Windows PC gaming is one of the oldest forms of virtual entertainment and there are several classic games that have come out through the decades. From massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) to fast-paced first-person shooters (FPS) there's something for everyone to enjoy.
There are dozens if not hundreds of games we could highlight with several upcoming PC games that are likely to make it on this list. As such, we're building this list up over time. You're welcome to reach out to us with any suggestions.
To determine the best PC games from the last few decades we took into account their impact at the time of launch, the legacy they left behind, any new innovations they brought to gaming, and the unique ways they presented themselves. Of course, we also made these decisions based on how enjoyable the games still are to play. Many of these games are available via Game Pass.
Without further ado, here are the best Windows PC games of all time, listed by genre.
Trending PC games (June 2024)
More interested in playing the PC games that are really big right now? The latest hits that everyone is talking about? Well, we're here to help you out.
Many of the games we show here can be accessed via Microsoft's PC Game Pass and some will be impressive indie titles that don't really belong in a single genre. At any rate, we'll update this section regularly whenever there's a big game that everyone seems to be playing.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Soon, the long-awaited DLC expansion to FromSoftware's popular action-RPG, Elden Ring, will soon be upon us and bring forth new challenges and bosses to overcome. We recently reviewed Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and we're happy to report that the long wait for this expansion will be worth the patience and effort.
This DLC is a massive expansion that builds upon the solid foundation of the base game with a new richly-detailed open-world map to explore, new weapon types, skills and spells to obtain, and some of the best boss fights you will ever battle in a Soulslike game.
If you're a fan of Elden Ring or Soulslikes, then you're going to absolutely love this 40+ DLC expansion as it refines Elden Ring's core gameplay loop to near perfection.
Ghost of Tsushima: DIRECTOR'S CUT
After years of PlayStation exclusivity, the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima has come to PC platforms, rocketing the sales charts to become Steam's top-selling title. Ghost of Tsushima follows the story of Jin Sakai, a warrior on a quest to avenge his people and retake his homeland after being conquered by the ruthless Khotun Khan and his horde of Mongol invaders.
The gameplay of Ghost of Tsushima is that of an open-world action-adventure affair, where you will explore jaw-droppingly beautiful vistas of 13th-century Japan, experience its enthralling storyline, and fight enemies using a variety of weapons and techniques that either favor stealth or frontal assault.
The PC version includes a ton of new features such as the Legends co-op mode and visual upgrades from the Director's Cut edition, advanced graphical settings, support for ultrawide displays, and compatibility with performance-boosting PC components like NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 3, and Intel XeSS.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Dragon's Dogma 2 is a sequel to Capcom's 2012 cult action-RPG of the same name. The story follows the trials of the Arisen, a once ordinary mortal who has had their heart plucked out by the ancient Great Dragon. Now cursed with forced immortality and the ability to command unique humanoids called Pawns, the Arisen sets out on a journey to slay the Great Dragon before it can lay waste to the world at large.
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an enigma of an action-RPG with a myriad of complex and esoteric systems that are hard to grasp at first but once understood, can provide one of the most engrossing and fun Capcom has ever produced.
The game features an incredibly in-depth combat system with lots of character classes and move-sets to learn, a wide open-world brimming with beautiful locales and dungeons packed with ancient treasure, jaw-dropping action set-pieces, and more.
If you're a fan of action-RPGs, check out our Dragon's Dogma 2 review to learn more about it and see why you shouldn't miss out on one of the best Capcom games in recent memory.
Helldivers 2
One of the biggest surprise sleeper hits so far in 2024 is Helldivers 2, a co-op third-person shooter where you play as soldiers of Super Earth called Helldivers. Your mission is to sail the galaxy with your fellow Helldivers and destroy alien-invading bugs and robots with extreme firepower in the name of 'Democracy'.
Helldivers 2 became the best-selling game of February 2024 and is still popular today for many good reasons. This game is a fantastic co-op shooter with solid gunplay, exciting and chaotic unscripted emergent set-pieces, a tongue-in-cheek setting inspired by the classic movie Starstrip Troopers, there are tons of fun weapons to wield and shoot with, and the premium currency to buy cosmetics can all be earned in-game without paying real money.
The only major flaw of this game is its ongoing server issues preventing people from queuing up for games. Aside from that, Helldivers is a blast to play with your friends if you're a fan of co-op shooters.
If you want to learn more about this game and join the Helldivers, check out our review for Helldivers 2.
Palworld
Palworld is a new survival-crafting game by Pocketpair that is currently exploding with popularity across the internet, achieving over one million concurrent players on Steam and sales figures of one million copies in just a few days after it was released on January 19, 2024.
Palworld isn't just your run-of-the-mill survival game as it combines aspects of the genre with that of monster-tamer games like Nintendo's Pokémon franchise. The goal of the game is to explore a mysterious island, capture cute animals called "Pals", and then use their abilities and strength to help you survive.
These Pals can fight alongside you in battle, help you build bases to defend yourself against the elements and enemies and gather resources to assist you in crafting weapons and armor. This game can be played alone with other players as this game supports online cooperative multiplayer.
Best PC MMOs & RPGs
Massively multiplayer online (MMO) and role-playing games (RPG) don't always go hand-in-hand but they can be awfully similar as both tend to be based on tabletop mechanics from games like Dungeons & Dragons.
These are typically the kinds of games that allow you to play as a specific character and make choices for that character while working to level them up and make them stronger. RPGs can be either turn-based or offer real-time combat. Meanwhile, MMOs allow players to experience events and missions alongside millions of others on the internet. There are several MMO and RPG PC games that have made a big impact over the years.
Baldur's Gate 3
Few games are as complex and intricate as Baldur's Gate 3 while still being extremely satisfying to play. Taking place in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, you choose what race, subrace, and class you want to play as, which opens unique possibilities for you as you engage with various moments and characters. In any given situation, you'll be given choices to select from, but must roll dice to see if your desired action is successful. This adds an element of luck to the game's strategic base and can make it so very unexpected things occur. Of course, you can always take part in the common practice of save scumming by reloading the game again if you don't like the outcome.
The story starts with you being captured on a Mind flayer ship. A creepy worm gets put in your eye that should eventually take control of you and turn you into a Mind flayer yourself. However, you escape the ship and meet up with a cast of memorable characters who also have been infected. Your group's initial intention is learning how to kill the parasite, but strange and unique powers seem to be granted to you by the worm, so you and your companions need to figure out whether you will destroy it or utilize it.
Gameplay-wise, Baldur's Gate 3 offers free-moving exploration but shifts to turn-based combat when a fight is initiated. Characters have different abilities based on their races and classes, but you get to control everyone in your group and determine how they level up. Plus, you can attempt to romance most of your companions and even some NPCs, which can lead to interesting perks and dialogue. That is, of course, if you can get a character's attention.
Each of your decisions carries weight, even the ones you might not think are important, and might lead your character to unlocking rare cutscenes or situations. As such, there is plenty of replay value and experiences can vary drastically from one player to the next. Admittedly, class and leveling up options can be overwhelming, however, despite throwing you into the middle of Dungeons and Dragon's lore and mechanics the game does an excellent job of being approachable to D&D newcomers.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077 when it first launched in 2020 and one of the most infamous launches on home consoles in modern gaming history. It was riddled with game-breaking bugs, glitches, and various gameplay-design decisions that held it back from achieving its true potential. Still, that didn't stop us from enjoying it when we reviewed the PC version many moons ago.
Since that fateful launch, CD Projekt Red has been working night and day implementing various patches and updates to improve the general state of Cyberpunk 2077 and fix all its problems. This series of updates culminated with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, a massive expansion that revamps nearly every facet of the base game while adding a new quest line filled with gripping espionage action, and bone-chilling twists to create the definitive version of Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's story follows a cyborg mercenary named 'V', who is down on their luck trying to survive in the dystopian metropolis known as Night City. One day, they get a call from a mysterious character named Songbird with a job offer she can't refuse. V must venture into the forbidden district of Night City known as Dogtown, and rescue the President of the New United States of America who recently crash-landed there. If V completes her mission, Songbird will find a way to cure a terminal condition she contracted during Cyberpunk 2077's base game storyline.
In addition to a new storyline, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty adds a plethora of gameplay changes and improvements. The combat system has been enhanced with new abilities and weapons for V to wield in battle, the police system has been reworked so that they will chase after you with armored vehicles which can lead to high-speed chase sequences, perk trees have been revamped with new abilities to offer players more customization options when developing V, a metric ton of bug fixes to preserve the gameplay experience and much more.
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft (WoW) first exploded onto the PC gaming scene way back in 2004 and has been a household name ever since. Through the years Blizzard Entertainment has continued to push out huge expansions with new quests and items for players to engage with.
This MMORPG's popularity stems from the fact that players can create their own characters (chosen from a number of different races) and then put hundreds of hours into the game without coming anywhere close to beating it. You can really get lost in the lore or spend time playing with friends online without getting bored.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium released for PC in 2019 and quickly became a very popular RPG. You take on the role of a gritty detective, but you get to choose if you are willing to take bribes or do other dirty practices while solving murders and crimes.
Many people have lauded the game for the freedom it gives players. You can do just about anything to get the outcomes you seek, giving it more of a true tabletop RPG experience than many other games out there. Will you go for a more straightforward detecting approach or give in to your wild or dangerous side to get what you want?
Persona 5 Royal
The original Persona 5 game released in 2016 and quickly amassed a strong fandom thanks to its interesting take on student life, vigilantism, and the Metaverse. It wasn't until 2022 that the enhanced version, Persona 5 Royal, finally came to PC.
Players take on the role of a high school student who has just been transferred to a new school after being falsely accused of assault. Here, the youth makes friends with other teens and each of them develops new powers which they use to form a secret group. Gameplay is a mixture of student life sim and dungeon crawling with a phenomenal cast that will suck you into this story.
You can purchase it individually or access it via Microsoft's PC Game Pass.
Genshin Impact
Initially derided as a Breath of the Wild clone, Genshin Impact is its own thing; an RPG set in a colorful world and filled with a number of exciting quests for players to experience. It initially launched in 2020 and has since received a number of large updates, enlarging the world and adding new characters.
You play as twin (male or female) who wakes up in another world called Teyvat with no memory of your past. Soon you get wrapped up in the troubles of NPCs nearby and can add party members to your team. Each character has its own unique fighting abilities and elemental powers, but some are far more powerful than others.
The game is free to play, and is usually the case offers several microtransactions with gacha systems for dispensing characters and weapons. However, players do not need to spend any money in order to enjoy this RPG.
Tales of Arise
Tales of Arise is an action RPG with an anime art style. As is usually the case in JRPGs, this one has a very detailed plot. Long ago, the world of Rena conquered and enslaved the people of Dahna, however, the Dahna resistance is strong and seeks to end this oppressive reign. Now a young woman and a young man — each from one of these worlds — must band together to make things better for everyone.
Although a JRPG, this game does not have turn-based attacks but rather employs action-packed combat, that's oh-so-satisfying once you get the hang of it. The world is gorgeous and filled with helpful items that will make it easier to take down enemies and monsters.
Stardew Valley
Step aside Animal Crossing! Stardew Valley is a far more complex and fleshed out farming simulation game that also provides RPG elements. The game first released in 2016 and has managed to sell over 20 million copies — An impressive feat given that it was designed in entirety by Eric Barone under the alias of ConcernedApe.
Players inherit their grandfather's farm and must work to get it back to good condition. You can raise livestock, tend crops, cook, go fishing, mine, and much more. In addition to your farming duties, you can interact with the NPCs in town and can marry one of 12 characters regardless of gender.
Stardew Valley for PC can be purchased on its own via Steam or it can be accessed via Microsoft's PC Game Pass.
Best PC action-adventure games
There's a fine line between action-adventure games and RPGs. To be honest, some games are a bit of both. At any rate, these tend to be single-player experiences that allow a lot of open-world freedom, real-time combat, and exploration. The emphasis on a complex story is also key.
Some of the very best action-adventure games in recent years are ports from consoles. However, action-adventure games have a long and storied history on PC as well. Check out the best PC action-adventure games and make sure you've played them all.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring took the world by storm in early 2022 with its massive open world, challenging battles, and impressive art direction. The lore for the game was created by George R. R. Martin, best known as the writer of A Song of Ice and Fire series, which was adapted into Game of Thrones. There's a deepness to the characters and world that many games can only hope to aspire to.
Players take on the role of a minor character known as one of the Tarnished who is given the goal of repairing the Elden Ring to become the Elden Lord. However, the fantasy land the game takes place on is ruled over by demigods and powerful monsters who you will have to face along the way. However, if you die you'll lose many of your best items so you need to be careful.
What makes Elden Ring stand out from Hidetaka Miyazaki's other souls-like games created by FromSoftware is that it allows far more freedom and exploration. Generally, if players come across a particularly challenging enemy, they can choose to go a different direction rather than being forced to defeat it before they can move on. Plus, there are many ways to grow stronger so you can come back and take an enemy on when you're more prepared. Not to mention, some of the locations are awe-inspiring and will have you admiring them for a long time.
God of War
God of War released exclusively for PS4 in 2018 to great acclaim but has since made its way to PC where it has likewise received overwhelmingly positive praise.
Though the story centers around Kratos (the Spartan God of War from ancient Greece) raising his son, Atreus, it's also the tale of Kratos growing up. The original God of War series from several years ago is almost laughable now due to how unnecessarily violent and heartless Kratos was depicted within them. He destroyed all of the Olympian gods and anyone else that got mildly in his way while seeking vengeance on his family. But now, a more mature Kratos looks back ashamedly on his past and doesn't want his son to be anything like what he once was.
Having moved on from the land of the Olympians, Kratos and Atreus live in the land of the Norse Gods who aren't so happy about the god of war's existence in their realms. Kratos' second wife and Atreus' mother, Faye, has died and so the father and son go on a quest to spread her ashes on the tallest mountain, just as she asked them to do. But Atreus doesn't know Kratos is a god and there are plenty of things to discover about this land and Odin, the god that rules it.
Battles can be challenging but the mechanics are so satisfying and give players such good control that it feels amazing to play. You'll learn about Norse mythology and get to experience some truly fantastic scenes along the way.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Few games have been released as many times as Grand Theft Auto 5, but that just speaks to the game's popularity over the last decade. This open-world third-person shooter originally released in 2013 and follows some men living in the fictional California city of Los Santos — a place loosely based on Los Angeles.
When Michael Townley destroys a mansion after learning his wife is cheating on him, the drug lord who owns it demands to be paid. With no way of affording it, Michael returns to his former life of crime, joined by a young gangster named Franklin Clinton. Together they do whatever is necessary to get the money they need.
What follows is a sandbox action RPG where players can do just about whatever they want to. It's this freedom, along with the engaging story and interesting characters, that has continued to make this such a popular game over the years.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition
The Witcher became a household name once the Netflix series starring Henry Cavill launched to insane popularity. But before the show, there was a video game series based on the books written by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski. The most famous of these games is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which originally released in 2015 but has since gotten a Complete Edition with a graphics overhaul and all previous DLC to date.
The game follows Geralt of Rivia, a witcher who is skilled in magic and the blade. He's a very adept monster dispatcher, however, his skills are put to the test when he learns that a horde of specters known as the Wild Hunt are after his adopted daughter, Ciri. Now he must traverse the land, defeat monsters, solve mysteries, and speak to past lovers in order to protect his daughter.
This open-world adventure is the culmination of the series, filled with characters that you care deeply for. Combat is satisfying and you basically unravel fairy tales as you complete side quests. Plus, this is the game where the Geralt in the bathtub meme comes from, so you have to play it.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
The original The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released in 2011 and quickly became a best-selling phenomenon that most games can only hope for. It's no wonder given the unheard-of amount of freedom the original game offered at the time. Since then, the title has been released on every major platform and has seen several new versions. The one I recommend playing is the Special Edition, which comes with all previous add-ons, remastered graphics, and new features as well.
Players take on the role of a fighter who was saved from execution when the great dragon Aldiun attacked the imperial troops escorting him. Shortly thereafter, the soul of a dead dragon finds its way into the player making them "Dragonborn", with unique powers. Now the player can do anything they wish. Travel around the land, get involved in local political battles, talk to the NPCs, take on sidequests, or develop your "Dragonborn" abilities to become even stronger.
You can purchase it on its own or access it via PC Game Pass.
Best PC shooters
First-person shooters (FPS) have been a PC staple for decades and many argue vehemently that you get far better control playing these games with keyboard and mouse than you do with controller. Some of the best PC shooters are multiplayer games while others are plot-focused single-players that tend to have a sci-fi bent.
Get ready for a whole lot of Valve highlights as we talk about the most influential and compelling FPS PC games of all time. It's really thanks to these classics that FPS games are what they are today.
Half-Life / Black Mesa
Few FPS games can claim to be as influential as Valve's Half-Life series. The original Half-Life game released back in 1998 and was one of the very first FPS games to include a hefty narrative. It's no wonder it inspired a series of games that are still revered on PC today.
Players take control of Gordon Freeman (though he never talks and is never referred to by that name in the game) a scientist at the Black Mesa Research Facility. An experiment gone wrong opens up a portal that allows hostile aliens to come through. Now it's up to Freeman to close the portal and kill all alien threats.
The game is so well-loved that a developer group known as Crowbar Collective was able to remake the original game and even flesh out some parts. In what is a unique situation within the gaming world, Valve even sanctioned it and hosts the reimagined remake on the Steam store. Both the original Half-Life and the Black Mesa remake are worth checking out.
Half-Life 2
Initially released in 2004, this sequel was built upon the foundations of the original sci-fi thriller. At the time it also displayed cutting-edge graphics and some of the smoothest game mechanics ever employed up to that point.
The story follows Gordon Freeman who is awoken out of stasis 20 years after the first game. The portal that Black Mesa scientists uncovered in the first game allowed invading aliens known as the Combine to quickly conquer Earth. Now Freeman joins a resistance group of former Black Mesa workers and must use any weapon at his disposal (including his trusty crowbar) to fend off aliens who have taken over the planet.
Portal
We're not done with Valve yet as there are two more highly influential FPS games from the Half-Life universe still to go — the first of which is Portal. This well-known game first released in 2007 and takes place in Aperture Laboratories. Here the sadistic and hilariously sarcastic GLaDOS AI computer system runs tests within a run-down compound where she previously killed all of the scientists who worked here.
Players control a silent woman named Chell who is tasked with completing GLaDOS' stated tasks like a lab rat. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the AI actually wants to kill you and will make fun of you at every given opportunity. Instead of being annoying, GLaDOS is absolutely hilarious. To complete each level, players must use the portal gun in order to maneuver through an area or alter the location of objects within that space according to GLaDOS' demands. What ensues is an innovative puzzle game that pushes the boundaries of what gaming was known for while providing a million laughs.
Although it could be argued that this is more of a puzzle-platformer game than an FPS, the main game mechanic involves shooting a portal gun in first-person and in all other ways very much belongs in the Half-Life universe.
Portal 2
Portal 2 took the award-winning puzzle adventure mechanics found in the first game and said, what if we add multiplayer to this? GLaDOS is back and eager to force more unwilling portal gun participants into her puzzles and mind games. However, the protagonist changes depending on if you play solo or with a friend. Single-player sees the return of Chell while two-player introduces two robots: Atlas and P-Body.
The dialogue continues to be just as witty and hysterical as that found in the original title. Meanwhile, the puzzles are just as engaging and equally enjoyable when played solo or with another person.
Bioshock Remastered
Bioshock inspired a series thanks to its fascinating story, combat mechanics, and decision-making. It was initially released for PC and Xbox 360 in 2007 and has since found itself on many consoles. The remastered edition simply offers better graphics, concept art, and director's commentary, but it tends to run better on modern computers too.
In this sci-fi FPS, players take on the role of a man named Jack whose plane crashes in the ocean during the 1960s. After making his way to a distant lighthouse, he discovers that it has a secret terminal that takes him to the underwater city of Rapture — a place that was designed as a utopia by a man named Andrew Ryan.
However, the city fell into shambles with dangerous inhabitants after a superpower-giving substance called ADAM was discovered. A man called Atlas communicates with Jack via radio and asks him to stop Ryan. To do that, you'll need to take on the city's murderous inhabitants, decide whether or not to harm the Little Sisters, and unravel the mysteries of Rapture itself.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered
Deciding which of the Call of Duty (CoD) games is best can be a heated subject with some fans. Purely based on legacy, the original Modern Warfare game from 2007 made a huge impact with its realism, powerful cutscenes, smooth gameplay, and satisfying mechanics. However, these days it's not as enjoyable to play the original version due to the limited servers that still support it. That's why we are highlighting the Remastered version. Though somewhat controversial, it is better for modern computers and online play.
In the main campaign, players take on the role of various soldiers and dive into battlegrounds around the world in various story-driven missions. These aren't just fluff missions, but scenarios that play out in very interesting ways with plenty of turns. Anyone can play, but it takes a sharp eye, fast reflexes, and deadly accuracy to dominate against the computer and of course against other players online.
Best PC multiplayer games
There are so many multiplayer PC games that have come out over the last few decades and they come in so many genres too. Seriously, there's something for everyone whether you're looking for a cooperative session where you work together with your friends or you'd prefer to play competitively against other players.
Among Us
Innersloth's sci-fi take on the traditional Mafia or Werewolf social deduction party games didn't start out as a rousing success. In fact, it wasn't until 2020, two years after Among Us' unsuccessful launch, that everyone was stuck in their homes and streamers brought it to public attention. But it quickly exploded after that thanks to how easy it is to learn, its fast sessions, and the mixture of panic and cunning players need to use to survive. Plus, it works cross-platform with all major consoles and even mobile devices so you can play with just about anyone.
One or some of the crewmates on a broken spaceship are imposters that are out to kill the crew and sabotage the ship. As bodies are found, crewmates can call a meeting and vote on who they think the imposter is. If enough votes are cast, the person voted on gets launched out of the airlock. If it was the imposter, the crew wins. However, if it was an innocent person the game continues. If the imposter manages to kill everyone, they win.
It only has an MSRP of $5, so you can purchase it on its own or you can access it with PC Game Pass.
Rocket League
Originally released in the summer of 2015 for PC and PS4, Rocket League exploded in popularity thanks to the many skilled players that showed off gameplay online and brought others to the game. It takes the world's most popular sport and adds souped-up cars to the mix, just like Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars which predates it. Rocket League has since released on every major console and mobile. Since 2020, Psyonix's hit sports game has been free-to-play adding to its popularity.
Players are placed on a team against others online and must work to score goals by launching a massive soccer ball around the field. Rockets on the cars allow them to quickly speed up and the vehicles can also jump to reach the soccer ball easier. Since matches aren't very long, it's easy to drop in for a few rounds without getting too sucked in and leave when you need to.
Each season there are competitions to see who the best players are along with new car accessories and skins. These regular updates help keep the game fun and worth coming back to.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Team17 has produced myriad PC hits over the years, but some of the most popular games were from the Overcooked! series. But why order up only one silly cuisine game when you can get both in a bundle with Overcooked! All You Can Eat? It's worth noting that online play has some issues, but local co-op plays beautifully.
Players take on the role of one of many cooks in the kitchen and must serve up customer orders within a time limit. However, cooking spaces are filled with moving obstacles, lava, thieving rodents, or other challenges. You'll need to communicate with each other as you go. People either tend to love working together with others or discover that they hate it altogether. But that's part of the challenge.
Sea of Thieves
Upon getting acquired by Microsoft, the folks at Rare went on to create Sea of Thieves, an action-adventure pirate game that can be played solo or with friends. Players start out with very little but can work to acquire loot, better equipment, and more as time goes on. One of the things that makes it so fun is that you can play with friends as a crew and do whatever you want.
There is a vast map to explore, treasure to uncover, supernatural enemies to fight, and much more. Work together with your friends to amass wealth or a reputation as the most feared pirates on the seas. Since it supports cross-platform between Xbox and PC you can play with more friends, but each player needs their own copy of the game. It can be purchased on its own or it can be accessed via Microsoft PC Game Pass.
Best PC horror games
Horror has a long history with computer games with some of the earliest titles gravitating to this genre. Thanks to the improvements in graphics and mechanics many of the best ones have come out within the last few years, but there's still something special about the oldies as well. If you're into heart-pounding tension and the supernatural than these PC games will be right up your darkened alley.
Visage
There's nothing like a slow, unsettling house to raise the spook-o-meter. In Visage, players find themselves in an ever-changing mansion filled with supernatural entities haunting its rooms. As you explore every twisting passageway you'll uncover the horrific mysteries behind the dead families that once lived here.
One of the things that makes this such a successful horror game is how ordinary everything feels (at first). Some of the rooms are almost too normal for what you'd expect from a horror game, but there are plenty of secret rooms and creepy locations to discover as you keep moving through this maze-like house.
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
The original Five Nights at Freddy's is an undisputed classic that started it all. However, if you're looking to raise the steaks to true horror then it's undeniable that the sequel increases the adrenaline rush. It does this by removing a protective feature that was so intrinsic to the original.
Players once more take on the role of a security guard holed up in a monitoring station at a Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The animal animatronics that delight children by day are still killers at night and you must keep an eye on them as they wander through various rooms and hope to survive through five days at work.
The thing is, the protective doors that kept you safe in the first game are gone, leaving you more exposed to the creeping robots. The only way to deter them from killing you is to wear an animal mask when they enter your station. Otherwise, it's game over.
Outlast
There are few things that make you feel as powerless and vulnerable in a video game like running through dangerous environments without a weapon, but that's exactly what Outlast is all about. This survival horror game first released in 2013 and has you play as a journalist who explores an enormous asylum filled with abominations that are out to kill you.
If an enemy approaches, you only have two options available to you (if you want to live). You must either flee or find a place to hide where your pursuers won't find you. Leaving isn't an option, though. You must keep going deeper and deeper into the facility using your stealth and hiding skills until you unravel the mystery of this dreadful place.
Resident Evil Village
While not exactly the most horrifying Resident Evil game out there, Village is extremely iconic with its wide cast of characters inspired by Romanian fairytales. Of course, there's the towering Lady Dimitrescu who captured the eyes of the internet when the game released in 2021. However, there are several different places to explore in Resident Evil Village, one of which has one of the creepiest moments in FPS video games.
You play as Ethan Winters in a story that takes place directly after the events of the previous game, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard. It starts with your baby daughter getting kidnapped by a weird group of nobles in a nearby village and it's up to you to explore their domains and save her. Ammo is scarce and there are plenty of fast-paced enemies out to get you.
Best PC strategy and simulation games
Humans are funny things. We often love to do work if it's in the confines of a simulation or strategy game, but shy away from doing these things in real life. I know that's the case for me.
What I think it really comes down to is that sims and strategy games proffer a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that pays out more often than many other genres do. They're a great way to unwind after a stressful day or to feel in control over something. So if you haven't played the best strategy and simulation games for PC you really ought to.
PowerWash Simulator
Yes, yes it might seem silly, but if you're the kind of person who loves watching satisfying cleaning videos on YouTube then you know PowerWash Simulator speaks to your soul. Players are presented with several different locations filled with objects that are covered in rust, dirt, or some other kind of grime. Using your equipment you can spray down these objects until they're as good as new.
What's more, PowerWash Simulator offers online co-op so you and your friends can clean the town together. It makes for a very calming way to wind down after a stressful day.
Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition
The Flight Simulator series has been around for a long time, but the 2020 game is the perfect culmination of everything that the franchise represents. As the title suggests, players control a number of different aircraft including fighter jets, commercial airliners, helicopters, and even gliders while exploring the world.
In addition to simple exploration, there are 20 classic missions from past games to keep things interesting. This game exploded in popularity when it released and has continued to be a well-spoken of game today.
The Sims 4
The Sims 4 gives players a huge amount of freedom to make any choices that they want to with their Sim characters. You can design characters, determine how they dress, what they like, what their career is, and who they date. Will your characters seek love? Or maybe they will seek to travel and go on adventures? Maybe they're just out to enjoy life? Whatever they do, the choice is up to you.
The base game is free to play, however, there are also several paid expansion packs out there that bring even more to the game. That includes things like cats, dogs, vampires, parenthood, a city builder, and much more.
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
The original Age of Empires 2 released back in 1999 and is still considered one of the very best real-time strategy (RTS) games ever created. More recently, the Definitive Edition came to PC bringing with it improved visuals and all previous expansions.
Use your tactical battle planning skills in both single-player historical campaigns and competitive online multiplayer. The campaigns step you through historical moments and ask that you fulfill certain tasks in order to be victorious. The way you build your empire and what areas you focus on will determine how easily you can invade or defeat those around you.
You can purchase Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition on its own or access it via Microsoft PC Game Pass. It will also offer cross-platform play between PC and Xbox when the Xbox version releases on Jan. 31, 2023.
Best family-friendly PC games
Let's be honest. While there are thousands (if not millions) of games out there, many of them aren't the sort of thing you want kids playing. Thankfully, there are several titles that offer family-friendly experiences, many of which stimulate creativity and critical thinking. Aside from that, they're just fun to play. Here are the best family-friendly PC games.
Minecraft
Minecraft exploded in popularity several years ago and has still managed to go strong since then. In fact, it is by far the most downloaded game ever with over 176 million copies sold.
What makes it so popular is that characters can really do anything they want. You can work on a farm, build a massive city, go exploring, create a defensive castle, craft items and weapons, and much more. There's even a big boss awaiting anyone who likes working toward the endgame. Get lost in your little world and play with friends online too.
New Super Lucky's Tale
Oftentimes, platformers are very difficult and are meant to offer a major challenge for gamers. However, New Super Lucky's Tale is a far more casual and silly take on this genre for a fun adventure that people of all ages can enjoy.
Players take on the role of the titular Lucky, a fox who must thwart the goals of an evil group of cats known as the Kitty Litter. To do that, he must collect items in various levels, solve puzzles, and unlock new levels. The visuals are pleasant and the tasks put forward aren't too strenuous.
Roblox
Roblox has been around since 2006 and has continued to be a popular place for kids to play. The blocky, almost LEGO-like design of the characters is iconic at this point and it's free to play, but does offer optional microtransactions.
What pulls people to the game is the freedom it provides. Players can create their own games or play other people's games. Since people are constantly adding more options, there are unlimited possibilities and a never-ending database of games to access.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Long before Skylanders, Spyro the dragon was the main character in a platformer series that took place in a fantasy world. Our little fire-breathing hero was tasked with saving his fellow dragons from the evil dragon-hating Ripto. Now, the first three classic games have been completely remade and bundled together in the Spryo Reignited Trilogy.
Run through various levels collecting gems, eating sheep, and defeating enemies. Spyro's ability to glide makes for large exploration spaces and unique flying challenges on his way to save all of the dragons who have been captured or turned to crystal.
Best PC platformer games
Platformers are just what they sound like — games that require players to jump from one platform to another, often in tricky scenarios that make this task a challenge. Typically, there's also some type of combat worked into these maneuvers and players need to defeat enemies or bosses that get in their way.
The beauty about platformers is that their mechanics are often so beautifully simple that they never feel old or outdated. But that doesn't mean these are always easy to play. Some will make you feel like throwing your monitor across the room with how difficult they are. But that's why there's such a big payoff when you make it through them.
Cuphead
Cuphead might employ a fun old-timey art style, but the gameplay is incredibly challenging and might just make you want to throw your controller or keyboard against the wall. It was originally released in 2017 and tells the story of Cuphead and his brother Mugman.
Based on a silly agreement, the brothers owe the Devil their souls, but they strike a deal that they can be free if they bring the Devil the "soul contracts" of various characters. What ensues is boss fight after boss fight with some run and gun sections mingled in between. Many of the battles require players to jump from one safe platform to another to avoid taking damage, which requires a whole lot of focus.
You can play on your own or with a buddy, but you'll want to prepare yourself as this game can be both frustratingly challenging and incredibly satisfying.
Sonic Mania
The original Sonic the Hedgehog games from the Sega Genesis era have always maintained their popularity over the years. It's not surprising then that a fan-made game employing these same aesthetics and mechanics developed. But what is interesting is that Sega themselves ended up publishing it in what is now known as Sonic Mania.
It's an absolute delight to play since it goes back to the Sonic series' roots. There are 13 Zones (levels) to explore including eight remixed Zones from classic games. Play as Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles as you speed around, collect rings, and defeat robot enemies on your way to thwarting Dr. Eggman.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
The Shovel Knight series is full of hits, with each individual title being someone's favorite. With each one being equally appealing, it's a good idea to get all five games in the series in one bundle with Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.
Players make their way through fantasy worlds and defeat challenging enemies. The character you play as determines what kind of weapon you have. There are items to collect, treasure to claim, paths to dig with your shovel, and difficult bosses in your path.
Ori: The Collection
Being forced to choose between Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Ori and the Blind Forest is just a cruel thing as both are amazing and shouldn't be missed. That's why the only right answer when choosing between the two is to purchase Ori: The Collection bundle, which includes both platformers.
Both stories follow Ori, a little spirit who must go up against great evil entities while platforming around a magical forest. There are also puzzles to solve, which will take an equal amount of quick thinking and skill to get through. In addition to satisfying gameplay, the two games offer a beautiful aesthetic, atmospheric music, and a compelling story that will make you feel all the feels.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is yet another platforming classic that no list would be complete without. A terrible disease has spread throughout the insect kingdom of Hallownest and it's up to the titular hero to save everyone. He's tasked with killing three bugs called Dreamers so he can take on the source of the infection.
In order to play Hollow Knight well, players must have quick reflexes, take advantage of all skills available to them, and platform to safe spaces when necessary. Though a difficult game to truly master, it is fun to play and might just make you work to complete each level.
Celeste
With it's pixel-style visuals and challenging levels, Celeste is a very complicated game the requires players to move at just the right times in order to survive. But the game is also somewhat forgiving, like when it allows you to jump for a short space after falling off a ledge. There are a number of different challenges including spikes placed close to the path, strong wind, and strange substances that each make it hard for Madeline to make it to her goal of reaching the top of Celeste Mountain.
Where Celeste really stands out is the personal journey that the protagonist goes through during her physical one. She initially sets out to scale the mountain specifically to help herself regain self-esteem and must battle her own personified personal demons along the way.
Best PC racing games
Some of the very best racing wheels are available for PC, which is why many fans prefer to play on computer. Not to mention, it often feels more natural to place a steering wheel on a computer desk than it is to use one with a console.
At any rate, these are the kinds of games that tend to show off the very best graphics, and in recent years, the best ray tracing of any other genre. There's something to enjoy whether you're in it for the competitive race itself, the chance to drive the realistic vehicles of your dreams, the ability to listen to awesome music, or so you can watch those amazing crashes. Without further ado, here are the best PC racing games.
Forza Horizon 5
As our own Zachary Boddy said in our Forza Horizon 5 review, this is the unchallenged champion of open-world racers. It performs incredibly well and has some of the most impressive visuals ever to come to PC games. It's a joy to play and the world beckons you to explore it.
Players can explore the open-world map of Mexico in this latest installment. The landscapes are absolutely gorgeous with incredible attention to detail. The same can be said for the long list of customizable cars that include real-world brands. You can play on your own or connect with other players in one of the multiplayer modes.
DiRT Rally 2.0
While Forza Horizon 5 is lauded as catering to more open-world exploration, DiRT Rally 2.0 is more like a rally racing sim. You visit several iconic locations around the world while carving out a path for yourself as the best racer. However, you have to play carefully and with calculation as one wrong move can seriously bump you down in a race.
It builds off of the foundations that the DiRT series is known for and looks absolutely excellent while doing it. Everything runs smoothly and the vehicles you get to drive look awesome. It's a great game to sink some time into.
Burnout: Paradise Remastered
The original Burnout: Paradise released back in 2008 and was a instant classic thanks to its amazing soundtrack and varied locations. This Remastered version released in 2019 and includes all add-ons from the Year of Paradise along with an all-new district and nine additional vehicles.
While not the most graphically intensive racer anymore, the controls are incredibly fun and the mixture of busy city landscapes mixed with more natural settings gives a lot of variety. It also helps a lot that this game offers some of the most epic car crashes of any game, which is fun on its own.
Editor's picks
As is the case with everyone, there are a number of games that have stood out and really made an impact on me over the years. I could make this list absolutely massive, so I'll just restrain myself to the titles that are still relevant and fun to play today. They cover a wide range of genres, but do all tend to be plot-driven as I'm a sucker for a good story. Check out my picks for the best PC games of all time.
Pentiment
I wasn't sure what to expect when Pentiment showed up on PC Game Pass, but I duly downloaded it and checked it out when it did. It's become one of my favorite games thanks to its clever art style, intriguing story, and the way it tells you all about a character using font. Yes, it's that artsy and creative.
The game takes place in the 16th century and focuses on a time of religious, political, and social upheaval in German history. For reference, this is when Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church and printing presses were changing how information was created and shared.
Players take on the role of Andreas Maler, one of the last illustrators working at Kiersau Abbey in Tassing. A murder is soon committed and it's up to Andreas to get to the bottom of things. However, you only have so many hours in a day and the way you choose to spend your time determines how the story unfolds. Not to mention, the dialogue you choose has consequences. Each character's dialogue shows up in a different handwriting or printing press block style to give you an idea of their background and personalities as soon as you meet them.
I won't say anymore so as not to spoil what is an absolutely masterful adventure, but the game is well worth playing and offers plenty of chances for replay since you cannot see everything in one playthrough. On a silly note, the settings allowed me to make the characters' heads much bigger and I preferred this since it made it easier to read the characters' expressions.
Star Wars Jedi Outcast
A long long time ago in a galaxy that feels far away LucasArts published the Dark Forces series and the Jedi Knight series which followed smuggler-turned-Jedi Kyle Katarn as he fought followers of the dark side. He's basically Luke Skywalker and Han Solo mixed together, which means he has Jedi smarts and a smart mouth.
I will always strongly contest that this game is better than Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order due to the wider range of Force abilities and weapons available to players, including the ability to throw your lightsaber, deflect lasers, and perform mind tricks on NPCS. Not to mention, the story is far more interesting.
In Jedi Outcast, Katarn's partner, Jan Ors, has been taken and he must once more take up his lightsaber to save her while defeating Imperial forces. Players choose whether to rely on iconic Star Wars firearms (FPS view) or their lightsaber (third-person view) from one battle to the next. Plus, along the way we get to meet Lando Calrissian and Luke Skywalker in natural settings that add to the story.
These days Kyle Katarn is no longer considered Star Wars cannon, which is a shame because his adventures were far more interesting than many of the ones that have come out in the last few years. So if you'd like to experience some pure Star Wars excellence from back when LucasArts was a thing, you have to play this game.
Night in the Woods
It's no secret that I prefer story-driven games with compelling characters. That's why Night in the Woods is one of my all-time favorites. It has a rich setting filled with relatable protagonists that are so sarcastic and macabre that they speak to my soul. The dialogue is absolutely genius and the antics you get up to are so mundanely realistic that they're relatable, like smashing florescent lights with a bat because you're bored.
The game follows Mae, a black cat who returns to her parent's home after dropping out of college for some mysterious reason. Mae moves back to Possum Springs — a failing mining town in the middle of nowhere — and renews her high school friendships. However, Mae has a troubled and widely known past that she has trouble escaping. Not to mention, some malevolent forces seem to be at work in this town, but no one seems to believe Mae about it.
This game perfectly captures the emotional and social challenges that 20-somethings face as they come into adulthood. Nothing is the same as it was before and Mae must navigate her social life while unraveling a dark mystery. You'll laugh, feel emotional, and sense a kinship with these characters. I don't want to ruin anything by saying more, so you really ought to go play it yourself.
Hogwarts Legacy
As I said in my Hogwarts Legacy review, "this is a truly special game. It's obvious that Hogwarts Legacy was made by passionate Harry Potter fans for passionate Harry Potter fans." This game captures every part of the magic that I always wanted to experience from this fantastical world and fulfills your wizarding or witching wishes.
Players take on the role of a fifth-year transfer student who has a unique power to see and use ancient magic. They must use this ability to unlock the mystery behind an ancient group of magic wielders and learn about the secret they safeguarded. Of course, along the way, you'll go to classes, learn spells, fight evil wizards, make friendships, ride magical creatures, and go flying on brooms. It's a very fun experience.
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
Horizon Zero Dawn initially released exclusively for PS4 in 2017 and then finally came to PC in 2020. I can't say enough good things about this game. It has one of the best plots I've ever experienced in gaming and the protagonist, Aloy, really helped me in a time when I was struggling.
Aloy lives on Earth in 3020 with many of the iconic buildings of our time visible as ancient ruins. Powerful machines rule the land and make it dangerous for humans to exist. But ever adaptive, humans have learned to hunt these robots in order to gain equipment and armor. That is, until a new blight is making the machines more vicious than ever.
Our red-haired heroine is born an outcast since she is "motherless" in a matriarchal society. She must prove herself to those who disapprove of her and take on massive machines that threaten mankind while unraveling the mystery of what became of the ancient ones who are long gone.
There's something absolutely rewarding about taking down rampaging robots using nothing but a bow and arrow mingled with traps. Gameplay is smooth and combat is very rewarding. Plus, watching characters interact with iconic buildings and landmarks from our time without knowing what they were actually used for offers a delicious sense of dramatic irony. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself getting further and further sucked into the adventure.
Beacon Pines
Beacon Pines is yet another amazing game that I experienced via PC Game Pass. This beautifully hand-drawn story follows a little deer boy named Luka VanHorn who lives in Beacon Pines with his grandmother. The story comes from a book that is influenced depending on the words that the player uses to finish certain sentences. More words get unlocked as the game progresses, giving past scenes replay value.
I was initially drawn to this game because of its cute characters and vibrant setting. But what really made me stay was the amount of unexpected danger and sci-fi elements that get revealed along the way. Putting the wrong word in a sentence easily leads to a character's death, so you want to keep exploring, uncovering new words, and then revisiting parts of the story to get different outcomes.
It's a fantastic tale that I got sucked into and couldn't wait to unravel. As I said, it's on PC Game Pass or you can play it by purchasing it on its own. Either way, you shouldn't skip out on this awesome game.
More amazing PC games to come
We're fortunate as PC gamers that so many awesome titles release for our platform of choice each year. We'll undoubtedly continue to add to this list as time goes on. There are already plenty of upcoming PC games on the horizon that seem like they could eventually wind up here, so check back frequently for updates.
Regardless of what genres you enjoy, there are games for everyone to play on PC. If your favorites are not on this list, feel free to reach out to us with suggestions. There are hundreds of amazing PC games out there and so this is an evolving project that will see more classics brought to it.
