We took on the impossible task of picking the best PC games for you. To say we had a hard time choosing would be an understatement. There are countless games out there that are worth playing, and many more would have deserved a place on our list. We have broken everything down into genres so that there is something for everyone.
Table of Contents
1) RPG
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
As a fan of role-playing games, you can’t get past The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. As Geralt of Riva, you set out to slay monsters and find your foster daughter, Ciri, in a vast open world. Completing every quest and every witcher task can easily take up to 200 hours of gameplay. On top of that, there are the two add-ons Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone, each of which adds a gripping main story and dozens of quests.
It’s no wonder that this fantasy epic has been showered with awards and is considered by many to be not only the best European RPG but the best RPG of all time.
GTA V
Although the fifth installment of the Grand Theft Auto series is more than ten years old, it still has around 200,000 active players on Steam alone. And if you’re wondering why the open-world adventure falls into the RPG category, it’s because of the many role-playing servers that keep the game alive and filled with new content.
Through Eclipse RP, FiveM, or NoPixel it’s possible to take on the role of a police officer, gangster, lawyer, entrepreneur, and many other professions. In multiplayer you can experience a kind of Second Life in Los Santos.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Of course, the list of best PC games also includes a title from Bethesda, and you can imagine how difficult it was for us to decide between Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. In the end, however, we chose Skyrim because it has probably the most fascinating sandbox open world.
As a Dovahkiin, you’ll not only intervene in the conflict between Stormcloaks and Emperors in the fantasy world of Skyrim, but you’ll also complete hundreds of quests, defeat giant dragons, and join various guilds.
2) Action-Adventure
God of War
The 2018 God of War made the most of an already dusty PlayStation 4. But when it finally arrived on PC in 2022, mouths were agape. Not only does the action-adventure game set new standards in terms of graphics, but the series has also evolved significantly in terms of content. Protagonist Kratos is no longer just a taciturn slayer of the gods, but also a loving father.
Together with his son, who also plays an important role in the game’s mechanics, you slash your way through numerous creatures from Norse mythology. The press was quick to praise this exceptional game: God of War consistently scored over 90% and is considered a milestone in gaming history.
Cyberpunk 2077
Let’s move on to the second game on our list which comes from Polish developer CD Projekt RED. Hardly any other game has been as long and highly anticipated as Cyberpunk 2077. The first hints of the title were even hidden in Witcher 3 when Geralt tells his daughter about a dimension with flying cars and modification.
In Night City, you take on the role of V and experience a complex story that you can influence. The highlight: Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves, is your imaginary companion.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Speaking of the second game on the list. From the same developer as GTA 5 comes the Western epic Red Dead Redemption 2. In a world where civilization is everywhere and the trigger-happy rogue is literally old news, you and your gang run from the law and raid everything worth raiding.
RDR2‘s open world is the most realistic we’ve ever been able to ride around. Passersby react to your actions and even your body odor has an effect. And here’s another example of the richness of detail: when it’s cold, your horse’s genitalia shrink.
3) Souls-like
Elden Ring
The game industry is often accused of making Triple-A games too easy. The counter-argument to this is From Software’s games, which have also established their own genre – Souls-like. With Elden Ring, the developer has finally managed to break into the mainstream.
For the first time in their 30-year history, the Japanese have ventured into an open world and got it right from the start. Few worlds feel as organic and mysterious as Elden Ring’s.
Dark Souls 3
The gameplay of Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring is the same: You roam a cryptic world that thrives on environmental storytelling, and you study the behavior of your enemies. Only if you can time your attacks and blocks precisely and dodge at the right moment will you be victorious.
Dark Souls 3 is faster and more dynamic than its predecessors, and the graphics are much better. Although parts 1 and 2 are also modern classics, we chose the conclusion of the trilogy for our list.
Hollow Knight
After 2009’s Demon’s Souls, many games tried to follow in From Software’s footsteps. In our opinion, no game did it better than Hollow Knight. In this 2D metroidvania, you take on the role of a nameless knight and uncover the secrets of a world where light and dark are at war.
The focus is clearly on the unique movement and combat system. The controls are pleasantly precise, and in the end, your skill and stamina will determine whether you make it to the end credits. The story can be interpreted in different ways and remains cryptic until the end.
4) Racing games
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 shows that a racing game doesn’t have to be a complex simulation to show the genre where it’s at. The focus is on the arcade, and the motto is: put the pedal to the metal, have fun, and enjoy the lush visuals. The fifth installment in the Forza series dwarfs the competition in terms of visuals alone. It also features an open world where exciting challenges await at every turn.
The PC version received consistently top ratings from all magazines and won the hearts of fans at full throttle. With the Hot Wheels DLC, you can even take to the asphalt with vehicles from the popular toy brand.
Need for Speed Underground 2
In 2004, the genre of racing games changed forever. The reason was Need for Speed Underground 2. The huge selection of tuning options, the freedom to play and drive, and the breathtaking graphics for the time made the game a cult within a very short time.
The driving experience alone, when you ignite the nitrous oxide injection like in the Fast & Furious movies and then the environment is immersed in a blur, makes the game worth playing. Never before have high speeds been felt so intensely. No wonder the title became a hit with the public.
F1 2021
If you’re a Formula 1 fan, you’re in good hands with F1 2021. Unlike the aforementioned Forza Horizon 5, the focus here is on the simulation aspect. From the driving physics to the authenticity of the tracks and the setup options, the game is very close to reality.
There is also a new story mode called Braking Point, where you can work your way up from rookie to pro to world champion. F1 2021 also features the original licenses with all the real drivers, racing teams, and cars. The EGO Engine 4.0 also ensures outstanding graphics.
5) Single-player shooters
Doom (2016)
It is always the same with reboots of cult games. Do they work as well now as they did then? Often the answer is no. With Doom (2016) it’s different. Here, we have to say with a battle roar, “Yaaahhh, and how it works”. Id Software has shed the old baggage in exactly the right places and introduced the right innovations.
For example, the shooter is incredibly fast, and thanks to the melee attacks, which are easily OP, you will almost fall into a kind of bloodlust during the slaughter. If you really want to let off steam in the single-player mode, the reboot is an absolute must.
Half-Life 2
Let’s stay on the subject of must-haves: Half-Life 2 is a must-have, and with this title in particular, it’s all the more bitter that Valve traditionally refuses to release a third installment. No other shooter relies so much on realistic physics and well-thought-out level and game design as the adventure around Gordon Freeman and the Black Mesa.
On top of that, there is an intelligent and elaborately orchestrated story. Admittedly, there is no real sequel. But if you’re like us and can’t get enough of the Half-Life universe, we recommend the VR spin-off Alyx.
Bioshock: Infinite
Let’s move on to the tragic fate of Bioshock: Infinite. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the shooter with the most profound and philosophical story ever. The icing on the cake is the twist at the end, which could have come straight out of an M. Night Shyamalan movie and makes you see the whole game through different eyes (just like in Bioshock 1).
But why is the exploration of the flying city of Columbia tragic? Because sales fell short of expectations and this great first-person shooter deserved a lot more attention and a sequel. If a good story is important to you, you should definitely give this video game a chance.
6) Simulation
Sims 4
Before we talk about the game itself, here’s a little tip: Since the announcement of Sims 5, you can download and play the basic version of Sims 4 for free. So if you haven’t taken a look at this masterpiece, now would be the best time to do so.
The game itself can be aptly described in just one word: Life Simulation. You live a digital life with all the bells and whistles, interact with your neighbors, pursue a career, create a home you feel comfortable in, and make the big decisions: Do I buy the yellow bedside lamp or the red one? We wholeheartedly recommend it!
Farming Simulator
Farming Simulator lets you live out your farming fantasies more realistically than any other game. The weather, soil conditions, and seasons are all authentically simulated, and driving your tractor through the fields makes you feel like a real farmer. In addition, there is a wide variety of agricultural machinery and equipment at your disposal.
Since 2008, Giants Software has been constantly improving its recipe for digital farming, and ever since 2019, there is even an e-sports league for the game, with prize money of up to a quarter of a million euros.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
It’s time to take to the skies. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a very special game. Even in the early versions, the emphasis was on realism, both in the design and in the control of the aircraft. But with the latest installment, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, you’ll have access to actual satellite imagery for the first time.
Of course, this means that the entire game won’t fit on a conventional hard drive. The terrain data will be synchronized with Microsoft’s servers in real-time, so you’ll always see a real picture of the world. Want to visit your hometown? No problem!
7) Strategy
Civilization VI
When Sid Meier released the first installment of his global strategy series in 1991, it marked a turning point in the genre. Never before had technology, economics, politics, and many other aspects of real-world human interaction been so accurately simulated. Civilization VI is the culmination of 30 years of development.
The strengths of its predecessors have been combined and innovations added. For example, the graphics have been completely reworked and there is a new city-building system. If you want to go from a small settlement to the ruler of the world, CIV 6 is the game for you.
Total War: Warhammer III
Games Workshop’s Warhammer Fantasy tabletop game meets Total War. A gaming synergy couldn’t have been better forged, as both franchises are made for each other. Total War: Warhammer III brings the trilogy to a worthy conclusion, and the result is a game of the highest quality.
Lead your armies to victory in lavish battles and devise strategies and tactics to defeat your enemies. Warfare is at the forefront and the factions are well-balanced for optimal gameplay.
Age of Empires 2
AoE 2 can rightfully be called the longest-lived strategy game of all time. While other entries in the genre have had their annual successors, Age of Empires 2’s basic framework is still in use today in the same form as it was when the game was first released in 1999. Thanks to the Definitive Edition, it still looks fantastic on today’s computers and offers convenient features that we wouldn’t want to miss.
In the game, you lead a people through the different eras of human history, building settlements and waging wars. Each faction has its own unique characteristics, from language to architecture.
8) Horror
Dead Space (Remake)
What happens when you mix body horror á la David Cronenberg with sci-fi á la Alien and suspense á la Event Horizon and make a game out of it? Exactly, the result is the adventures of Isaac Clarke on the spaceship USG Ishimura. The game combines action with survival aspects and has an unsurpassed enemy design.
With a permanent ammunition shortage, you’ll fight nasty slimy enemies and gradually uncover what happened aboard the mining ship. The Dead Space Remake lets you enjoy the story with enhanced graphics, convenience features, and a new peeling system.
Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Let’s stay on the topic of successful remakes. Capcom broke new ground with the fourth installment of the Resident Evil series. Instead of pre-rendered backgrounds, there were now real-time graphics and the sluggish controls gave way to a fast action combat system. The whole thing is spiced up with an absurd story that is so over the top that you’re constantly wondering what’s going to happen next.
The Resident Evil 4 Remake brings the already good game into the modern age with flying colors. Most importantly, RE:4 achieved something that very few games have: IGN and GameSpot gave it the highest possible score of 10/10.
Outlast
Outlast was the big horror surprise of 2013. Who would have thought that a previously unknown indie development studio would come up with such a horror hit? From a first-person perspective, you take on the role of journalist Miles Upshur, who is on the trail of a mega-story. Soon, however, your investigative work becomes a tour de force, with both your survival and the integrity of your sanity on the line.
Sounds crazy? Well, it is! Because the game uses stylistic devices that we don’t want to spoil here, but which can drive you insane as a player. The crazy storytelling is mixed with tough survival elements.
9) Survival
Minecraft
Speaking of survival. The first game on our list that falls into this category is Minecraft. Despite its pixelated look, it became a bestseller and turned many streamers on Twitch into internet stars overnight. No other game before it has generated so many views on YouTube and the Amazon platform, and even today many content creators live exclusively off of Markus Persson’s work.
The game, in which you create your own world out of blocks, was developed by just one person. What makes the game so special is that the complexity of the interlocking game systems allows for impressive and gigantic constructions.
Subnautica
The underwater adventure Subnautica caught us off guard. At first, you think it’s a cute and peaceful game where you collect blueprints, build a base, and explore. In a way, that’s true, but then comes the twist (and don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler): Real horror elements are waiting for you in the game.
We’ll never forget the first time when a deep-sea monster snatched our Seamoth and we suddenly found ourselves in the mouth of a terrifying creature. The experience is especially immersive when you experience it in VR. There is also an exciting story to be told in Subnautica. We also recommend the standalone expansion Below Zero.
Ark
The third on our list of the best survival games is Ark. In this game, you fight your way through a huge open world populated by dinosaurs and other creatures. Variety comes from the different biomes and ecosystems, which also affect the survival aspect.
Although Ark has received mixed reviews from the press and the public, everyone agrees that the game is enormously ambitious and has an exciting concept. If you can handle the grind and get over some bugs, you can expect a real gem in the survival genre.
10) Co-Op
It takes two
In the age of online gaming, classic couch co-op is extinct! All couch co-op? Hell, no! One indomitable development studio is fighting back. In It Takes Two, you and your gaming partner play a married couple who have to get their problems under control through therapy. Sounds dry, but it’s not.
The therapy isn’t a classic conversation with a psychiatrist, but an action-adventure that’s sometimes a platformer, sometimes a puzzle, and sometimes a mini-game collection. An absolute must for fun on the couch.
Portal 2
Earlier we talked about how it’s a shame that Valve doesn’t release third installments. Portal 2 is another example of that. The already revolutionary predecessor was consistently improved and expanded, for example, with a co-op mode. In pairs, the puzzle game becomes even more interesting and it’s fun to work together to solve complex problems.
Experimenting with the physics of the portals and hearing the iconic distorted voice of GlaDOS in the background is an experience you won’t soon forget. It’s also fun to play a second, third, or even fourth time.
Left 4 Dead 2
Staying with Valve, a pattern is slowly emerging: The developer puts out excellent first games and then develops them into timeless masterpieces in the respective second part. Left 4 Dead 2 is a first-person shooter in which you fight against bloodthirsty infected in co-op.
The hit feedback, for example, is particularly fascinating. As macabre as it sounds at first. But the feeling when your baseball bat hits a zombie’s head or the zombie is thrown away by a bullet from your rifle is indescribable. It’s no wonder the game is rated 18+.
11) MMO
World of Warcraft
Let’s move on to MMOs. And of course, this list has to start with the game that took the genre from niche to mainstream. While Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games existed before with Camelot & Co, World of Warcraft brought the formula to perfection and made it into the Guinness Book of Records.
The game has been running since 2004 and still enjoys busy servers. It’s still being maintained and new content is being added all the time. If you are looking for an online role-playing game to lose yourself in, WoW is the game of your dreams.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Of course, Bethesda also wanted a piece of the MMO pie, and with the Elder Scrolls games, they had a deep and fitting foundation for thousands of stories. If you’re a fan of Oblivion, Skyrim, or Morrowind and want to roam the iconic lands not just alone, but in great company, then The Elder Scrolls Online comes highly recommended.
Although the quest mechanics are not as complex as in single-player games, as is typical for MMOs, the world is gigantic. It encompasses a total of 22 areas, from the Southern Rim to Cyrodiil and Skyrim. It’s also packed with lore and background on the main games.
Final Fantasy 14
Did you know that the JRPG series was supposed to be called “Fighting Fantasy”? However, due to legal issues and the claim to be able to abbreviate it with an FF, Square Enix finally decided on the name we know today. With Final Fantasy 14, the Japanese created an MMORPG that got off to one of the worst starts in gaming history but ended up becoming a cult classic.
Originally, the game was released in such a disastrous state that it was pulled from the market and the entire production team was fired. After a thorough overhaul, however, the relaunch was exactly what fans wanted. In its current iteration, it has truly earned its place on our list.
12) MOBA
League of Legends
It’s thanks to MOBAs that more and more people are seeing e-sports as “real” sports. Just like football, basketball, or other traditional disciplines, it’s all about talent, skill, and the right tactics.
League of Legends has undoubtedly made the biggest contribution. Up to 100 million people stream the annual competitions.
The game pits a team of five champions against another team of five in an arena-like world. You control your champion from a bird’s eye view, and as the match progresses, your champion gains strength and items. The goal is to destroy the enemy base.
Dota 2
Who would’ve thought? Valve also shows what it’s capable of with MOBAs. In contrast to LoL, the mechanics in Dota 2 are much more complex and there are more items to use. In return, the combat is a bit slower, the cooldowns are longer and there are more heroes to choose from. However, the objective is the same: destroy the enemy base with your team.
Graphically, however, Dota takes a different approach than League of Legends. While LoL takes you to a colorful, comic-like world, the environments in Valve’s game are grittier and more realistic.
Smite
The difference between Smite and other MOBAs is immediately apparent. Unlike Dota 2 or League of Legends, you don’t see the game from a bird’s eye view, but from a third-person perspective. Like most games in its genre, it’s free-to-play and uses mythological deities for its selection of heroes.
IGN and PC Gamer agree: Smite is worth a look, and the change in perspective is a breath of fresh air for the genre. Understandably, the overall reviews for the game are very positive. The prize money in the competitions is also impressive and ensures an ambitious and active scene.
13) Sports games
Fifa 22
From e-sports, we move on to sports simulations. The most famous representative of this genre, and recently completely unrivaled, is of course Fifa 22. Until a few years ago, it was a war of faith, so to speak, which not only caused heated discussions but could also end friendships – Fifa vs. PES. To some, licenses are most important, which of course meant that only Fifa was an option. Others preferred the more realistic gameplay and chose Pro Evolution Soccer.
With Konami’s withdrawal from the triple-A business, the question is now settled. If you want to play digital football, Fifa 22 is your game. With all the original teams and players, it’s also a feast for fans of the sport.
F1 Manager 2022
From the sports field to the race track. Or rather, behind the scenes of the racetrack. In F1 Manager 2022, you take on the role of a real team boss and lead your racing team to victory or defeat. You can choose between the Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3 classes. The special thing about it is that the game has the original licenses, so you really have all the real drivers and cars at your disposal.
Even the sound files of the real radio messages are played and you can even hear the commentators David Croft and Karun Chandhok.
Football Manager 2023
We go back to the pitch. Again, we take you behind the scenes with the sports game Football Manager 2023. Compared to its predecessors, the coaching AI is now much more realistic, and for the first time the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League are fully included.
Like Fifa, the game has the original licenses to give you an authentic experience. On Steam, Football Manager 2023 is receiving “very positive” reviews. We think it definitely deserves a spot on our list.
14) Hack’n’Slay
Diablo 2
Finally, we would like to introduce you to three hack’n’slay games that we consider to be the best in their genre. Let’s start with the classic Diablo 2. At the beginning of the new millennium, there were probably fewer gaming PCs that didn’t have this game installed than those that had Blizzard’s milestone. We don’t know of any other game where grinding was as much fun as it was in this one.
The quest for better and better gear to shred enemies had an appeal that you can only understand if you’ve played the game. There is also an interesting story with a high replay value.
Devil May Cry 5
The sixth game in the Devil May Cry series ignores the 2013 reboot not only in its content but also in its name. To make it clear that it has nothing to do with its predecessor, it has the numerical suffix 5 instead of 6, and those who play the game will quickly realize that it wipes the floor with the unloved reboot in terms of gameplay and characters.
The fights are fast and have a unique visual style. PC Gamer magazine is absolutely right when they say that it has never been more fun to beat up demons than in Devil May Cry 5.
Hades
Last but not least, we would like to recommend Hades. And this is where it gets weird. On paper, the concept doesn’t sound all that exciting, and even the first gameplay trailers made us shrug our shoulders. However, the fascination and the feel of the game become apparent once you’ve played it.
We can’t say exactly why. But the Rogue-lite aspects make sure that you don’t want to leave the underworld. The music, the dynamic combat system, the charming graphics, the clever storytelling, and the setting in Greek mythology all fit together so perfectly that there is nothing we could find wrong with the game.
Customize your single-player experience with PLITCH!
All of these games are worth playing, and most of the single-player titles on this list are even customizable with PLITCH. Reduce the difficulty in Elden Ring, give yourself all of the Ripperdocs’ implants in Cyberpunk 2077, or avoid ammo shortages in Dead Space.
Of course, you can’t cheat in multiplayer (that would be unfair). But with our trainers and codes, you can make single-player games easier or harder. If enemies are just too easy to beat, you can play with low health. If you have to deal with bullet sponges, you can increase your damage. With the Elden Ring Trainer, for example, you can completely customize your skill stats, the number of runes you have, and even your movement speed.
We always keep our trainers up to date, so they will work with any new patch. The game files are not damaged, because only the RAM of the PC is changed, not the core data. It’s very simple: download the client, make the settings, and start playing.
If you want to see our game trainers in action and need tutorials on how to use PLITCH, check out our YouTube channel.
Happy Gaming!
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