Tech Desk 
Dec 31, 2024
As the gaming industry continues to push boundaries, 2024 has been a landmark year for gamers around the globe. From immersive RPGs to adrenaline-pumping action titles, the Steam platform has been at the forefront, showcasing a lineup of games that have captivated millions.
Gadinsider has curated a list of the top 10 best-selling and most-played Steam games of this year, representing the pinnacle of innovation, storytelling, and gameplay.
According to Steam, these games have dominated sales and player engagement, earning accolades and rave reviews from the gaming community.
Space Marine
Space Marine is an action game in high octane, set in grimdark Warhammer 40,000. The gameplay revolves around the elite Ultramarine, who has to combat the relentless Orks and Chaos forces.
The game seamlessly integrates melee and ranged combat, with dynamically engaging battles against hordes of enemies, all while weaving a compelling narrative of honour, duty, and sacrifice in a dystopian sci-fi world.
Language support: 17 languages
Awards: Nominated for "Better with Friends" at the 2024 Steam Awards
Minimum system requirements
- OS: Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1, Windows 7
- Processor: 2.0GHz Dual-Core (Core 2 Duo/AMD X2 or better)
- Memory: 1GB (XP), 2GB (Vista/Windows 7)
- Graphics: 256MB (Shader Model 3, e.g., Nvidia GeForce 8800GT/AMD Radeon 3850+)
- DirectX: 9.0c
- Storage: 20GB free (10GB post-install)
- Drivers: Nvidia 280.26/AMD Catalyst 11.8 (for laptops/notebooks)
Dota 2
Dota 2 involves two teams of five players locked against each other in an arena attempting to destroy each other's ancient, a structure located within their base.
Each player plays a character with unique abilities and roles, and he or she is required to act together with teammates strategically and tactically. The deep mechanics of the game, extremely dynamic evolving meta, and competitive scene render it a viable esports frenzy across the globe.
Language support: 28 languages
Minimum system requirements for Dota 2
- OS: Windows 7 or newer
- Processor: Dual-core 2.8 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600/9600GT or ATI Radeon HD2600/3600
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 15 GB available space
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop system. It sees characters from the Forgotten Realms chained together by a bizarre parasitic infection that imbues them with odd powers.
The game also delivers narrative strategies while providing turn-based combat and choices that really matter to how the story continues and how players weave their relationships through the colourful characters.
Language support: 15 languages
Awards: Game of the Year and Outstanding Story-Rich Game at the 2024 Steam Awards
Minimum system requirements for Baldur’s Gate 3
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel i5-4690 / AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 480
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 150 GB available space
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 incorporates some action-packed first-person shooting with the high drama of a spy-and-conspiracy storyline.
The action takes place at locations all over the globe and presents not only a campaign mode that offers missions for the player to play through like a movie but also multiplayer options with traditional team battles.
Finally, this is a really fast, action-oriented, high-end game that has all these deep customisations one would expect from the franchise.
Language support: 14 languages
Minimum system requirements for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- OS: Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 / AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7850
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 25 GB available space
Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 is the next evolution of the iconic tactical shooter. It brings updated visuals, more refined mechanics, and new features to the game. Players will once again take part in fast-paced, team-based matches where strategic assistants will be as important as good line shooting.
Defuse, rescue-the-hostage types, and other bids will still feature even as old-touch baselines remain competitive while introducing something modern that keeps it alive in the world of esports.
Language support: 29 languages
Awards: Winner of the Labor of Love Award in 2020
Minimum system requirements for Counter-Strike 2
- OS: Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 / AMD Phenom X3 8750
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7800
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 15 GB available space
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is an online multiplayer first-person shooting video game set in a shared science-fictional universe. Players take the roles of Guardians, wielders of powerful abilities and defenders of the superiority of humanity against foreign threats.
The game offers a huge environment, including cooperative missions along with competitive multiplayer types, and its lore continues to evolve through seasonal content.
Language support: 13 languages
Minimum system requirements for Destiny 2
- OS: Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i3-3250 / AMD FX-4350
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7850
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 105 GB available space
PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG: Battlegrounds is a battle royale game in which one parachutes into an island, and hunts weapons, various gear, and vehicles. The main objective is to be the last one standing while staying alive within the now-shrinking area.
It offers the player an intense atmosphere with firefights, strategic positioning for victory, and emotional realism, thus giving a high-powered survival experience to millions around the world.
Language support: 17 languages
Awards: Winner of Game of the Year at the 2018 Steam Awards
Minimum system requirements for PUBG: Battlegrounds
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4430 / AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R7 370
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Black Myth: Wukong
The Black Myth: Wukong is a very action-oriented RPG that draws heavy inspiration from the eminent Chinese mythological tale 'Journey to the West.'
The Monkey King, who starts a journey toward redemption and power, is the protagonist of the game, which allures with splendid graphics and fast action, and has a complete set of mythical creatures and environments created to enrich its environment.
The interplay of folklore and revolutionary contribution to the medium promises an experience worth any reputation.
Language support: 13 languages
Awards: Nominated for Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards
Minimum system requirements for Black Myth: Wukong
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 50 GB available space
Palworld
Palworld is a colourful open-world survival game that incorporates a mix of information directly borrowed from Pokémon-like creature companions with crafting elements.
Players can catch and train different "Pals" while exploring a whimsical yet dangerous world. The game provides a combination of peaceful activities like farming and intense combat, presenting an experience that caters to both adventurers and builders.
Language support: 11 languages
Achievements: 33 Steam achievements
Minimum system requirements for Palworld
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7500 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 10 GB available space
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an open-world action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware that marries dark fantasy narratives and sophisticated combat mechanics.
Set in the Lands Between, it tells a story of powerful fractures and ancient mysteries.
The game boasts a vast interconnected world, enemies of different types, and a deep levelling system. It presents an epic adventure by the fans of tough and atmospheric amusement.
Language support: 14 languages
Minimum system requirements for Elden Ring
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 3 3300X
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 60 GB available space
