Best PC games to play in 2025

PC gaming consistently pushes the industry’s technological and creative limits, offering unmatched visual quality and a diverse range of genres. From indie sensations to big-budget blockbusters, from timeless classics to emerging trends, there’s no denying that the PC platform is a powerhouse in the gaming world. So, if you’re wondering about some top picks, here are some of the best PC games.

If someone claims they possess “the” solution to that question, gently tap them on the head instead. There aren’t any definitive answers here; tastes vary greatly, but every preference you could imagine will find something appealing on a PC. Nevertheless, we can provide some guidance and introduce you to a few well-known titles that should definitely be in your collection.

Regardless of whether you’re new to PC gaming or seeking fresh ideas for your upcoming shopping spree on Steam, GOG, Epic Game Store, or Battle.net, you’ve landed in the perfect spot! Here are some top-notch PC games that you might want to explore in 2024.

Whether you’re a beginner in the world of PC gaming or need suggestions for your next shopping trip on Steam, GOG, Epic Game Store, or Battle.net, this is just the right place for you! Here are some outstanding PC games that you should definitely check out in 2024.

Elden Ring

This game, Elden Ring, is a more contemporary masterpiece within the Dark Souls series. It’s an open-world adventure unlike any other – one moment it challenges you with its oppressive atmosphere, and the next it leaves you awestruck (or speechless). Even when you think you’ve witnessed every secret the world has to hide, there are still unexplored areas waiting for you beneath a well or hidden behind an illusion.

Age of Wonders 4

Age of Wonders 4 significantly enhances the freedom and customization found in turn-based 4X games: It empowers you to create unique factions, blending various aesthetics, benefits, and potent Tomes of Magic for virtually endless combinations. The game is centered around choices, with everything from random occurrences to economy control and hero gear offering a wealth of decisions to make. Your empire’s development will directly reflect these choices you make.

Balatro

If you haven’t found yourself drawn into the intriguing world of Balatro yet, now might be the perfect moment to give in and become captivated by this outstanding deckbuilder. The primary goal is to maximize your score, and with a plethora of strategies at your fingertips, achieving that aim becomes an exhilarating challenge. You can modify your deck, adjust your cards, construct an invincible Joker squad, and much more as you gradually unravel its intricacies.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle

MachineGames has moved away from its past of slaughtering Nazis with rapid-fire weapons. Instead, this game offers an alternative approach where you can knock them out using household items such as a cast iron skillet, a plunger, a fire poker, and various inanimate objects. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle combines all the thrilling aspects of Indy – adventure, enigma, and action – with what MachineGames excels at. It is also one of the most visually stunning games on PC.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

In a departure from typical expectations, the critically acclaimed game The Witcher 3, set outside Japan, offers an expansive, epic experience. As a player, you assume the role of a witcher – a ronin-like monster hunter who earns coin by slaying beasts. What’s surprising is that it delves into profound themes such as spousal abuse, class disparities, and the impact of loneliness on an individual. This fantasy realm showcases some of the finest storytelling found in video games.

Crusader Kings 3

Check this out! It’s a game that revolves around observing a map transform as colors shift. PC gaming enthusiasts can’t get enough of such games. While Civilization allows players to take turns, Crusader Kings 3 unfolds in real time. The similarities stop there, though. Instead of progressing towards modern times, this game is all about swords, steel, and manipulating your family to secure your territorial gains during your reign. There’s also a lot more political intrigue and, well, family relationships here than in Game of Thrones. No matter how noble your intentions may be, things will inevitably spiral into decadence.

Final Fantasy XIV

For quite some time, Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) on PC were ruled by World of Warcraft. However, Final Fantasy XIV has seized the throne in recent years. Initially, its launch in 2010 was less than ideal, but a revamp in 2014 turned out to be just what the game required. Since then, it’s been gaining strength, with many players praising its story expansions as even better than those in the mainline Final Fantasy games. If you’re looking for an immersive experience that could consume hundreds of your hours, you might find another world here – a world that some consider among the best MMO games ever made.

Total War: Rome 2

“What have the Romans contributed to us? They’ve given us the foundation for some fantastic video games, such as Total War: Rome 2. This game offers an immersive experience where you can command one of ancient history’s powerful civilizations and engage in epic battles that feel like watching a movie, although it should be noted that neither the game nor any films accurately portray how ancient battles truly appeared. You have the option to choose Rome or one of her competitors, develop your empire, participate in grand conflicts, and maintain political stability by employing just the right amount of strategy and deception. Interestingly enough, you can ‘build Rome in a day’ in this game.”

Titanfall 2

Next, let’s discuss the most outstanding FPS campaign ever crafted. One moment you’re agilely traversing walls, performing parkour feats, and dispatching foes with precision shots. The next, you’re commandeering a colossal mech, pulverizing rival robots with powerful punches. The creative flair exhibited in this game is breathtaking, and the time-travel element is an unforgettable aspect of the experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar’s western offers more than just GTA with horses; it’s an open-world game that allows for free exploration between missions, but what sets it apart is the profound narrative beneath it, featuring some of the most unforgettable video game characters and performances ever. The world pulses with life, creating a believable ecosystem, and every detail can be customized to your liking.

Minecraft

It’s undeniable that Minecraft should always be included in any list of top games found online. After all, it has become a global sensation, with more than one trillion views on YouTube alone. In essence, it’s like playing with digital Lego blocks, offering players the freedom to explore their creativity by building whatever their imagination desires – from replicating entire cities and spaceships, to even creating functional calculators! What’s more, its flexible system requirements make it an ideal choice for laptop gaming. Plus, it’s highly customizable, and with specific seeds, you can always return to your favorite spots.

StarCraft 2

In PC gaming today, there aren’t as many Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games as there once were, possibly because Starcraft II has already mastered the genre. The story mode and each new mission introduce fresh elements, just like Super Mario gradually reveals its mechanics. It’s enjoyable, but it’s all geared towards preparing you for online multiplayer battles, which most players will likely never engage in. High-level StarCraft players are almost a different breed, able to give hundreds of commands per minute. Meanwhile, we’ll be here, adopting the defensive strategy known as “turtling”.

Fortnite

In contrast to Fortnite being accessible across various platforms, we firmly believe that the PC version offers the most immersive experience. Even if you’re confident with your aiming skills using a controller, you can significantly improve your performance once you adapt to mouse-aiming. Moreover, Fortnite stands out as the top Battle Royale game, having won its share of the market and leaving few competitors vying for the crown these days.

Hades

With a blend of thrilling action RPG gameplay, engaging roguelike mechanics, and captivating storytelling, Supergiant Games crafted Hades – a visual masterpiece accompanied by music worthy of the divine. Each element harmoniously complements the others: weapons that offer satisfying combat, powers that are exhilarating to use, and a dysfunctional family saga drawn from Greek mythology that keeps you hooked and wanting more. However, like many great games, it can be quite addictive – a small price to pay for such an unforgettable experience, wouldn’t you agree?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

PC gaming is where “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” truly thrives. Already an impressive RPG that leaves many aspects unexplored, Skyrim on PC offers a transformative experience through mods. These modifications can enhance graphics, introduce new questlines, and even alter game mechanics. This is why “Skyrim” continues to be hailed as one of the greatest games ever made. Todd Howard seems to release a new edition every three years, taking advantage of the game’s immense popularity. And chances are, you’ll want to own each and every version.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

In this game, time seems to fly as you keep playing for just one more round, and Civilization isn’t just about observing a map turning colors; it’s far more thrilling than it may initially seem. You establish cities and expand your influence through diplomacy, cultural exchange, and military power, all while avoiding being annihilated by Gandhi or resisting the temptation of Queen Victoria’s trade proposals for England.

Dishonored 2

Modern-day immersive sims, like those from yesteryears, may not be as effective now, but fortunately, Arkane Studios continues the tradition. Games such as Thief inspire Dishonored 2, dropping you into a city reminiscent of whalepunk and requiring you to eliminate a sequence of targets. You can traverse spaces using magical abilities, transform into animals, take control of people, halt time, and much more. The variety of imaginative ways to tackle each encounter leaves one speechless.

2025-05-01 15:47