# What is the best Valve video game?

> From mind-bending puzzles to genre-defining shooters, this lineup spans quiet cult favorites and era-defining blockbusters alike. Which one hooked you first?

*By YPB Team · Published July 10, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-valve-video-game*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Half-Life 2** — score 1000/1000
   The 2004 sequel widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made, for its physics and storytelling.
2. **Portal 2** — score 560/1000
   The acclaimed 2011 sequel that expanded the puzzle mechanics with a celebrated co-op campaign.
3. **Team Fortress 2** — score 436/1000
   A 2007 class-based multiplayer shooter praised for its distinct characters and humor.
4. **Portal** — score 436/1000
   A 2007 puzzle game built around a portal-shooting gun that became an instant cult classic.
5. **Dota 2** — score 435/1000
   Valve's 2013 MOBA and one of the biggest esports titles in the world.
6. **Half-Life: Alyx** — score 356/1000
   A 2020 VR-exclusive prequel widely considered the best VR game ever made.
7. **Left 4 Dead 2** — score 356/1000
   A 2009 cooperative zombie shooter beloved for its replayable AI-driven encounters.
8. **Counter-Strike** — score 261/1000
   Valve's flagship tactical shooter franchise, one of the most-played competitive games in history.
9. **Half-Life** — score 145/1000
   The 1998 first-person shooter that revolutionized narrative pacing in games and launched Valve.
10. **Half-Life 2: Episode Two** — score 145/1000
   The 2007 episodic follow-up that expanded the Half-Life 2 story with new set pieces.
11. **Artifact** — score 145/1000
   Valve's 2018 digital card game set in the Dota universe, a notable commercial misstep with a dedicated niche following.

Tags: games, valve, pc gaming, steam