Best Addictive Games on Steam

Steam currently has 483 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 10/29/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

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 133,707 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 130,461 positive reviews and 3,246 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 banner

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 99,581 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 96,780 positive reviews and 2,801 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 banner

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 71,278 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,325 positive reviews and 1,953 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 banner

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 16,241 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,905 positive reviews and 336 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 banner

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 200,013 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,237 positive reviews and 7,776 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 banner

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 24,436 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,670 positive reviews and 766 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 banner

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 9,313 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,066 positive reviews and 247 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 Peggle Deluxe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $4.99
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 banner

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 72,910 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,634 positive reviews and 3,276 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 banner

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 15,182 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,606 positive reviews and 576 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 banner

Game Dev Tycoon has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 42,678 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,677 positive reviews and 2,001 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $2.49 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 $2.49
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.

ImageName
Actions
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition steam charts
2,440
5/5/2009
96
$4.99
Steam Charts
Hotline Miami steam charts
89
10/23/2012
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Papers, Please steam charts
225
8/8/2013
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
One Finger Death Punch steam charts
14
3/3/2014
95
$4.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
10,976
9/21/2010
95
$29.99
Steam Charts
Super Hexagon steam charts
13
11/27/2012
95
$2.99
Steam Charts
Peggle Deluxe steam charts
118
3/6/2007
94
$4.99
Steam Charts
FTL: Faster Than Light steam charts
668
9/14/2012
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Mini Metro steam charts
86
11/6/2015
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Game Dev Tycoon steam charts
169
8/29/2013
93
$2.49
Steam Charts
The Binding of Isaac steam charts
127
9/28/2011
93
$4.99
Steam Charts
Insaniquarium Deluxe steam charts
57
8/30/2006
93
$0.99
Steam Charts
Coloring Pixels steam charts
336
8/17/2018
93
Free
Steam Charts
Retrowave steam charts
5
5/6/2022
93
$2.99
Steam Charts
Orcs Must Die! steam charts
9
10/11/2011
93
$9.99
Steam Charts
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal steam charts
118
3/27/2014
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Audiosurf steam charts
5
2/15/2008
93
$9.99
Steam Charts
STAR WARS™ Battlefront II (Classic, 2005) steam charts
133
7/8/2009
93
$9.99
Steam Charts
Plague Inc: Evolved steam charts
275
2/18/2016
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Bejeweled® 3 steam charts
322
12/7/2010
93
$4.99
Steam Charts
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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, October 29). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 29). Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 3). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 6). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 28). One Finger Death Punch on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 3). Super Hexagon on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 13). Peggle Deluxe on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 11). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Mini Metro on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 8). Game Dev Tycoon on Steam. Steam Store.

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