2025 was a fantastic year for gaming, with a wealth of excellent new releases. Big-budget titles like Battlefield 6 and fresh franchises such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 kept players engaged, and long-awaited indie games like Hades 2 and Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched. Steam’s list of best-selling games reflects this strong year, but one title stands out as a surprise, considering it didn’t generate much buzz at The Game Awards or throughout the year.
Released in June, the online multiplayer game Dune: Awakening quickly became a hit, drawing players into the world of Arrakis. Developer Funcom has consistently updated the game with new content and improvements. With over 42,000 reviews and a ‘Mostly Positive’ rating, Dune: Awakening has proven popular and achieved Platinum sales status on Steam, suggesting many players have already joined the adventure.
Unlike many online games, Dune: Awakening doesn’t require a monthly subscription. Players simply buy the game once, and that’s it. While there may be costs for future downloadable content, there are no recurring fees. This approach has worked well to keep players engaged and attract new ones, and it should also benefit the game when it’s released on consoles.
Many of the other games on this list were highly anticipated. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was a strong contender for Game of the Year, and online multiplayer games like Monster Hunter Wilds, Arc Raiders, and Borderlands 4 were popular with players. Established franchises such as EA Sports FC26, Civilization 7, and Battlefield 6 continue to be leaders in their respective categories.
The indie game Schedule 1 quickly became very popular, largely thanks to its funny content and streamers sharing it with their audiences. Rounding out the list of hits are games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Elden Ring Nightreign, and the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Figuring out if a game is truly successful based on sales alone isn’t simple. Strong marketing can lead to lots of pre-orders, making a game appear successful even if players are disappointed. Conversely, a single popular streamer can suddenly boost a game’s popularity and sales. While sales figures don’t automatically mean a game is good or bad, they definitely play a big role in how success is measured.
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2025-12-30 20:41