The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

2025 is here, and it's time for IGN's updated list of the 25 best modern PC games. But what constitutes "best"? This isn't an objective ranking; subjective preferences inevitably clash. One person's strategic masterpiece is another's tedious slog. Even fans of the same genre will disagree on rankings.

This list reflects the collective recommendations of IGN's PC gaming team, ranked using our Face-Off tool. It celebrates games we love and encourages you to try them.

With only 25 slots, many excellent recent PC games were omitted. This reflects the diverse tastes within our team.

The Best PC Games

26 ImagesThis list focuses on "modern" PC games released or significantly updated since 2013. Classics like Doom, Half-Life 2, and Skyrim are excluded; see our Top 100 Games of All Time for those.

Remember, this is our perspective. Create your own top 25 using our Playlist tool and share it in the comments!

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

Under Consideration – Recent Games

These highly-rated 2024 and 2025 games are too new for ranking but will be considered in future 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 subverts expectations, remembering your choices and adjusting accordingly. Its emotionally charged story emphasizes the impact of decisions. Subversive, replayable, and melancholy, it's a true classic.

Check out our Undertale review.

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

24. Balatro

Balatro, a clever deck-building roguelite, twists Texas Hold'em with wild joker cards, creating chaotic combos. It’ll challenge your card game assumptions.

Check out our Balatro review.

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

23. Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 balances complex systems with accessible storytelling. Weave tales of war, diplomacy, and intrigue in this historical grand strategy game.

Check out our Crusader Kings 3 review.

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

22. Hitman: World of Assassination

Hitman: World of Assassination collects the Hitman trilogy's levels, offering endless replayability in richly detailed sandboxes. Experience the thrill of creative assassinations.

Check out our Hitman 3: World of Assassination review.

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

21. Doom (2016)

The 2016 Doom reboot revitalized the franchise with intense, visceral combat. Rip and tear through hordes of demons in this classic reimagining.

Check out our Doom (2016) review.

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

20. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII Remake reimagines the classic RPG as a stunning action game, blending nostalgia with innovative gameplay. Experience Midgar anew.

Check out our Final Fantasy 7 Remake review.

Release Date: April 10, 2020 | Developer: Square Enix Business Division 1 | Last Position: 20

19. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake masterfully updates a classic, delivering intense action-horror with stunning visuals and ferocious enemies.

Check out our Resident Evil 4 Remake review.

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

18. God of War

God of War (2018) delivers a fantastic reinvention of the series, blending challenging combat with a touching story. A must-play for PC gamers.

Check out our God of War review.

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

17. Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata blends action-RPG gameplay with a captivating dystopian story and unforgettable soundtrack. Experience its unique blend of genres.

Check out our Nier: Automata review.

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

16. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is a fantastic MMORPG with a compelling story, streamlined gameplay, and challenging endgame content.

Check out our Final Fantasy XIV review.

Release Date: August 27, 2013 | Developer: Square Enix Product Development Division 3 | Last Position: 21

15. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a sprawling open-world adventure with a captivating story, detailed environments, and extensive gameplay options.

Check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 review.

Release Date: November 5, 2019 | Developer: Rockstar Games | Last Position: 6

14. Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds is a captivating space exploration game with a unique time loop mechanic. Unravel its mysteries through exploration and discovery.

Check out our Outer Wilds review.

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

13. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is a superb Metroidvania with beautiful visuals, expansive exploration, and challenging combat.

Check out our Hollow Knight review.

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

12. XCOM 2: War of the Chosen

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen delivers challenging turn-based tactical combat with high stakes and replayability.

Check out our XCOM 2: War of the Chosen review.

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

11. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a massive RPG with a captivating story, detailed world, and extensive gameplay.

Check out our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review.

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

10. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077, with its 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion, delivers a stunning open-world experience with improved gameplay.

Check out our Cyberpunk 2077 review.

Release Date: December 10, 2020 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Last Position: 7

9. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a relaxing farming simulator with RPG elements, charming visuals, and endless replayability.

Check out our Stardew Valley review.

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

8. Grand Theft Auto V / GTA Online

Grand Theft Auto V's massive, detailed world and engaging gameplay make it a timeless classic.

Check out our Grand Theft Auto V review.

Release Date: April 14, 2015 | Developer: Rockstar Games | Last Position: 11

7. Satisfactory

Satisfactory offers satisfying factory-building gameplay with a focus on automation and large-scale production.

Check out our Satisfactory review.

Release Date: March 19, 2024 | Developer: Coffee Stain Studios | Last Position: New!

6. Half-Life: Alyx

Half-Life: Alyx is a groundbreaking VR experience, setting a new standard for VR shooters.

Check out our Half-Life: Alyx review.

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

5. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire is a compelling roguelite with constantly evolving gameplay and replayability.

Check out our Slay the Spire review.

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

4. Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium offers unique RPG mechanics and compelling storytelling in a noir detective setting.

Check out our Disco Elysium review.

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

3. Hades

Hades is a masterclass roguelite with exhilarating combat, a compelling story, and endless replayability.

Check out our Hades review.

Release Date: September 17, 2020 | Developer: Supergiant Games | Last Position: 2

2. Elden Ring

Elden Ring offers a vast open world, challenging combat, and a rich lore in a soulslike experience.

Check out our Elden Ring review.

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

1. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 delivers a massive, ambitious RPG experience with deep storytelling and tactical combat.

Check out our Baldur's Gate 3 review.

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

The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now

25 games collectively recommended by IGN editors and contributors, all released within the past 10 years. Updated March 21, 2024.

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Upcoming PC Games

Exciting PC games coming in 2025:

These are our top 25 modern PC games! Many great games were excluded due to space limitations. Share your opinions in the comments and check out our other best games lists!

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