Elder brothers are supposed to walk you through a lot in your life, or so they say. For me, it was my elder sister instead, in all those core memories, and introducing me to some of the most popular PC games was one of them. I still remember the first day she brought home a PC game, borrowed from a never-ending chain of friends.
We sat all afternoon in front of the screen. Even sneaked in, in the middle of the night, to clear the level, finish the boss, and save the princess. It was just a matter of time till we were done with Counter-Strike, Prince of Persia, GTA, and countless others. Time did its thing, and all of it became a memory.
Today, things have changed as we find new games with better graphics, more action, and more immersive stories. Yet, some things remain untouched — the friendships, the adrenaline, and that unspoken pride when you outsmart your opponent. These are not just games; they’re shared experiences that defined generations.
So yes, these aren’t merely titles on a list. These are the Most Popular PC Games that changed the way we play, think, and connect. In this blog, you’ll find the story behind each — how they became legends, the numbers that back their success, and the impact they continue to create in 2025.
Selection Criteria: What Defines the Most Popular PC Games?
To create this definitive list of the most popular PC games, we relied on verified, quantifiable, and cultural benchmarks that separate short-lived trends from timeless legends. Each title was measured by player count, including peak concurrent and monthly active users, to gauge engagement.
Sales volume highlighted global reach, while cultural impact reflected how deeply a game shaped the industry and its community. Longevity showed which titles stayed relevant years after release, and critical reception ensured that every inclusion earned both commercial success and critical acclaim.
Together, these parameters paint an honest picture of the games that truly defined generations of players.
The 25 Most Popular PC Games Every Gamer Should Play at Least Once
| Year | Game | Total Sales | Monthly Active Users | Revenue (Estimated/Lifetime) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Minecraft | 350 million | 140+ million | $2.8+ billion |
| 2010 | League of Legends | N/A (F2P) | 131 million | $1.8B in 2022 |
| 2011 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 60+ million | ~1 million (all platforms) | $3.5B+ |
| 2011 | Terraria | 58+ million | 600,000 (all platforms), 120k–150k PC | $181M+ |
| 2013 | Dota 2 | N/A (F2P) | 532k–780k (concurrent, August-Nov 2025) | $1B+/yr (esports+in-app) |
| 2013 | Path of Exile | 24M+ accounts | 1M+ | $553M+ |
| 2015 | Fallout 4 | 20+ million | ~100k | $700M+ |
| 2015 | Rainbow Six Siege | 30M+ accounts | 1M+ | $800M+ |
| 2016 | Overwatch (Overwatch 2 2023) | 50M (cumulative) | 6–10M | $225M in 2023 |
| 2017 | PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75+ million | 400k+ concurrent | $2+ billion |
| 2017 | Fortnite | 650M accounts | 18–25M | $26+ billion |
| 2018 | Rust | 16+ million | 1M+ | $500M+ |
| 2019 | Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC) | 79 million across all platforms | ~50k-100k | $1.5B+ |
| 2019 | Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 13+ million | ~50–100k concurrent | $50M+ |
| 2020 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 30+ million | ~1M on DLC launch; ~200k monthly | $850M+ |
| 2022 | Elden Ring | 28+ million | 4–8M | $1B+ |
| 2023 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | 20+ million | 3M+ | $500M+ |
| 2023 | Counter-Strike 2 | N/A (F2P) | 1.2–1.5M | $500M+ |
| 2024 | Palworld | 25+ million | ~5M | $900M+ |
| 2024 | Black Myth: Wukong | 20+ million | ~2–3M | $1B on Steam |
| 2024 | Helldivers 2 | 19.4 million | 1–2M | $210M+ |
| 2024 | Marvel Rivals | N/A (new) | 2M+ | — |
| 2025 | ARC Raiders | N/A (new, F2P) | ~1M | — |
| 2025 | Monster Hunter Wilds | 10.5 million | ~2M | $450M+ |
| 2025 | GTA V (2025 Enh. Ed.) | 200+ million* | 8–10M | $8+ billion |
1. Minecraft (2009) — The Sandbox That Rebuilt the World
Sales: 350 million | Monthly Players: 140+ million
Most Known For: Creativity, survival, infinite user-generated worlds
Minecraft is more than the best-selling game of all time; it’s a cultural movement that reshaped how people imagine, build, and play. From classrooms using it to teach architecture to YouTube creators crafting entire empires, the game’s blocky universe unlocked a new era of limitless creativity. Its longevity comes from constant updates, thriving communities, and a design that encourages players to tell their own stories.
Insight: “Minecraft’s sandbox format redefined modern gaming,” notes multiple industry analysts. “It remains timeless because it lets the player be the creator.”
2. League of Legends (2010) — The Esports Giant That Never Sleeps
Sales: Free-to-Play | Monthly Players: 131 million
Most Known For: Competitive play, esports dominance
League of Legends built one of the largest player ecosystems ever recorded, transforming competitive gaming into a global spectacle. Its roster of champions, evolving metas, and strategic depth keep players engaged year after year. With massive tournaments watched by millions and steady revenue through skins and events, LoL remains the heartbeat of the MOBA genre — and one of the most culturally influential online games ever made.
Insight: Riot Games’ 2022 report revealed over $1.8B revenue, proving the power of F2P done right.
3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) — The RPG That Refuses to Die
Sales: 60+ million | Active Players: ~1 million
Most Known For: Open-world exploration, modding legacy
Skyrim didn’t just raise the bar for open-world RPGs; it became the standard. Its vast landscapes, unforgettable quests, and endless mod support ensure the game stays alive on every platform imaginable. More than a decade later, players still chase dragons, join guilds, and rewrite their destinies in a world that feels boundless. With billions in revenue, Skyrim is proof that good storytelling never ages.
Insight: “Skyrim thrives because the community never stops expanding it,” say modding experts.
4. Terraria (2011) — The Indie Adventure That Grew Into a Legend
Sales: 58+ million | Active Players: 600k+
Most Known For: Exploration, crafting, massive updates
Terraria began as a small indie project and evolved into one of the most beloved 2D sandbox adventures ever made. Its pixel art world hides deep progression, memorable bosses, and a level of replayability that rivals big-budget titles. The developers’ commitment to free expansions kept the community energized for over a decade. With strong daily player counts, Terraria remains an indie masterpiece with global staying power.
Insight: Its lifetime revenue crosses $181M+, remarkable for a retro-style indie title.
5. Dota 2 (2013) — The High-Skill MOBA That Built a Billion-Dollar Stage
Sales: Free-to-Play | Concurrent Players: 532k–780k
Most Known For: Esports, complexity, global tournaments
Dota 2 stands as one of the most challenging and rewarding competitive games ever created. Its steep learning curve is matched only by its tactical depth, making it a favorite among hardcore players. Supported by massive prize pools and loyal global communities, Dota 2 continues to dominate esports discussions. The game’s ecosystem generates over $1B every year, fueled by events, cosmetics, and fan-driven hype.
Insight: The International remains the highest-paying esports event in history.
6. Path of Exile (2013) — The ARPG That Outdid the Genre
Accounts: 24M+ | Active Players: 1M+
Most Known For: Deep skill tree, seasonal leagues
Path of Exile earned its status as one of the greatest action RPGs through sheer ambition. Its massive skill system, seasonal leagues, and player-first monetization created a loyal global audience. The game thrives on complexity — offering endless builds, brutal endgame content, and constant expansions. With more than $553M in lifetime revenue, PoE stands strong as the most successful free ARPG ever released.
Insight: Gamers praise PoE for offering “real depth without pay-to-win shortcuts.”
7. Fallout 4 (2015) — The Post-Apocalyptic World Players Never Left
Sales: 20+ million | Active Players: ~100k
Most Known For: Storytelling, open-world immersion
Fallout 4 welcomed players back into a desolate, beautifully crafted wasteland filled with choice-driven stories and unforgettable characters. Its settlement-building system, rich world design, and powerful modding community keep it alive even a decade later. Generating over $700M, the game cemented its place as one of the most influential RPGs of the 2010s.
Insight: Despite its age, Fallout 4 consistently ranks in Steam’s top-played games.
8. Rainbow Six Siege (2015) — The Tactical Shooter That Rewrote the Rules
Accounts: 30M+ | Active Players: 1M+
Most Known For: Competitive strategy, operators, destructible maps
Rainbow Six Siege revived tactical shooters with precision and creativity. Its emphasis on strategy, communication, and destructible environments created a new benchmark for the genre. With evolving operators, seasonal updates, and a dedicated esports scene, the game continues to attract new and veteran players alike. Nearly $800M in revenue showcases just how deeply Siege reshaped modern competitive shooters and became one of the most popular PC games.
Insight: Siege’s player base remains one of the most active and loyal in online gaming.
9. Overwatch (2016) / Overwatch 2 (2023) — The Hero Shooter That Redefined Team Play
Sales: 50M+ (cumulative) | Active Players: 6–10M
Most Known For: Hero-based combat, fast-paced multiplayer
Overwatch reshaped modern shooters with its vibrant heroes, polished gameplay, and emphasis on teamwork. Its evolution into Overwatch 2 brought new modes, seasonal content, and a growing esports scene that continues to keep players engaged. With over $225M in revenue in 2023 alone, the franchise remains one of the most influential team shooters of the last decade.
Insight: Blizzard’s hero-shooter formula inspired an entire subgenre of competitive games.
10. PUBG: Battlegrounds (2017) — The Game That Started the Battle Royale Era
Sales: 75+ million | Concurrent Players: 400k+
Most Known For: Battle royale gameplay, high-intensity combat
PUBG didn’t just become a hit — it triggered a global shift in gaming. Its realistic gunplay, massive maps, and survival-driven tension set the template for every battle royale that followed. Despite fierce competition, PUBG maintains a robust player base and has generated more than $2B, proving the genre’s staying power and the game’s enduring appeal.
Insight: At peak popularity, PUBG held Steam’s highest concurrent record for years.
11. Fortnite (2017) — The Cultural Phenomenon That Took Over the World
Accounts: 650M+ | Daily Players: 18–25M
Most Known For: Live events, crossovers, creative mode
Fortnite became more than a video game — it became a global cultural platform. From concerts and movie tie-ins to its ever-evolving map, Fortnite keeps millions returning daily. Its mix of battle royale, creativity, and social engagement enabled it to surpass $26B in lifetime revenue, making it one of the most profitable games ever created.
Insight: Fortnite’s creative ecosystem now hosts millions of player-built islands.
12. Rust (2018) — The Survival Game That Tests Everything
Sales: 16+ million | Active Players: 1M+
Most Known For: Harsh survival, PvP-focused gameplay
Rust built a reputation for being unforgiving, and players love it for that. Its dynamic survival world, player-driven politics, and unpredictable encounters create a level of intensity few games match. Constant updates, modded servers, and massive streamer influence pushed it past $500M in revenue, securing Rust as one of the most successful survival games ever released.
Insight: Major Twitch surges regularly push Rust back into top-played charts.
13. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC, 2019) — The Western Epic That Became a Masterpiece
Sales: 79M (all platforms) | PC Players: ~50k–100k
Most Known For: Storytelling, open-world realism
Red Dead Redemption 2 set a new standard for cinematic open-world design when talking about the most popular PC games. Its stunning landscapes, emotional narrative, and meticulous attention to detail continue to attract new players years after launch. With revenues over $1.5B, the game stands as one of the most critically acclaimed titles of all time, especially praised on PC for its enhanced visuals and modding potential.
Insight: RDR2 consistently ranks among the most replayed story-driven games on Steam.
14. Euro Truck Simulator 2 (2019) — The Relaxing Simulator With Surprising Depth
Sales: 13+ million | Concurrent Players: 50k–100k
Most Known For: Long-haul driving, immersive simulation
Euro Truck Simulator 2 turned the simple act of driving into one of gaming’s most soothing and immersive experiences. With its detailed recreations of European highways, massive modding community, and regular official expansions, ETS2 has become a staple for simulation fans. Its dedicated player base and steady DLC sales have pushed it beyond $50M, a rare feat for its genre.
Insight: Players have collectively logged millions of in-game miles in ETS2’s evolving world.
15. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) — The Redemption Story of the Decade
Sales: 30+ million | Active Players: 200k–1M
Most Known For: Open-world RPG, narrative depth
After a turbulent launch, Cyberpunk 2077 transformed through major updates and the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion. Today, it stands as one of the most impressive sci-fi RPGs ever made, praised for its world-building, storytelling, and technological overhaul. With $850M+ in revenue, the game’s comeback is considered one of the strongest in gaming history.
Insight: DLC launch spikes brought Cyberpunk back to over 1 million active players.
16. Elden Ring (2022) — The Open-World Soulslike That Shook the Industry
Sales: 28+ million | Active Players: 4–8M
Most Known For: Challenging combat, open-world exploration
Elden Ring redefined what an open-world action RPG could be. Its expansive landscapes, cryptic lore, and skill-based combat created a global sensation that appealed to both hardcore and new players. Surpassing $1B in revenue, the game won numerous Game of the Year awards and remains one of the most influential releases of the decade.
Insight: Elden Ring’s success led to an explosion of “open-world soulslike” imitators.
17. Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023) — The RPG That Set a New Gold Standard
Sales: 20+ million | Active Players: 3M+
Most Known For: Narrative choice, cinematic storytelling
Baldur’s Gate 3 raised the bar for modern RPGs with its deep role-playing systems, branching narratives, and exceptional character writing. Its success revitalized the CRPG genre as one of the most popular PC games, attracting both long-time fans and new audiences. With over $500M in revenue, the game is celebrated as one of the most complete and polished RPG launches in recent years.
Insight: Critics frequently call BG3 “the future blueprint for RPG design.”
18. Counter-Strike 2 (2023) — The Reinvention of a Competitive Icon
Sales: Free-to-Play | Concurrent Players: 1.2–1.5 million
Most Known For: Tactical FPS mastery, esports legacy
Counter-Strike 2 brought modern physics, responsive smokes, and upgraded visuals to the world’s most influential shooter. Built on the strengths of CS: GO, it retains the razor-sharp competitive edge players love while elevating tactical play. Its massive player base and thriving esports scene continue to make it the gold standard in competitive FPS gaming, generating more than $500M per year in in-game revenue.
Insight: CS2’s peak concurrency often surpasses all other Steam titles combined.
19. Palworld (2024) — The Viral Survival Crafter That Took Over the Internet
Sales: 25+ million | Active Players: ~5 million
Most Known For: Creature collecting, survival, and co-op chaos
Palworld became an overnight phenomenon, blending open-world survival with creature collecting in a way no one expected. Its quirky design, fast-paced progression, and deep crafting systems made it instantly addictive. Viral clips, multiplayer antics, and constant updates kept engagement sky-high, helping the game exceed $900M in revenue. In 2024, no other new IP sparked as much cultural conversation.
Insight: Palworld broke multiple Steam records for simultaneous players.
20. Black Myth: Wukong (2024) — The Action RPG That Redefined Visual Storytelling
Sales: 20+ million | Active Players: 2–3 million
Most Known For: Next-gen visuals, wuxia combat, rich mythology
Black Myth: Wukong stunned the gaming world with its breathtaking graphics and cinematic combat inspired by Chinese mythology. Its blend of Souls-like challenge, narrative depth, and technical mastery made it one of 2024’s biggest global hits. With over $1B on Steam alone, the game proved that Eastern AAA titles can dominate worldwide, setting a new benchmark for action RPGs.
Insight: Critics hail it as “one of the most visually advanced games ever shipped.”
21. Helldivers 2 (2024) — The Co-op Shooter That United (and Betrayed) Millions
Sales: 19.4 million | Active Players: 1–2 million
Most Known For: Co-op chaos, emergent gameplay, humor
Our list of most popular PC games is incomplete without Helldivers 2, as it delivered unmatched cooperative mayhem, where teamwork and accidental betrayals became part of the fun. Its galaxy-wide war system, comedic tone, and strategic combat created one of the most engaged communities of 2024. Strong retention, meme-driven marketing, and frequent updates helped the game surpass $210M in revenue. It set a new template for modern co-op shooters.
Insight: Helldivers 2 maintained some of the highest Steam review scores of the year.
22. Marvel Rivals (2024) — The Hero Shooter Built for Spectacle
Sales: Free-to-Play | Active Players: 2M+
Most Known For: Marvel roster, fast team-based combat
Marvel Rivals launched with explosive momentum, offering hero-based team battles packed with iconic abilities and destructible environments. Its fast pacing and cinematic flair resonated with fans of both shooters and superhero universes. With constant roster expansions and competitive features, it quickly built a strong foundation in the hero-shooter genre. As a new F2P title, its long-term revenue impact continues to grow.
Insight: Its first-month player base surpassed many established hero shooters.
23. ARC Raiders (2025) — The Free-to-Play Shooter Built for Scale
Sales: Free-to-Play | Active Players: ~1 million
Most Known For: Co-op action, sci-fi setting, massive encounters
ARC Raiders introduced players to a cinematic sci-fi battlefield filled with giant mechanical threats and squad-based combat. As a new F2P release, it quickly gained traction due to its fluid movement, strong co-op design, and visually striking world. While early in its lifecycle, the game shows significant potential to grow into a leading live-service shooter.
Insight: Early reviews praise its “AAA feel at zero cost.”
24. Monster Hunter Wilds (2025) — The Evolution of the Hunting Experience
Sales: 10.5 million | Active Players: ~2 million
Most Known For: Large-scale hunts, dynamic ecosystems
Monster Hunter Wilds pushes the franchise forward with seamless open-zone exploration, smarter monsters, and deeper team strategy. Its dynamic weather, expanded weapon systems, and cinematic hunts elevate every encounter. Reaching $450M+ in revenue, the title solidified itself as one of 2025’s strongest action RPG releases — and a major step in the series’ long-running evolution.
Insight: Players praise its world design as “Capcom’s most ambitious yet.”
25. GTA V – Enhanced Edition (2025) — The Game That Refuses to Leave the Spotlight
Sales: 200+ million | Active Players: 8–10 million
Most Known For: Open-world freedom, online longevity
The 2025 Enhanced Edition of GTA V renewed the legendary open-world experience with visual upgrades, AI improvements, and expanded GTA Online content. Even a decade after launch, its player base rivals new AAA titles, driven by roleplay servers, regular updates, and unmatched world design. With over $8B in lifetime revenue, it remains the most profitable entertainment product ever created.
Insight: GTA Online continues to be one of the world’s highest-earning live-service platforms.
Final Thoughts
Right from Minecraft’s infinite worlds to Black Myth: Wukong’s cinematic spectacle, the Most Popular PC Games tell the story of evolution, not just of technology, but of people. Every title here shaped habits, built friendships, and sparked new industries.
Whether it’s esports stadiums roaring with fans or quiet midnight sessions solving quests, these games connect generations. And as new titles rise, one truth remains: the best games don’t end when you log off, they stay with you, shaping who you are long after the screen goes dark.
