The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

2025 is well underway, and it's time to revisit IGN's list of the 25 best modern PC games. But what constitutes "best?" This isn't an objective ranking; subjectivity in gaming is unavoidable. What one person considers a masterpiece, another might find tedious. Even among fans of the same genre, preferences vary widely.

This list represents a collective recommendation from IGN's PC gaming team, ranked using our Face-Off tool. It celebrates games we love and encourages you to explore them if you haven't already. With only 25 slots, many excellent recent PC games didn't make the cut. This reflects the diverse perspectives of our voting team.

The Best PC Games

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Our criteria focuses on "modern" PC games (released or significantly updated since 2013). Classic titles like Doom, Half-Life 2, and Skyrim are timeless, but they've graduated to "all-time classics." For those, see our Top 100 Games of All Time list or genre-specific lists.

Remember, this is our perspective. Create your own top 25 (or 100!) using our Playlist tool and share it in the comments!

Most recent game updates were made on February 13, 2025.

Under Consideration – Recent Games

These highly-rated 2024 and 2025 games are too new to rank yet, but they'll be considered in future voting.

Civilization 7 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Dynasty Warriors: Origins Mouthwashing Marvel Rivals Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Life is Strange: Double Exposure Dragon Age: The Veilguard Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Sonic X Shadow Generations MechWarrior 5: Clans Metaphor: ReFantazio Silent Hill 2 Remake Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Black Myth: Wukong

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25. Undertale

Undertale is a delightfully inventive subversion of RPG expectations. It's aware you're playing a roleplaying game and uses that to surprise you, remembering your saves and choices to create unique consequences. The emotionally charged story emphasizes the impact of your decisions. It's subversive, replayable, and melancholy—a truly great PC game.

Check out our Undertale review.

Release Date: September 15, 2015 |Developer: Toby Fox | Last Position: New!

24. Balatro

Don't let Texas Hold'em expertise fool you; Balatro’s roguelite deck-building mechanics will quickly upend your expectations. The wild joker cards create bonkers combos, leading to unpredictable point surges.

Check out our Balatro review.

Release Date: February 20, 2024 |Developer: LocalThunk | Last Position: New!

23. Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 masterfully balances complex grand strategy with compelling human stories. Whether through military might, diplomacy, or intrigue, you shape the narratives of powerful figures. Despite its depth, it's surprisingly accessible thanks to a helpful tooltip system.

Check out our Crusader Kings 3 review.

Release Date: September 1, 2020 |Developer: Paradox Development Studio | Last Position: New!

22. Hitman: World of Assassination

Hitman: World of Assassination collects the entire Hitman trilogy, offering a wealth of replayable sandboxes. As Agent 47, you'll orchestrate creative assassinations, exploring environments, observing NPCs, and utilizing diverse tools for perfectly executed hits.

Check out our Hitman 3: World of Assassination review.

Release Date: January 26, 2023 | Developer: IO Interactive | Last Position: 16

21. Doom (2016)

The 2016 Doom reboot is a masterful reimagining, throwing you into intense combat against space demons. Its aggressive, visceral action redefined first-person shooters, and its influence is still felt today.

Check out our Doom (2016) review.

Release Date: May 13, 2016 | Developer: id Software | Last Position: 17

20. Final Fantasy VII Remake

The Resident Evil 4 Remake flawlessly modernizes the original's action-horror, delivering intense combat and richly detailed environments. It successfully captures the essence of the classic while thrilling a new generation.

Check out our Final Fantasy 7 Remake review.

Release Date: December 16, 2021 | Developer: Square Enix Business Division 1 | Last Position: 20

19. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Final Fantasy VII Remake masterfully reimagines the classic RPG as a thrilling action game. The combat is superb, Midgar is stunning, and the characters are captivating. It's a respectful reimagining that also sets the stage for a new adventure.

Check out our Resident Evil 4 Remake review.

Release Date: March 24, 2023 | Developer: Capcom | Last Position: 19

18. God of War

God of War (2018) is a fantastic reinvention of the series, boasting challenging combat and a deeply moving story. Its gorgeous presentation and innovative gameplay make it a standout PC title. God of War: Ragnarök is also available on PC, but this is the essential starting point.

Check out our God of War review.

Release Date: January 14, 2022 | Developer: Santa Monica Studio | Last Position: 18

17. Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata’s action-RPG blends genres seamlessly, offering a unique blend of strange and beautiful elements. The frenetic combat, unforgettable soundtrack, and multiple endings make it a worthwhile experience.

Check out our Nier: Automata review.

Release Date: March 17, 2017 | Developer: PlatinumGames | Last Position: 15

16. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is a fantastic Final Fantasy game and a top-tier MMO. Its compelling story, streamlined gameplay (allowing solo play), and engaging end-game content make it a must-play.

Check out our Final Fantasy XIV review.

Release Date: August 27, 2013 | Developer: Square Enix Product Development Division 3 | Last Position: 21

15. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2’s sprawling open world, detailed atmosphere, and compelling story make it a massive and unforgettable single-player experience. The PC version enhances this with additional content and modding capabilities.

Check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 review.

Release Date: October 26, 2018 | Developer: Rockstar Games | Last Position: 6

14. Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds is a captivating space exploration game with a 22-minute time loop. Its focus on discovery and mystery, coupled with its gorgeous visuals and helpful in-game log, makes for a unique and rewarding experience.

Check out our Outer Wilds review.

Release Date: May 28, 2019 | Developer: Annapurna Interactive | Last Position: 12

13. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a superb Metroidvania, boasting beautiful visuals, expansive exploration, and challenging combat. Its challenging gameplay and rewarding secrets keep players engaged for hours.

Check out our Hollow Knight review.

Release Date: February 24, 2017 |Developer: Team Cherry | Last Position: 25

12. XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen expands upon the tactical combat of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, offering a deeper, more challenging experience with new soldier classes, enemies, and strategic layers. Its high replayability ensures long-lasting engagement.

Check out our XCOM 2: War of the Chosen review.

Release Date: August 29, 2017 | Developer: Firaxis Games | Last Position: 9

11. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a massive, high-quality RPG with a sprawling open world, memorable characters, and compelling storytelling. Its updated graphics and extensive modding community ensure its continued appeal.

Check out our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review.

Release Date: May 19, 2015 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Last Position: 8

10. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077’s polished open world, improved combat, and compelling story (especially with the Phantom Liberty expansion) make it a standout title. The game's visual fidelity showcases the capabilities of modern graphics cards.

Check out our Cyberpunk 2077 review.

Release Date: February 15, 2022 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Last Position: 7

9. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley’s charming farming sim gameplay, mellow soundtrack, and endless possibilities have made it a beloved PC classic. Its modding support and frequent updates ensure its continued appeal.

Check out our Stardew Valley review.

Release Date: February 26, 2016 | Developer: ConcernedApe | Last Position: New!

8. Grand Theft Auto V / GTA Online

Grand Theft Auto V’s meticulously detailed open world, compelling campaign, and extensive online mode remain a benchmark for open-world games. Its modding potential adds another layer of enjoyment. This is its final appearance on this list due to the 10-year age limit.

Check out our Grand Theft Auto V review.

Release Date: April 4, 2015 | Developer: Rockstar Games | Last Position: 11

7. Satisfactory

Satisfactory’s factory-building gameplay, allowing for complex and sprawling megafactories, provides an immensely satisfying experience, especially in co-op.

Check out our Satisfactory review.

Release Date: September 10, 2024 | Developer: Coffee Stain Studios | Last Position: New!

6. Half-Life: Alyx

Half-Life: Alyx is a groundbreaking VR experience, showcasing Valve's innovative gameplay and immersive storytelling. Its high level of polish and unique VR mechanics make it a standout title.

Check out our Half-Life: Alyx review.

Release Date: March 23, 2020 | Developer: Valve | Last Position: 14

5. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire’s roguelite deck-building mechanics and constantly evolving gameplay keep each run fresh and engaging. Its unique art style and compelling world add to its appeal.

Check out our Slay the Spire review.

Release Date: January 23, 2019 | Developer: MegaCrit LLC | Last Position: 4

4. Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium’s unique blend of RPG mechanics and noir detective setting, combined with its exceptional writing, creates a truly memorable and innovative experience.

Check out our Disco Elysium review.

Release Date: October 15, 2019 | Developer: ZA/UM | Last Position: 3

3. Hades

Hades is a masterclass in action roguelite design. Its exhilarating combat, incredible soundtrack, compelling story, and innovative post-game content make it a standout title.

Check out our Hades review.

Release Date: December 6, 2018 | Developer: Supergiant Games | Last Position: 2

2. Elden Ring

Elden Ring’s open-world design, challenging combat, and compelling narrative make it an excellent entry point into the Soulslike genre. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC further enhances its already impressive content.

Check out our Elden Ring review.

Release Date: February 25, 2022 | Developer: FromSoftware Inc. | Last Position: 5

1. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3’s epic storytelling, detailed characters, and deep tactical combat make it an ambitious and rewarding RPG experience.

Check out our Baldur's Gate 3 review.

Release Date: August 3, 2023 | Developer: Larian Studios | Last Position: 1

The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

25 games collectively recommended by IGN editors and contributors, all released within the past 10 years. Updated March 21, 2024.

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Upcoming PC Games

Exciting PC games coming in 2025:

These are our top 25 modern PC games! Many great games were omitted due to space constraints. Share your favorites in the comments! Check out our other best games lists:

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