Luckily, the popularity of PC gaming has only grown over time, leading to the production of additional games. It can be challenging to select just a few of the best PC games, but here are our top choices.
15+ Best PC Games to Play in 2024
Games of every kind are available, including cosy games, competitive games, and even some puzzle games. A variety of budgets have also been taken into account, and some of the best free PC games are already installed.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
- Major Highlights: Turn-based, RPG, character creation
- Publisher: Larian Studios
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Price & Availability: $59.99 on Steam
Baldur’s Gate 3 is our top choice for the best PC game, having won Game of the Year the previous year. In this Dungeons & Dragons-based turn-based role-playing game, you can explore the Forgotten Realms and enlist new allies and enemies for your party. The most recent game from Larian Studios, which captures the essence of the most thrilling dungeon masters, is a revolutionary addition to the genre and the platform as a whole. Choose this game to play if you only play one from our selection.
2. Elden Ring
- Major Highlights: Action RPG, Third-Person
- Publisher: Bandai Namco, FromSoftware Inc
- Developer: FromSoftware Inc
- Availability & Price: $59.99 on Steam
Elden Ring was a deserving recipient of the 2022 Game of the Year award. It’s one of the best PC RPGs available right now, to put it simply, letting you explore the terrain and fight enemies along the road to decide your fate. This time, Soulsborne adopts an open-world strategy, which makes it all the better. All the classic Soulsborne features are still there and accounted for, like enormous boss battles, difficult traversal, and limitless exploration.
3. Cyberpunk 2077
- Major Highlights: Action, RPG
- Publisher: CD Projekt RED, CD Projekt
- Developer: CD Projekt RED
- Availability & Price: $59.99 on Steam
Cyberpunk 2077 is a PC game that is among the greatest ever. You’ll have a great time exploring the environment of Night City, where you can use cybernetic modifications to complete missions, save yourself, and protect others around you in this harsh life to become a legend. It’s a somewhat hardware-intensive game, but if your PC can handle it. Additionally, a new region of Dogtown may be explored through the Phantom Liberty addition, and players can get to know new characters like Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba.
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4. Overwatch 2
- Major Highlights: Online, multiplayer, first-person shooter
- Publisher: Blizzard
- Developer: Blizzard
- Availability: Free on Steam
Overwatch 2 is one of the best PC games to install if you like to play with friends or want a more competitive game. With a variety of heroes to pick from in this free-to-play first-person shooter, there’s always someone to fit your playstyle. Characters are classified into three classes: support, damage, and tank. For your squad to succeed, a combination of all three is required. You’ll accomplish goals like battling for the control point and pushing the payload.
5. Grand Theft Auto V
- Major Highlights: Action, Adventure
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Developer: Rockstar Games
- Availability & Price: $39.99 on Steam
Playing Grand Theft Auto V is essential. Even though GTA 6 is quickly approaching, its predecessor is still among the greatest open-world PC games to play, whether you like to play alone and immerse yourself in the compelling narrative or with pals on some custom maps. After you finish the extensive main story, GTA Online offers more than ten years of gameplay, with free updates and expansions available even now.
6. Counter-Strike 2
- Major Highlights: Tactical, first-person shooter
- Publisher: Valve
- Developer: Valve
- Availability: Free on Steam
Counter-Strike 2 is another contender for the title of best free PC game. You can play alone or with pals in this tactical first-person shooter as you plant bombs as terrorists or defend zones as counterterrorists. With so many new features that make it the best strategic shooter on the market, you might be forgiven for believing that CS:GO is just an upgrade to the previous game. There is a severe learning curve, so be advised.
7. Stardew Valley
- Major Highlights: Farming Simulator, RPG, Multiplayer
- Publisher: Concerned Ape
- Developer: The Secret Police, ConcernedApe
- Availability & Price: $9.99 on Steam
Stardew Valley is an excellent game if you’re searching for the finest PC game to decompress. This serene agricultural simulator transports you to your grandfather’s deserted property. Play with it as you choose, and make friends with the locals and explore the mines. Gentle music along with a recognisable 16-bit art style creates a warm, inviting ambience that should keep you coming back.
8. Portal
- Major Highlights: Puzzle, Shooter, Multiplayer
- Publisher: Valve
- Developer: Valve
- Availability: $9.99 on Steam
One of the best PC games ever is the beloved classic Portal. Even though the game was released about twenty years ago, it is still excellent. Even though the graphics aren’t as good as they could be in comparison to more recent games, the intriguing plot of this puzzle game makes it worthwhile to play. You can play Portal with RTX if you have a good graphics card; as the name suggests, this legally approved version offers amazing lighting effects with real-time ray tracing and DLSS capability.
9. Call of Duty: Warzone
- Major Highlights: Multiplayer, first-person shooter, battle royale
- Publisher: Activision
- Developer: Activision
- Availability: Free on Steam
One of the best PC games to play is Warzone, especially for Call of Duty enthusiasts. In an enormous combat royale, your task is to gather goods from crates and move strategically to be the last person standing. Using features from the genre’s titans, like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, it refines the run-and-gun concept of the series’ major installments while maintaining the iconic CoD aesthetic.
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10. Dredge
- Major Highlights: Fishing, Adventure, Horror
- Publisher: Team17
- Developer: Black Salt Games
- Availability & Cost: $19.99 from Steam
Dredge is an excellent choice if you’re searching for one of the best PC games. In this stifling boat-based game, you must travel around the seven seas to gather fish, sell them to upgrade your ship, and unearth mysteries. It’s most likely the most realistic fishing simulator you’ve ever played, and it’s an encounter you won’t soon forget.
11. Teamfight Tactics
- Major Highlights: auto-battler, battle arena, strategy game
- Publisher: Riot Games
- Developer: Riot Games
- Availability: Free from Riot Games
If you’ve never played League of Legends, you can still have fun with teamfight tactics. This auto-battler is excellent, and its roster is always changing. Double Up is a game you may play alone or with a companion. Create various team combinations and defeat your opponents. It’s one of the greatest strategy games available for PC because of its simple to pick up but challenging to master gameplay that will have you playing for hours on end.
12. Preserve
- Major Highlights: Puzzle, Strategy
- Publisher: Grindstone
- Developer: Bitmap Galaxy
- Availability & Cost: $14.99 on Steam
For those searching for a game that is both peaceful and tough, Preserve is among the best PC games available. The soothing soundtrack will transport you as you lay tile pieces to earn enough points to advance while creating habitats and placing animals. After a demanding day at work or school, the game’s zen-like ambiance is ideal for relaxing. Remember that it’s currently under early access, so features will be added and changed over time.
13. Fall Guys
- Major Highlights: MMO, party, platformer
- Publisher: Epic Games, Devolver Digital
- Developer: Mediatonic
- Availability: Free on Epic Games
Fall Guys is one of the best party games available for PC gamers. Its adorable artwork and upbeat soundtrack may deceive you, but behind the surface lies one of the most annoying games you will ever play with friends. To be the last person (bean?) standing and taking home the coveted crown, you’ll compete in a variety of often updated obstacle courses and mini-game series.
14. No Man’s Sky
- Major Highlights: Action, Adventure, Survival
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: Hello Games
- Availability & Cost: $59.99 on Steam
Even though No Man’s Sky initially disappointed some players, it has since developed into one of the greatest space PC games thanks to frequent updates. It is entirely up to you how you choose to play No Man’s Sky—you can choose to follow the narrative or enjoy complete and unrestricted freedom. Now, you may construct intricate bases, play with friends, and explore both beautiful and dangerous terrain. For those who like the greatest open-world games, it has grown to be an immensely fulfilling experience.
15. Portal 2
- Major Highlights: Puzzle, Shooter, Multiplayer
- Publisher: Valve
- Developer: Valve
- Availability & Cost: $9.99 on Steam
The follow-up to Portal 2, a game that is also on this list, is among the best PC games ever made. With the help of portal technology, you and a companion may work through the challenging puzzle rooms in this puzzle shooter. Although the sequel doesn’t quite measure up to the first, it still has all the makings of an all-star classic because it adopts the bigger is better philosophy and includes a long cooperative campaign.
The Bottom Line
The best PC games come from decades of top-tier developers and cover a wide range of genres. There are many inexpensive and free PC games available for anyone on a tight budget. Our collection covers a wide range of experiences that may be played on less powerful hardware and can push the platform to its limits.