Steam has long been a place for gamers to play the latest and greatest PC games. The library is unsurpassed in diversity, with games spanning several decades and some of the biggest names being mainstays on the platform for many years, ensuring players never have to leave the ecosystem.
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 web. From iconic shooters to slower strategy games, there are plenty of great games that gamers can enjoy without installing Steam.
Fortnite
Redefining the gaming world
Fortnite remains one of the most dominant forces in modern gaming even after all these years it remains an Epic Games PC exclusive. The battle royale juggernaut is constantly evolving with seasonal updates, live events and ever-changing game modes, revolutionizing what the game can and should be.
Its success lies in accessibility and innovation, as anyone can pick it up and players will never run out of things to do. In addition to its iconic Battle Royale, Fortnite it offers extensive creative tools and social spaces that have made it a global platform rather than just a game. Its absence from Steam hasn't slowed it down, and it's a testament to the fact that it doesn't matter where the game is as long as the game is fun.
League of Legends
The premier MOBA over 15 years later
LOL has dominated the esports space since it launched over a decade ago, and since then over 100 champions have been added, systems overhauled and a new wave of players stepping into the rift for the first time. Despite only being available on the Riot client, it still draws millions every day and remains near the top of Twitch's viewership even without tournaments going on.
Part of the draw comes from the replay value and depth of the game. While some games offer precise aim or careful skill management, LOL instead, it gives players a mix of all disciplines and gives them the opportunity to really show off their mechanical skills and gaming knowledge every time they start the game.
Minecraft
Entire worlds outside the vapor ecosystem
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 a single launcher or through the XBOX app without ever connecting or logging into the Valve platform.
Its absence from Steam hasn't diminished its reach or impact. Endless creativity, survival mechanics, and a large modding community have made it a cornerstone of modern PC gaming. Whether you're 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 chaos
Genshin Impact
8/10
- Released
-
September 28, 2020
- ESRB
-
Juvenile/alcohol references, fantasy violence, in-game purchases (includes random items), user interaction
Genshin Impact is one of the most successful open-world RPGs ever created, and has earned that title on its own back. The game has so much variety for players who really want to immerse themselves in a single world, and there is enough content for players to literally sink 1000's of hours into it without getting bored.
Its sprawling world, basic combat system, and continuous story updates have earned it a devoted global fan base. The main draw is the stunning anime-inspired visuals and constant additions of content that have made it one of the most polished PC experiences on a platform that doesn't need any support from a big name like Valve.
Valiant
Building a brand new Esport
Valiant is Riot's attempt to create a tactical first-person shooter, and within months it became a global sensation. Combining close combat with whimsical abilities, it feels like the genre mash-up many players have been waiting for, taking elements from several different games and combining them perfectly.
In typical Riot fashion, the game is in constant flux, with patches coming out extremely frequently to balance the game and add new content to keep the loop from getting stuck. Now, five years later, the game is bigger than ever, with a thriving esports fan base and a huge casual following logging in by the day.
Alan Wake 2 / Remastered
The horror classic returns
Remedy Entertainment's acclaimed psychological horror series has made a strong return, but both Alan Wake Remastered and Alan Wake 2 they 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 the Epic platform, forcing fans of the original to stray from Steam to experience them.
Alan Wake 2 takes the franchise deeper into survival horror territory, combining cinematic storytelling with exciting resource-based gameplay, while the remaster offers a modernized version of the classic. Together, they showcase Remedy's mastery of atmosphere and storytelling without ever appearing in Valve's marketplace.
Diablo 1-3
An unused dungeon crawler epic
Diablo 3
7/10
- Released
-
September 3, 2013
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, which has long been a hub for the studio's major titles.
From the Gothic halls Diablo I into polished, prey-driven chaos Diablo IIIeach installment brings brutal combat, endless character development and dark fantasy storytelling. Their absence on Steam underscores the closed ecosystem of Blizzard, which maintains its community, updates and online features entirely within Battle.net, and for die-hard ARPG fans, the road to hell has always started outside of Valve's domain.
Hearthstone
The pinnacle of the world of card games
Hearthstone remains one of the most popular digital card games in the world and remains relevant in a narrow but dedicated community. The genre has seen less competition in recent years, but Valve has also tried to break into the space Artifactwhich demonstrates the power of a strong IP address WoW
The game has tremendous strategic depth, but also pays great homage to iconic characters from across Blizzard's catalog. Heroes of Warcraftand more recently the characters and villains from StarCraftthe game is a titan of the card game space and shows no signs of going away anytime soon.
