After a long and tedious wait, Silksong is finally here, and it is clear from the massive player count that the love for the game is as real as it gets. Nearing 600k concurrent players on Steam alone, the game is among a select few titles that have managed to cross the half-million mark, cementing it in an exclusive club reserved for only the best.
With thousands of games released every year, the fact that fewer than 20 have climbed past 500k demonstrates the quality required to draw that much attention and love to a single product. From intense multiplayer shooters to single-player smash hits, the gaming world continues to grow year after year, as records are broken and expectations are shattered.
So You Beat Hollow Knight… Here’s What Silksong Does Differently
If you’ve been playing Hollow Knight and then jump into Silksong, there are a few important details you might overlook at first.
Valheim
A New Way To Survive Together
Valheim
- Released
- February 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- r
- Developer(s)
- Iron Gate AB
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Platform(s)
- Linux, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Peak Player Count: 502,387
Valheim burst onto the scene in 2021, immediately attracting a massive audience with its blend of survival mechanics, Norse mythology, and cooperative exploration. Its procedurally generated worlds allowed players to craft their own Viking sagas, while a sense of mystery encouraged organic discovery by pressuring players in one single direction.
The game’s early access launch quickly drew in a large player base, through word of mouth and the help of a few large streamers. Its approachable yet deep systems ensured accessibility for both casual players and challenge for veterans. Within weeks, Valheim became one of Steam’s most-played titles, remaining in the top 50 even today.
Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red's Next Big IP
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Peak Player Count: 1,054,388
Cyerpunk 2077 was a highly anticipated title when was announced back in 2012, and after a long development time and a lot of delays, the game was finally in players' hands. Unfortunately, the launch was less than optimal. The game was filled with bugs and performance issues that harmed the release with negative reviews and poor press.
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Since then, the game has slowly grown to be closer in line with what players expected, and is now considered among the great open-world RPGs. It is a testament to how important advertising is for a game's success, but also how even tricky launches can be turned into widespread successes.
Baldur's Gate 3
Redefining The RPG Genre
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Peak Player Count: 875,343
Baldur’s Gate 3 became a landmark RPG upon its full release, revitalizing the genre with cinematic storytelling and an extraordinary amount of player freedom. Modernizing classic D&D mechanics, it delivered a level of choice and consequence rarely seen in gaming. It makes every playthrough feel distinct, allowing every action to carry weight across the land.
Its rise to over half a million concurrent players reflected years of anticipation and careful development in early access. Word-of-mouth and critical acclaim spread quickly, allowing the game to achieve mainstream popularity in an era dominated by action-heavy titles. It has since become a favorite for gamers of all kinds.
Elden Ring
Breaking New Ground For The Soulslike Genre
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Peak Player Count: 953,426
FromSoftware had already made quite a name for itself in the gaming world, but with the release of Elden Ring, things stepped into a whole different gear. Taking the grueling challenge to the open world was a bold move, and one that paid off immensely. The result is an expansive landscape full of secrets and treasures for players to spend hours uncovering.
It didn't take long for the game to rise to the top of the charts. The hype led fans of the Souls series to flock in huge numbers, alongside many new fans who had never experienced a FromSoftware game before. While there are no updates or content drops expected in the future, it still manages to stay relevant in terms of numbers, showing no signs of dying out any time soon.
Hogwarts Legacy
Bringing Magic To Life Once Again
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Peak Player Count: 879,308
Hogwarts Legacy captivated players worldwide with the open-world wizarding experience fans had long dreamed of. Set in the 1800s, long before the events of the Harry Potter series, it allowed players to attend classes, learn spells, and explore a richly realized version of Hogwarts and its surrounding lands.
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The game's surge to massive player counts on Steam was fueled by decades of franchise nostalgia and the promise of a definitive Potter experience in video game form. The freedom to create a custom student and chart an independent path distinguished it from previous tie-in games. By pairing a beloved setting with modern RPG design, the game attracted both long-time fans and new audiences seeking a fresh fantasy adventure.
PUBG: Battlegrounds
Setting A New Unbeatable Record
PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Released
- March 23, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- PUBG Corporation
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia, Android, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Peak Player Count: 3,257,248
PUBG ignited the battle royale craze, defining a genre that would dominate the industry for years. Dropping 100 players onto a shrinking map, it combines survival tension with competitive shooting in a way that felt revolutionary at launch.
The unpredictable mix of strategy, skill, and luck makes every match a unique story. The game's popularity established battle royale as a mainstream phenomenon, paving the way for successors while maintaining a strong player base of its own. It remains a foundational title in modern multiplayer gaming and still holds the title for the highest peak player count on Steam over seven years later.
Black Myth: Wukong
Proving That Singleplayer Games Can Reach The Top
Black Myth: Wukong
- Released
- August 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Peak Player Count: 2,415,714
Black Myth: Wukong captured the imagination of players worldwide even before release, thanks to jaw-dropping trailers that showcased its Soulslike combat and lavish visuals inspired by Journey to the West. Upon launch, it surged to huge player numbers on Steam, fueled by both technical ambition and its fresh mythological setting.
The game’s blend of punishing yet rewarding combat, cinematic boss battles, and an inspiring tale of redemption struck a chord with audiences eager for a new high-budget action RPG. Its rapid climb past the two million mark reflected the global reach of the game, and with another title in the series on the horizon, there is no doubt that the follow-up will reach similar heights.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Blending Co-op Action With Unmatched Intensity
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Peak Player Count: 1,384,608
Monster Hunter Wilds continues Capcom’s celebrated action RPG series, delivering breathtaking environments and dynamic ecosystems that begged to be explored. Building on the monumental success of Monster Hunter: World, it has attracted enormous attention from both long-time fans and newcomers eager for the franchise’s next evolution.
The anticipation alone positioned it to rise to massive player counts on Steam. While the launch and the months after were more rocky than expected, the game is still a thrill ride for anyone who wants to get their hands dirty and take on the bestial challenges that await.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Released
- September 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC