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Best games by Valve
14th Feb 2026
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Valve Corporation, a name synonymous with innovation and quality in the gaming world, has gifted us with some of the most memorable and influential titles in history. From groundbreaking first-person shooters to genre-defining strategy games and even the advent of a digital distribution platform that revolutionized the industry, Valve's impact is undeniable. Their dedication to polish, modding support, and community engagement has cultivated a loyal fanbase that continues to celebrate their iconic creations. This poll invites you to weigh in on which of Valve's many fantastic games truly reigns supreme. Whether you're a die-hard Counter-Strike devotee, a Portal puzzle master, a Left 4 Dead zombie slayer, or a Dota 2 strategist, your opinion matters. Let your voice be heard as we collectively decide which Valve masterpieces deserve the title of "Best Games by Valve," a testament to the studio's enduring legacy and unforgettable contributions to the world of gaming.
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#12.
The Lab (2016)
12/14
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"The Lab (2016)" is a groundbreaking virtual reality showcase, perfectly embodying Valve's innovative spirit. Set within the familiar, yet brilliantly reimagined, pocket universe of Aperture Science from the *Portal* series, it offers a diverse collection of VR experiences within a single application. From the destructive joy of the "Slingshot" and the strategic archery in "Longbow" to the arcade thrills of "Xortex" and the educational wonder of the "Solar System," "The Lab" provides something for every VR enthusiast. The application serves as a testament to Valve's commitment to exploring the potential of virtual reality, showcasing a range of gameplay styles and demonstrating the power of immersion. This collection of bite-sized VR experiences, designed to showcase the then-new Valve Index VR headset, cemented Valve's place as a leader in the VR space. The inclusion of recognizable Portal lore, like the Aperture Science setting, along with polished graphics and intuitive VR interaction, was another sign of Valve's commitment to quality. Because of its innovation in the field of VR and the quality of the gameplay experiences in "The Lab", Valve's commitment to showcasing the full potential of their hardware and gaming, it's earned its rightful place amongst the "Best Games by Valve" on any list.
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Counter-Strike 2 (2012)
For over two decades, Counter-Strike has been a titan of competitive gaming, and its latest iteration, **Counter-Strike 2 (2023)**, aims to continue that legacy. This free upgrade to CS:GO represents the most significant technical advancement in the franchise's history, rebuilt on the powerful Source 2 engine. Players can expect modernized visuals with physically-based rendering, cutting-edge networking, and enhanced Community Workshop tools. Counter-Strike 2 retains the objective-focused gameplay that defined the series, while also introducing exciting new features such as dynamic smoke grenades, tick-rate-independent gameplay, and a complete overhaul of the classic maps. Furthermore, all items from CS:GO seamlessly carry over into Counter-Strike 2, solidifying its position as the definitive competitive shooter experience. Counter-Strike 2 earns its place among the "Best games by Valve" due to its profound impact on the first-person shooter genre and its enduring popularity. Valve's commitment to fostering a thriving competitive community, evidenced by the new CS Ratings with Premier mode, Global and Regional leaderboards, and the seamless transition from CS:GO, solidifies its position. This game represents more than just a technical update; it represents Valve's continued dedication to their most successful franchise, offering a refined and modernized experience that remains faithful to the core gameplay that has captivated millions of players worldwide for over two decades.
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Dota 2 (2013)
Dota 2 (2013) is the behemoth of the MOBA genre, and a cornerstone of Valve's legacy. It boasts a massive player base, a testament to its compelling gameplay loop and depth. Players choose from a roster of over 100 unique heroes, each with distinct abilities and roles, and battle in complex team-based matches. The game's constant evolution through regular updates ensures that there's always something new to learn and master, keeping the experience fresh and engaging even after countless hours of play. The focus on competitive balance, with all heroes available to all players, and a robust matchmaking system, keeps the playing field fair and encourages strategic gameplay. Its presence on the "Best games by Valve" list is undeniable. Dota 2 is a prime example of Valve's commitment to community, fostering a rich ecosystem of content, tournaments, and a dedicated player base. Valve provided the core gameplay, a stable platform, and then let the community shape the experience. Its continued success demonstrates Valve's ability to deliver high-quality games that stand the test of time, and Dota 2 is arguably one of their most significant contributions to the gaming world, both in terms of popularity and cultural impact. The game is a prime example of Valve's innovation and commitment to excellence, making it a perfect addition to the list.
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Team Fortress 2 (2007)
Team Fortress 2 (2007) stands as a testament to Valve's ability to create enduring, beloved experiences. This vibrant, team-based shooter, once lauded by PC Gamer as "The most fun you can have online," revolutionized the free-to-play model, offering a full-featured, incredibly polished game without any pay-to-win mechanics. Its distinctive art style, charismatic character classes, and constant stream of free updates, including new maps, game modes, and the ever-important hats, fostered a thriving community and a longevity that continues to captivate players. The game's accessibility, with detailed training and versatile classes, ensures that both newcomers and veterans alike can enjoy the chaotic, hilarious, and strategically deep gameplay. Team Fortress 2's place among Valve's best is undeniable. It exemplifies Valve's commitment to providing a player-first experience, focusing on fun, community, and ongoing support. Beyond its engaging gameplay, TF2 showcases Valve's exceptional understanding of how to build and maintain a successful online multiplayer title. The game's persistent popularity, the sheer volume of user-created content, and its impact on the industry, firmly solidifies its position as a Valve classic and a must-play title for any fan of online action games. Its innovative approach to monetization and its consistent delivery of high-quality content make it a prime example of Valve's design philosophy.
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Counter-Strike: Source (2004)
Counter-Strike: Source (2004) represents a pivotal moment in online gaming, taking the beloved team-based action of the original Counter-Strike and revitalizing it with cutting-edge technology. THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THE WORLD'S # 1 ONLINE ACTION GAME, Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology. Featuring state of the art graphics, all new sounds, and introducing physics, Counter-Strike: Source is a must-have for every action gamer. Its upgrade to the Source engine brought improved visuals, fluid gameplay, and a deeper sense of immersion, while retaining the core tactical gameplay that made the original a global phenomenon. This game rightfully earns its place on the list of "Best games by Valve" because it exemplifies Valve's commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in gaming. As a testament to its quality, it was also one of the first games to be bundled with the original Source engine, showing Valve's commitment to making the best games on their newly developed engine at the time. Counter-Strike: Source's impact on the competitive scene and its lasting popularity, even years after its release, solidifies its status as a cornerstone of the first-person shooter genre and a prime example of Valve's creative excellence.
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Half-Life: Alyx (2020)
Half-Life: Alyx is Valve's triumphant return to the iconic Half-Life universe, a VR masterpiece set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Players step into the boots of Alyx Vance, fighting against the oppressive Combine regime and their control of a ravaged Earth. As a core member of the resistance alongside her father, Alyx must utilize her wits, resourcefulness, and a suite of innovative VR tools to survive, unraveling the mysteries of the Combine and fighting for humanity's future. The game delivers a truly immersive experience, blending gripping narrative with intense combat and challenging puzzle-solving, all designed specifically for virtual reality. This game rightfully belongs on the "Best games by Valve" list due to its innovative approach to VR gameplay. Built from the ground up for the medium, it showcases the potential of VR gaming with its incredible environmental interaction, intuitive controls, and physically-based combat. Furthermore, Half-Life: Alyx demonstrates Valve's commitment to fostering a strong community through its inclusion of Source 2 tools and Steam Workshop support. This not only extends the game's longevity but also empowers players to contribute to and expand the Half-Life universe, solidifying its place as a landmark title and a pinnacle of Valve's creative prowess.
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Dota Underlords (2019)
Dota Underlords is a next-generation auto-battler where strategic thinking trumps quick reflexes. Recruit and upgrade heroes, forge alliances, and utilize powerful Underlords to lead your crew to victory. With a rich single-player City Crawl campaign, challenging multiplayer modes like Standard, Knockout, and co-op Duos, and cross-platform play, Underlords offers a comprehensive and engaging experience. Level up through multiple gameplay modes and earn rewards, with a constantly evolving world thanks to seasonal rotations. Dota Underlords belongs on the list of "Best games by Valve" because it represents Valve's innovative spirit and willingness to experiment within the Dota 2 universe. Building upon the success of the original Auto Chess mod, Underlords is a polished and refined take on the genre. Valve directly developed and published Underlords which showcases the company's direct involvement in the gaming community as well. Valve's dedication to continuous updates, content, and a healthy player base through crossplay shows a long-term commitment to the game. Even though the game is no longer actively developed, its strong foundations, strategic depth, and Valve's pedigree solidify its place among the best games from this iconic developer.
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Counter-Strike Nexon (2014)
About Counter-Strike Nexon: Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS that offers a unique blend of classic Counter-Strike action with modern features. It plunges players into both competitive PvP modes, harking back to the original formula, and engaging PvE scenarios, including thrilling zombie battles and a wide selection of weapons and characters. Players can further customize their experience through the expansive Studio Mode, where creativity knows no bounds in map creation. This title allows players to experience the thrill of the original Counter-Strike in a persistent online world with a focus on action and customization. While developed by Nexon, Counter-Strike Nexon is included among "Best Games by Valve" because it embodies the spirit and core gameplay of the iconic Counter-Strike franchise. Though a spin-off rather than a direct Valve product, it's rooted in the Counter-Strike universe Valve created. The game's core gameplay and modes are strongly aligned with its legacy, extending the longevity of the franchise by introducing a new player base to its core elements. This inclusion also highlights Valve's openness to allowing its intellectual property to evolve and expand through collaborations that still respect the established foundation.
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Day of Defeat: Source (2010)
Day of Defeat: Source (2010) plunges players into the gritty and unforgiving battles of World War II Europe. This online action game lets you experience the conflict firsthand, taking on the roles of infantry soldiers, deadly snipers, and heavy machine-gunners, among other specialized classes. Intense team-based combat is at the heart of the experience, demanding strategic coordination and quick reflexes to survive the brutal close-quarters engagements and strategic objectives. Day of Defeat: Source's inclusion in the list of "Best games by Valve" is well-deserved. Built on the powerful Source engine, the game benefits from significantly enhanced graphics, sound design, and physics compared to its predecessor, creating a more immersive and visually impressive experience. Valve's commitment to refining the game's mechanics, coupled with its dedication to online multiplayer, ensures a high level of polish and replayability, making it a standout title in the online shooter genre and a testament to Valve's innovation.
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Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (2004)
Dive into the heart-pounding chaos of *Half-Life 2: Deathmatch*, a thrilling multiplayer experience born from the groundbreaking physics and setting of Valve's critically acclaimed *Half-Life 2*. Experience fast-paced action that's uniquely enhanced by the Source engine's physics system, allowing for creative kills and hilarious moments – try tossing a toilet at your friend! Battle it out in classic deathmatch mode or team up for the exciting Combine vs. Resistance scenarios, battling for control of iconic *Half-Life 2* environments. *Half-Life 2: Deathmatch* is a testament to Valve's mastery of game development and their dedication to supporting a diverse player base. Though not a fully featured standalone game, its seamless integration with *Half-Life 2's* engine and content, coupled with its addictive gameplay and the freedom to experiment with its physics, has garnered a loyal following. Its free-to-play status, along with its accessibility and enduring appeal, solidified its place in Valve's legacy as a fun and memorable extension of the *Half-Life* experience, making it a worthy entry among their best games.
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Artifact (2018)
"Artifact (2018)" was a digital card game developed by Valve, reimagining the popular Dota 2 universe into a competitive strategic experience. As the description mentions, it was designed by Richard Garfield, the creator of Magic: The Gathering, lending its gameplay a degree of depth and complexity. Players built decks and deployed heroes and units across three distinct lanes, battling for control and ultimately aiming to destroy the opponent's Ancient. This "Call to Arms" version offered an initial card set, event details, and other information that helped players learn the game. While the original Artifact had a controversial launch and faced criticism, the "Artifact Foundry" version, referenced in the description, attempted to address player feedback and streamline the experience with features like unified mana and reduced randomness. Despite the initial issues, "Artifact" deservedly earns its place on a list of Valve's best games because, at its core, it demonstrated Valve's willingness to experiment with complex gameplay mechanics and offer a unique, strategic experience within a well-established universe. Although short-lived, it represented a bold step into the competitive card game genre, showcasing Valve's dedication to creating innovative and challenging gaming experiences.
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Team Fortress Classic (1999)
Team Fortress Classic (1999) rightfully earns its place as one of the best games by Valve. This groundbreaking title, born from a popular mod of Quake, was a significant step forward in the evolution of online multiplayer action. It's a testament to Valve's early innovation, showcasing their understanding of what makes a compelling online experience. Its focus on team-based gameplay, with diverse character classes offering unique roles and abilities, set a new standard for the genre and continues to influence modern multiplayer titles. As the spiritual predecessor to the massively successful Team Fortress 2, TFC solidified Valve's commitment to creating engaging and memorable gaming experiences. Its popularity was undeniable, drawing in players with its fast-paced combat, strategic depth, and the emergent gameplay that arose from the interplay of its distinct classes. By laying the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of Valve's portfolio, Team Fortress Classic exemplifies the company's knack for crafting compelling game mechanics and fostering strong player communities, ultimately earning it a place among the best games by Valve.
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The Lab (2016)
"The Lab (2016)" is a groundbreaking virtual reality showcase, perfectly embodying Valve's innovative spirit. Set within the familiar, yet brilliantly reimagined, pocket universe of Aperture Science from the *Portal* series, it offers a diverse collection of VR experiences within a single application. From the destructive joy of the "Slingshot" and the strategic archery in "Longbow" to the arcade thrills of "Xortex" and the educational wonder of the "Solar System," "The Lab" provides something for every VR enthusiast. The application serves as a testament to Valve's commitment to exploring the potential of virtual reality, showcasing a range of gameplay styles and demonstrating the power of immersion. This collection of bite-sized VR experiences, designed to showcase the then-new Valve Index VR headset, cemented Valve's place as a leader in the VR space. The inclusion of recognizable Portal lore, like the Aperture Science setting, along with polished graphics and intuitive VR interaction, was another sign of Valve's commitment to quality. Because of its innovation in the field of VR and the quality of the gameplay experiences in "The Lab", Valve's commitment to showcasing the full potential of their hardware and gaming, it's earned its rightful place amongst the "Best Games by Valve" on any list.
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Half-Life Deathmatch: Source (2006)
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source is a lovingly crafted recreation of the original multiplayer experience from the critically acclaimed *Half-Life* universe. This Source engine-powered update retains the fast-paced, arena-style combat that made the original so popular, featuring all the iconic weapons like the crowbar, shotgun, and rocket launcher, as well as a selection of the most popular maps reimagined for the newer engine. Experience the nostalgia of classic deathmatches with improved graphics and physics, offering a fresh yet familiar take on the beloved multiplayer action. This title deserves its place among Valve's best because it perfectly captures the spirit of the original while showcasing the capabilities of the Source engine. It's a testament to Valve's commitment to enhancing its legacy titles, preserving the chaotic fun of the original deathmatch and allowing a new generation of players to experience it. The focus on refining a classic experience, maintaining its core gameplay, and enhancing the visuals aligns perfectly with Valve's dedication to quality and their understanding of what makes a game truly memorable, cementing its status as a worthy addition to the Valve library.
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Aperture Desk Job (2022)
"Aperture Desk Job" masterfully inverts the traditional walking simulator formula, plunging players into the hilariously mundane yet characteristically quirky world of Aperture Science. You're thrust into the role of a fresh-faced employee, brimming with ambition, only to find your day predominantly occupied by the art of sitting and, well, desk-related tasks. Designed to showcase the features of the Steam Deck, the game ingeniously integrates the handheld's controls into the gameplay, turning a tutorial into an entertaining experience that stays firmly within the familiar universe of the Portal series. While it's not Portal 3, it expertly leverages the established comedic tone and narrative style that define the franchise, making it a delightful and engaging short experience for both newcomers and longtime fans. "Aperture Desk Job" rightfully earns its place on a list of "Best games by Valve" because it embodies the studio's dedication to innovation, wit, and polished game design. Valve's hallmark of seamlessly blending learning with entertainment is on full display as it teaches the intricacies of the Steam Deck through humorous scenarios and a uniquely interactive environment. Its free availability further cements its value, inviting a broader audience to experience the charm of the Aperture universe and the technical prowess of Valve's design. It showcases the studio's ability to create memorable experiences even in the shortest of game durations, highlighting their dedication to quality and player satisfaction, solidifying its place as a testament to Valve's design and gaming philosophy.
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