7 Greatest Valve Games of All Time

Valve is now famous for Steam and the popular Steam Deck, but the company originally made a name for itself as a game developer, creating many all-time favorite games. These games weren’t just fun to play; they often introduced new technologies and inspired other developers to be more innovative. While Valve has made many great games, this list focuses on ranking the very best ones – not just the most influential.

Here are the seven greatest Valve games of all time.

7) Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Look, I get why Counter-Strike is always so popular on Steam. Yeah, Counter-Strike 2 is out now (and you can still find CS:GO servers if you look!), but for a lot of us, CS:GO is just the best the series has ever been. It’s a super fast-paced shooter, and seriously, it takes a ton of practice to get good – that’s a big part of why it became such a huge esport.

While not Valve’s most popular competitive game, Counter-Strike is still a major force. Players compete for huge cash prizes, and thankfully, the game has maintained its quality even as those prizes have grown, making it enjoyable for both professional and casual players.

6) Team Fortress 2

Released in 2007, Team Fortress 2 quickly defined the character-based shooter genre. Valve stood out by giving its online game a lot of personality, a fresh approach compared to games like Call of Duty, which focused on making players anonymous soldiers.

Each character having unique abilities made the game accessible for new players to learn and find a playstyle they enjoyed. The colorful, cartoon-like graphics also appealed to many, setting it apart from games with more realistic visuals. Importantly, it was one of the first games to continuously evolve with new content and updates – a model that’s now common, and which secures its place as a landmark title in gaming history, even if some initially disliked that approach.

5) Left 4 Dead 2

The original Left 4 Dead was solid, but Left 4 Dead 2 really raised the bar, becoming one of the greatest cooperative shooting games ever made. Its replay value is incredible, thanks to the advanced AI Director 2.0, different ways to play, and a wide selection of characters and weapons.

Okay, so when Left 4 Dead 2 first came out on the Xbox 360, it had a few online glitches, but Valve was pretty quick to patch them up. Honestly, even with those early issues, it was totally worth buying. I mean, you could easily sink dozens of hours into that game and still find new stuff to do. It was just endlessly replayable.

4) Dota 2

Although Counter-Strike has impressive esports prizes, exceeding $1 million, it’s not Valve’s biggest competition. Dota 2’s annual tournament, The International, offered a staggering $40 million prize in 2021. This huge reward is mainly funded by players who buy an in-game item called the Compendium—a type of battle pass.

Just because Dota 2 is incredibly profitable doesn’t automatically make it a fantastic game. Still, it’s a solid continuation of the original Warcraft 3 mod that essentially invented the MOBA genre. League of Legends is the only other game that could realistically be called the best MOBA out there. While Valve’s significant investment in Dota 2 helps, it’s a truly great game if you’re prepared to learn its complicated mechanics.

3) Half-Life 2

Okay, if I had to pick Valve’s most important game ever, it’d probably be Half-Life 2. It was the game where they really showed off the Source engine – seriously, that engine powered so many amazing games, and that’s without even counting Half-Life 2 itself! Plus, they threw in the Havok physics engine, and it totally changed what first-person shooters could do. It felt so real and redefined the genre, honestly.

Simply put, Half-Life 2 is a fantastic game. The original PC version was especially groundbreaking when it came out in 2004, earning almost perfect reviews. In fact, Maximum PC magazine loved it so much they even broke their own rating scale to give it a score of 11 out of 10! Despite its excellence, Valve has since released two games that surpassed Half-Life 2.

2) Half-Life: Alyx

Like Half-Life 2 revolutionized game physics, Half-Life: Alyx has done the same for virtual reality. It’s a must-have experience for anyone considering a VR headset (though Beat Saber is also excellent!). VR technology was waiting for a standout game, and Valve delivered with a truly exceptional title – not just the best VR game ever, but a fantastic game in its own right.

Since it’s a VR-only game, many gamers haven’t had a chance to experience it. It’s unlikely Valve will release it on other consoles, as a lot of what makes Alyx special relies on the virtual reality format. I’m not suggesting everyone needs to rush out and buy a VR headset, but it would definitely enhance the experience.

1) Portal 2

Man, Portal 2 is just Valve doing what they do best. The puzzles are seriously top-notch, and the writing is honestly some of the funniest and smartest I’ve seen in any game. The first Portal was a huge deal when it came out, with those crazy puzzles and the unforgettable GLaDOS, but Portal 2 builds on all of that and adds even more, like a co-op mode that’s a blast to play with a friend.

Introducing new characters is always risky, but Wheatley fits right in with GLaDOS and is just as unforgettable, largely due to Stephen Merchant’s fantastic performance. The new puzzles also cleverly expand on the original gameplay, offering fresh challenges that are both engaging and accessible, keeping players entertained without being overwhelming.

The game truly excels in cooperative mode, where the puzzles add a lot to the overall story. Ultimately, Portal 2 perfectly blends all of Valve’s strengths, making it their best game yet.

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2025-11-26 02:11