The Top PC Games Available Now
Thank god, we're now halfway into 2022, therefore it's time to update our list of the greatest PC games available right now. Since both the PC gaming industry and the demographics of our employees and contributors have changed over the years, this list is much different from the previous one, except for a few true stalwarts.
It should be noted that this list does not aim to compile a ranking of the "greatest" or "most influential" PC games ever created. Additionally, it's not a ranking of the most played games or an attempt to include the best titles in each genre. No, this is a list of games that we, collectively recommend the most, based on our own tastes, and all from within the past 10 years.
The Top Contemporary PC Games (Summer 2022 Update)
Horizon Zero Dawn
This summer saw the release on PC of one of the finest PS4 games, Horizon Zero Dawn, and its freezing addition, The Frozen Wilds, which offers countless hours of adventure and combat. Its expansive post-post-apocalyptic world is filled to the brim with "ancient" secrets to uncover and monstrous machines to hunt or practice your combat skills against, all wrapped in a gripping story that not only lays the groundwork for the upcoming sequel, Forbidden West but also offers an intriguing new perspective on life after the collapse of modern society.
Even while PC fanatics who demand nothing less than 4K/60FPS at all times might wish to wait for more performance enhancements Horizon is a fantastic journey that shouldn't be missed.
"Horizon Zero Dawn manages a lot of moving components in an expansive and gorgeous open world with polish and dexterity. The variety of machine creatures that wander its territories, each of which needs to be brought down with due attention, makes its primary activity, battle, quite rewarding. The game's side quests might have used a little more creativity, but they are nonetheless interesting because of the major mystery that sent me down a dark rabbit hole to a real surprise - and heartfelt - finish."
Control
In many respects, Control resembles the culmination of Remedy's design concepts from its earlier titles, boiled down to their greatest iterations and combined for one surreal, captivating experience. Jesse Faden's tale of breaking into the Federal Bureau of Control's headquarters is filled with a fantastic array of skills befitting any excellent telepath, a fast-paced, weird narrative with a memorable cast and unanticipated turns, and an intriguing setting that feels deeply founded in history.
To make Control's wilder concepts fully land, Remedy has stuffed the universe of Control with tiny details that unexpectedly breathe life into every crevice of its office building façade. There is a lot more to control than meets the eye, and its secrets need further investigation, much like those of its primary site, the Oldest House. Additionally, ray tracing is only presently available on the PC, giving the planet a more realistic yet alien aspect. It could have earned our 2019 Game of the Year award because of this.
"I was compelled to look into Control's fascinatingly bizarre paranormal surroundings. With his main weapon and a variety of psychic abilities, Jesse makes for an exhilarating ranged battle. And I've greatly loved my journey through the shifting rooms of Oldest House owing to a solid supporting cast, a smart storyline, and a ton of fascinating breadcrumb trails. Even though the tale is done, I'm still interested in learning everything I can about Control's universe even though Jesse's personal story feels like an afterthought in comparison."
Best PC FPS games for 2022 (click here)
Overwatch
After a hard day at work, you might want a quick adrenaline boost, and Overwatch bobs and weaves nearly flawlessly between being that and the smart, strategic multiplayer experience that becomes the center of extended binges with friends in the evening. It boasts a fantastic cast of enduring characters with carefully calibrated skills. Although it may not have the most extensive selection of maps and game types, what is now available offers virtually unlimited options for thrilling, cooperative play. The selection grows with each new seasonal event.
The most outstanding game of its type, Overwatch is a singular hero shooter. Few other things can even come close to matching the diversity, depth, and flair it gives. The unmatched multiplayer experience it delivers now was painstakingly constructed from its four-year-old basis. It's a masterpiece of competitive gameplay, complete with beloved characters, masterfully designed levels, amazing sound design, and exciting action. Most crucial, though, is that even after all these years, it still absurdly entertaining. Overwatch is a really unique shooter as a result of all of these characteristics, and I would suggest it to anyone without reservation.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The adventure in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is breathtaking, and the mythical world is your toy. With its offer to travel anywhere and do anything, the core plot quest more than makes up for what it lacks in complexity. Explore a large country full of people going about their everyday lives, warring groups, and deadly creatures ranging from wild canines to towering giants and full-fledged dragons by setting out in any direction.
As you level up and discover satisfyingly potent spells and Dragon Shouts, you'll discover fantastic sidequests that let you turn into a vampire or werewolf, join the fabled Dark Brotherhood, and take advantage of numerous other unexpected chances. Naturally, since this is the PC edition, you have access to a practically unmatched selection of game-changing modifications.
It's hard to ever feel wholly fulfilled after playing a game of Skyrim. There is always one more urgent task to complete, one more uncharted region to discover, one more talent to master, and one more butterfly to capture. It's a captivating game that engulfs you in a masterfully created fictitious world filled with continually surprising stuff. Numerous adjustments made since Oblivion have led to a more concentrated and sane style of play where the results of every choice are immediately apparent. With the same exhilarating freedom of choice Playing Skyrim, one of the finest role-playing games to date is a special type of extremely personal, immensely satisfying experience. The Elder Scrolls series is recognized for its stunning visuals and dramatic music.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Any of the core titles in Sid Meier's influential Civilization series can't really go wrong, but thanks to the Gathering Storm expansion, Civilization VI has cemented its place as one of the best. Civ VI, like its predecessors' five incarnations, lets you direct your people's journey from nomadic tribespeople to a vast, near-future empire in conflict or harmony with your neighbors. This time, the narrative is provided by the immortal Sean Bean himself.
The new addition of the climate change mechanics adds new long-term environmental considerations throughout and hazards that manifest in the late game. However, it has a unique flavor thanks to a unique method of city development in which significant buildings, such as specialized districts and Wonders, are put on their own tiles. It's also come the closest of any game in the series to giving its AI leaders clear personalities that are engaging (but that doesn't mean they're flawless!).
The debut version of the series with the greatest features will be remembered as being Civilization VI. Numerous of them are cleverly updated iterations of Civ classics, but it distinguishes itself with brilliant new concepts like dispersed cities, customizable governments, research bonuses, and leader agendas. Additionally, AI can fight back enough to make global dominance difficult, although still needs improvement.
Diablo 3
Think about Diablo 3 as the fantastic action RPG it developed into in the years after its notorious premiere instead. Despite having many issues at the beginning (such as a real-money auction house that was eventually withdrawn and completely destroyed), Blizzard was able to transform this reboot of a legendary franchise into a fantastic and endlessly replayable co-op, demon-slaying party.
It's a game where sweets are fashioned like swords and pinatas are alive, and it truly found its footing when the Reaper of Souls expansion debuted in 2014. Diablo 3 is still gorgeous to look at, packed with intriguing options and class synergies, and intentionally made to hold your interest well after the final credits have rolled.
Review of Reaper of Souls: Blizzard has made Diablo 3 much closer to what ardent fans like myself have desired from the beginning with Reaper of Souls and the most recent set of content patches. Even while it still needs an inconvenient always-online connection, which has been acting properly, it is now more menacing in tone, gratifying to play, and maddeningly addicting than ever before. I anticipate spending many more hours seeking the ideal legendary drop.
Hollow Knight
One of the top contemporary Metroidvania games is Hollow Knight. You can play for many hours since it is lovely, big, and full of interesting mysteries to find. Many people first avoid Hollow Knight since it doesn't ease them into the harsh reality of Hallownest's realm; nevertheless, once it does, it is incredibly difficult to put down.
No matter which path you go, there are thrilling boss battles to engage in and major power-ups to make you stronger. Its expansive caves open up and present you with several paths at any one time. And even though Hollow Knight was already a sizable game, it has only grown since its debut in early 2017. Several free upgrades with new, harder-than-the-previous bosses and locations were published by developer Team Cherry. But Hallownest is a world worth exploring, regardless of whether your goal is to just reach the credits, discover the real resolution, or go any farther.
"Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania with as much hidden material to explore as its maze-like tunnels. Hallownest's environment is intriguing and rich, filled with a narrative that is left up to you to uncover on your own and constructed with branching pathways that give you an unbelievable number of options for how you explore it. It's worth investing as much time as you can into Hollow Knight since there are so many interesting secrets to discover and enjoy, and difficult foes to battle.
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas carved out a niche as not only the finest game of the Fallout series, but one of the best RPGs ever developed, with its distinctive Old West-tinged approach to the post-nuclear wasteland, game-changing decisions, and various methods to achieve its tasks. With more dark humor, enduring personalities, and intriguing stat-dependent dialogue options, Obsidian elevated Bethesda's Fallout 3's openness and flexibility to a new level, making each playthrough seem specifically customized to your character's strengths and limitations.
And it offers you a true sensation of authority and power since you, a nameless courier, get to ascend from nothing and become the one who determines the fate of the area.
Doom
The Doom series had essentially died a death a few years prior. A myth in a cemetery. Between Doom 3—the final Doom developed by the original id Software team—and the Doom reboot in 2016 there were twelve years. But despite all odds, the new generation of id devs succeeded in reinventing Doom as a fast-action, contemporary demon-slaying experience while maintaining the wonderful atmosphere of the original classics.
The new Doom is characterized by glory kills, hostile monster hordes, significant weapons, ability upgrades, and speed, speed, speed. Play this game first, then immediately go into Doom Eternal, which improves the gameplay in really clever and incredibly enjoyable ways that you won't soon forget.
Into the Breach
Turn-based strategies cover a puzzle game called Into the Breach. Each assignment gives you overwhelming odds and few alternatives, making it appear like an insurmountable challenge. You can see every assault and another impact that will occur on your adversaries' next turn, which gives you and your squad of enormous robots the advantage you need to repel the kaiju invasion. You have to solve a puzzle each round, making the most of the few actions you have. Sure, you could just go in for the kill... What if, though, you used your assault to push one adversary into the path of another, so preventing damage from the second and eliminating the first in one motion?
The strongest range of unit types, each of which presents distinct and difficult methods to maximize their potential, provide this tactical approach in its most basic and replayable form.
The tactical battle in Into The Breach is intense, gratifying, and replayable due to the broad diversity of mech and pilot skills. Every round is like solving a brand-new, challenging problem, and even though there isn't always a perfect method to do it, learning the best technique to reduce damage frequently results in "aha!" moments. Unlike other huge games, this strategy game has kept me playing more intently.
Prey
Prey is one of the few video games that will make you worry for your life when you come across even the most uninteresting inanimate items; even fewer games will subsequently provide you the ability to transform into those objects. On the surface, this immersive simulation might seem like a typical first-person shooter/RPG set on a post-disaster space station, but it's actually one of the oddest of the bunch.
Prey provides you with a broad variety of strange, unusual, and frequently thrilling tools to battle the constant danger of attackers that can appear to be anything until it's too late. It then leaves it up to you to choose which of these weapons you want to utilize the most. Prey is a jewel that shouldn't be neglected because of all of that, as well as a plot that combines the greatest elements of its obvious BioShock and Dishonored influences.
Talos I is a delight to explore because of Prey's unique alternate history setting, engaging side missions, sneaky hazards, and in-depth environmental narrative. Even the peaceful periods are tense due to the unpleasant worry that comes from the knowledge that anything can turn out to be a hidden attacker. All of it fills in the gaps for stealth and fighting, which don't seem new enough to carry them through what may be a lengthy game.
FTL: Faster Than Light
FTL: Faster Than Light is the only video game that accurately captures the sensation of piloting a spacecraft while flying by the seat of your trousers. You shouldn't expect to win this game; most likely, you'll be shot out of the sky by an opposing spacecraft that is far more powerful than you are, or you'll be boarded by a death squad of enormous killer insects that slaughter your crew. Perhaps someone will hack into your life support system, causing everyone to suffocate.
But FTL isn't about winning; it's a narrative generator where you can tell how you used a fantastic beam-weapon combination to rip enemy ships to shreds while your ship is still hidden, or how your crew chuckled behind reinforced bulkhead doors as you blew a boarding party into space. Its tactical warfare never gets boring, the abundance of riches and unexpected occurrences make each game seem surprising, and the availability of new ships compels you to try new tactics on consecutive rounds. And occasionally, you could even succeed.
"FTL: Advanced Edition is a very replayable game, and even when my entire crew is wiped off in the end, each playtime provides me with something unique and enjoyable. Since the superb iPad version contains all the tight decision-making and unpredictable gameplay that make the PC version so interesting, it has recently become my go-to mobile game. The controls on the PC are still faster and more precise, but the iPad version is really fluid and a close second.
DotA 2
MOBAs have a reputation for being complex and challenging to understand, but for those that put in the work, they can be very strategic. You'll realize why after playing Dota 2 for a while. Even though every battle takes place on the same terrain and has the same goal, the game's 100+ characters and hundreds of equipment combinations give each round a distinct vibe.
Even when they look sluggish, matches are always thrilling because every second counts. Are you a gold farmer? Do you spy on the adversary? Or traveling across the map to assist a teammate? or returning to the base to recover? Although its difficulty may deter some gamers, those who persevere will be rewarded with some of the most strategic gaming available.
Dota 2 is as daunting as people say it is, so if you're trying to play casually, it probably isn't for you. Before you can even enjoy a game, much less feel proficient at it, a significant amount of time must be invested. There is, however, a wild and thrilling diversity of play available here after you figure out its tricks that is unparalleled, even by its contemporaries. Success is exhilarating, but it's a trial of knowledge as well as reflexes. It's one of the most generous offers in gaming, and it also provides a level playing field where talent and collaboration are of utmost importance. It's entirely and utterly free to play in the manner we hope all free-to-play games could be. I hope the best team wins.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
The closest thing we've had to a near-perfect simulation of the actual world in virtual space is Microsoft Flight Simulator. The threshold for simulations has been pushed to previously unheard-of heights thanks to the use of real-time Bing data, which lets you fly to and from any location in the whole world. This is open-world gaming at its most straightforward, or as realistic as you like. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a remarkable accomplishment that allows users to fly freely across the world, take part in landing competitions at some of the most notoriously challenging airports, or simply take in the scenery.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator is very amazing. It's difficult to completely express how incredible it feels to board an aircraft and have the flexibility to travel to and from almost any location on Earth. Even die-hard aviation fans would find the 20 featured planes in the default game to be more than sufficient, and the option to customize the aids to your desired skill level makes it perfect for anybody seeking to fly the friendly skies from the comfort of their home. Despite its subpar load times, the real-world mapping data transforms Microsoft Flight Simulator from a simply impressive game to the most awe-inspiring simulation I've ever encountered. It is astoundingly cool and an unrivaled method to virtually travel the world to see iconic sights, touch down at major airports, or simply land on a lonely South American landing strip.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2's epic story of devotion, commitment, and the cost of notoriety by Arthur Morgan is just the beginning. Rockstar's most recent open-world adventure received a fantastic PC port that completely updated and improved the stunning wild western ambiance and added even more activities, unlockables, and unbelievably fine features to its huge globe.
With its vast sandbox of cities, outlaws, and animals, the potential for mischief was already almost infinite, but the PC edition adds new missions, riches, gear, and more on top of the basic game's already 60+ hours of story material. Not to mention Red Dead Online's multiplayer features and mod support, which give players even more options for customization and expansion. Anyone with a PC powerful enough to run RDR2 should definitely give it a try.
Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 are two of the best video games of the contemporary era, side by side. It is Rockstar's greatest storytelling to date and a beautiful portrayal of a horrible period that is patient, polished, and a ton of joy to play. I can't wait to return and play more even after finishing the extensive plot. A painstakingly polished open-world tribute to the outlaw era, this game is of a unique caliber. Looking for one of the finest single-player action experiences of this generation? Your huckleberry is at hand.
Final Fantasy XIV Online
In conclusion, FFXIV is a terrific Final Fantasy game in and of itself, not only the best MMO you can play right now. Final Fantasy XIV has gradually evolved from a rather typical good-versus-evil narrative into a huge, political, and magical drama through its relaunch and following three expansions. The most recent addition, Shadowbringers, provides both satisfying resolutions to several character arcs that have been building for years and a gripping standalone narrative that stands up to the greatest in the Final Fantasy series.
Don't let the fact that it's online frighten you away. Despite being an MMO, Square-Enix has simplified things to the point where you actually don't have to play with other players if you don't want to. Even instanced dungeons now allow you to join with computer-controlled party members rather than being forced into a group with strangers, and story quests are designed to be completed solo. It is also a fully-fleshed MMO featuring end-game raiding that may range from being completely accessible to be excruciatingly difficult.
Shadowbringers weaves such a lovely narrative that it's difficult not to fawn about each and every thread on its own. There may be a few odd job-balancing tweaks here and there, but they are never significant enough to detract from how wonderful this expansion is overall. Even the most straightforward adventures were enough to draw me in and make me feel deeply about the tale being told there. I entered Norvrandt as a stranger, but I left as one of their own. The release of Shadowbringers has further strengthened XIV's position as one of the best Final Fantasy games ever created.
Grand Theft Auto 5 / GTA
Grand Theft Auto V's vast yet meticulously detailed map continues to raise the bar for other open-world games. It's enormous, and it's also crammed with excellent material, featuring all the sights, sounds, and busy activities you'd anticipate finding in a metropolis brimming with life. in addition to the driving, shooting, and three protagonist tales that comprise its campaign, with humans, the sordid underbelly is incorporated.
With so much to explore, learn, and play with, it is truly fantastic on many levels. both Grand Theft Auto Online and single-player, in addition to fantastic creative tools and modifications.
In addition to being an absurdly entertaining computer game, Grand Theft Auto V is also a perceptive and biting parody of modern America. It marks an improvement above anything GTA IV offered five years ago. In every regard, it is technically more accomplished, but it is also incredibly ambitious in its own right. Its scale and scope are unparalleled in video game worlds, and its humor and capacity for mayhem are backed by a keen intellect. While telling a gripping, surprising, and controversial tale, it never gets in the way of your own independent explorations of San Andreas.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Few PC games have advanced a higher portion of complex material than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has, even though long, in-depth RPGs are a mainstay of the genre. Its expansive sandbox open-world settings are impressive in both scale and richness; they are liberally filled with imposing foes to defeat, fascinating riddles to solve, and personal stories to reveal.
With reams of superbly written dialogue delivered by an outstanding voice cast, amazing original music, and graphics that qualify as both a technical and artistic triumph, it's also one of the grandest overall productions in video game history.
Even if the primary plot is too simple and mostly focuses on fetch quests, I always had the option to enjoy myself by having fun exploring a rich, expansive open world when I first started. to get bored. get tired of it. Even while the story isn't very compelling, the numerous people that are involved in it are, and together with the superb fighting and RPG gameplay, they propel The Witcher 3 to a level that few other RPGs can match.
Portal 2
Nothing else from the last ten years has been able to perfectly touch as many emotional chords as Portal 2. No other game performs as well as this one. Its excellent level design, lovable personality, and remarkable and diverse puzzle mechanisms make us feel wiser just by finishing it. Additionally, its co-op campaign, which is still among the greatest multiplayer experiences with friends available, calls on a certain kind of intelligence.
Because of the length of time, it takes to produce such amazing games, Valve is a developer whose designs have a timeless quality. Iterating and expanding on the amazing puzzle design and world-building of its predecessor, Portal 2 still seems as original and intelligent as it did in 2011. Simply said, if you haven't played Portal 2, you should make it your top priority right away.
Its conciseness benefited the first Portal. It had a succinct plot along with clever first-person puzzle elements that required you to use your imagination while pressing the button.
In Portal 2, the first Portal is downgraded to the rank of a prototype. A bigger cast of characters is included, and some of the greatest voice acting ever heard in a video game is used to effectively bring them to life. One of the greatest cooperative experiences available is waiting for you when you finish the single-player level of this game. Its challenges are hard without being absurd. Valve doesn't skimp on anything, and they manage to make you care for the main characters as well as the cubes that are utilized to solve puzzles. Portal 2 is a unique, life-changing experience from the start of the single-player campaign to the finish of the co-op mode.
