Third-person games continue to perform well on Steam, with Stellar Blade topping weekly sales. A review of the top 10 Steam games by copies sold highlights key trends in genre popularity.
According to Alinea Analytics, Stellar Blade's recent success on Steam has prompted renewed attention on the performance of third-person games on PC. Some people say that the game’s commercial momentum reveals untapped potential for third-person experiences on the platform. However, the consistent presence of such games among Steam’s best-sellers over many years suggests that this trend is far from new.
Titles such as Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, World of Warcraft, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and The Witcher 3 have long exemplified the popularity of third-person games among PC players. These games have consistently sustained large player bases and significant revenues. In 2024 alone, a number of major releases, including Black Myth: Wukong, Palworld, Helldivers 2, and Marvel Rivals, demonstrated strong commercial performance while employing third-person perspectives.
Revenue generated by third-person games in the past year was nearly equivalent to that of first-person games, reinforcing the format’s lasting appeal. While the performance of Stellar Blade may appear to mark a turning point for third-person games on Steam, the data indicates that such games have been thriving for years. Their success represents a longstanding trend rather than a newly emerging one.
Best Third-Person Games On Steam
The week of June 9 to 15 was notable for two major new releases, supported by strong sales from several discounted and independent titles. Stellar Blade led the chart, selling 527,000 copies and generating $27.6 million in revenue. Its launch positioned it comfortably at the top of Steam’s weekly ranking, with a lead of over 250,000 copies above the next title.
Dune: Awakening followed in second place with 271,000 copies sold and more than $10 million in revenue. Although it has yet to reach one million in total sales, its current total stands at 969,000 copies. The game is retaining players effectively, with over 300,000 daily active users and a low rate of attrition. Looking ahead, Dune: Awakening has accumulated 2.7 million wishlists on Steam, indicating sustained interest.
In third place, R.E.P.O, a co-op survival horror game developed by an independent studio, sold an additional 188,000 copies last week. Its total lifetime sales on Steam now exceed 15 million copies, generating $117 million in revenue. The title has shown particular appeal among players familiar with games such as Left 4 Dead 2 and Phasmophobia, indicating strong demand for multiplayer horror games with distinctive gameplay elements.
Elden Ring: Nightreign ranked fourth, selling 165,000 copies during the week. Although daily active user counts are declining, many players appear satisfied with their experience, as nearly 60 percent have played for more than 20 hours and 20 percent have played for over 50 hours. The game’s total Steam sales have reached 2.3 million copies, with an additional 1.2 million sold on PlayStation.
In fifth place, Mortal Shell saw a significant increase in sales due to a major discount. The game sold 121,000 copies after its price was reduced from $30 to $1.50, the most aggressive discount in its history. The timing of the promotion aligned with the reveal of Mortal Shell II, expected in 2026.
Steam Top Trending Games for June
Elsewhere in the top ten, several titles achieved strong results through either novelty or promotional pricing. Guilty as Sock! reached sixth place with 102,000 copies sold. The $5 online casual party game, which features players acting as socks in a courtroom setting, continues to attract a growing audience through its unconventional design.
In seventh position, The Alters, developed by Poland-based studio 11 bit, sold 95,000 copies in the week following its June 13 release. Blending survival, base-building, and narrative elements, the game has been positively received by critics, with a Metacritic score of 84. Total sales have now reached 135,000 copies, with revenue exceeding $3.4 million. The game’s success in China, which accounts for 45 percent of its player base, highlights the value of effective localization strategies. Simplified Chinese support in the user interface and subtitles contributed to its reception in that market, followed by significant engagement from users in the United States and Russia.
An older title from the same studio, This War of Mine, achieved eighth place with 86,000 copies sold, largely driven by a price reduction to $1. One particular day during the week saw 17,000 copies sold, the game’s highest daily total since a promotional event in August 2024. The strong response to its lowest-ever price underscores the continued demand for well-regarded indie titles when offered at deep discounts.
Borderlands 3 claimed ninth position with 84,000 units sold. The game received its largest discount to date, reducing its price to $3. The promotion appears to be a strategic move to renew interest in the franchise ahead of the launch of Borderlands 4, scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Rounding out the top ten, Resident Evil Village also sold 84,000 copies during the week. A 75 percent price reduction to $10, part of the Capcom Publisher Sale on June 6, contributed to the increased sales volume. The game has now sold 3.6 million copies on Steam, generating approximately $100 million in revenue. Interest in the Resident Evil series remains high as fans look ahead to Resident Evil Requiem (RE9), due in 2026. The game currently has 845,000 users wishlisting it, following its prominent feature during the Summer Games Fest.
Steam Top Trending Games for June
The performance of Steam’s top games during the week illustrates several ongoing market dynamics. Third-person games continue to maintain a strong presence across multiple genres, including horror, action, and role-playing. Titles from both large publishers and independent studios have found commercial success, indicating a diverse and competitive environment.
Discounts remain an effective tool for increasing visibility and driving sales, particularly for older or lesser-known titles. At the same time, regional localization, particularly for Chinese-speaking markets, has proven to be a valuable strategy for expanding audience reach and improving performance in key regions.
As the PC gaming ecosystem continues to evolve, Steam’s top sellers reflect shifting preferences, successful marketing strategies, and the sustained relevance of long-standing genres. The ongoing popularity of third-person games, in particular, demonstrates their lasting appeal among players across a wide range of titles and formats.
About the author
Eliza Crichton-Stuart
Head of Operations
Updated:
June 21st 2025
Posted:
June 21st 2025