Top 8 best PC games

Choosing the best PC games means narrowing down a mind-boggling list of games spanning decades of history and just about every genre imaginable. Anyone with a computer has found games to play, whether it's a preloaded solitaire game, a web browser time killer, or a big studio's latest blockbuster. Many modern games require a fair share of your time and money, which is why we've put together this guide to highlight a small selection of top-notch options that are worth your time.

It's important to note that unlike console games designed specifically for a specific system, your PC gaming experience may vary depending on how well your hardware can handle PC gaming. A high performance gaming PC with a powerful processor and graphics card will provide the best performance for most modern GPUs. If your system doesn't meet at least the minimum hardware requirements, you're out of luck. But even without investing in a dedicated gaming rig, you can often optimize your PC for gaming enough to enjoy engaging storytelling and satisfying gameplay in these all-around great games.

Best Overall: CD Projekt Red The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

What we like

Beautiful, vast open world
A gripping story with consequences
Exciting real-time battles

What we don't like

Requires powerful hardware
Travel is a little awkward

Initially a series of fantasy books and role-playing games (RPGs) with a cult following, The Witcher franchise has grown into a true mainstream hit. This is partly thanks to the hit TV show Netflix, but the success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt also played a major role. With a vast open world filled with detail, players can spend hours exploring and barely touching what the gaming continent has to offer.

The inspiration for your exploration of this captivating environment is a complex, branching story that draws you into the adventures of the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. The main quest is to save Geralt's adopted daughter from the ghost riders of the Wild Hunt, but along the way you'll encounter all sorts of monsters and creepy enemies that you must learn to defeat with weapons, combat skills, and magic. disposal.

There are also plenty of side quests potentially waiting for you at every turn, many of which may seem random but turn out to be intertwined with the world and the larger narrative. Many open world games let you do what you want, but in The Witcher 3, what you do really has consequences.

Other RPG elements are woven into the world to add even more detail to the world, such as alchemy, crafting, and even a full card game. All of this adds up to a rich, engaging and mature gaming experience that players can't help but come back to.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Assassin's Creed Valhalla (PC)

What we like

Huge open world of the Viking Age.
Fun brutal fights with thrilling scenes that are satisfying
Lots of side missions to unlock and complete in tandem with the story

What we don't like

Perks available through microtransactions
Might be a taxpayer on your PC

Assassin's Creed adventures have taken place in many different times and places throughout history, but Valhalla may be the most exciting of them all. The game takes players into the Viking invasion of Britain, allowing players to explore the Viking Age for the first time. As the Viking warrior Eivor, who can be customized to your liking, you will be responsible for settling new Viking lands while facing English influence.

On land, the open worlds of Norway and England make up a remarkable 140 square kilometers of explored space, and our reviewer was impressed with all the richness, natural beauty, and life built into this world.

Much of the gameplay in Valhalla will feel familiar to Assassin's Creed veterans, from fluid parkour-based moves to satisfyingly brutal combat that offers flexibility in how you take out your targets. You also have the option to travel by boat, raid towns for supplies for your settlement, and call on your berserk crew to fight alongside you. It's a fast-paced, visceral installment of Assassin's Creed that could change your preconceived notions about the series, and it's a great showcase of what PC games are capable of.

« Ubisoft has truly mastered boat mechanics and sailing is pure joy as your loyal crew sings down the fjords as the wind whistles through the rigging and your ship sails through realistic waves.”

Best Multiplayer: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (PC)

What we like

Fantastic new campaign with lots of content
Choosing maps for battles
Cross Progression with Call of Duty: Warzone

What we don't like

Low replay value for the main campaign
Sometimes annoying for players who rely on multiplayer crashes.

In the 17th installment in the Call of Duty series, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, this 80s adventure brings back Call of Duty games' intense gunplay and single-player campaign. It follows CIA officer Russell Adler, who is assigned to go after the Soviet spy Perseus before the United States became a world power. This is an extensive sequel to the Black Ops storytelling that once again brings some of the classic Call of Duty multiplayer experience to the game.

The Black Ops Cold War multiplayer mode includes a selection of new and returning game modes, as well as one called "Fireteam" that supports up to 40 players. It also offers custom character creation with a custom set of classes, and a progression system that ties in with Call of Duty: Warzone that fills the battle royale niche for players. It's a fast-paced, addictive action game that combines arcade shooting with many different maps to explore.

Best Sci-Fi: Halo: Master Chief Collection (PC)

What we like

Complete the entire history of Halo with one collection.
Great campaign and multiplayer
Editing and Customizing a Map Using the Forge Editor

What we don't like

Older games may not always have the busiest servers
Some of the redesigned graphics are not as charming as the old ones.

The Halo series is one of the most famous entries in the sci-fi universe. Previously, on older consoles, you had to buy each one separately. Now you can play through most of the series in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which is not only great value for players. It's also a handy way to prepare for the next game in the series, debuting in 2021: Halo Infinite.

It also gives players looking to return to the series an easy way to play games without having to rely on older consoles and hardware. Playing Halo online with other people is easier than ever, especially with Steam support.It's the best and most modern way to enjoy Halo, and it's also the most affordable.

Hades (PC)

What we like

Challenging and addictive roguelike gameplay
An intriguing story based on Greek mythology
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and character art

What we don't like

Progress may be too slow for some
The narrative will not change with future reruns

Zagreus, the son of Hades himself, is trying to escape from the Underworld. But he cannot reach his new life on his own: he needs the help of the powerful gods of Mount Olympus, whose special powers endow Zagreus with new abilities or buffs along the way. Your combination of "gifts" in tandem with your chosen weapon (sword, spear, shield, bow, etc.) can make a big difference in how you face monsters blocking every escape attempt and discovering how they improve quickly evolving and accurate combat is a big part of the fun.

In standard roguelike style, death means starting over from the beginning, with procedurally generated room layouts, enemies, and challenges for each playthrough. However, what makes Hades feel fresh is how the game deftly turns setbacks into opportunities - a chance to improve skills, try out new buffs, choose different weapons, learn more about a compelling story. It's an exciting journey worth taking, as slow burning is part of the game's charm. It also doesn't hurt that the artwork, music, and just about every aspect of the presentation is great throughout.

Best Music Game: Fuser (PC)

What we like

Wide selection of songs to mix
Intuitive song mixing structure
You really feel like a festival DJ

What we don't like

Only snippets of most songs for mixing
The campaign can be completed relatively quickly.

Fuser is the next logical evolution of what Harmonix, the developer of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, was capable of. It allows you to be a DJ, mixing music on the fly for live audiences, working your way from festival stages to even bigger arenas, hoping to become one of the greatest EDM artists the world has ever seen.

You go to the gig with a selection of songs selected from a massive catalog of hits spanning decades and genres of music. On stage, you select pieces from these tracks - drums, bass line, lead or vocals - and mix them together based on the demands of the audience or, really, your own musical whims.

The game introduces more advanced skills and effects as the campaign progresses, but simply playing Freestyle mode as a beginner results in mashups that are surprisingly cohesive and fun. If you want to showcase your skills, you can share your creations with the online community, compete or collaborate live with other DJs. This is a great way to experience the thrill of a live music festival or dance party even when you can't leave the house.

Best Open World: Cyberpunk 2077

What we like

Unsurpassed visual quality
Huge open world cityscape
Realistic character models and animations
Exciting campaign and side stories

What we don't like

Rampant, game-breaking bugs
Poor performance on all PCs except high-end ones
Broken AI

Cyberpunk 2077 is the result of years of development and hype from CD Projekt RED, the same team that brought us Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, another powerful open-world RPG for PC. Cyberpunk 2077, however, puts players in a whole new world.

Best described as a futuristic Grand Theft Auto, it takes you into the life of a protagonist named V, whose gender, appearance, and backstory you can choose from. Following a gripping main narrative, you'll explore a vast urban area of Night City populated with stunning detail and character models that expand the graphical possibilities of anything but the latest gaming platforms. Plus, Keanu Reeves is a huge help.

However, the presentation of Cyberpunk 2077 drew particular attention to the large number of obvious technical problems that players encountered throughout the game, and it's hard to deny that bugs often hindered immersion - if not the game itself. Luckily, more recent patches have begun to address the issues en masse, and with a little patience, there are still plenty of great stories and ruthless dystopian monsters to be found throughout Night City.

“For the first time, driving out of a garage into a canyon of towering sci-fi skyscrapers adorned with holograms and neon is one of those spectacular moments that only happen for a moment in video games.”– Andy Zahn, product tester

Best RPG: Larian Studios Divinity Original Sin II

What we like

Rich, complex history
Open character creation and decision making
Unpredictably exciting co-op mode for up to four players.

What we don't like

Graphics and style are a bit dated
All freedom can get messy

In today's gaming landscape with cutting-edge visual technology and fast-paced action, Divinity Original Sin II succeeded with classic elements. It's an old-school isometric style turn-based RPG that focuses on story and freedom. You can play as a pre-made character or create your own, fully customized with the look, stats and skills of your choice.

You go on your adventure with three other companions, each with their own plans (especially if you're playing in co-op multiplayer mode), and complete your tasks as you see fit. You can split up, talk to whoever you want, help whoever you want, throw fireballs at whoever you want. Anything can happen - not always for the best, but always as a result of your choice.

This means that certain paths can often be blocked for you (sometimes due to a bug) and it can be a real challenge to figure out how to proceed. Combat, too, often requires careful strategy and planning to get out of the situation alive. It's all part of creating your own story, and the tricky bits you pick up along the way are all brilliantly written and rewarding to figure out.

What to look for in a computer game

Genre

The main thing you need to consider when buying games is which games you enjoy the most. It doesn't matter how well a game is designed if you never intend to play it, so if you love first person shooters, it's possible that flight sims just aren't for you. We've picked some of the best games in each genre and tried to make them as inclusive as possible, so no matter which games you enjoy the most, there's sure to be something on our list for you.

Length

Sure, a 100-hour JRPG might seem like a great deal for your $60, but if you're a busy pro, you can actually have more fun with a short, linear shooter (and more fun when you actually get to finish it). There is also a growing number of games as a service that offer an ever-evolving set of systems and gameplay that you can jump into whenever you want, often for a single fixed fee.

Narration

If you're the kind of gamer who likes a rich story and a fully developed, immersive world, you can have the same (or more) enjoyment of an adventure game or visual novel as you did with the latest Activision FPS. On the other hand, if you're interested in books, movies, and/or TV, an addictive puzzle game or MOBA might be the best investment you can make in a game.

FAQs

Will I be able to run these games on my PC?
It depends on your specific hardware setup and how graphics intensive the game is, but many of today's top games require higher specs to reach a certain level of visual quality. Desktops and laptops built specifically for gaming should be able to handle them without issue.

For other machines, be sure to check the minimum and recommended system requirements for each game. You'll need a fast enough processor with enough RAM, but a powerful graphics card, such as a dedicated GPU from Nvidia or AMD, is more important. You will still be able to run the game on lower end hardware at the cost of reduced frame rates and lower graphics settings.

Keep in mind that you will also need enough hard drive space to download and install the game and necessary updates, which can mean files in tens of gigabytes in size, sometimes exceeding 100 GB.

Can these games be played on a Mac?
While some PC games are also released for Apple's macOS, they are most often only designed to run on the Microsoft Windows operating system. However, it is possible to use Boot Camp to install Windows on a Mac, and new game streaming services, including Google Stadia, allow you to play games over your Internet connection and bypass hardware requirements.