Best Addictive Games on Steam
Steam currently has 474 Addictive games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Addictive game rankings were last updated on 2/28/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free addictive games on Steam
- Best addictive Steam Deck games
- Best addictive Linux games on Steam
- Best addictive Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks.
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition holds the #1 spot for "best Addictive game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,739 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 121,684 positive reviews and 3,055 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 5/5/2009 |
| Franchise | PopCap EA |
| Developer | PopCap Games, Inc. |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 3590 |
2. Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.
Hotline Miami has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 94,216 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,644 positive reviews and 2,572 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 10/23/2012 |
| Developer | Dennaton Games |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 219150 |
3. Papers, Please
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 67,871 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 65,986 positive reviews and 1,885 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 8/8/2013 |
| Developer | Lucas Pope |
| Publisher | 3909 |
| Steam App Id | 239030 |
4. One Finger Death Punch
Experience cinematic kung-fu battles in the fastest, most intense brawler the indie world has ever seen! With the unique 1:1 response system of One Finger Death Punch, players will feel the immediate feedback of every bone-crunching hit. Pay tribute to the masters using five classic kung-fu styles mixed with additional weapons.
One Finger Death Punch has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,219 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,891 positive reviews and 328 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 3/3/2014 |
| Developer | Silver Dollar Games |
| Publisher | Silver Dollar Games |
| Steam App Id | 264200 |
5. Sid Meier's Civilization® V
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Sid Meier's Civilization® V has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 197,262 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 189,666 positive reviews and 7,596 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 9/21/2010 |
| Franchise | Civilization Franchise |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 8930 |
6. Super Hexagon
Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.
Super Hexagon has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,200 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,440 positive reviews and 760 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $2.99 |
| Release Date | 11/27/2012 |
| Franchise | Terry Cavanagh |
| Developer | Terry Cavanagh |
| Publisher | Terry Cavanagh |
| Steam App Id | 221640 |
7. Peggle Deluxe
Take your best shot with energizing arcade fun! Aim, shoot, clear the orange pegs, then sit back and cheer as 10 whimsical teachers guide you to Peggle greatness.
Peggle Deluxe has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,122 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,899 positive reviews and 223 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Peggle Deluxe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $0.99 |
| Release Date | 3/6/2007 |
| Developer | PopCap Games, Inc. |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 3480 |
8. FTL: Faster Than Light
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
FTL: Faster Than Light has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 71,085 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,967 positive reviews and 3,118 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play FTL: Faster Than Light on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 9/14/2012 |
| Developer | Subset Games |
| Publisher | Subset Games |
| Steam App Id | 212680 |
9. Mini Metro
Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving?
Mini Metro has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,730 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,172 positive reviews and 558 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 11/6/2015 |
| Developer | Dinosaur Polo Club |
| Publisher | Dinosaur Polo Club |
| Steam App Id | 287980 |
10. Game Dev Tycoon
In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.
Game Dev Tycoon has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,901 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,964 positive reviews and 1,937 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Game Dev Tycoon on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 8/29/2013 |
| Franchise | Greenheart Games |
| Developer | Greenheart Games 💚 |
| Publisher | Greenheart Games 💚 |
| Steam App Id | 239820 |
More Addictive Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Addictive games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 5,379 | 5/5/2009 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 106 | 10/23/2012 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 420 | 8/8/2013 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 9 | 3/3/2014 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 14,179 | 9/21/2010 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 11/27/2012 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 150 | 3/6/2007 | 94 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 873 | 9/14/2012 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 81 | 11/6/2015 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 85 | 8/29/2013 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 280 | 9/28/2011 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 84 | 8/30/2006 | 93 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 10/12/2011 | 93 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 416 | 8/17/2018 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 5/6/2022 | 93 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 2/15/2008 | 93 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 103 | 3/27/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 124 | 7/8/2009 | 93 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 368 | 2/18/2016 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 458 | 12/7/2010 | 93 | $0.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, February 28). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, February 28). Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 16). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 11). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 27). One Finger Death Punch on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 21). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 26). Super Hexagon on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 5). Peggle Deluxe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 9). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Mini Metro on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 23). Game Dev Tycoon on Steam. Steam Store.