As we approach the end of 2024, the gaming landscape has seen significant shifts, with the rise of new titles and the fall of some favorites. Here’s an updated look at the top 10 most popular games across various platforms, including mobile and PC, highlighting key movements this quarter.
1. Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2 continues to dominate as a premier tactical shooter, captivating players with its high-stakes gameplay that demands precision, strategy, and teamwork. Its legacy as a competitive staple has evolved with this latest iteration, introducing cutting-edge graphics, enhanced mechanics, and new maps while maintaining the core experience that has defined the series.
Current active players: 1,171,097
Why you should play it: Its competitive scene is unparalleled, offering players a chance to engage in intense, skill-based matches. Whether you’re coordinating with your team to secure objectives or clutching a critical round, Counter-Strike 2 offers a deeply rewarding FPS experience.
2. Dota 2
Dota 2 remains a cornerstone of the MOBA genre, known for its intricate strategy, vast hero roster, and dynamic battlegrounds. Each match presents a unique challenge, with players needing to leverage character synergies, map control, and split-second decision-making to outmaneuver their opponents and destroy the enemy’s Ancient.
Current active players: 499,071
Why you should play it: The game’s depth allows for endless strategic possibilities, making each match a new learning experience. Plus, its active community and regular tournaments offer plenty of opportunities for competitive play.
3. Valorant
Valorant has solidified itself as one of the most popular tactical shooters globally. Its blend of precise shooting mechanics with hero-based abilities has captured the attention of millions of players, especially in competitive gaming.
Current active players: Estimated 629,279 (in the Philippines)
Why you should play it: Its unique combination of strategy, team coordination, and individual skill makes it stand out. With its vibrant esports scene and regular updates, Valorant offers one of the best tactical FPS experiences out there.
4. Black Myth: Wukong
After much anticipation, Black Myth: Wukong has been a massive hit since its release. The action RPG, based on Chinese mythology, offers stunning visuals and an intricate combat system, garnering attention across global audiences.
Current active players: 600,004
Why you should play it: The mix of mythological storytelling and challenging combat has made Black Myth: Wukong a top contender for Game of the Year 2024.
5. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS laid the groundwork for the battle royale craze, and its formula of scavenging, survival, and strategic positioning continues to draw a massive audience. With a variety of maps and a realistic combat system, players must outlast dozens of others to be the last one standing.
Current active players: 605,667
Why you should play it: The thrill of the “chicken dinner” victory is unmatched, providing an adrenaline-fueled survival experience that rewards both cautious play and bold moves.
6. Apex Legends
Apex Legends™ stands out in the battle royale genre through its emphasis on character abilities, fast-paced movement, and innovative team mechanics. The game combines the best elements of shooter and hero-based games, offering a roster of unique Legends each with their own skills and playstyles.
Current active players: 185,233
Why you should play it: Its fluid movement and deep lore add layers to the standard battle royale formula, appealing to both competitive gamers and story enthusiasts.
7. Honor of Kings
Honor of Kings has seen significant growth, positioning itself as a serious contender in the mobile MOBA space. With a robust marketing push, it aims to surpass Mobile Legends in the local gaming community.
Current active players: Estimated high on mobile platforms
Why you should play it: Honor of Kings offers intense MOBA gameplay with an ever-growing community. Its mobile-optimized mechanics make it easily accessible for gamers on the go.
8. Once Human
Once Human, a free-to-play survival game, has gained significant traction in 2024. Its unique blend of survival elements, open-world exploration, and rich gameplay has secured its place in Steam’s top 50, making it one of the more popular new entries this year.
Current active players: 89,441
Why you should try it: Once Human offers a captivating survival experience with detailed exploration and challenging gameplay, making it a standout in the F2P space.
9. Call of Duty: Warzone
Warzone continues to dominate the battle royale and multiplayer FPS genres with its fast-paced gameplay and massive player base. The recent updates and new seasons have kept it fresh, appealing to both casual players and competitive gamers.
Current active players: 48,551
Why you should play it: Call of Duty’s fluid combat, constant updates, and deep progression system make it one of the top choices for FPS fans.
10. Fortnite
Fortnite continues to thrive with its evolving content, offering both casual and competitive players a unique battle royale experience. With ongoing collaborations and in-game events, it has stayed relevant in the ever-changing gaming landscape.
Current active players: Estimated in the millions globally
Why you should play it: Fortnite’s crossovers and seasonal updates keep gameplay fresh, making it one of the most entertaining games across various platforms.
Notable Mentions
- Minecraft:
A sandbox survival game that needs no introduction, Minecraft remains a global phenomenon, appealing to players of all ages for its limitless creativity. There’s a reason this thing has a movie starring Jack Black, ok. - NBA 2K25:
While not cracking the top 10, NBA 2K25 continues to attract basketball fans with its detailed simulation, career modes, and online multiplayer. - Elden Ring:
Though no longer in the spotlight, Elden Ring still draws a dedicated following for its expansive world and challenging combat, making it a favorite for fans of action RPGs. Shadow of the Erdtree injected some story expansion to the game revealing Miquella’s hand and what the hell happened to Mohg and most importantly, another bout with one of the best boss of the game. - Banana:
Despite its massive player base, Banana remains controversial due to criticisms of NFT trading and its clicker-game mechanics. With over 340,000 players, it’s still a topic of debate, but its gameplay hasn’t earned it a spot in the top 10 for most serious gamers. - Fortnite
Fortnite remains one of the most influential battle royales with its unique blend of building mechanics, fast-paced combat, and ever-changing game world. It’s known for its epic crossovers with pop culture, making each season feel fresh with new content, skins, and events.
Palworld, Honor of Kings, Helldivers 2, and the Curious Case of Banana
Palworld
Palworld, which previously held a spot in the top 10, has seen a significant drop in active players and now ranks below the top 60 on Steam. Despite its unique creature-collecting mechanics mixed with survival elements, it has struggled to maintain momentum.
Why it fell: The game’s niche appeal and stiff competition from other survival and creature-collecting games likely contributed to its decline in popularity. Additionally, newer games in the genre have overshadowed its unique premise, leading to a sharp decline in its player base.
Honor of Kings
On the rise, Honor of Kings has been making a concerted effort to overtake Mobile Legends in the Southeast Asian market, including the Philippines. With more aggressive marketing and regular content updates, it has successfully garnered a larger following in 2024, pushing it closer to the top spot in mobile MOBAs.
Why it’s rising: Honor of Kings delivers a polished MOBA experience with faster gameplay mechanics, targeting players looking for a fresh take on mobile MOBAs, which has helped it steal some of Mobile Legends’ spotlight.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 was set for success with its cooperative shooter gameplay, but in Q4 2024, the game took a blow to its player base due to Sony’s restrictive PlayStation Network account requirements, which limited accessibility for some players. Despite the game’s strong start, the mandatory account restrictions hampered its potential growth.
Why it’s falling: Helldivers 2‘s fall from grace can be attributed to Sony’s account restriction policies, which frustrated a significant portion of the player base, resulting in a noticeable drop in active players.
Banana
Curiously, the clicker game Banana continues to spark controversy but remains out of the top 10 due to its polarizing nature. Though it consistently ranks in Steam’s most-played lists, many consider its popularity inflated by its rare skin trading system, which some claim borders on an NFT-like economy. While the game maintains a strong user base, its exclusion from the top 10 list is due to its divisive mechanics and niche appeal.
Why it’s not in the top 10: Banana might have a strong following, but its reliance on skin trading has polarized the community, with some accusing the game of fostering a cash-grab atmosphere, keeping it out of the mainstream top 10 rankings.
The First Descendant and Once Human
Two new free-to-play games, The First Descendant and Once Human, have entered the market in 2024. Though neither has broken into the top 10, Once Human has shown greater promise, managing to hold a steady position in Steam’s top 50. The First Descendant has also gained traction, but both are still carving out their place in a highly competitive space.
Why you should try them: Both titles offer fresh and engaging free-to-play experiences, with Once Human standing out for its innovative survival mechanics, while The First Descendant offers a blend of action-packed co-op gameplay.
Top Online Games in the Philippines for other Platforms
Aside from the top 10 Steam games, many other titles dominate other platforms, including mobile and console gaming. Here’s an updated list of those games for the latter half of 2024:
1. Mobile Legends
Mobile Legends remains a powerhouse MOBA for mobile users, especially in Southeast Asia. Its fast-paced 10-minute matches and accessibility keep it as a go-to for many Filipino gamers, despite increasing competition from Honor of Kings.
Playable on: Android, iOS
Why it’s still hot: The game’s accessibility, active player base, and regular updates maintain its status as a top game, although it now faces serious competition from Honor of Kings.
2. Honor of Kings
Honor of Kings has been on a steady rise in the latter half of 2024, attempting to challenge Mobile Legends for the top MOBA spot. With more characters, better optimization, and an emphasis on competitive play, it’s quickly gaining traction in the Philippines.
Playable on: Android, iOS
Why it’s rising: Strong developer support, aggressive marketing, and polished gameplay make Honor of Kings a worthy contender in the mobile MOBA space.
3. Roblox
Roblox remains a favorite, particularly among younger players. With its user-generated content, Roblox allows for limitless creativity, making it a top choice for casual and creative gaming.
Playable on: PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Why you should play it: It offers a vast array of games and experiences within one platform, making it versatile for players of all ages.
4. Call of Duty Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile continues to be a top mobile FPS choice. Bringing the iconic CoD experience to mobile devices, it includes multiple modes like Battle Royale and Multiplayer, which provide fast-paced, action-packed gameplay.
Playable on: Android, iOS
Why you should play it: If you enjoy competitive FPS games, this mobile version delivers all the classic CoD action in a portable format.
5. Tekken 8
Tekken 8 brings intense 1v1 combat to the forefront, continuing the legacy of this long-running franchise. With its deep combat mechanics and visually stunning graphics, it appeals to both casual and competitive fighting game fans.
Playable on: PlayStation, Xbox
Why you should play it: The diverse roster of fighters and technical combat make it a must-play for fighting game enthusiasts.
6. League of Legends
League of Legends remains a key player in the MOBA world, with a massive following in the Philippines. Its strategic depth, diverse champions, and robust esports scene make it a top competitive game.
Playable on: PC (Riot Games Client)
Why you should play it: The ever-evolving gameplay and competitive nature keep players engaged, offering endless opportunities for mastery.
7. Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact continues to captivate its players with stunning visuals, an expansive open world, and gacha mechanics. Its regular updates and new content have kept the player base engaged throughout 2024.
Playable on: PC, PlayStation, iOS, Android
Why you should play it: The combination of open-world exploration, character building, and co-op play makes it a standout RPG.
8. Honkai Star Rail
Honkai Star Rail, another title from miHoYo, has gained significant momentum in the latter half of 2024. The game’s turn-based combat and compelling storylines have made it a top choice for RPG lovers.
Playable on: PC, iOS, Android
Why you should try it: Its combination of engaging combat, deep lore, and stunning visuals make it a standout game in the mobile RPG space.
Top Online Games in the Philippines based on age
Don’t take as gospel, you can play any of these games regardless of age. But based on the largest player count by age.
Kids: Children and Early Teens (Under 13)
- Roblox: Roblox remains a hit among younger audiences for its user-generated games and endless creativity. It’s a platform where kids can socialize and create their own games, making it a top choice for this age group.
- Minecraft: The timeless sandbox game continues to captivate younger players, promoting creativity, cooperation, and problem-solving as they build and explore their own worlds.
Teens (13-18)
- Mobile Legends: Mobile Legends remains a favorite MOBA among Filipino teens due to its fast-paced, competitive gameplay that’s optimized for mobile devices. The game’s accessibility and short match times are perfect for teenagers on the go.
- Honor of Kings: Rising as a strong competitor to Mobile Legends, Honor of Kings is attracting more attention from younger players, offering a refined MOBA experience and appealing to those looking for an alternative.
- Call of Duty Mobile: This mobile adaptation of the iconic franchise provides teens with familiar, fast-paced FPS action in both multiplayer and battle royale modes, making it a solid pick for competitive gaming.
Young Adults (19-30)
- Valorant: Valorant continues to draw in young adults who enjoy tactical shooters. Its combination of precise shooting mechanics and unique character abilities offers a deeply competitive experience for players looking to test their skills.
- League of Legends: League of Legends continues to be the go-to MOBA for young adults, thanks to its complex strategy, a vast champion roster, and a thriving esports scene.
- Apex Legends: Apex Legends appeals to young adults with its fast-paced, character-driven battle royale experience. The game’s fluid movement and unique mechanics keep it fresh for the competitive gaming community.
Adults (30+)
- Dota 2: Dota 2’s steep learning curve and strategic depth appeal to older gamers who have followed the franchise since its early days. The game’s complex mechanics and long-standing competitive scene continue to attract this demographic.
- NBA 2K25: As basketball remains a beloved sport in the Philippines, the NBA 2K series appeals to sports enthusiasts who enjoy the detailed simulations and competitive online play that each yearly release offers.
Across All Ages
- Genshin Impact: Genshin Impact maintains its broad appeal across various age groups, thanks to its captivating open world, gacha mechanics, and immersive storytelling. Players from teens to adults find the game’s combination of exploration, action, and co-op play engaging.
Wrapping It Up
Q4 2024 has shown that while long-standing titles like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 maintain their dominance, new entries such as Black Myth: Wukong and Space Marines II are showing us that single player experiences can still be box office releases. We also see Mobile Legends being pushed to around by its Chinese counterpart as Honor of Kings continues to take away players from the once untouchable MOBA.
And just like Mobile Legend’s drop in popularity, we also have Palworld’s decline reflects the competitive nature of the gaming industry, where only the most popular or innovative games remain in the spotlight. As we head into 2025, expect even more changes in the rankings as new games release and player preferences evolve.
Stay tuned for more updates as we track the hottest games in the Philippines!
