The landscape of multiplayer gaming remains wildly unpredictable in 2025. The old industry logic—where massive development budgets and major publisher backing guaranteed a hit—has been completely upended. As we look at this Steam week in review, it is clear that success is no longer tied to scale, but rather to how well a title captures the current zeitgeist.

From Robot Cowboys to Abandoned Shooters

The standout story of the week is Far Far West, an early access cooperative shooter that has taken Steam by storm. Developed by Evil Raptor, a tiny eight-person studio based in France, this "robot cowboy" experience draws heavy inspiration from classics like Left 4 Dead and Vermintide. Despite its modest origins, it has become a massive commercial juggernaut.

At the time of writing, Far Far West is the third best-selling game on Steam in terms of revenue, trailing only Heroes of Might and Magic: Old Era and Counter-Strike 2. With over 47,000 concurrent players, it serves as a definitive proof of concept for the power of indie innovation.

In stark contrast, we are seeing the decline of Last Flag. Released on April 15 by Night Street Games, this 5v5 third-person shooter with MOBA elements has struggled to find an audience. After peaking at just 558 concurrent players, the studio recently announced that player counts are too low to support significant new development beyond planned patches.

While the developers aren't abandoning the game entirely, their focus is shifting toward:

  • Prioritizing long-term replayability over major content drops.
  • Implementing persistent lobbies and unique game rules.
  • Empowering the community to shape the game's future.

Steam Revenue and Market Trends

The Steam week in review for the period of April 21 - 28 reflects a market dominated by established titans, even as new titles shake up the rankings. While we await the full launch week data for the biggest new releases, the current top performers include:

Beyond the top tier, titles like Game With Your Friends continue to thrive on social connectivity, while Invincible Vs is holding its own in the fighting game scene. Notably absent from the high-revenue ranks is s&box, the new creation platform from Facepunch Studios. Despite a massive $1 million launch day, it hasn't quite climbed the charts as expected compared to smaller indie shooters.

Steam Deep Cuts: Hidden Gems to Watch

If you are looking to move away from the mainstream, this week’s hidden gems offer some much-needed variety for your library:

Sledding Game An early access downhill racer that utilizes a lo-fi, "happy-go-lucky" aesthetic. It features over-amped physics that can send you flying off course during intense races to the finish line.

Forbidden Solitaire A brilliant fusion of Creepypasta horror and retro nostalgia. This title simulates browsing a dubious 1995 CD-ROM, blending traditional solitaire with unsettling FMV graphics and a haunting atmosphere.

Scooterflow For fans of extreme sports, this freestyle scooter simulator offers complex physics and highly detailed skateparks modeled 1:1 after real-life locations.

Ecto A free-to-play first-person 3D platformer focused on the art of bunnyhopping. Players navigate nonsensical landscapes to collect "star fragments" in a highly interactive environment.