The PC gaming landscape has evolved significantly in recent times, marked by notable advancements in graphics cards and gaming PCs, alongside the dynamic composition of IGN’s PC gaming team. Consequently, apart from enduring classics, our selection of top contemporary PC games differs substantially from previous years.
Let me clarify, this compilation doesn’t aim to pinpoint the “greatest” or “most influential” PC games ever developed. Nor is it a rundown of the most widespread games or an exhaustive representation of the best games across all genres. Instead, it comprises 10 games that we, the IGN editors and contributors, collectively endorse the most, reflecting our personal preferences, all released within the past decade. However, this doesn’t imply that we no longer advocate playing Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2024.
10. Final Fantasy XIV Online
In essence, Final Fantasy XIV isn’t just the premier MMO available today; it stands as an exceptional installment within the Final Fantasy franchise. Evolving from its initial incarnation through four expansions, FFXIV has transcended its origins to become a complex narrative masterpiece blending politics and fantasy. The latest expansion, Endwalker, brings a fitting conclusion to over eight years of storytelling, reintroducing familiar characters, settling old conflicts, and confronting the greatest threat yet to the world.
Don’t let its online nature deter you. Despite being an MMO, Square Enix has streamlined gameplay to the extent that solo play is not only possible but encouraged, with story missions designed for single-player engagement. Even instanced dungeons offer the option to venture with AI-controlled companions, sparing players the need to join groups with strangers. Yet, Final Fantasy XIV is also a fully-realized MMO, featuring end-game raiding content catering to players of varying skill levels.
Final Fantasy XIV’s upcoming expansion, Dawntrail, is on the horizon, promising further adventures and challenges.
9. Hades
Hades stands as the pinnacle of the roguelite genre, unmatched by its peers. Its combat is exhilarating, its soundtrack remarkable, and its narrative both cleverly crafted and well-written, with characters whose dialogue remains engaging throughout. Moreover, its innovative post-game content ensures that players are consistently drawn back for more, even after conquering the final boss.
Despite its steep difficulty, Hades never feels punishing in defeat. Death is an integral part of the gameplay, offering rewards such as new character interactions, opportunities to purchase game-altering upgrades, and the chance for a fresh run with a different set of abilities that significantly influence combat. Hades exemplifies roguelite design at its finest, reaffirming Supergiant Games’ reputation for excellence.
Hades 2 is set to debut in Early Access exclusively on Steam and the Epic Games Store in the second quarter of 2024, promising further innovation and excitement for fans of the series.
8. Outer Wilds
In Outer Wilds, time resets every 22 minutes, returning everything to its original state. As a player, you repeatedly experience this time loop, striving to unravel the mystery behind it and explore the remnants of an ancient civilization spread across various planets.
This captivating space odyssey epitomizes the essence of exploration and discovery in gaming. It empowers players to navigate freely, whether traversing distant planets or delving into the depths of their home world. With progress logged in your ship’s records, you’re guided through your journey, ensuring you never feel aimless.
Time acts as both a constraint and a tool, adding an element of urgency to your exploration. The recent expansion, Echoes of the Eye, enhances the game with captivating puzzles that intensify the overarching mystery, heightening the sense of accomplishment with each revelation.
7. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight stands out as one of the premier modern Metroidvanias available. With its captivating visuals, expansive world, and plethora of hidden secrets, it promises hours of immersive gameplay. While the kingdom of Hallownest may initially appear daunting, once it captures your interest, it becomes incredibly difficult to resist.
Navigating its vast caves offers numerous paths, each filled with challenging bosses and significant upgrades to enhance your abilities. Since its launch in early 2017, Hollow Knight has continued to expand, with developer Team Cherry releasing multiple free updates introducing new areas and tougher adversaries. Whether you aim to reach the credits, uncover the true ending, or delve even deeper, Hallownest offers a world ripe for exploration.
Despite initial plans for a release in the first half of 2023, the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has faced delays as Team Cherry continues development.
6. Crusader Kings 3
In the realm of historical strategy games, complexity reigns supreme, offering a rich tapestry of human drama and intrigue. Crusader Kings 3 excels in providing various avenues to narrate these tales, whether through military conquests, diplomatic maneuvers, or clandestine schemes.
Despite its intricate systems, CK3 strives for accessibility, employing a comprehensive tooltip system that guides even novices through its complexities. The recent expansion, Royal Court, introduces a detailed physical space where rulers can interact directly with subjects, enhancing the immersion and allowing for personalized judgments. Additionally, the expansion introduces an overhauled culture system, offering players more opportunities to shape their empire’s identity.
Furthermore, Crusader Kings 3 has been recognized as one of the top PC Game Pass titles, further cementing its status as a must-play for strategy enthusiasts.
5. Elden Ring
Since its release, Elden Ring’s acclaim has soared, a remarkable feat considering its initial reception as one of the highest-rated games ever. This praise is well-deserved, as Elden Ring stands as a monumental achievement in the open-world genre.
Its vast and immersive world offers memorable exploration, rewarding experiences, and challenging boss encounters across its expansive map. While performance issues persist on PC, they do little to detract from its status as one of the top five PC games of all time.
Elden Ring’s accolades include being named Game of the Year by IGN and The Game Awards, solidifying its place as one of the most celebrated games in modern history.
4. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium revitalizes traditional CRPG elements, infusing them with a contemporary flair. By blending dice-rolls and intricate dialogue akin to Dungeons and Dragons with a unique noir-detective backdrop, the game introduces innovative gameplay mechanics. Notably, players engage in debates with 24 different aspects of their character’s psyche, each representing distinct skills or traits.
Set against the backdrop of a murder investigation, Disco Elysium offers a richly detailed world and a diverse cast of characters that propel the narrative forward. Its exceptional writing elevates the experience, ensuring that the journey is as rewarding as the conclusion. Playing Disco Elysium is a refreshing and unparalleled experience, setting it apart from other PC games across generations.
Despite its success, a sequel to Disco Elysium appears unlikely due to the departure of key developers from ZA/UM. The ensuing discord between the developers and the studio has complicated the possibility of future installments.
3. XCOM 2
XCOM 2 builds upon the acclaimed tactical combat of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, further enhanced by its War of the Chosen expansion. Retaining the tension of evolving from underdog to formidable force, it introduces the constant threat of permanent soldier loss, heightening the stakes with every decision.
In a bold departure from its predecessor, XCOM 2 portrays the organization as a guerrilla force fighting to liberate Earth from alien occupation, intensifying the sense of urgency. This expansive sequel not only introduces new soldier classes, equipment, and alien adversaries but also emphasizes replayability. Procedurally generated maps prevent mission predictability, while strategic random events disrupt established patterns. Additionally, an array of mods offers further customization and variety.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands as a testament to the depth and richness of PC gaming. Few games rival its expansive world and intricate storytelling, offering players a vast sandbox filled with challenging monsters, captivating mysteries, and engaging personal narratives.
Beyond its immersive gameplay, The Witcher 3 is a pinnacle of gaming excellence. Its dialogue is masterfully written and expertly delivered by a talented voice cast, complemented by an unforgettable original soundtrack. The game’s visuals are equally impressive, showcasing both technical prowess and artistic brilliance.
Excitingly, CD Projekt Red is developing a new Witcher trilogy, alongside an Unreal Engine 5 remake of the original Witcher game, promising even more adventures in the beloved Witcher universe.
1. Half-Life: Alyx
Valve’s first Half-Life installment in 13 years showcases the innovative spirit that defines the series, underscoring why its return was eagerly awaited. Just as the original Half-Life demonstrated compelling storytelling in a first-person format and Half-Life 2 introduced physics-based gameplay, Half-Life: Alyx establishes a new pinnacle of excellence in VR shooters, offering a truly unparalleled experience.
The full-length campaign immerses players in an intense battle against aliens and zombies, where even the simple act of reloading becomes a harrowing struggle. While other VR titles boast impressive shooting mechanics, none match Valve’s meticulous attention to detail even over a year after release. Engaging puzzles and stellar performances from the cast add depth to the experience, culminating in a finale that validates the decade-long wait for the next chapter in the Half-Life saga.
If you haven’t already invested in a VR headset for your PC, Half-Life: Alyx’s exceptional quality makes it a compelling reason to do so, particularly with the Meta Quest 2 now available for $300 and offering wireless connectivity via Air Link.