50 best pc games

Y'know, the massive sandbox battle royale, a game that's hosted concerts, Star Wars characters, Marvel superheroes, and so much more. Constant updates keep the world fresh, while Fortnite's combination of building and shooting gives it the competitive depth to stay engaging. It's still the battle royale that all others have to compete against. It's not the most beautiful action-RPG in the world, but it is engaging and rewarding in the long run. The microtransactions aren't too intrusive either, which makes this a must-try for fans of Diablo 2 and its ilk.

It's a fantastic competitive shooter that you can play for hours. Most heroes come for free out of the box, and the rest can be unlocked for free if you play enough.

The Doll Shop - Blending horror with romance, The Doll Shop transports you to a small village, which is being buried under a relentless snowfall. It tells a sinister story involving creepy handmade dolls. The art is sublime and the ending is especially memorable. You play as a peg-legged tavern owner, who has to serve three very special dishes to a trio of horrible pirates, who really should have checked the Food Standards rating first Chapter 2 released in and was a Big Deal for Undertale fans.

Little Party - The quiet and bittersweet story of a mother trying to reconnect with her daughter. Eternal Home Floristry - The tale of a hitman who gets taken in at a flower shop while he recovers from his injuries. The Herbalist - A wordless adventure about a traveller searching for a mysterious herb. You wander around its strange world trying to interpret symbols, in the hope of discovering the plant you need.

Off-Peak - Stranding you at an otherworldly train station, Off-Peak encourages you to explore, talk to the locals, and luxuriate in its strange atmosphere. Haunted Cities - There are three volumes worth of Haunted Cities to savour. If you enjoy this, paid-for sequel Emily is Away Too is worth checking out.

Olav and the Lute - An enigmatic adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world, with a cracking central mechanic. Rather than combining objects with other objects, you're affecting the world with a lute by plucking at its colour-coded strings. We Are Broken - An interactive visual novel where you must talk your way out of being eaten by a vampire. We Are Broken conjures a dark and cruel world with cutting visuals and music that makes your skin crawl.

Being trapped is horrible enough, but what cranks up the creepiness factor here is the dog-flap sized hole looming in the corner of the room, darkness shrouding whatever, or whoever, is inside.

Bleakshore - This chilling adventure uses the fuzzy, lo-fi aesthetic of PS1-era 3D graphics to create an impressively eerie atmosphere as a shadowy figure stalks you across the landscape Faith - Faith lures you into feeling secure—if a little jumpy—with its retro aesthetic, before it transcends its limitations in one shockingly scary moment.

David Lynch Teaches Typing - What begins as a friendly typing lesson from film director David Lynch slowly descends into a surreal, disorientating nightmare. At one point you have to touch a gross twitching bug. Great work, kiddo! House of Abandon - This story of a person playing a text adventure takes a sinister turn.

The setup is inventive, the play is simple and social, and the end result is yet to be replicated. It's difficult to pinpoint when exactly video games escaped the common misconception that they were distractions designed for children, but we're going to make the argument that it started here — with Maxis' hugely influential SimCity.

It didn't just kickstart the city-building genre, it made non-linear simulation games a phenomenon. Perhaps the gamification of city planning shouldn't have worked as well as it did, but there was something about SimCity that just spoke to a generation desperate to seize control of their surroundings. Maxis had us marking land for commercial, industrial, and residential development, building transportation systems, managing the power grid, and altering the tax rate to keep the 'sims' on the ground happy.

SimCity was educational, open-ended, and impossible to walk away from. Space Invaders may look crude by today's standards, but the impact that Tomohiro Nishikado's shoot 'em up had on the landscape of video games from the late s onwards cannot be overstated.

Said to have been inspired by prior video games such as Breakout , and H. Wells' alien invasion science fiction novel, Space Invaders was the first fixed shooter game that not only set the template for countless shoot 'em ups in its wake, but also marked the beginning of the so-called 'golden era of arcade games'.

In , British daily national newspaper The Times named Space Invaders as the 'most influential video game of all time'; while in , Guinness World Records billed it as the 'top arcade game of all time'. Why Super Mario Kart? The truth is, Nintendo EAD has done such a truly excellent job evolving and expanding upon the foundation laid down by this SNES classic over the last 30 years that any of the instalments yes, even Double Dash — especially Double Dash could quite easily sit in this position.

So, what is it about the debut of Mario's kart racing side-hustle that pushed it so far up the rankings? It's because of the masterful execution of, what was at the time, a relatively novel concept. The clever track design, slick implementation of simple combat into its high-speed races, and the addition of an irresistible suite of same-couch multiplayer modes helped enshrine Super Mario Kart as legend.

Few video games have transcended the medium and spilled into the world of pop culture like Pac-Man. The maze chase game, which sees players munching pills while outrunning ghosts on fluorescent maps, is one of the longest-running, best-selling, and highest-grossing video game franchises in history. And, believe it or not, those are only the games released in the '80s. Over 40 years later, the influence of Pac-Man can not be overstated, nor can the undeniable simplicity, challenge, and replayability that lies at the heart of his debut outing.

Much like Doom and Halo: Combat Evolved before it, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare set a new standard for the first person shooter and changed the dynamics of competitive multiplayer. The boundless energy and ingenuity of Modern Warfare's single-player campaign is still unrivalled in this space, while the introduction of the Killstreak and levelling systems, weapon customisation, and Prestige mode would bring a new-found sense of progression and retention to multiplayer gaming that has impacted generations of games and players alike.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a landmark release, its quality and innovations caused a seismic shift in the landscape of the video game industry that we're still feeling the aftershocks of to this day. To say Portal was a happy surprise in is an understatement. Launched with almost no fanfare as part of The Orange Box — a five-game package which marked Half-Life 2's arrival on consoles, bundling Valve's critically-acclaimed FPS with its subsequent Episode One and Two add-ons, Team Fortress 2, and Portal itself — Portal became an overnight success, wowing with its intelligent, brain-teasing puzzles, and lightning-quick, but exceedingly dark humour.

A meme-generator in a pre-meme world, Portal's antagonist GLaDOS is as charismatic, twisted and memorable as video game antagonists come, and the Weighted Companion Cube — a recurring object emblazoned with a love heart used to overcome specific puzzles — is, somehow, one of the most endearing video game allies of all time.

Despite being, you know, a literal, personality-less cube. Any game that can straddle not one, not two, but three console generations is doing something right. Unsurprisingly, Grand Theft Auto 5 has gone on to become one of the highest selling video games of all time, with over million copies shifted at the time of writing. In the absence of single player DLC, much of GTA 5's popularity today is driven by its online offshoot, GTA Online, which invites enterprising players to build virtual criminal empires from scratch — with gunrunning, drug manufacturing, nightclub ownership, and casino heisting among some of the more exotic activities offered within the game's dozens of complimentary updates.

Throw in a satirically-swiping Story Mode, and GTA 5 is the complete package for would-be digital law-breakers. To a certain generation of player, Super Mario Bros. For the rest of you out there, you're feeling the impact and influence of this legendary NES side-scrolling platformer in so many of the games you play today without even realising it.

Receiving universal acclaim when it was released in and featuring on countless 'best games of all time' lists since, Super Mario Bros 3 took everything the first game in the series had done and embellished on it in multiple directions. The most potent of these features was the power-ups, built out from the simpler abilities of the past and made magical here. Super Mario Bros. It's a little dizzying to comprehend just how much the modern video game industry owes to Bungie.

Halo: Combat Evolved established the framework that console-bound first-person shooters would follow for years to come, with its impossibly tight mechanical design and reactive artificial intelligence helping to set a new benchmark for the genre. Combat Evolved also made Microsoft a viable player in a home console market that was so volatile that entrenched industry-leader Sega was forced to concede just months before the launch of the original Xbox.

With its memorable, cinematic campaign, wondrously balanced weapons and vehicles, and an endlessly-replayable, surprisingly-robust multiplayer offering, Master Chief's debut adventure was so incredible that it enshrined the Spartan, his series, its developer, and the platform that hosted it all as legend.

Stealth games existed before Metal Gear Solid, but the espionage adventure redefined the genre. With Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, Thief: The Dark Project, Hitman, Splinter Cell, and Syphon Filter all landing in the space of a few years, the turn of the millennium was a renaissance period for stealth games, and, having directed the original Metal Gear and its sequel Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake a decade prior, Hideo Kojima was already a pioneer of the sneak 'em up.

Metal Gear Solid was, however, a watershed moment for the Japanese auteur's career, the stealth genre as a whole, and video games in general, as it weaved a rich tapestry of unforgettable Bond-esque villains, action hero movie-inspired plotlines, and revolutionary game mechanics over two discs on the original PlayStation. It might be difficult to imagine it now, but there was a point in time where many developers and players alike believed that the 2D experiences we had spent decades enjoying couldn't be replicated in 3D spaces.

Nintendo had something to say about that, launching the N64 in the summer of '96 alongside what would ultimately prove to be one of the most important and influential video games of all time.

Super Mario 64 is an inventive, wondrous adventure that redefined the way we play forever. As if critical and commercial acclaim at launch wasn't impressive enough, The Last of Us has since been remastered, it's received a handful of equally impressive DLC add-ons, spawned a breathtaking sequel, and is the source material for an upcoming HBO television series. That tells you all you need to know about the impact of Naughty Dog's groundbreaking zombie action-adventure game of , which explores the plight of protagonists Joel and Ellie in their journey through the post-apocalypse.

It's thoughtful, emotive, and seamlessly blends engrossing narrative with high-action, gun-toting survival — wherein allocating scant resources to craft petrol bombs over health kits can be gut wrenching as staring down a horde of bloodthirsty Clickers.

Terrifyingly brilliant from start to finish. Perhaps with the exception of Pong and Pac-Man, few video games hold the same notoriety as Tetris.

Originally conceived, designed and developed by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov for the Electronika 60 computer, the puzzle game was thrust into the mainstream by Nintendo in , whose take on the tile-matcher for its NES and Game Boy systems marked the game's first-ever outings on console. In practice, it's beautifully simple and progressively challenging, as you're tasked with fitting a series of falling shapes together, wiping full lines clear while avoiding filling your screen.

The enduring success of Tetris has seen it become the most ported game of all time, while the Game Boy's take on Russian folk song 'Korobeiniki' is today one of the most recognisable video game theme tunes ever composed. The quintessential fighting game that's inspired just about every beat 'em to grace a console, PC or arcade cabinet over the last three decades.

So popular was the follow-up to 's trailblazing Street Fighter, in fact, that between and , Street Fighter 2 appeared in five different guises; with a regular edition, a Champion Edition, a Hyper Fighting variant, a Super addition, and a Super Turbo edition, all launched in the space of just three years.

Today, Street Fighter is the highest-grossing fighting game media franchise in existence, Street Fighter 2 is the best-selling title among a whopping 37 main series games, spin-offs and crossovers, and Ryu and Ken are among the most recognisable video game characters of all time. It's impossible to imagine what the video game industry would look like today without Minecraft. Mojang's breakout independent release turned billion-dollar cultural phenomenon has shaped the way that we play today.

Even as it gradually expanded and evolved over time, Minecraft never lost sight of the importance in positioning a player's imagination as a central system — one with as much importance as crafting or combat. While you may come for the survival experience, you'll stay for the endless creativity that the construction sandbox is able to contain.

If you can dream it, you can build it; that's a setup as appealing to veteran gamers as it is to young children, and it remains a remarkable achievement.

It's hard to believe Half-Life 2 is almost 20 years old, because Valve's seminal first-person shooter still looks gorgeous today.

The term 'game-changer' is sometimes overused in modern video games discourse, but Gordon Freeman's second outing really was just that when it launched towards the end of , setting a new, remarkably higher standard for all narrative FPS games moving forward in the process.

Few have come close in the intervening years, which is testament to the game's tight combat mechanics, astute puzzle set-pieces, and engrossing storytelling — all of which were carried into episodic sequels, Episode One and Episode Two. Even now, just a few short years after the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the impact of Link's debut adventure on Nintendo Switch is difficult to quantify. It's one of those rare releases whose influence is so vast that it has quietly seeped into the fabric of the entire video game industry, the results of which are being teased out now and won't be fully realised for years to come.

Heralded for its freeform approach to problem solving and its wondrous open world, remembered for its challenging combat and sharp storytelling, Breath of the Wild is a once-in-a-generation masterpiece. Unsurprisingly, it's also one of the best-selling, and most critically-acclaimed games of all-time.

Doom wasn't the first first-person shooter, but it might be the most important. When id Software unleashed this carnival of carnage upon an unsuspecting world in it changed everything. It established the template for a wave of demonic shooters that helped define play throughout the '90s and it gave many gatekeepers to popular culture a new way to demonize video games.

While Doom may well be remembered by many for being one of the most controversial video games in existence, we prefer to look at it for all that it accomplished. It's responsible for taking the FPS mainstream, for delivering intensive action and an arsenal of finely-tuned weapons that still holds up today, and, perhaps most importantly, for making video games "cool". From cult classic, to sleeping giant, to one of the most influential action-RPGs of a generation, Dark Souls' path to mainstream recognition was as twisted as the beasts lurking in Demon Ruins.

Often billed as one of the most punishing games you'll ever play, FromSoftware's indirect follow-up to 's Demon's Souls is hardly a walk in the park, but, scratch beneath its difficulty, and discover a wonderful, open-lored and expertly-designed fantasy role-player, with larger than life enemies, mysterious NPCs, and epic boss battles that will leave the words 'YOU DIED' etched into your mind via the tip of a Dragonslayer Spear.

For more, check out our rankings of the 20 best video game consoles and hardware of all time and the 50 best game characters of all time. In his spare time, Josh plays bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in. With precious few sources of light besides that one lonely beam in your hand, you'll have to carefully prioritize your targets or simply hold them back while you make a break for the next safe area.

Coupled with the spooky TV series theming, you've got a lot of delicious, omnious atmosphere to enjoy as you play.

It's been too long since the original Psychonauts amazed us all with its enjoyable platforming and imaginative environments, so we've been delighted to try out the sequel. With new and more customizable psychic powers, it's even more fun to play as Raz the second time around. Plus with the extra power of a modern PC, each unique environment and set of enemies looks fantastic. Plus with the story taking place directly after the original and a detailed recap at the start of the game , there's no discomfort while trying to understand exactly what's going on.

The latest installment of the hectic 2D fighting series is also its most accessible. Whether it's the detailed tutorial, bevy of missions and training options to help you learn moves and combos, or the in-depth glossary and lore resources to help get you up to speed on the story, GG Strive gives you every chance to immerse yourself. While the game's story mode is worth your time if you're a fan of anime action, the heart of the game is its one-on-one fights.

All the characters have an arsenal of flashy and devestating moves, but it's up to you to learn how to tie them together and best your opponent. Mix in dramatic moments like aerial combos, wall breaks and stage transitions and every fight feels epic, even if you aren't an expert.

This isn't just a new coat of paint on the old games though. Bioware has tweaked the controls and gameplay to make all three titles play smoothly.

And yes, that includes the infamous Mako tank from the first game. To complete the package, all the games include all the DLC too, be it just guns and armor or a full story expansion. With so much high quality content to enjoy, this is unquestionably one of the best PC games around right now. A sequel that's just as good as the original, Little Nightmares II once again puts you in the shoes of a vulnerable kid trying to escape the clutches of monstrous adults.

This time you're not alone though. You play as Mono, the boy wearing a paper bag, but you're joined by Six, the girl with the yellow jacket who starred in the original game. As you'd expect, there are enemies to avoid or fight, plus lots of environmental hazards and traps to work your way around.

The visual design and sound design are as atmospheric as ever, which helps create a baseline sense of unease as you traverse the Pale City. It's on the shorter sides of these best PC games, but it's still all too memorable. The sequel to 's Nioh keeps the already challenging core of the action RPG intact, but adds new fun elements on top of that.

Set in an early-modern Japan inhabit by numerous good and evil spirits, you play a half-spirit, half-human. Adventuring across the islands you will meet key historical figures from the Sengoku Era, as well as taking on the yokai that stand in your way. The most obvious comparison point for this game is the Dark Souls series. Combat is quick and deadly for both you and your opponents, but you can augment your abilities with new items you discover and craft, which will help you reach the next checkpoint.

It doesn't just involve traditional weapons and switching battle stances any more though, as your new Yokai Shift powers let you take the form of foes you've defeated. The lethality of battle and the number of complex mechanics means this game will take some serious dedication to complete. After hiding on the Epic Games Store as an exclusive early access title since late , Hades has now finally launched as a full product on other platforms, and quickly became recognized as one of the best PC games around.

This is a rare combination of a roguelike game with a comprehensive, branching story. You, playing as Hades' son Zagreus, have to continually fight your way through Hades the place, not your father over and over until you make it to Mount Olympus. The other famous gods of the Greek pantheon are also there for you to interact with. They serve as both characters in the story and as your method of upgrading your character with powers and abilities that reflect their place in the pantheon.

Each run means trying out a new combination of these gifts, and every failure still moves you forward. Available from Steam and the Epic Games Store. None of the other best PC games on this list offer you the whole world to play with, but the latest flight sim from Microsoft gives you exactly that, with both a mind-boggling scale and a meticulously detailed hangar of aircraft to pilot.

You have the choice of both light aircraft or huge passenger jets, letting you play as a lone amateur aviator or the captain of a commercial flight. The game promises to model their flight characteristics accurately, which are affected by real-time weather and daylight effects, so it'll be difficult to get a better idea of flying one of these machines without actually stepping into the cockpit in real life.

While you can nerd out over every single setting and control of your plane, you can also let the game take care of the tricky stuff while you enjoy flying around, seeing landmarks from across the globe or touching down at one of the game's many detailed airports. Chances are you've not played this unless you own a PS4 also , and since this version comes with all the DLC packed in, there's no better way to experience this open-world adventure.

Somewhere in the US after an unknown apocalyptic event, tribes of humans try to live quietly in amongst the hordes of animalistic robots that roam the lands. As the outcast Aloy however, you are bound for greater things.

While your human enemies are armed with the same array of spears, bows and slings as you are, taking on the machines, particularly the larger varieties, requires a lot more tactical thinking. There is a story to play through, one which helps explain the world and how it came to be this way, and that's quite enjoyable on its own. But it's exploring the beautiful but desolate urban areas reclaimed by trees and plants, hunting down your metal prey via traps and frontal attacks, and finally bringing it down after a long tense battle that secures H:ZD a spot on the best PC games list.

As a high school student, you spend a year living in the town of Inaba, and fighting in an alternate dimension, where you must fight against the Shadows alongside your friends, using 'Personas', manifestations of your inner selves that contain immense power, as your weapons.