Steam has long been the go-to place for gamers to play the newest and best PC games out there. The library is unmatched in variety, with games spanning several decades and some of the biggest names being mainstays on the platform for many years, ensuring that players never need to leave the ecosystem.
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But Steam doesn't have everything, and as it turns out, some of the most popular games on the planet have never crossed paths with the site. From iconic shooters to slower strategy games, there are plenty of great games out there that players can enjoy without ever having to install Steam.
Fortnite
Redefining The Gaming World
Fortnite
- Released
- September 26, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Platform: Epic Games
Fortnite remains one of the most dominant forces in modern gaming, and even after all these years, it remains exclusive to Epic Games on PC. The battle royale juggernaut continues to evolve with seasonal updates, live events, and ever-changing gameplay modes, revolutionizing what a game can and should be.
Its success lies in accessibility and innovation, as anyone can pick it up, and players never run out of things to do. Beyond its iconic Battle Royale, Fortnite offers expansive creative tools and social spaces that have turned it into a global platform rather than just a game. Its absence from Steam hasn’t slowed it down, and it is a testament to how it doesn't matter where the game is, if the game is fun.
League of Legends
The Premier MOBA Over 15 Years Later
League of Legends
- Released
- October 27, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Riot Games
- Genre(s)
- MOBA
- Platform(s)
- PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Platform: Riot Games
LOL has dominated the esports space ever since it launched well over a decade ago, and since then, over 100 champions have been added, systems have been overhauled, and a new wave of players has entered the rift for the first time. Despite being only available on the Riot Client, millions still flock in every day, and it remains near the top of the Twitch viewership even without ongoing tournaments.
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Part of the draw comes from the replay value and the gameplay depth. Where some games offer precise aim or careful skill management, LOL instead gives players a mix of all disciplines, giving them the opportunity to really show off their mechanical skills and game knowledge every single time they boot up the game.
Minecraft
Entire Worlds Outside The Steam Ecosystem
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Mojang
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Platform: XBOX/Minecraft Launcher
Minecraft is one of the best-selling and most influential games in history, yet it’s completely absent from Steam. Access to the game can be granted through the individual launcher or through the XBOX app, without ever connecting to or logging into Valve's platform at any point.
Its absence from Steam hasn’t diminished its reach or impact. The game’s infinite creativity, survival mechanics, and vast modding community have made it a cornerstone of modern PC gaming. Whether building monumental structures or surviving in Hardcore mode, Minecraft thrives on its independence, proving that a game doesn’t need Steam to become a global phenomenon.
Genshin Impact
Magic, Mystery, And Mayhem
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Platform: Hoyoplay
Genshin Impact stands as one of the most successful open-world RPGs ever made, and it has earned that title on its own back. The game has so much diversity for players who really want to immerse themselves in a single world, and there is enough content for players to literally sink 1000s of hours into without getting bored.
Its sprawling world, elemental combat system, and ongoing story updates have earned it a dedicated global fanbase. The main draw comes from the stunning anime-inspired visuals and the constant content additions, which have made it one of the most polished PC experiences out there, on a platform that doesn't need any support from a big name like Valve.
Valorant
Building An Entirely New Esport
Valorant
- Released
- June 2, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Riot Games
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Platform: Riot Client
Valorant is Riot's attempt at creating a first-person tactical shooter, and within a few months, it became a global sensation. Blending tight gunplay with whimsical abilities, it feels like a genre blend that many players had been waiting for, taking elements from several different games and combining them perfectly.
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In typical Riot fashion, the game is in a constant state of movement, with patches coming out extremely often to balance the game and add new content to keep the loop from getting stale. Now five years on, the game is bigger than ever, with a booming esports fanbase and a huge casual following that continues to log in day after day.
Alan Wake 2/Remastered
The Horror Classic Returns
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Platform: Epic Games
Remedy Entertainment’s acclaimed psychological horror series has made a powerful comeback, but both Alan Wake Remastered and Alan Wake 2 remain exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC. The partnership between Remedy and Epic Games Publishing ensures that these atmospheric thrillers are only available through Epic’s platform, forcing fans of the original to stray away from Steam to experience them.
Alan Wake 2 pushes the franchise into deeper survival horror territory, blending cinematic storytelling with tense, resource-driven gameplay, while the remaster offers a modernized version of the classic. Together, they showcase Remedy’s mastery of atmosphere and narrative, all without ever appearing on Valve’s marketplace.
Diablo 1-3
An Untapped Dungeon-Crawling Epic
Diablo 3
- Released
- September 3, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform: Battle.net
The Diablo trilogy helped define the action RPG genre, yet none of its first three entries are available on Steam. Instead, Blizzard distributes them exclusively through its Battle.net launcher, the long-running hub for the studio’s major titles.
From the gothic halls of Diablo I to the polished, loot-driven chaos of Diablo III, each installment delivers brutal combat, endless character progression, and dark fantasy storytelling. Their absence from Steam underscores Blizzard’s self-contained ecosystem, keeping its community, updates, and online features entirely within Battle.net, and for diehard ARPG fans, the path to Hell has always begun outside of Valve’s domain.
Hearthstone
The Top Of The Card Game World
Hearthstone
- Released
- March 11, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform: Battle.net
Hearthstone remains one of the most popular digital card games in the world, remaining relevant in a niche but devoted community. The genre has seen less competition in recent years, but even Valve struggled to break into the space with Artifact, demonstrating the power of a strong IP like WoW
The game has a huge amount of strategic depth, but it also pays heavy homage to iconic characters from across the Blizzard catalog. Heroes from Warcraft, and more recently, characters and villains from StarCraft, the game is a titan of the card gaming space and shows no signs of going away any time soon.
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