Bundle.
What This List Tells Us About Gaming in 2025
1. The Indie Stronghold on Steam Deck. The portability factor is key. Games like the genre-defining Vampire Survivors, the compulsive Balatro, and the brilliant sequel Hades II offer perfect gameplay loops for short bursts or long sessions, making the Steam Deck their natural home. Their "Verified" status guarantees a smooth experience, which is a major deciding factor for players.
2. Evergreen Titles are Forever. Notice the release years. Classics like the breathtaking The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015), the endlessly cozy Stardew Valley (2016), and the masterpiece Hollow Knight (2017) continue to be daily drivers for millions. These games have transcended typical sales cycles to become permanent fixtures in gamers' libraries.
3. Player Ratings & Redemption Arcs. The overwhelming "Overwhelmingly Positive" ratings across the board highlight a community that values quality and support. A game like Cyberpunk 2077, which has seen a remarkable turnaround, now enjoys a strong 88% rating alongside its Deck verification, proving that sustained effort can win back players.
4. Value is King. The spread between "Regular Price" and "All-Time Low" is a reminder of Steam's vibrant sale culture. This list proves that incredible value is always within reach, whether you're picking up The Witcher 3 for under $4 or diving into a new release like the highly-anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Whether you're a seasoned Deck user looking for your next obsession or a PC gamer curious about the trends, Valve's Best of 2025 list is more than a ranking—it's a guide to the experiences that captivated the world this year. The clear message? Great games, no matter their origin or age, find their audience and, more often than not, a perfect home on the Steam Deck. From the epic realms of Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3 to the gritty saga of Red Dead Redemption 2 and the original hellish escape of Hades, there's a top-tier experience waiting for every kind of player.
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| Top 12 most played Steam Deck games of 2025 |