Who says you can’t game on a Mac? We made a list and chose our picks for 20 of the best Steam games for Mac.
It’s an old saying that you can’t game on a MacBook. Although, that was partially true since there weren’t many games that were available on a Mac. The laptop itself could run games, but support for MacBooks and macOS weren’t popular back then.
Nowadays, game developers are more open to supporting other operating systems aside from Windows. We’re starting to see more games become available to other popular systems like Linux and macOS.
If you’re looking for the best games to play with friends or by yourself for MacBooks, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our picks for the 20 best Steam games for Mac.
1
Dota 2
Let’s start off the list with a solid game like Dota 2. Dota 2 is a popular MOBA game created by Valve. It’s a team strategy game with hundreds of heroes, each with unique skills to choose from. Additionally, there are also items you can build to make your heroes stronger as they level up.
The main goal in Dota 2 is to destroy the enemy’s structures inside their base. It’s a challenging game with great graphics that has support for macOS. It’s a relatively easy game to run, and you should get decent FPS even on older MacBooks.
2
Rust
Rust is a multiplayer-only game where your main goal is to survive. Do everything in your power to survive against the environment, the wildlife, and the other players. It’s a fun game that you can play with or without friends that allows you to craft, scavenge, gather, and steel materials to survive.
You can build your own base or join clans to help you survive other players. One of the most enjoyable things in this game is the player vs. player combat and the constant need to grind for materials. It’s definitely one of the best survival Steam games for Mac users.
3
Hades
Hades is one of the best indie games in recent years. It’s a dungeon crawler game where you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades. You acquire different weapons, special attacks, abilities, and skills in your journey to escape from the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus.
It’s a fun hack and slash game heavily inspired by Greek Mythology. Hades is highly acclaimed by the community and is definitely worth playing if you enjoy RPG or dungeon crawler games.
4
The Jackbox Party Pack 8
The Jackbox Party Pack series is a great way to bond with your friends and family. Each pack contains multiple mini video games that can be played by multiple players. The best thing about Jackbox Party Pack is that only one account needs to own the game while the rest can play from their phones.
There are currently 8 different party packs available to play, each with five uniquely fun games. It’s probably the best Steam party game you can play on a MacBook.
5
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is another great indie game heavily inspired by the Harvest Moon video game franchise. It’s a light-hearted and casual farming simulation game that is widely considered as the best indie farming simulator game.
You can grow crops, raise livestock, make friends in town, craft goods, mine ores, and even settle down and have children. Stardew Valley also has support for online multiplayer and is available for the upcoming Steam Deck.
6
Subnautica: Below Zero
Subnautica: Below Zero is a sequel to the unique exploration game Subnautica. It was the best survival game in 2018, according to PC Gamer.
In Subnautica: Below Zero, you play as an explorer who wants to find out the truth about what happened to your sister. Survive the harsh and cold climate by gathering resources, building up habitats, and exploring the depths of the alien ocean world called Planet 4546B.
7
DiRT 4
The DiRT franchise is a widely successful road racing series of games. Even though DiRT 5 is already out, it doesn’t officially support macOS computers, plus it has received mixed reviews.
On the other hand, DiRT 4 is a great sim racer that is fully compatible with MacBooks. It’s an amazing racing game featuring five different countries and over 50 different off-road cars. DiRT 4 is the best DiRT game available on Steam for Mac.
8
Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is a free-to-play fighting game that resembles Super Smash Bros. It’s a chaotic and fun fighting game that features 54 playable characters and often has crossovers with popular franchises like Street Fighter, Adventure Time, and Ben 10, among many others.
It’s the best and most popular free fighting game on Steam and is fully compatible with macOS. Brawlhalla is probably the closest thing to Super Smash Bros. that you can play on a PC.
9
Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is one of the relatively older games on this list. But don’t count it out because it still receives regular updates and is a fantastic game overall. It’s a city-building simulation game with tons of additional DLC to improve your city and gameplay experience.
It’s, hands down, one of the best city simulation games in recent years.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human hasn’t officially confirmed the different operating systems that they will support yet. But, the original Dying Light did, so it’s fair to assume that the sequel will follow in its footsteps.
It’s an action RPG game that mixes fighting zombies together with some smooth parkour action. Dying Light 2 is set in an open-world city and supports a 2-4 player co-op mode.
11
CS:GO
CS:GO is one of the top tactical shooter games in the world right now. It’s a precise shooting game that puts a heavy focus on team-based strategy to win the game. The franchise has been around for over 19 years, and many players have found their home in CS:GO.
It’s definitely a great FPS game that has proven that it can withstand time. Just make sure that you have a good mouse to use in CS:GO. It is a precise shooter game, after all.
12
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls franchise is a successful open-world RPG game where dragons, magic, and other fantasy-like principles exist. Each game provides an amazing single-player experience like no other.
With Elder Scrolls Online, you can share that fantasy world with other players. Craft items, steal from the world, battle using different playstyles, and enjoy the world of Elder Scrolls Online.
13
Terraria
Terraria is a sandbox adventure game quite similar to Minecraft. Think of Terraria as a mix between an RPG and a sandbox game.
There are hundreds of variations of weapons and armor, numerous NPCs, and hundreds of different and unique enemies to fight. It also features a beautiful 2D side-scrolling world to explore.
14
Slay The Spire
Slay The Spire is a dungeon crawler card game full of bizarre creatures and relics of great power. It’s a simple yet unique experience where you can create your own deck and discover your own playstyle.
Additionally, Slay The Spire has a uniquely beautiful art style and is very easy to run even on older systems.
15
Hollow Knight: Silk Song
Hollow Knight: Silk Song is the sequel to the massively popular 2D platformer game. This time, you’re playing as Hornet, who is trying to escape the unfamiliar world that she was brought to.
The sequel follows the gameplay and art style of the original, with a new kingdom to explore, new combat mechanics, and new mysteries to uncover.
16
Sable
Sable is a recently released action-adventure game inspired by Star Wars and Breath of the Wild. It has a unique art style and soundtrack that helps give life to the wide deserts and landscapes you’ll encounter.
Unfortunately, Sable isn’t available on MacBooks yet. This makes Sable a perfect game to play in 2022 for Mac users.
17
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus is a highly acclaimed game with a great story and amazing graphics. It’s the third game in the Metro series of games based on novels of the same name.
Overall, Metro Exodus provides a great mix between darkness, survival, horror, and storytelling. It provides a unique AAA game experience.
18
Everspace 2
Everspace 2 is a fast-paced space shooter game mixed with some exploration and RPG elements. It includes elements such as looting, crafting, mining, and solving different challenges and problems.
The game is already available on early access for different platforms. Unfortunately, macOS users will have to wait until the first half of 2022 to get their hands on Everspace 2.
19
Farming Simulator 22
The Farming Simulator franchise is home to the best realistic farming simulation games the world has to offer. Farming Simulator 22 is the latest game in the series. You take on the role of a modern farmer in American or European environments.
A lot of people enjoy playing Farming Simulator because of its casual and realistic nature. Additionally, it also supports multiplayer co-op so that you and your friends can start your own farm.
20
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is an RPG fantasy game that is based on the very popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game. It has the potential to become one of the best fantasy games in modern times. The game requires a bit of grinding for XP, and it’s not complete yet, but so far, people have been loving Baldur’s Gate 3.
The game has been in early access since October 2020, but players can expect a full release in 2022.
Those were our picks for 20 of the best Steam games for Mac in 2022. Although some of these games can be quite expensive, Steam Sales should be right around the corner, so be vigilant.
What games are you excited to play on your Mac? Comment them down below!
FAQs
Are there any steam games you can play on Mac? ›
Even if you don't have the option of using Steam Link, you can still play any Steam game that offers a version for macOS.
Is Steam Mac friendly? ›Steam provides support for Windows, macOS, and Linux (SteamOS).
What is the Top 10 games on Steam? ›- 1 ~ Vampire Survivors.
- 2 ~ Stray.
- 3 ~ God of War.
- 4 ~ PowerWash Simulator.
- 5 ~ Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered.
- 6 ~ Teardown.
- 7 ~ Dorfromantik.
- 8 ~ Neon White.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. What is this? ...
- Hollow Knight. Hollow Knight. Genre: 2D Platformer. ...
- Borderlands 2. Borderlands 2. ...
- INSIDE. INSIDE. ...
- Dying Light: Enhanced Edition. Dying Light. ...
- Subnautica. Subnautica. ...
- Left 4 Dead 2. Left 4 Dead 2. ...
- Cities: Skylines. Cities: Skylines.
Macs make excellent computers from a professional standpoint and are great for productivity, but they simply aren't designed to be gaming computers.
Will Valorant be on Mac? ›“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there are no current plans for Valorant to support Mac OSX. For now, to play Valorant you'll just have to bite the bullet and free up space for Bootcamp or build a Windows PC.”
Can a MacBook get a virus? ›Yes, Macs can get viruses and other forms of malware. And while Mac viruses are less common than PC malware, the built-in security features of macOS aren't enough to protect Mac computers against all online threats.
Can you play gta5 on Mac? ›Is it possible to play GTA 5 on MacBook or iMac? The answer is yes. If you have Windows 7 or 8 or 10, you can run GTA 5 with the help of Boot Camp.
Can you play Elden ring on Mac? ›Can You Play Elden Ring on a Mac? There is no version of Elden Ring for Mac and you can only play it by installing Windows on a Mac and then downloading either the Windows versions of Elden Ring or playing it in the Windows version of the Steam gaming platform.
Can you play apex on Mac? ›If you want to play Apex Legends on Mac, you can do so without needing any third-party software or voiding your warranty. Apple offers its own desktop virtualization tool known as Boot Camp, which allows you to run Windows on your Apple system. Once installed, you will be able to play Apex Legends on Mac.
Can you play CSGO on Mac? ›
You can play CS: GO on Mac by downloading its macOS version from Steam and installing it on your Mac. Alternatively, you can also play CS: GO on Mac through a cloud gaming service, such as Boosteroid or GeForce Now.
What is the most sold Steam game? ›- Rocket League (Psyonix) - 6.34 million *
- Rust (Facepunch Studios) - 6.16 million.
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (Bethesda) - 5.96 million*
- ARK: Survival Evolved (Studio Wildcard) - 5.26 million*
- Fallout: New Vegas (Bethesda) - 4.84 million.
- ROBLOX. Roblox Corporation. -
- Minecraft. Mojang Studios. -
- Fortnite. Epic Games. ...
- The Sims 4. Electronic Arts. ...
- Valorant. Riot Games. ...
- League of Legends. Riot Games. ...
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Valve. ...
- Grand Theft Auto V. Rockstar Games. -
- Number of games released on Steam 2004-2022.
- Apex Legends peak concurrent player number on Steam 2020-2022.
- CS:GO peak concurrent player number on Steam 2016-2022.
- DOTA 2 peak concurrent player number on Steam 2016-2022.
- GTA V peak concurrent player number on Steam 2016-2022.
You can absolutely play Rust on your Mac, and that includes Intel and Apple Silicon Models. Even if the official system requirements don't mention M1 or M2 Macs, our benchmarks confirm the game runs great on Apple Silicon Macs.
What games can run on a MacBook Air? ›...
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI. ...
- Stardew Valley. ...
- Hades. ...
- The Sims 4. ...
- Thimbleweed Park. ...
- Day of the Tentacle Remastered. ...
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider. ...
- Final Fantasy XIV.
Can you play Warzone on Mac? Yes, you can play Warzone on Mac either by creating a Virtual Machine using Cloud Computing Services such as Boosteroid. or You can probably play Warzone on Mac, but you need to first install Windows on the computer or create a Windows virtual machine.
Is Mac or PC better for gaming? ›It's certainly possible to run games on a Mac, but PCs are generally considered better for hard-core gaming. Read more about Mac computers and gaming. The Mac vs PC debate will continue as long as they are the two major choices for hardware and operating systems.
Can a Mac run Minecraft? ›The game runs well on most Macs, as long as they meet the minimum system requirements. If you have a Macbook that meets the minimum system requirements, you should be able to run Minecraft without any problems. However, if your Macbook is older or not as powerful, you may experience some lag or performance issues.
Does gaming damage MacBook Pro? ›Highly unlikely. Heck, even Intel processor that can run 100C while playing certain games don't get computer damaged as long as you don't keep that temperature for like 12 hours or sth, Apple Silicon certainly won't reach that temperature level by just running a meager CSGO, let alone damaging the computer.
Can you play Genshin on Mac? ›
Genshin Impact was released on GeForce Now in August 2022 meaning you can now play Genshin Impact on any Mac easily. GeForce Now allows you to play the full version of Genshin Impact on Mac that's available on Windows – it's not the mobile version although GeForce Now also supports mobile devices.
Can a Mac M1 run Valorant? ›Can You Play Valorant on M1 Macs? No. You can't play Valorant on an M1 Mac because Vanguard, the anti-cheat service, is not compatible with the macOS. Vanguard also will not run on virtual machines or emulators, such as Parallels or Crossover.
Can I play fortnite on Mac? ›Download Fortnite on your preferred device(s). Add your friends from within the Epic Games Launcher or within the game itself on PC/Mac, mobile, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
Has Mac been hacked? ›One way to tell if you have been hacked is to check for strange activity on the Activity Monitor. You should check network activity specifically. If you spot excessive network activity, a hacker may likely have gained access to your Mac. Another way to check is to go and see the Sharing part in System Preferences.
Why is my Mac slow? ›Your Mac might be slow because of an outdated operating system or a full hard disk — especially if you have an older model Mac. If your Mac is new, it might be slow because you're running too many background programs and apps or even have a malware infection.
Can a Mac get a Trojan virus? ›Are Trojans viruses a threat to Macs? Although Macs are still fairly secure machines, the days of them being considered immune to malware are well behind us. As Macs grow more popular, they become an increasingly popular target for hackers, who'll use all kinds of attacks, including Trojans.
Is MacBook air good for gaming? ›The MacBook Air wasn't designed as a gaming laptop. While you might be able to run lightweight or cloud games on it just fine, depending on it for intensive, triple-A ones locally could be challenging. This Mac is better suited for students and those working in fields that don't require extraordinary computing powers.
Can you install Steam on Mac? ›Steam is one of the most popular online gaming stores for gamers everywhere, and it's not just for PC; you can enjoy Steam on your Mac as well. Here's how to install and download games using Steam for Mac. You can use Steam on all the best Macs, including the 2022 MacBook Air.
Can the MacBook Air M1 run GTA 5? ›Can we play GTA 5 on a MacBook Air M1? Can we play GTA 5 on a MacBook Air M1? No: as Rockstar Games don't make a Mac version.
Can I play Lost Ark on Mac? ›You can now play Lost Ark on Macs including M1 Macs thanks to NVIDIA GeForce Now which has now added native support for the Apple Silicon M1 chip.
How do I play Ark on Mac M1? ›
- Download ARK: Survival Evolved on Steam.
- Navigate to the app in Finder. ...
- Open the downloaded patcher and set the desired GPU type.
- Drag the app into the patcher and wait for the green checkmark.
- Launch the game through Steam.
In short no. MacBooks cannot do heavy gaming. Can you play games on the new MacBook Pro M1?
Is Boot Camp for Mac free? ›Boot Camp is a free utility in macOS that allows you to install Windows for free on your Mac.
Can I use GeForce now on Mac? ›GeForce NOW RTX 3080 members can play on M1 Mac laptops at up to 1600p, or up to 4K resolution on supported external displays. Stream with even longer sessions lengths — up to eight hours.
Can you play PUBG on Mac? ›To download PUBG on Mac, you need the Windows OS on the computer, because PUBG doesn't have a macOS version. The two options to install Windows and download PUBG on your Mac are to create a Parallels virtual machine and to use Boot Camp Assistant.
How do you force quit a Mac? ›- Press these three keys together: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to pressing Control-Alt-Delete on a PC.
- Or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu in the corner of your screen.
Yes, although Steam is originally developed for Windows, it released versions for macOS and Linux later. You can even run Steam on M1 Macs.
Can you play League of Legends on Mac? ›League of Legends is a free MOBA game that can natively be played on Mac systems. League of Legends is one of the most popular multiplayer games, and you can easily play it on your Mac right now without needing any complex workaround methods.
What is the #1 game on Steam? ›| # | Name | Peak Today |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II | 94,509 |
| #2 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 949,319 |
| #3 | Steam Deck | 0 |
| #4 | Gotham Knights | 0 |
1. The Witcher 3. The Witcher 3 is one of the top PC games where it is about the Wild Hunt. It has been years since the game release and it still holds the huge fan following of the time.
What is the #1 game in 2022? ›
Size: 62,000 Miles²
Taking the top spot on our list and earning the title of the biggest open-world map in video game history, is The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. With a whopping 62,000 square miles, this map is gigantic, and pretty much impossible to navigate without an actual map.
| Pos | Game name | Current players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 502,941 |
| 2 | Dota 2 | 443,805 |
| 3 | Apex Legends™ | 117,661 |
| 4 | Lost Ark | 114,710 |
...
- Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2. ...
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. ...
- Into the Breach. ...
- XCOM 2. ...
- Kentucky Route Zero. ...
- Destiny 2. ...
- Return of the Obra Dinn. ...
| # | Steam ID | Playtime (H) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuong Do | 2,199,729 |
| 2 | WoogieMonsutā | 2,184,134 |
| 3 | AERViANCE | 1,985,543 |
| 4 | FateZero | 1,898,193 |
Yes, it is absolutely worth purchasing if you enjoy open-world RPGs that are difficult. We have talked about this in other articles, but if you enjoyed playing any of the Dark Souls games, especially Dark Souls 3, you will love this game. There are people who don't enjoy it, but this game is obviously not for them.
How do I play Steam games on my Mac? ›- Open Steam on your Mac, and select Library.
- Select the Apple icon.
- All of your Mac-friendly games will appear in the left column.
- Select the game you want to play, then select Install.
- Select Next.
- Select Finish.
- When your game is done installing, select Play.
- #44 Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.
- #43 In Silence.
- #42 Football Manager 2022.
- #41 Hidden Deep.
- #40 Rust.
- #39 Stardew Valley.
- #38 Wasteland 3.
- #37 Terraria.
Navigate to steampowered.com. Click the Install Steam on the top right of the screen. On the next page, click Install Steam (make sure the Apple logo is next to the button, the browser should have automatically detected you're on a Mac) When the Steam download for Mac is finished, click on steam.
Can you play Steam games on Mac M1? ›
Yes, although Steam is originally developed for Windows, it released versions for macOS and Linux later. You can even run Steam on M1 Macs.
Why can't Mac play PC games? ›It is just operating on a different operating system that limits the gaming experience on Mac. There is no hardware barrier as such. Mac does not lack any such magic gaming components that PC has. However, Macs are not designed for gaming.
Can I play Valorant on Mac? ›Valorant is not currently available for Mac users, and it looks as though this isn't something that's going to change anytime soon.
Can MacBook Pro run games? ›Laptops like the new MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are not designed for gamers. While the Mac in general has been able to play games over the years, it hasn't been one of the primary focuses of Apple. Nor a primary focus for folks buying any of today's best Macs.
Can you play gta5 on Mac? ›Is it possible to play GTA 5 on MacBook or iMac? The answer is yes. If you have Windows 7 or 8 or 10, you can run GTA 5 with the help of Boot Camp.
Are M1 Macs good for gaming? ›Gaming on an M1 Max MacBook Pro may seem like a good idea, but the integrated graphics card, while fairly decent, is simply not supported by the operating system as compared to other alternatives like Windows.
Can you play Elden ring on Mac? ›Can You Play Elden Ring on a Mac? There is no version of Elden Ring for Mac and you can only play it by installing Windows on a Mac and then downloading either the Windows versions of Elden Ring or playing it in the Windows version of the Steam gaming platform.
Can I play apex on Mac? ›If you want to play Apex Legends on Mac, you can do so without needing any third-party software or voiding your warranty. Apple offers its own desktop virtualization tool known as Boot Camp, which allows you to run Windows on your Apple system. Once installed, you will be able to play Apex Legends on Mac.
Does Steam have fortnite? ›After Steam Deck's initial launch, Microsoft announced that Fortnite would be launching on Xbox Cloud Gaming. This cloud-based service is usually a free commodity for subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. However, for Steam Deck users, there's no subscription needed in order to access the service.
Can you play CSGO on Mac? ›You can play CS: GO on Mac by downloading its macOS version from Steam and installing it on your Mac. Alternatively, you can also play CS: GO on Mac through a cloud gaming service, such as Boosteroid or GeForce Now.
What games can MacBook M1 run? ›
| Game | Genre | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt 8 | Racing | Excellent |
| Asphalt 9 | Racing | Excellent |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | RPG | Good |
| Disco Elysium | RPG | Good |
| Games | Machine | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 💻 M1 MacBook Air (2020), 8 GB | Ultra |
| Dota 2 | 💻 M1 MacBook Air (2020), 8 GB | Medium |
| Dota 2 | 💻 M1 MacBook Air (2020), 8 GB | Max |
| Dota 2 | 💻 M1 MacBook Air (2020), 8 GB | Max |
Download Fortnite on your preferred device(s). Add your friends from within the Epic Games Launcher or within the game itself on PC/Mac, mobile, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.