The best PC games of 2016. The best games of 2016 ran the gamut from taut, well-told tales to wide-open possibility spaces. If there’s any justice, the year will be remembered as one in which. Best PC Games from 2016-17 That You Will Love To Play. There are a lot of new PC Games coming this year and here is a handpicked list of amazing PC games from 2016-17 that you can still play.
Now that we have the Nvidia, and Intel has launched its lineup that promises to hold the, 2019 is the best time to dive into the best PC games. So, if you want to get in on the action of the top PC games 2019 has to offer, like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey or Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we’ll show you the best PC games of 2019. We gathered up 40 of the best PC games you can buy today. And, believe us when we say you’ll want to get all of these PC games installed on your rig. Even if you don’t have those sick keyboard and mouse skills, you can play many of the best PC games on the controller. Even if you don’t exactly have the in the world, you can still play many of these titles across different platforms, like the, and – something likely to stay true throughout 2019. If you’re a PC gaming newcomer, you picked the perfect time to jump in on the platform.
We’d love to extend you a warm welcome. While there are definitely elitist gatekeepers among the PC gaming community, we here at TechRadar believe in inclusivity.
So, with that in mind, let’s dive into the best PC games you can play today. Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article Prev Page 1 of 42 Next Prev Page 1 of 42 Next PC game on our radar: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Over the last decade, From Software has grown into one of our favorite developers, bar none.
The minds behind Dark Souls and Bloodborne have crafted some of the most unique RPGs, and have essentially crafted their own sub-genre. And, with, From Software is shifting focus once more, crafting one of our most anticipated PC games of 2019. It will draw some inspiration from the classic ‘SoulsBorne’ games, but it will more resemble the studio’s earlier work – namely Tenchu.
Sekiro will place you in feudal Japan, as the “one-armed wolf”, and you’ll have to seek out vengeance. The game will feature this unique prosthetic arm mechanic, where you can swap out several different tools and weapons to tailor your playstyle. Oh, and because it’s a From Software game, prepare to die. Prev Page 2 of 42 Next Prev Page 2 of 42 Next 1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Look, we know that this game is starting to get old, but it is aging like fine wine. Even three years after its release it’s one of the most ambitious open world games that’s ever existed – combining Skyrim’s unabashed scale with Grand Theft Auto V’s insane depth. It’s such a jam-packed games, that it’s still one of the best PC games in 2018. Huge, beautiful and an absolute time sink – in a good way – The Witcher 3: Wild hunt isn’t just the best PC game in 2018, but it may be one of the best video games of all time. Prev Page 3 of 42 Next Prev Page 3 of 42 Next.
Dragon Age: Inquisition, while not perfect, puts you in the midst of a huge, vibrant world on a much larger scale than past Dragon Age titles. Packed with hours of engrossing story and a wealth of side content, Dragon Age: Inquisition brings the series to an open world setting in a smart and compelling way. It might not be a new game, but for this excellent blend of Elder Scrolls and Baldur’s Gate, it’s still one of the best PC games available in 2018.
Prev Page 4 of 42 Next Prev Page 4 of 42 Next. Assassin’s Creed is basically a household name among the best PC games in 2018. And, starting with last year’s Origins, Ubisoft has been making huge efforts to revitalize the aging franchise.
Well, we’re happy to report that they’ve succeeded. Feels like an improvement in every sense of the word over last years entry, feeling like a completely different game than older games in Ubisoft’s flagship series. This time around, despite the drama about microtransactions, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey places you in the shoes of Kassandra or Alexios, in the middle of the Peloponnesian War, as you look for your lost mother and father. And, while the main story – which will have you switching alliances between the Spartans and the Athenians – will likely get lost in the mix along the way, the world that Ubisoft has created is as rich and beautiful as ever before. Just make sure you have one of the before you even try to run Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at a higher resolution.
If you’re looking for one of the best open world games on PC, you can’t go wrong here. So, join us in exploring ancient Greece in.
Read: Prev Page 5 of 42 Next Prev Page 5 of 42 Next 4. Dark Souls 3. Although it's arguably not as difficult as previous entries in the series, From Software's takes everything you like about the Souls series and combines it with elements found in Bloodborne, the developer's more recent game for. We’re not going to lie – Dark Souls 3 isn’t easy. It still takes skill and, more importantly, patience to master its complex combat system, but it plays fair too, inviting more casual gamers to take part in its bleak, fantastical world. Plus, on the bright side, it brings remarkably better PC optimization than that of the first game. And, now that you can pick up Dark Souls: Remastered and see where this apocalyptic series got its start – there’s never been a better time to link the first flame.
Prev Page 6 of 42 Next Prev Page 6 of 42 Next 5. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Pillars of Eternity made a huge splash in the PC gaming scene when it launched a few years ago – Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire follows faithfully in its footsteps. Not only is this one of the best RPGs you can play today, but it’s also one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire puts players in the middle of the Deadfire Archipelago in pursuit of an ancient god. Along the way you’ll find yourself immersed in a rich, dense and long story crafted by Obsidian Entertainment – arguably the masters of RPGs. If you enjoy old school RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, and long for a return to those storied days – do yourself a favor and don’t miss out on Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
It’s one of the best RPGs we’ve ever played. Do yourself a favor, though, and check out first – it still holds up as one of the best PC games and your story will carry over to the sequel. Prev Page 7 of 42 Next Prev Page 7 of 42 Next 6. Grand Theft Auto V. Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated console ports to ever hit the PC. You probably didn't need telling twice to head back into Los Santos's hugely detailed and interactive world, but it's 10 times more fun with the PC's richer graphics and smooth 60 frames per second gameplay. After you’ve completed its 30-hour campaign, there’s an overflow of post-game content to enjoy here.
Most recently that includes The Doomsday Heist in GTA Online and even a radio station hosted by Frank Ocean. Prev Page 8 of 42 Next Prev Page 8 of 42 Next 7. BioShock is a first-person shooter that takes concepts from Ayn Rand's Atlast Shrugged and tosses them underseas. To be exact, BioShock takes place in an underwater city called Rapture, free from government regulation, designed for artists and entrepreneurs to thrive. Of course, not all goes well in a city where the residents have all the power and, well, stop what you're doing and play it right now if you haven't already.
You're in for one of the great games if you play BioShock, one that balances story elements with horror nigh-perfectly. There's a remastered version out there now, too, which is free of charge if you own the original. Prev Page 9 of 42 Next Prev Page 9 of 42 Next 8. Alien: Isolation.
Set 15 years after the events of the first Alien film from 1979, Alien: Isolation is the suspense-packed game that fans of the franchise have been crying out for. Playing the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Alien protagonist Ellen Ripley, your mission is to track down and recover the flight recorder of the Nostromo spacecraft from the first Alien film which has been located aboard the Sevastopol space station. First and foremost a stealth game, Isolation ramps up the tension by providing you with minimal weaponry. Its excellent graphics shine on high-end PCs and clever AI helps ramp up the dread, leaving you to quiver when turning every corner. Read: Prev Page 10 of 42 Next Prev Page 10 of 42 Next 9.
Overwatch, if nothing else, completely changed the landscape away from the norm of gray-ish cover shooters in the realm of competitive gaming. Its bright, vibrant colors are complemented by likeable characters, each decorated with their own interesting backstories which, though not present in game, make for a collection of awesome webcomics and cinematics.
Overwatch is also one of the best PC games, because of how well it runs on all kinds of different hardware. Sure, it’s a bit old now, but even in 2018, it’s the best PC game for anyone looking for some competitive action. If somehow you’ve missed out on this game, do yourself a favor – sign in to your Battle.net account and take Overwatch, and its colorful cast of characters, for a spin today.
Prev Page 11 of 42 Next Prev Page 11 of 42 Next 10. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Even if it came out almost 6 years ago, Counter-Strike Global Offensive is still a fantastic update to a timeless classic that continues to thrive thanks to its vast online communities – it’s truly one of the best PC games.
Global Offensive is a well-rounded tactical shooter that builds on the simple Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorists gameplay of Counter-Strike 1.6, by updating classic maps such as Italy and Dust – while also adding new modes in Arms Race and Demolition. Simpler than Battlefield, but more complex than Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a shooter for those who like to think – if only just a little bit.
Read: Prev Page 12 of 42 Next Prev Page 12 of 42 Next 11. In a lot of ways, Far Cry 5 is the ultimate Far Cry game – combining all of the elements that has made the series successful, while cutting a lot of the fat (including the towers, thank god). And while on its own it doesn't do anything entirely new, it perfects the Far Cry formula to a point where Far Cry 5 is one of the best open world First Person Shooters you can play in 2018.
After a very heavy and intense intro, you’re dumped in the middle of rural Montana and given the task of dismantling the local cult. But, that quickly fades into the background as a myriad of activities – from hunting down aliens to taking out outposts – ultimately become your focus. But it’s precisely this focus on playing your own way that makes Far Cry 5 so special. Prev Page 13 of 42 Next Prev Page 13 of 42 Next 12.
Monster Hunter World. Monster Hunter has been one of the biggest gaming franchises you’ve never heard of for years now. However, with, the series broke into the mainstream, and it’s also come to the PC (finally).
And, well, it’s one of the best PC games you can play today. Monster Hunter: World places you in the shoes of a, well, monster hunter, and you’ll hunt progressively bigger and nastier monsters, strip them for parts and craft bigger and badder armor. It’s a deceptively simple gameplay loop, that ends up being one of the most enthralling and rewarding PC games you can play today. There’s a never-ending onslaught of content in this game, and Capcom, the developers of this monster hunting hit, are dedicated to bringing a wealth of free DLC to the game.
Not to mention a new frosty expansion in. So, if you’re looking for an addictive, engaging and most importantly, fun game to play by yourself or with all your best friends cooperatively, check out Monster Hunter: World – it really is one of the best PC games you can buy today. Prev Page 14 of 42 Next Prev Page 14 of 42 Next 13. Grim Fandango Remastered. A 90s classic brought back to life (unlike its main protagonist), Grim Fandango Remastered is a successful attempt at reviving one of the PC's best adventure games of all time.
Combining writing that matches the funniest dark comedies with clever puzzles and a still-impressive art style, Grim Fandango was the most entertaining work of art to take place in a Mexican setting for years until Breaking Bad came along. Now with updated graphics, sound and better controls, Manna Calavera's adventure has never looked so good.
Read: Prev Page 15 of 42 Next Prev Page 15 of 42 Next 14. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Six years after its initial release, Skyrim is going as strong as ever thanks to a vast selection of mods and high-resolution texture packs.
Even if you're only interested in playing the vanilla version of the RPG, it offers more than 100 hours of gameplay. Throw in three action packs DLC expansion packs (Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn), and it lasts even longer. That Skyrim has been compared to graphically superior but similar RPG blockbuster The Witcher 3 is testament to its enduring popularity. Step into Skyrim and you too can be an adventurer - just try not to take an arrow in the knee. And, if you’re looking for a more, well, special version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda has you covered – it can’t seem to stop releasing and re-releasing Skyrim for every platform. You can even play it in VR. Read: Prev Page 16 of 42 Next Prev Page 16 of 42 Next 15.
Quake: Champions. If you’re anything like us, and you secretly pine for the days of ultra-fast arena shooters, you’re going to absolutely love Quake Champions. Unlike many 90’s series, Quake Champions completely retains that classic Quake style.
You’re dumped into a relatively small map with a ton of verticality and armed with the craziest weaponry you could imagine. And, there’s no battle royale or any other trendy game modes here – it’s deathmatch all the way, baby. Much in the same way that Id Software mastered the reboot of Doom and brought it to a modern audience, Quake Champions is a nostalgic shooter that still manages to feel fresh in 2018. If you act fast, you can ahead of its full release.
Read: Prev Page 17 of 42 Next Prev Page 17 of 42 Next 16. The phrase 'build it, and they will come' literally rings true when it comes to Minecraft, the survival-based sandbox RPG that has now been purchased more than 100 million times since its conception in 2009. In it, you can create your own worlds using resources you find in the wild or explore worlds created by other players online. In Minecraft, you can either limit yourself to the numerous tools and blocks provided by the developer, Mojang, or you can install mods to truly capitalize on your investment. What’s more, come 2018, you’ll be able to take part in the Super Duper Graphics Pack, an optional piece of DLC that adds more realistic lighting effects and textures to an already fantastic product. Prev Page 18 of 42 Next Prev Page 18 of 42 Next 17.
The Orange Box. The Orange Box may be showing its age, but it remains a must-play collection of games - particularly for FPS fans. Half-Life 2, technically still the most recent game in Valve's franchise (excluding its Episode 1 and 2 add-ons), remains a modern masterpiece and is famed for being the first game to intelligently apply physics to its puzzles and combat set-pieces. The collection's other titles aren't too shabby either: Portal takes gravity-based puzzles to the extreme by equipping the player with the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (also known as the Portal Gun), which places two portals for objects to pass through, while Team Fortress 2 continues to go from strength-to-strength thanks to the introduction of custom gear and well-balanced team combat. Read: Prev Page 19 of 42 Next Prev Page 19 of 42 Next 18.
Sometimes a game that’s been out for 10 years becomes temporarily free on Origin and you just have to play it. Dead Space is one of those games. A survival horror game by definition, this acclaimed piece of science fiction stars a fittingly named Isaac Clarke, whose name itself is a combination of the famous sci-fi authors Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. Told from an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective, Dead Space is a rescue mission story, wherein you (as Isaac) are tasked with investigating a mining ship mysteriously full of alien virus-infected dead bodies. All the while, you’ll have to stay on top of upgrading your futuristic ‘RIG’ suit too. Prev Page 20 of 42 Next Prev Page 20 of 42 Next 19.
Id Software's Doom was a phenomena for PC gamers in the 90s. The crudely rendered first-person shooter series was as controversial as it was beloved, largely thanks to its cutting-edge depictions of gore and violence that only a computer could deliver. Parents be damned, the franchise has made a comeback in 2016 with a fresh restart, appropriately titled Doom. Although the multiplayer might not appeal to shooter fans regardless of age, the single player campaign will pit you against demons in Hell for a lengthy experience that's as bloody as it is satisfying. Prev Page 21 of 42 Next Prev Page 21 of 42 Next 20.
Assetto Corsa. If is the racing game for newcomers to racing games, Asetto Corsa is the game for the grizzled experts. Its obtuse handling and insane difficulty straight from the get go makes it a toss up for one of the most realistic racing simulators of all time. And, even if you can get it on consoles, unlike Project Cars, this is a game that was developed for PC first.
Everything about this game, from its demanding career mode to its deep seated driving mechanics – which basically require a racing wheel accessory – make it a joy for die-hard petrolheads, even if its difficulty curve is often just backbreaking. Read: Prev Page 22 of 42 Next Prev Page 22 of 42 Next 21. Devil May Cry 5.
Capcom has been on a roll these last couple years. After coming out of seemingly nowhere with the fantastic Resident Evil 7, Capcom has been reinventing some of the most beloved franchises for the modern age. And, with, Capcom has done it again. Devil May Cry has always been over the top, with high-octane character-driven action and cheesy one liners. Devil May Cry 5 takes this and turns it up to 11, with non-stop action as you fight your way through two characters’ stories in style. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock many different weapons and combat moves, and you can combine them to write symphonies of bloodshed – and you’re encouraged to do so. It’s not really a question of surviving to the end of the level, it’s how cool you look while playing through it.
And, that’s why Devil May Cry 5 is one of the best PC games. Prev Page 23 of 42 Next Prev Page 23 of 42 Next 22. Metro Exodus.
Among the best PC games, there’s this tendency to romanticize the apocalypse. Whether it’s zombies, like in Dead Rising or a nuclear wasteland like in Fallout 4, the apocalypse is oddly a place you want to visit. But, with, that’s not the case. Metro Exodus takes a more dark and gritty approach to the apocalypse. The air is poison, the wildlife is all mutated, and the survivors are all at each other's throats. And, while past Metro titles have explored this darker post-apocalypse from underground, through the titular ‘Metro’, Metro Exodus takes things to the Surface.
You’ll set out on an Exodus across the nuclear wasteland in order to find a home, but along the way you’ll experience the horror and supernatural weirdness that the Metro series has become known for. And, as a bonus, it’s one of the most beautiful PC games on the market today, provided you have the graphical horsepower to back it up. Prev Page 24 of 42 Next Prev Page 24 of 42 Next 23.
Ori and the Blind Forest. Described as 'achingly beautiful' by Unity Engine boss John Riccitiello, Ori and the Blind Forest borrows its game mechanics from old-school 2D games such as Metroid and Castlevania while adding a modern twist. If any word can describe Ori's atmospheric world, it's alive. You'll have to think fast and use new abilities gained along the way to bash, stop and manoeuvre your way through its gorgeous locations, and with no automatic saving system or easy difficulty level, it's no walk in the park. As satisfying to master as it is to look at, Ori and the Blind Forest will re-open your eyes to what 2D games still have to offer. Prev Page 25 of 42 Next Prev Page 25 of 42 Next 24. Resident Evil 2.
There aren’t many franchises that are as iconic as Resident Evil. Since the first game launched way back in 1996, it has served as a watermark of where Survival Horror is – even in its worst days (looking at you, Resident Evil 6). So, when Capcom finally announced the, we instantly started paying attention. And, we have to say – it paid off. Resident Evil 2 isn’t just a remake of the best horror game ever made, but it might actually take the mantle altogether. Gone are the ancient tank controls that divided fans, giving way to the same over-the shoulder perspective introduced in Resident Evil 4.
But, this time around, through the use of Resident Evil 7’s RE Engine, Capcom has transformed the ancient horror game into a title that’s terrifying by today’s post-Amnesia standards. And, thanks to just how much you can customize how the game performs and looks, Resident Evil 2 will serve as a benchmark for the best PC games throughout 2019 – even if it doesn’t use as much VRAM as the settings menu says it does.
Prev Page 26 of 42 Next Prev Page 26 of 42 Next 25. Dragon Quest XI.
Beyond Final Fantasy, there isn’t another Japanese RPG (JRPG) franchise that carries as much weight as Dragon Quest. For decades, these have been the penultimate JRPGs for many – even inspiring modern classics like Pokemon. And, for the first time in 14 years, Dragon Quest has made its way to home consoles and, more importantly, to PC for the first time ever.
Is a beautiful, colorful JRPG that’ll put you in the shoes of a young prince that’s set out to – save the world, obviously. You’ll get about 80-100 hours out of the game, and every moment will be memorable and magical.
It even features art from Akira Toriyama, best known for his work on Dragon Ball – it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best PC games of 2018. Prev Page 27 of 42 Next Prev Page 27 of 42 Next 26. Rocket League. Already familiar to millions before they've played a played a second of it, Rocket League turns the age old game of football (or soccer, depending) on its head. Played with rocket-propelled cars in futuristic low-gravity environments, the aim is simple: knock the ball into the opposing team's goal. Doing so is harder said than done because there could be up to three cars on the opposing team trying to steal the ball off you - or ram you into submission - at any one time.
Gorgeous to look, simple to learn but difficult to master, Rocket League is the surprise smash hit of 2015 - and a wonderfully addictive one at that. Read: Prev Page 28 of 42 Next Prev Page 28 of 42 Next 27. Insurgency Sandstorm. When Insurgency first launched way back in 2014, it was a breath of fresh air – a shooter that completely opposed the arcade-like approach of games like Call of Duty. And, takes this formula and goes all-in. Insurgency: Sandstorm is a brutally difficult and visceral online shooter, meant to give Counter Strike: Global Offensive a run for its money.
This is a game where you won’t get respawns, you won’t be able to absorb bullets, you will die easily – it’s awesome. If you’re looking for a game that rewards patience and tactics, Insurgency: Sandstorm is one of the best PC games for you. Prev Page 29 of 42 Next Prev Page 29 of 42 Next 28. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Metal Gear Solid V, the last Metal Game which will be helmed by Hideo Kojima after his forceful ejection from Konami, is a hugely ambitious title. Its massive open world setting allows you to tackle missions using stealth, but you’re still able to go in guns blazing if you prefer – though you won’t get as good a score.
Taking place nine years after the events of Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain’s story unravels through its main missions and more than 100 Side Ops tasks. The action is interspersed with beautiful cutscenes, and while you sometimes have to decode annoying pseudo-military babble to figure out what’s happening, TPP’s fast pacing and beautiful Afghanistan and African settings make sure the game never feels like a chore. Prev Page 30 of 42 Next Prev Page 30 of 42 Next 29. Battlefield V. You can ask basically any veteran PC gamer, and they’ll tell you that Battlefield games have always been among the best PC games.
And, with, the trend continues – it’s one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer, period. The core mechanics remain the same, drive, fly, or run to capture points on a map and defend them against the enemy team. However, this year’s offering refines the Operations mode from 2016’s Battlefield 1, and transforms it into, well, Grand Operations. This epic game mode takes place across up to 4 maps, and is meant to portray crucial battles of World War II. It’s an absolute blast, just make sure you have an hour to spare.
Battlefield V is also one of the best PC games when it comes to visuals. Never before has war looks so terrifyingly real in a virtual space. The environments are more realistic than ever before, and if you’re rocking an Nvidia Turing card, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, you can turn on ray tracing and experience out-of-this-world reflections. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s the best PC game in 2018 for FPS fans.
Prev Page 31 of 42 Next Prev Page 31 of 42 Next 30. The 2016 revival of Hitman was a revelation, a rebirth of a classic series that showed what Hitman could be. So, we went into with high expectations – expectations that paid off. Hitman 2 puts players in even bigger environments, with more complicated missions that will test your creativity in deadly ways. What’s especially notable here though, is the new game modes on offer. You’ll have access to a new Sniper Assassin mode, and most importantly, a co-op game mode – a first for the Hitman series. If you’re looking for an engaging stealth experience, you really can’t go wrong with Hitman 2 – it’s one of the best PC games of 2018, easy.
Prev Page 32 of 42 Next Prev Page 32 of 42 Next 31. Warhammer: Vermintide 2. Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide was one of the best PC games for anyone who loves playing the best PC games with friends. And, we’re delighted to say that Warhammer: Vermintide 2 takes the deep co-operative gameplay of the original and improves on it in every conceivable way. Although it technically allows you to form complex strategies with your teammates, the action often turns into chaos, where the only way you can survive is mindlessly bashing at enemies until you, and your teammates (preferably), are the only things left standing. And, because Vermintide 2 adds a wide range of Orc enemies on top of the familiar Skaven enemies, you’ll never run out of things to hack to pieces.
Prev Page 33 of 42 Next Prev Page 33 of 42 Next 32. It's official: Fallout 4 has lived up to the hype. Despite feeling a little bit like Fallout 3 but with nicer graphics at times, its tighter shooting, in-depth crafting system and well-thought out story make it a wholly more enticing affair.
As the (the first fully-voiced protagonist in the Fallout series) in Boston's post-apocalypse wasteland, you'll take on Feral Ghouls, Raiders, Syths and Bloodbugs and more with high-powered weaponry that includes the Fat Man mini nuke cannon and the fusion cell-powered Laser Musket. Prev Page 34 of 42 Next Prev Page 34 of 42 Next 33. Rainbow Six: Siege. If the Call of Duty series is the poison that dumbed down the FPS genre with its run-and-gun gameplay, then Rainbow Six: Siege is the antidote.
Working as a team to out-wit the enemy, Siege plays out like a thinking man (or woman's) Counter-Strike that doesn't simply encourage cooperation if you want to win - it requires it. When you're not peering down your gun's iron sights, you'll be laying traps, scouting ahead using drones, strategising with your teammates and building walls that could keep a herd of demented bulls at bay. While Siege's heavy reliance on tactical team-based gameplay can prove its biggest weakness if you're hoisted into a server with a particularly uncooperative bunch, when it does click, it provides a level of satisfaction rarely found in online multiplayer games. Prev Page 35 of 42 Next Prev Page 35 of 42 Next 34. Shadow of the Tomb Raider. After the rebooted Tomb Raider and its sublime sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, the seminal series has won its place among the best PC games with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Instead of simply porting over a console version and calling it good, Crystal Dynamics has created a technical masterpiece with Lara Croft’s latest adventure.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider finds Lara heading down to South America to thwart a Mayan apocalypse. While the scenery isn’t as diverse as in previous titles, it’s still just as arrestingly beautiful throughout. And, with Nvidia’s RTX technology coming later this year, it’s going to be a great way to put the to the test while having some fun at the same time. Prev Page 36 of 42 Next Prev Page 36 of 42 Next 35. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Imagine a survival-based shooter where every match starts with your avatar being ejected from a cargo plane alongside 99 other players with no weapons or items. That’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or at least the solo, free for all mode.
After spending the early minutes of the game digging for resources, you’ll soon be forced to reckon with your own mortality as the body count ticker at the top of the screen descends into desolation. Abbreviated PUBG, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is based on another “last man standing” game released back in 2013: PlayerUnknown’s Battle Royale. It doesn’t require a copy of Arma III or H1Z1 to run, but you’ll need to keep your wits about you. There’s no respawning in PUBG, so it’s less about the precision of your aim as it is about your ability to scavenge quickly for weapons, first aid kits and clothing. Prev Page 37 of 42 Next Prev Page 37 of 42 Next 36. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.
Picking up immediately after the events of Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will inevitably be heralded as a classic. For some, it’s the punishing old-school gunplay that’s to thank for this. Even on the default difficulty, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will have you fretting for your life. Yet, for others, story reigns supreme.
And, if The New Colossus serves as an interactive showcase for anything, it’s story, the most interesting parts of which are told through flashbacks. We won’t go as far as to spoil the plot, but what we will say is that B.J. Blazkowicz’s motives become a lot clearer in this iteration of Wolfenstein, not that he needs to justify killing Nazis.
Prev Page 38 of 42 Next Prev Page 38 of 42 Next 37. From the developer behind Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, takes unique puzzle gameplay and shoves it in the middle of a complex story of romance and inner struggle. You’ll take over the role of Vincent, and you’ll have to decide whether to take your relationship with your girlfriend, Katherine, to the next level.
A decision that’s complicated after Catherine – with a C – comes into your life. The ensuing drama takes place in a series of cutscenes each day, and when you go to bed at night, you’ll have to deal with nightmares – in the form of puzzle gameplay.
It’s an extraordinarily unique game, and now that it’s finally made its way to PC, there’s no reason to not check it out. Even after 7 years, it’s still one of the most unique and best PC games 2019 has to offer. Prev Page 39 of 42 Next Prev Page 39 of 42 Next 38.
X-Com 2 is one addictive game, and we still can't put it down. Following up from 2012's XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which reimagined the 1994 cult classic UFO: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 has delivered everything we wanted in a sequel. Bigger, deeper, faster and even easier on the eyes, the turn-based tactics game takes place 20 years after its predecessor. It pits you in control of the Avenger, a converted alien ship that serves as your mobile base of operations used to devise strategy and execute fight plans against otherworldly enemies.
With a greater focus of stealth, more intelligent alien AI and deeper customization options, XCOM 2 is bound to end up one of our games of the year. Prev Page 40 of 42 Next Prev Page 40 of 42 Next 39. World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth.
Anyone familiar with World of Warcraft knows that it's among the most successful and influential massively multiplayer online role-playing games (or MMORPGs) of all-time. Comprising nearly 14 years of content, with over thousands of hours just waiting to be invested, there are few better games to spend your money on than World of Warcraft. In the new expansion, Battle For Azeroth, players explore two new continents – Kul Tiras for Alliance players and Zandalar for the Horde – though there’s something much more sinister hiding beneath the surface. Blizzard has kept the leveling system from Legion, too, meaning you can tackle the new zones in whatever order you want. This will of course come with the all-new raids and dungeons we’ve grown accustomed to over the years and a storyline that will see the two playable factions at each other’s throats in a major way. You’ll get hours upon hours of content to play through here, as is custom with World of Warcraft throughout its 14-year history. And, you can count on updates throughout the expansion, like the recently released Tides of Vengeance that add even more stuff to do.
Prev Page 41 of 42 Next Prev Page 41 of 42 Next 40. Nier Automata. From PlatinumGames and Square Enix, Nier: Automata is a sequel to the 2010 cult classic Nier, which itself is a spin-off of the Drakengard series.
Technically an action role-playing game, Nier: Automata’s most gripping quality is that it never truly adheres to one particular genre. At times, it’s a 2.5D platformer and, at others, it’s a twin-stick shooter. It’s unpredictable and a breath of fresh air when compared to other PC games out on the market.
The story centers around a femme android by the name of 2B who is aided by a survey android called 9S, or Nines. With many questions being asked along the way, both of these characters are tasked with extricating Earth from alien machines that have engulfed the planet.
Just be conscious of how you play because not only does Nier: Automata feature different endings, but with each new path comes vastly different gameplay.
It’s impossible to deny that 2015 was an amazing year for the PC. Not only did we get three of the best games in years – The Witcher 3, Metal Gear Solid V, and Fallout 4 – but the arrival of titles such as GTA V (finally), Rocket League, Pillars of Eternity, Undertale, and SOMA ushered in a new golden era of PC gaming. 2016 will have to produce some truly special games to match last year’s offerings, and so far, it’s not doing too badly. Even though we’re still in the first quarter, we’ve already had some memorable titles in The Witness, Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen, Rise of the Tomb Raider and the brilliant XCOM 2. But there's still plenty more games to come, and here are our top 10 most anticipated titles.
Release Date: August 23. Genre: Action, Stealth.
Buy if you like: Deus Ex, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, player freedom when tackling objectives, cyborgs In the run up to Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s release back in 2011, few people imagined that the game could match the brilliance of the original, despite it being over a decade old. But not only did this third game in the series (there was also the less-memorable Deus Ex: Invisible War in 2003) prove the naysayers wrong, it became one of the best action/RPG/stealth titles to grace the PC in years.
Now, five years since we first met him, Adam Jensen will return in Mankind Divided. The game promises to build on the elements that made Human Revolution such a classic: a great story, the fantastic blend of action and stealth, and some truly awesome weapons. Moreover, Mankind Divided will remove the most criticized aspect of the last game – unavoidable boss battle combat. You really will be able to complete this Deus Ex without killing anyone, should you wish. Release Date: June 21.
Genre: Space sim, Adventure, Survival, FPS. Buy if you like: Elite: Dangerous, open worlds, genre-blending titles, games without endings There was a time when the PC was the true home of the space sim; there was the magnificent Wing Commander franchise, Elite 2, Freelancer, the X-Wing series, and many more. But in the early 2000s, the number of games being released that revolved around exploring and fighting in outer space started to dry up. Thankfully, with the likes of Elite: Dangerous, EVE Online, and the upcoming Star Citizen, the genre has seen something of a resurgence of late, and one of the most exciting looking space sims of recent years is No Man’s Sky.
Developers claim that, thanks to the clever algorithms used in the game, No Man’s Sky will contain 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets, which theoretically gives it more content than any other title in gaming history. So big is No Man’s Sky’s universe that the team behind it, Hello Games, believes most players won’t even see 99 percent of what it contains.
Exploring new worlds, survival and resource gathering elements, space combat, and battling alien lifeforms – if No Man’s Sky lives up to the hype, it could become one of the biggest hits of 2016. Release Date: May 13. Genre: FPS.
Buy if you like: Doom games, Quake, Unreal series, shotguns There are few PC titles as iconic as Doom. Gamers of a certain age may remember what a huge influence the 1993 original had on the first-person genre, and how, even today, so many FPS games are described as 'Doom clones.' It’s been 12 years since Doom 3 was released, but we’ll soon get to remove cybernetic demons’ heads from their bodies with sawn-off shotguns once again. This reboot goes back to basics with the same incredibly fast, twitchy, run-and-gameplay so fondly remembered from early first-person shooters such as Quake.
Those who got to try the multiplayer Alpha at QuakeCon heaped praise on Doom, and with classic weapons such as the chainsaw and BFG 9000 making a return, along with a map creator, tons of modes to play with your friends, and heaps of visceral brutality, May 13 can’t get here soon enough. Release Date: Spring. Genre: Action, Stealth. Buy if you like: Dishonored, Deus Ex series, clockwork devices Easily one of the best games of 2012, the fantastic Dishonoured mixes stealth, RPG elements, multiple ways of approaching objectives, and FPS-style action.
It's best descibed as Deus Ex crossed with Hitman set in a fictional, late nineteenth-century-style world filled with steampunk-inspired inventions and magic. In the sequel, you’ll get the choice of controlling Corvo Attano – the first game’s protagonist – or Empress/magical assassin Emily Kaldwin, who is also returning from the original Dishonored; each one offering a different skill set to help you complete missions. With a new coastal setting and the updated id Tech 6-powered ‘Void’ engine, expect Dishonored 2 to have looks that match its gameplay. Release date: May 24. Genre: Turn-based strategy, Real-time tactics.
Buy if you like: Total War series, Games Workshop titles, orcs, dice with more than six sides There has been a fair number of PC titles set in the Games Workshop universe, the most famous being the Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War series. While a lot of people are still waiting for the third game in this franchise to make an (unlikely) appearance, we’ll soon have another GW strategy game that looks even better - Total War: Warhammer. This will be the first time that the long-running Total War series abandons its historically accurate theme.
Instead of Shoguns, Napolean, and Attila, we’ll see Orcs, Dwarfs, and Vampire Counts. Those who’ve played any of the Total War titles before will know to expect huge armies battling it out in real time, massive units, and a stunning campaign map. The game will also throw magic into the Total War mix, and we’ll see some of the famous heroes and weapons from the Warhammer universe. If you loved the original Warhammer tabletop games, then expect to cry with joy when you play this. Even in the early demos it looks breathtaking.
Release Date: “2016”. Genre: Open-world, Third-person, Shooter, Driving,. Buy if you like: Mafia series, GTA V, The Sopranos The third game in the Mafia franchise is quite a departure from the previous two titles. Here, the player takes control of Lincoln Clay, a mixed-race Vietnam-Vet who joins the ‘black mob.’ Clay is on a mission to wipe out the Italian mafia as revenge for murdering his crew. Mafia 3’s creators say it won’t skirt around the racial problems that were prevalent during its late-60s setting. Being an open-world, third-person game, Mafia 3 will always draw comparisons with GTA V, which isn’t a bad thing. The 12-minute gameplay video looks stunning; the developers have brought 1968 New Orleans to life in a way that’s never been seen before and, even though it’s something I rarely notice in games, the lighting effects are incredible.
Add to this the visceral combat, weapons, stealth, story, and period music, and Mafia 3 has the potential to be the surprise hit of the year. Release date: May 24. Genre: Multiplayer, FPS.
Buy if you like: Team Fortress, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, bright colors Multiplayer shooters are a very popular and fairly crowded genre. But seeing as Blizzard hasn’t given us a new franchise in seventeen years, and the company certainly knows a thing or two about competitive online games, Overwatch looks as if it’ll stand out in the crowd. This first-person, squad-based shooter consists of six-on-six matches that place an emphasis on teams working together to meet objectives. The cartoony graphics make Overwatch look amazing, but it’s the roster of characters that are its biggest draw. There’ll be 21 heroes at launch - spread across four classes each with their own abilities – that players will be able to switch between during a match.
Plus, Blizzard has promised that any new characters and maps that arrive after its release will be added to the game for free. Release date: December 2016 (hopefully). Genre: RPG, Action.
Buy if you like: Mass Effect games, Dragon Age series, sexy aliens Even though there is very little information regarding Mass Effect: Andromeda, the fact it carries the name of the greatest trilogy ever to appear on the PC makes it one of the most anticipated games of 2016. Barring the controversial ending of the third game, the RPG space opera series will live on in the memory of all who played it. There’s a reason Mass Effect 2 is often voted the greatest PC game of all time. What we do know about Andromeda is that it’s set in an unexplored part of the universe, long after Commander Shepherd’s story concluded.
In addition to a new protagonist, the six-wheeled all-terrain Mako will return from the first game. Though this will probably be a new version that’s easier to steer. Rumors say you’ll play the part of an explorer trying to establish a new home for humanity, in a game world that’s four times the size of Mass Effect 3. Whatever the details, you can expect the all the elements that make the Mass Effect games so great: a brilliant story, fantastic writing, and superb combat. Don’t be surprised to find a bigger emphasis on the multiplayer section this time round, too. Release date: April 12 (worldwide). Genre: Action RPG,.
Buy if you like: Dark Souls games, Bloodborne, dying constantly, frustration For all you masochists who just can’t get enough of seeing the words “YOU DIED” plastered across your monitor, Dark Souls 3 is almost upon us. The fourth installment (counting Demon’s Souls) of what is often regarded as the most difficult series ever made will bring more frustrating/rewarding gameplay. After Souls 2 wasn’t as universally adored as its predecessors, director Hidetaka Miyazaki was given a more prominent role for this game.
Doubtlessly looking at how successful Bloodborne has been on the PS4, Souls 4 has introduced some faster, slicker, and smoother combat. It’s also been given a visual polish, has bigger maps and more character options, and will release the same time as the console versions.
While some fans are concerned that the game is now too ‘accessible,’ don’t worry - it’s still as hard as ever. Release date: 2016. Genre: cRPG. Buy if you like: Planescape: Torment, Pillars of Eternity, purple, reading.
For some PC fans, Planescape: Torment is not only the best RPG of all time, but it's also the best-written game ever to appear on the platform. Despite being almost 17 years old, Planescape has one of the greatest stories ever to grace a video game. After a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2013, it looks as if we'll finally get to see the full spiritual successor to the classic cRPG in 2016 - Torment: Tides of Numenera. Like its 1999 predecessor, Numenera will be a story-driven, isometric RPG that's heavy on the dialogue.
The combat promises to be something unique, and the moral choices that deeply affect every part of the game are said to make Tides of Numenera a highly replayable experience. The game's available in an Early Access form on Steam right now, so if you can't wait for the full version, go take a.