Looking back, 2025 turned out to be an incredible year in gaming. With a lineup of amazing titles hitting shelves, Steam recently unveiled its list of best games for the year. While many big names made the cut, it’s the rise of indie games that truly surprised everyone—these small titles are dominating the sales charts like never before. Curious about which games led the charge in 2025? Let’s dive into the details!
Arc Raiders and Schedule I: Dominating the Steam Sales Charts
This year, Arc Raiders and Schedule I not only topped the sales charts but also became fan favorites with impressive player engagement. It’s quite ironic that both titles were overlooked during most of the gaming awards; Schedule I didn’t even receive a nomination, yet had peak player counts reaching around 450,000 on Steam. It seems that gamers know what they like, regardless of award recognition!
Other indie titles are also making waves. For example, REPO has pushed past giants like Call of Duty in sales. It’s clear that 2025 has been a remarkable year for indie games, so be sure to check out our recommendations for the best indie games before the year wraps up!
Of course, there are plenty of anticipated titles on the list too, including Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Split Fiction, Battlefield, and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Here’s a quick rundown of the games that made a splash in the Steam charts this year:
- ARC Raiders
- Counter Strike 2
- Battlefield 6
- Borderlands 4
- Dune: Awakening
- EA Sports FC 26
- Elden Ring: Nightreign
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Schedule I
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 7
- The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- R.E.P.O.
- Marvel Rivals
- Split Fiction
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
For a closer look at the full list of top games, you can visit the Steam Best of Year 2025 page.
What indie games took the spotlight in 2025?
This year, several indie titles like REPO and Schedule I gained incredible popularity, even outperforming some major AAA games.
Were there any surprises on the Steam best games list for 2025?
Absolutely! The dominance of indie titles like Arc Raiders and Schedule I shocked many, especially since they were overlooked by gaming awards.
How did the player count for the top games look in 2025?
Schedule I boasted a peak player count of around 450,000, showcasing its widespread appeal among gamers.
What big names were expected on the Steam best games list?
Expected titles included EA Sports FC 26, Elden Ring: Nightreign, and Battlefield 6, which are staples in the gaming community.
So, which of these games did you check out this year? What was your favorite experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!