Combat is just as difficult as ever, with an inventive balance system that lets you continue to play with your current character without being immediately overpowered. That lets you experience the thrill of overcoming new obstacles all over again, with a wide array of new weapons to master. Another chapter in the mind-bending Remedy universe, Alan Wake 2 picks up right where the cult classic left off more than a decade ago. Alan is trapped in the Dark Place and his only way out is to write his own story. His campaign takes place alongside a concurrent one with FBI agent Saga Anderson, and the two complimentary campaigns can be played together in any order.
At the same time, much of the baggage from the genre has been left behind, leaving a smooth hack-and-slash (or spell-slinging) gameplay experience. It shouldn’t surprise you to see the lengthy fantasy RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 on this list. CNET loved the game when we reviewed it on the Steam Deck and the game got rave reviews when it was first released.
We have a guide to putting together an entry-level gaming PC for around $750, and we have some recommendations for pre-built PCs, too. A great pirate-themed stealth tactics/strategy game from the company behind Desperados 3 and Shadow Tactics. Arguably the best title ever to come from Mimimi Games, which makes the recent announcement that Shadow Gambit will be the studio’s last project even sadder. The enemy bases can become a bit of a chore near the end of the game, but that’s nitpicking in what is a beautiful experience that will stay in your memory long after you’ve finished.
Handheld PC players should check out our list of the best games on Steam Deck, but several of our picks are certified to run on those too. Its urban fantasy world—where djinn and demons lurk just under the surface of mundane life—is so enthralling, and the perfect setting for a story that effortlessly weaves between moments of lightness and humour, and truly dark and terrible crimes. That central narrative is bolstered by developer Wadjet Eye’s extensive experience creating supernatural mysteries in the Blackwell games, but feels more ambitious, expansive, and complete than any of its past work. Destiny 2 has been going strong for years, but with the release of The Final Shape, the first major story arc has reached its conclusion.
We should also mention that this new list of recommended PC games doesn’t invalidate our previous picks from 2022 and 2021, many of which are excellent games not to be missed and can now be found for deep discounts. Every good historical drama could use a little bit of magic—something I’ve always broadly believed, and found reaffirmed by The Thaumaturge. And it looks gorgeous to boot, and while on the shorter side by RPG standards (maybe hours), there’s not much padding on its bones. As for why Pizza Tower was a runaway hit with over 60,000 user reviews, while Antonblast is a more modest success? Perhaps just timing—it came later and Pizza Tower had filled that Wario-shaped hole in PC gamers’ lives. Also the intentionally low-fi, noisy GBA-styled graphics made for a less screenshot and stream-friendly game.
TL;DR? These are the 15 best PC games for May 2025
There’s a greater emphasis on single-player entries this time, considering the surge in online multiplayer games currently on offer. Several renowned titles have made the list, but there’s also a few indie gems on there, too. But I can easily see this being a cult hit that people discover and fall in love with for years to come, especially with the changes made post-release. I’ll admit to being fashionably late to the party on Drova, but I don’t regret waiting. Now officially complete after a round of massive content updates, I’m happy to call Drova the rightful heir to Gothic’s crown.
Best immersive RPG
He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry. You can choose to mine, to get satisfaction out of doing your job with the tools that work the best for you, or you can explore derelict ships and chase down slim side stories. Though it’s a game about simulated space labour in exchange for money, it’s not grindy.
While there’s a good chunk of solo content here, the original version put a heavy focus on playing with real humans (in asynchronous play-by-email style to keep things moving at a decent clip). Making deals with real friends and then stabbing them in the back is so much more satisfying than against NPCs, and for that, you need a group all willing to put money down on a full-priced game. Still, even without being a hit, the game is still growing, with a recent anniversary update bringing a bunch of new content despite the studio itself officially being “in hibernation.” A hellish passion project. The SteamWorld franchise doesn’t iterate with sequels often, but when it does, you can count on it being worthwhile. SteamWorld Heist 2 takes the foundation built by its turn-based ricochet strategy game predecessor and builds and expands on it in every way.
This also applies game quiz to the story, which now has a more consistent narrative and fleshed out character moments that simply weren’t present in the original game. If you’re interested in diving into a challenging but rewarding RPG with a fantastic aesthetic, Elden Ring is the perfect game to check out this year. While this title won’t be for everyone, due to the inherently difficult gameplay, it’s worth the glory if you’re willing to step up to the plate. Sure, Half-Life 2 turns 20 this year, and a lot of games that old don’t exactly hold up.
There really isn’t another title like it, so if you’re after a co-op first game to sink your teeth into then this is one of the best out there. The driving feels fantastic, even if it does have an arcadey slant rather than making the exercise hyperrealistic. You don’t need to be a huge car fan to have fun here, separating Horizon from its more serious Forza Motorsport sibling. There’s a soothing cadence of tension and peace built into Kunitsu-Gami, and the game provides ample opportunity for players to sit back and admire the beauty before them — whether it’s a lovely piece of mochi or a giant sludge-filled beast. It’s a (mostly) third-person narrative adventure set in an alternative 19th century Russia, and it stars an ostracized nun, Indika, who has the devil’s voice in her head. From this foundation, the game offers a flurry of whimsical absurdity, religious criticism and raw human suffering, always with a wink and a nod.
Latest best PC games
Something about its quickfire rounds, huge number of small maps, chaotic arsenal and knockabout casual nature got its teeth into our crew enough to earn our coveted (and highly contested) Best FPS of 2024 award. If 2022’s FixFox was like getting a part-time summer job at a repair shop (in space), then Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop is a game about still doing that job for barely-improved wages after twenty years as the world collapses around you. It’s also very funny, intensely clever and layered with roguelike-like chaos that elevates its central mechanic (fixing strange space machinery under pressure while consulting the operator’s manual) to intense heights. The combination of time pressure and the surprising number of permutations each machine can have keeps things fresh. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs.
And (hear me out), through its level designs, it’s also a lot like a MOBA, with maps divided into lanes and set objective points to fight over. The first release from Estonian studio ZA/UM, it’s a sprawling science-fiction RPG that takes more inspiration from D&D and Baldur’s Gate than modern combat-focused titles. Instead, you’ll be creating your character, choosing what their strengths and weaknesses are, and then passing D&D-style skill checks to make your way through the story. You’ll, of course, level up your abilities and boost stats with items, but really the game’s systems fall away in place of a truly engaging story, featuring some of the finest writing to ever grace digital interactive media. With The Final Cut, released 18 months after the original, this extremely dialogue-heavy game now has full voice acting, which brings the unique world more to life than ever before.