Single-player games are often seen as the quieter sibling to multiplayer juggernauts like Fortnite or Counter-Strike, which usually pack in way more players thanks to their social and competitive hooks. But every now and then, a solo game comes along that’s so darn good—whether it’s the gripping story, massive world, or just pure fun—that it pulls in player counts that can go toe-to-toe with the online heavyweights.
These single-player hits prove you don’t need teammates or leaderboards to draw a crowd.
1. Black Myth: Wukong (2024)
Peak Concurrent Players: 2,223,279
This action RPG from Game Science, based on Journey to the West, puts you in the shoes of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. You swing a magical staff in slick, combo-driven fights against mythical beasts in a semi-open world packed with forests, mountains, and secrets.
The story unfolds through cool cutscenes and hints in the environment, mixing humor and epic moments. Dropped in August 2024, it smashed Steam’s single-player record, with 88% of players from China, where it really hit home culturally.
Reviewers loved the Unreal Engine 5 visuals and tough bosses, though some felt enemies got repetitive (82/100 on Metacritic). Players have sunk millions of hours into the 40–60-hour campaign, replaying for those intense boss fights. The huge peak came from massive pre-launch buzz, streamer hype, and China’s gaming scene. It’s still got tons of players daily (~500,000), showing it’s not just a flash in the pan.
2. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Peak Concurrent Players: 1,054,388
CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG throws you into Night City as V, a mercenary you can customize. You play in first-person, mixing shooting, melee, hacking, and stealth, with a story shaped by your choices over 50–100 hours. It dives into themes like identity and corporate greed, with Keanu Reeves stealing scenes as Johnny Silverhand.
Launched in December 2020, it got slammed for bugs, especially on consoles, but patches and the 2023 Phantom Liberty DLC (a 20-hour spy story) turned things around, hitting 90/100 on Metacritic.
Its peak was fueled by years of hype and The Witcher 3’s reputation, though crashes held it back early. Over 30 million copies sold by 2025, with Steam players (~50,000 daily) hooked on mods and New Game+. It’s all single-player, dodging live-service trends, and keeps pulling people in with its storytelling depth.
3. Elden Ring (2022)
Peak Concurrent Players: 953,426
FromSoftware’s open-world Soulslike, built with George R.R. Martin, drops you in The Lands Between as the Tarnished. You explore a huge world on foot or horseback, facing brutal enemies and demigod bosses in tough third-person combat that demands precision. The story’s subtle, pieced together from cryptic lore and NPC quests, lasting 60–120 hours. Launched in February 2022, it got near-perfect scores (96/100 Metacritic) for its freedom and art style.
The 2024 Shadow of the Erdtree DLC added 20–40 hours, bringing players back. Its peak came from FromSoftware’s loyal fans and open-world hype, with 25 million sold by 2025. It’s mostly single-player, though it has optional co-op. Daily players (~30,000) stick around for mods and the game’s challenge, making it endlessly replayable.
4. Hogwarts Legacy (2023)
Peak Concurrent Players: 879,308
Avalanche Software’s RPG lets you live as a Hogwarts student in the 1800s, roaming the castle, Hogsmeade, and wild areas. You cast spells, brew potions, and tame magical creatures, with light RPG upgrades like skill trees. The 30–50-hour story follows ancient magic and a goblin rebellion, with tons of side quests. Launched in February 2023, it sold 24 million copies by 2025 despite some controversy tied to J.K. Rowling.
Critics liked the world (83/100 Metacritic) but found combat repetitive. Its peak came from Harry Potter fans, great visuals, and multi-platform hype. It’s purely single-player, no multiplayer or DLC, but players (~20,000 daily) keep exploring for the immersive setting. It’s easier than Soulslikes, so it pulled in a wider crowd, though some wanted deeper mechanics.
5. Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
Peak Concurrent Players: 875,202
Larian Studios’ Dungeons & Dragons RPG sets you in Faerûn as a hero with a mind flayer parasite. It’s got turn-based combat, dice rolls, and party management, with a story that changes based on your choices over 70–150 hours. The companions, with 1.4 million words of dialogue, let you dive into subplots and romance. Launched in August 2023 after early access, it swept Game of the Year awards (97/100 Metacritic) for its polish and depth.
Its peak came from early access buzz, D&D’s popularity, and rave reviews. It’s mostly single-player despite co-op options. Over 15 million sold, with daily players (~40,000) fueled by mods and replayable choices. Its rich story and tactics make it a standout for RPG fans.
6. Terraria (2011)
Peak Concurrent Players: 489,886
Re-Logic’s 2D sandbox has you exploring a random world, mining resources, crafting gear, and fighting bosses like the Moon Lord. Its pixel art hides a ton of depth, with varied biomes and NPCs, taking 50–200 hours to master. Launched in May 2011, it grew through free updates like 2020’s “Journey’s End,” scoring 83/100 on Metacritic. Its peak hit during a 2020 lockdown and update surge.
It’s mainly single-player, though multiplayer’s an option. With 58.5 million sold by 2024, daily players (~15,000) love mods and community challenges. Its low price and endless replayability make it a Steam classic for creative and dedicated players.
7. Fallout 4 (2015)
Peak Concurrent Players: 472,962
Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG puts you in a ruined Boston as a Vault 111 survivor looking for your kid. You explore an open world, build bases, and fight with FPS/RPG mechanics, with choices affecting factions over 50–200 hours. Launched in November 2015, it got solid reviews (87/100 Metacritic) for its world but some flak for simpler dialogue. Its peak hit at launch, thanks to Fallout’s fanbase and modding hype.
DLCs like Far Harbor and Steam Workshop mods keep it alive. It’s single-player only, with over 13 million sold by 2016, likely way more by 2025. Daily players (~10,000) stick around for mods and a 2024 update. Its freedom and retro style keep it popular, though some prefer other Fallout games’ stories.
8. Starfield (2023)
Peak Concurrent Players: 330,723
Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG has you as a space explorer in the Settled Systems, joining groups like Constellation. You build ships, fight in space, and explore 1,000+ procedurally generated planets, with a 40–100-hour story. Launched in September 2023, it got mixed feedback (83/100 Metacritic) for a weak story and empty planets but impressed with its scale. Its peak came from Bethesda’s reputation and Game Pass tie-in, though it didn’t meet Skyrim-level hype.
It’s single-player only, with mod support but no DLC yet. Daily players (~8,000) focus on ship-building and side quests, but it’s less sticky than other Bethesda titles. Sci-fi fans dig it, but repetitive content holds it back.
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (2016)
Peak Concurrent Players: 287,411
Bethesda’s remastered 2011 RPG follows the Dragonborn in Skyrim, fighting dragons and navigating a civil war. Its open world has tons of quests and skills, lasting 50–300 hours. The 2016 Special Edition adds better graphics and mod support, scoring 94/100 on Metacritic.
Its peak tied to the remaster’s launch and modding buzz, though the original hit similar numbers. It’s single-player, with ~60 million sold by 2023. Mods like Enderal add whole campaigns, keeping daily players (~15,000) engaged via Steam Workshop mods. Its open-ended gameplay and lore make it a legend, though some find the mechanics a bit old-school now.
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Peak Concurrent Players: 159,549
The open-world RPG follows CD Projekt Red’s Geralt of Rivia hunting monsters across a war-torn world. You fight with swords and magic, craft potions, and make choices that shape the your choice of story path for50+ hours, with epic DLCs like Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine adding 30+ hours. Launched in May 2015, it’s a critical gem acclaimed title (93/100 Metacritic) for its epic story and world-building.
Its peak was smaller due to Steam’s size back then but grew with bolstered by the GOTY Edition release and Netflix’s Witcher show’s popularity surge. It’s a pure single-player experience, with 50 million copies sold by 2023 and daily active players (~12,000) hooked on engrossed in mods and replays. The Its deep characters and immersive world keep players returning to it timeless, even though some feel combat feels is a bit stiff dated by today’s standards.
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