What Steam games say

Patterns in which Steam games find an audience, mined from the whole catalog and re-checked every day.

Findings

Paid games under $5 are 12× less likely to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 455 paid games priced under $5 reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 38 of other paid games. Very cheap games rarely reach this level.
Multiplayer games are 9.4× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 12 Multiplayer games reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 116 other games. Multiplayer is one of the clearest markers of the biggest hits.
Multiplayer racing games are 25× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 16 Racing games with Multiplayer reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 401 of those without (512 games, likely range 11×–58×).
Paid games at $30 and up are 16× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 6 paid games priced $30 and up reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 91 of other paid games. List price tracks budget, since bigger games can afford to charge more.
Online co-op games are 8.3× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 10 Online co-op games reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 83 other games. Playing together online tends to go with the biggest hits.
Multiplayer sports games are 8.6× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Sports games with Multiplayer reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 44 of those without (654 games, likely range 6.4×–11×).
Cozy hidden object games are 10× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Hidden Object games with Cozy reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 57 of those without (100 games, likely range 6.2×–17×).
Co-op games are 7.6× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 11 Co-op games reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 85 other games (2,391 games, likely range 6.6×–8.8×).
Rhythm games tagged Music are 12× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Rhythm games with Music reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 73 of those without (377 games, likely range 6.2×–22×).
In Puzzle, games at $20–$30 are 7.6× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 3 paid Puzzle games priced $20–$30 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 24 of other paid Puzzle games. Puzzle games priced higher tend to do better.
Open world games are 7.9× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 12 Open world games reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 91 other games (3,362 games, likely range 7×–9×).
Paid games at $20–$30 are 8× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 11 paid games priced $20–$30 reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 89 of other paid games. Higher prices often come with bigger budgets.
In Action RPG, games at $30 and up are 15× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 5 paid Action RPG games priced $30 and up reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 68 of other paid Action RPG games. Few games sit in this price band, so the range is wide.
In Puzzle, games under $5 are 11.7× less likely to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 782 paid Puzzle games priced under $5 reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 67 of other paid Puzzle games. Cheap puzzle games rarely reach this level.
In Action RPG, games under $5 are 8.5× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 54 paid Action RPG games priced under $5 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 6 of other paid Action RPG games. Cheap action RPGs tend to stall earlier.
Bullet hell games tagged Bullet Heaven are 6.3× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Bullet Hell games with Bullet Heaven reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 29 of those without (167 games, likely range 4.5×–8.8×).
In Sports, games at $30 and up are 23× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 8 paid Sports games priced $30 and up reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 186 of other paid Sports games. The sample is small, so the range is wide.
Open World Survival Craft games are 8.7× likelier to reach 10,000 reviews 1 in 9 Open World Survival Craft games reached 10,000 reviews, against 1 in 75 other games (445 games, likely range 6.7×–11×).
Massively Multiplayer games are 12.3× less likely to be rated 90%+ positive 1 in 41 Massively Multiplayer games were rated 90%+ positive, against 1 in 3 other games (816 games, likely range 7.9×–19×).
Open world racing games are 6.4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 4 Racing games with Open world reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 23 of those without (177 games, likely range 4.8×–8.6×).
Co-op tower defense games are 6.2× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 4 Tower Defense games with Co-op reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 22 of those without (82 games, likely range 4.2×–9.2×).
Open world sports games are 6.7× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 3 Sports games with Open world reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 21 of those without (98 games, likely range 4.8×–9.3×).
2D Platformer games are 3.8× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 53 2D Platformer games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 14 other games (6,681 games, likely range 3.2×–4.5×).
Linear games are 5.5× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 79 Linear games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 14 other games (2,621 games, likely range 3.9×–7.7×).
In Puzzle, games at $10–$20 are 4.4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 7 paid Puzzle games priced $10–$20 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 31 of other paid Puzzle games. Many games sit in this band, so the range is tight.
Story-rich point and click games are 4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Point & Click games with Story-rich reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 26 of those without (842 games, likely range 3.1×–5×).
Free Psychological Horror games are 3.7× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 3 Psychological Horror games with Free to play reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 12 of those without (230 games, likely range 2.9×–4.6×).
In Turn-Based Tactics, games at $20–$30 are 5.7× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 4 paid Turn-Based Tactics games priced $20–$30 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 20 of other paid Turn-Based Tactics games.
Sandbox Space Sims are 5.2× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Space Sim games with Sandbox reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 29 of those without (119 games, likely range 2.9×–9.1×).
In Action RPG, Casual games are 4.9× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 46 Action RPG games with the Casual tag reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 9 of those without. Mixing Casual into Action RPG tends not to help.
Casual RTS games are 7.1× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 60 RTS games with Casual reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 8 of those without (328 games, likely range 3.1×–16.5×).
Incremental games with Management are 3.7× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Incremental games with Management reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 21 of those without (253 games, likely range 2.7×–5.1×).
In Roguelike, games at $10–$20 are 3.9× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 paid Roguelike games priced $10–$20 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 18 of other paid Roguelike games. This band holds many roguelikes, so the range is tight.
Incremental games with Resource Management are 4.3× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Incremental games with Resource Management reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 20 of those without (167 games, likely range 3×–6×).
Turn-based tactics games tagged Turn-based are 3.9× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Turn-Based Tactics games with Turn-based reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 22 of those without (337 games, likely range 2.9×–5.3×).
Relaxing Hidden Object games are 4.6× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 14 Hidden Object games with Relaxing reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 63 of those without (385 games, likely range 2.9×–7.3×).
Sandbox games are 2.7× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Sandbox games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 16 other games (3,693 games, likely range 2.5×–2.9×).
Incremental games with Point & Click are 5× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 66 Incremental games with Point & Click reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 13 of those without (688 games, likely range 2.7×–9.4×).
Runner games are 4.1× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 60 Runner games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (1,608 games, likely range 2.8×–6×).
Free Hidden Object games are 5.5× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 9 Hidden Object games with Free to play reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 49 of those without (92 games, likely range 2.9×–10×). Small sample.
Free Walking Simulators are 4.2× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Walking Simulator games with Free to play reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 20 of those without (133 games, likely range 2.9×–6.1×).
Turn-based Board Games are 4.3× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Board Game games with Turn-based reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 27 of those without (159 games, likely range 2.8×–6.6×).
In Tower Defense, games at $10–$20 are 4.4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 paid Tower Defense games priced $10–$20 reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 28 of other paid Tower Defense games.
Score Attack games are 4× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 58 Score Attack games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (1,572 games, likely range 2.8×–5.8×).
In Match 3, games with Casual are 7.7× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 101 Match 3 games with Casual reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 13 of those without (741 games, likely range 3×–19.8×).
Turn-based games are 2.8× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Turn-based games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (1,276 games, likely range 2.5×–3.1×).
2D Board Games are 5.6× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 87 Board Game games with 2D reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 16 of those without (582 games, likely range 2.6×–12.3×).
War-themed RTS games are 3.6× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 4 RTS games with War reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 13 of those without (194 games, likely range 2.7×–4.8×).
Point & Click games with Match 3 are 7.6× less likely to get past 50 reviews 1 in 19 Point & Click games with Match 3 got past 50 reviews, against 1 in 3 of those without (106 games, likely range 3.3×–17.1×). Small sample, so treat it loosely.
Massively Multiplayer games are 3.4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Massively Multiplayer games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (1,286 games, likely range 3×–3.7×).
Story-rich Detective games are 3.5× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 5 Detective games with Story-rich reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 17 of those without (474 games, likely range 2.5×–4.9×).
Precision Platformer games are 3.2× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 46 Precision Platformer games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 14 other games (2,362 games, likely range 2.4×–4.2×).
Point & Click games with Strategy are 6.1× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 89 Point & Click games with Strategy reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 of those without (501 games, likely range 2.6×–13.9×).
Early Access games are 3.2× less likely to be rated 90%+ positive 1 in 11 Early Access games were rated 90%+ positive, against 1 in 3 other games (1,079 games, likely range 2.7×–3.9×).
Logic games are 3.1× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 44 Logic games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 14 other games (2,340 games, likely range 2.4×–4×).
Economy games are 2.6× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Economy games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (1,207 games, likely range 2.3×–2.9×).
Management games are 2.4× likelier to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 6 Management games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (2,698 games, likely range 2.2×–2.6×).
Match 3 games are 3.6× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 52 Match 3 games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (863 games, likely range 2.2×–5.7×).
Mystery Dungeon games are 4.4× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 65 Mystery Dungeon games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (624 games, likely range 2.4×–8.3×).
Sokoban games are 4.2× less likely to reach 1,000 reviews 1 in 62 Sokoban games reached 1,000 reviews, against 1 in 15 other games (623 games, likely range 2.3×–7.9×).

Where there's room

Massively Multiplayer Open World Survival Craft: 56% found an audience. Idea: Tidebound Commons
Anime style Fighting: 39% found an audience. Idea: Inkbrush Brawlers
Turn-based 4X: 29% found an audience. Idea: Caravan Dynasties
Massively Multiplayer Crafting: 49% found an audience. Idea: Guild Hall Workshop
Gore Sandbox: 46% found an audience. Idea: Anatomy Lab Chaos
Multiplayer Zombies: 35% found an audience. Idea: Last Bus Home
Dating Sim Crafting: 62% found an audience. Idea: Forge and Flirt
Zombies Open World Survival Craft: 34% found an audience. Idea: Quarantine County
Competitive Fighting: 32% found an audience. Idea: Footsies Ladder
Building Open World Survival Craft: 38% found an audience. Idea: Tidal Terrace Settlers
Turn-based Management: 31% found an audience. Idea: Rally Season Manager
Survival Battle Royale: 27% found an audience. Idea: Shrinking Island Camp
Massively Multiplayer Fighting: 28% found an audience. Idea: Dojo Street Sprawl
Multiplayer Mechs: 42% found an audience. Idea: Scrapyard Skirmish
Violent Battle Royale: 28% found an audience. Idea: Gladiator Gauntlet Royale
MMORPG Sandbox: 37% found an audience. Idea: Tinkerer's Archipelago
Open world Stealth: 39% found an audience. Idea: Ghost in the Valley
Turn-based Grand Strategy: 24% found an audience. Idea: Seasons of Empire
Grand Strategy Base Building: 41% found an audience. Idea: Realm of Roads
Multiplayer Tower Defense: 29% found an audience. Idea: Bakery Siege Online
Open world Pirates: 40% found an audience. Idea: Salt and Ledger
Co-op Action RPG: 37% found an audience. Idea: Lantern Bearers
Historical Colony Sim: 48% found an audience. Idea: Founding Winter
Mod support Sandbox: 37% found an audience. Idea: Rule Cabinet
Historical Management: 37% found an audience. Idea: Guildhall Ledgers
Gore Hack and Slash: 30% found an audience. Idea: Severed Season
Competitive MOBA: 41% found an audience. Idea: Three Lane Duel
MOBA Hero Shooter: 43% found an audience. Idea: Shrine Line Shooters
Co-op Military: 41% found an audience. Idea: Squad Command Net
Open world Sports: 32% found an audience. Idea: Valley Cup Circuit
Co-op Hack and Slash: 35% found an audience. Idea: Tethered Blades
World War I Military: 36% found an audience. Idea: Trench Relief Orders
Realistic look Trains: 37% found an audience. Idea: Night Freight Dispatch
Post-apocalyptic Crafting: 33% found an audience. Idea: Rust Bench
Mod support Management: 40% found an audience. Idea: Rulebook Resort
Violent Physics: 32% found an audience. Idea: Ragdoll Demolition Derby
JRPG Hack and Slash: 33% found an audience. Idea: Party Blade Tempo
Anime style Metroidvania: 36% found an audience. Idea: Paper Lantern Spirit
Mod support Racing: 33% found an audience. Idea: Garage Code Circuit
Gore Cyberpunk: 38% found an audience. Idea: Chrome Butcher Block
Couch co-op Roguelike: 32% found an audience. Idea: Couch Crawler Crew
FPS Battle Royale: 24% found an audience. Idea: Last Rooftop Standing
Violent Stealth: 23% found an audience
Assassins Stealth: 35% found an audience. Idea: Masquerade Knife
Team-Based MOBA: 28% found an audience. Idea: Relay Lane Wars
Building Flight: 30% found an audience. Idea: Kite Fleet Foundry
Anime style Mechs: 27% found an audience. Idea: Pilot Academy Sortie
World War II RTS: 29% found an audience. Idea: Hedgerow Command
World War II Military: 20% found an audience. Idea: Field Hospital Front
Robots RTS: 28% found an audience. Idea: Factory Floor Armies
Historical RTS: 25% found an audience. Idea: Silk Road Skirmish
War Base Building: 29% found an audience. Idea: Fallback Fortress
Post-apocalyptic City Builder: 30% found an audience. Idea: Ashfall Settlement
Funny City Builder: 35% found an audience. Idea: Absurd Borough
City Builder 4X: 25% found an audience. Idea: Hearthlands Ascendant
Couch co-op Dungeon Crawler: 27% found an audience
JRPG Metroidvania: 28% found an audience. Idea: Bellfall Chronicle
Memes Psychological Horror: 22% found an audience. Idea: Comment Section Haunting
Economy Trains: 31% found an audience. Idea: Spur Line Barons
Programming Base Building: 29% found an audience. Idea: Scriptyard Outpost
Hard Metroidvania: 19% found an audience. Idea: One Breath Descent
Team-Based Survival Horror: 31% found an audience
Tactical Grand Strategy: 23% found an audience. Idea: Marching Orders
Tactical 4X: 29% found an audience. Idea: Banner and Bastion
Realistic look Fishing: 26% found an audience. Idea: Dawn Water Journal
Building Zombies: 23% found an audience. Idea: Rooftop Bridge Survivors
Competitive Sports: 18% found an audience. Idea: Court of Gravity
FMV Detective: 23% found an audience. Idea: Tape Room Testimony
Agriculture Life Sim: 23% found an audience. Idea: Terrace Seasons
Detective Cyberpunk: 24% found an audience. Idea: Memory Auction Inquest
Robots Mechs: 19% found an audience. Idea: Rustheart Repair Crew
Fast-Paced 3D Platformer: 22% found an audience. Idea: Skyline Ribbon Runner

These are patterns in Steam's catalog, not causes. Steam tags are partly voted by players, and popular games collect more of them, so a tag can ride along with success rather than drive it.