Top 25 PC Games to Play Now

As we venture further into 2025, it's time to update IGN's list of the 25 Best Modern PC Games. By "best," we're not aiming for a definitive, objective ranking that would satisfy every gamer's preferences. Such a list is impossible to create, given the diverse tastes within the gaming community. What one player considers a strategic masterpiece, another might find tedious or inaccessible. Even among fans of the same genre, personal top lists rarely align perfectly.

Instead, this list reflects the collective recommendations of IGN's team of PC gamers, ranked using our Face-Off tool to ensure everyone's input is considered. It's a celebration of games we love and a suggestion for others to explore if they haven't yet.

With just 25 spots available, many remarkable recent PC games didn't make the cut, but that doesn't diminish their quality. The voting process revealed personal favorites among our team that didn't garner enough group support to be included—a common occurrence given the sheer number of games and varied perspectives.

The Best PC Games

26 ImagesOur criteria for this list focus on "modern" PC games, meaning those released or significantly updated within the past 10 years, starting from 2013. Classics like Doom, Half-Life 2, Portal, Skyrim, and others have moved beyond modern to timeless status. For those, refer to our Top 100 Games of All Time or genre-specific lists.

Remember, this list represents our collective perspective and is neither universally "right" nor "wrong." We encourage you to create and share your own top 25 or top 100 list of PC games using our Playlist tool in the comments.

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

Under Consideration – Recent Games

Here are highly-rated games from 2024 and 2025 that are too new to rank yet. They'll be considered in the next voting round for our list updates.

• 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 masterfully subverts expectations, using its awareness of being an RPG to surprise players at every turn. It tracks your save habits, story decisions, and adjusts dynamically, reinforcing the theme that every choice matters. It's emotionally charged, replayable, and a worthy addition to the pantheon of great PC games.

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

24. Balatro

Even Texas Hold'em pros will find Balatro challenging. This deck-building roguelite transforms familiar card mechanics into a wild ride with unique joker cards that create explosive combos, redefining what players think they know about card games.

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

23. Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 excels in telling human stories within the complex framework of grand strategy games. Whether through military might, diplomatic marriages, or covert plots, players can weave narratives that are both accessible and deeply engaging.

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

22. Hitman: World of Assassination

Hitman: World of Assassination brings together the best of Io Interactive's trilogy into one package. Its sandboxes offer endless possibilities for creative assassinations, requiring players to explore and exploit every detail to achieve the perfect hit.

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

21. Doom (2016)

Doom (2016) reinvents the classic with relentless action, challenging players to "rip and tear" through hordes of demons. Its pure, unadulterated combat remains a standout, setting a new standard for first-person shooters.

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

20. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII Remake reimagines the iconic RPG's opening hours as a thrilling action game. Its stunning visuals, innovative combat, and deep character development create an experience that both honors and expands upon the original.

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

19. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake modernizes the classic action-horror game, enhancing its tension and detail to captivate both new players and long-time fans. It's a benchmark for how to successfully update a beloved title.

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

18. God of War

God of War's arrival on PC in 2022 opened its acclaimed story and combat to a broader audience. Its reinvention of the series blends classic elements with fresh innovations, making it a must-play for PC gamers.

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

17. Nier: Automata

Despite initial technical issues, Nier: Automata has earned a place on our list with its unique blend of genres, captivating story, and engaging combat. Its "Very Positive" Steam reviews affirm its quality.

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

16. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV stands out as the best MMO currently available, offering a rich, evolving storyline and a flexible playstyle that accommodates solo players and groups alike. Its latest expansion, Dawntrail, continues to enhance its appeal.

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 PC port enhances its already expansive world with additional activities and details. It's a monumental single-player experience, further enriched by its multiplayer component, Red Dead Online.

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

14. Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds offers a unique time-loop adventure across multiple planets, encouraging exploration and discovery. Its engaging narrative and rewarding puzzles make it a standout in the genre.

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

13. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a quintessential modern Metroidvania, offering a challenging and expansive world filled with secrets. Its free updates have only added to its already impressive scope and depth.

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

12. XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen builds on its predecessor's tactical combat, adding new classes, aliens, and replayability features. Its guerrilla warfare theme heightens the stakes and excitement.

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

11. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

With its vast open world and intricate storytelling, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains a benchmark for RPGs. Its 2022 update and extensive mod support keep it fresh and engaging.

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

10. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077's 2.0 patch and Phantom Liberty expansion have transformed it into a visually stunning and deeply immersive experience. Its exploration of futuristic themes and compelling narrative make it a standout.

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

9. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley revitalized the farming sim genre with its blend of RPG mechanics and soothing gameplay. Its continuous updates and modding community keep it relevant and enjoyable.

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

8. Grand Theft Auto V / GTA Online

Grand Theft Auto V's detailed and expansive world remains a benchmark for open-world games. Its last appearance on this list due to our 10-year rule, it paves the way for the eagerly anticipated GTA 6.

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

7. Satisfactory

Satisfactory offers a deeply satisfying experience in building and managing megafactories on an alien world. Its recent full launch from early access cements its place on our list.

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

6. Half-Life: Alyx

Half-Life: Alyx set a new standard for VR shooters with its innovative gameplay and immersive storytelling. Its polish and detail justify the investment in VR for PC gaming.

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

5. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire's ever-changing decks and characters keep roguelite fans engaged. Its distinctive art and engaging gameplay make it a perennial favorite.

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

4. Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium reimagines the CRPG genre with its unique noir setting and innovative gameplay mechanics. Its exceptional writing and world-building make it a modern classic.

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

3. Hades

Hades sets the bar for action roguelites with its engaging combat, storytelling, and post-game content. Its difficulty is balanced by rewarding progression and a captivating cast of characters.

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

2. Elden Ring

Elden Ring's open-world design and challenging gameplay make it an accessible entry point into the soulsborne genre. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC further enhances its already rich content.

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

1. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3's ambitious scope and old-school charm deliver a comprehensive RPG experience. Its tactical combat and narrative depth offer over 100 hours of engaging gameplay.

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

The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

Here are the 25 games that we, the IGN editors and contributors, collectively recommend the most, based on our own tastes, and all from within the past 10 years. Updated March 21, 2024.

See All

1. Baldur's Gate 3 - Larian Studios
2. Hades - Supergiant Games
3. Disco Elysium - ZA/UM
4. Slay the Spire - Megacrit
5. Elden Ring - FromSoftware
6. Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Studios
7. Cyberpunk 2077 - CD Projekt Red
8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - CD Projekt Red
9. XCOM 2 - Feral Interactive
10. Dishonored 2 - Arkane

Upcoming PC Games

We're excited about the following big PC game releases in 2025, which might join this list in future updates:

• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii - February 20, 2025
• PGA Tour 2K25 - February 28, 2025
• Monster Hunter Wilds - February 28, 2025
• Split Fiction - March 6, 2025
• WWE 2K25 - March 14, 2025
• Assassin's Creed Shadows - March 20, 2025
• Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game - March 25, 2025
• Inzoi - March 28, 2025
• South of Midnight - April 8, 2025
• Doom: The Dark Ages - May 14, 2025

These are our picks for the 25 best modern PC games! There are countless incredible games we couldn't include due to space constraints. Let us know in the comments what's on your list that didn't make ours, and be sure to check out our other best games lists, which we update regularly:

• Best PS5 Games
• Best Xbox Series X|S Games
• Best Switch Games