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Best PC Games 2024: Dive into these must-play titles

Looking for your next gaming obsession? We’ve got you covered with our round-up of the best modern PC titles you can play right now.

Compared to the console market, you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to gaming on a laptop or PC. The PC scene has a thriving MMO community with staples like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy Online, and digital storefronts like Steam and the Epic Games Store make it incredibly easy to dive into classic titles that can be tricky to find elsewhere.

Plus, in recent years we’ve seen an increasing number of previous PlayStation exclusives make the leap to PC, including The Last of Us Part I and Ghost of Tsushima. That’s before mentioning the fact that Xbox franchises like Halo and Gears of War have long enjoyed availability on PC as well.

It all adds up to an impressive library of content just waiting to be enjoyed, but if all that choice seems a bit overwhelming (and understandably so), then we’ve highlighted the best modern PC games in this very list to quickly pair you up with your next favourite title.

If you also dabble in a bit of console gaming then you may also want to rummage through our lists for the best PS5 games, best Nintendo Switch games and best Xbox Series X/S games.

Best PC Games at a glance

How we test

Learn more about how we review games

We play every game we review through to the end, outside of certain exceptions where getting 100% completion, like Skyrim, is close to impossible to do. When we don’t fully finish a game before reviewing it we will always alert the reader.

Forza Horizon 5

Best racer on PC
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Pros

  • Absolutely stunning visually
  • The cars are a dream to drive
  • Loads of varied events

Cons

  • Lack of ray tracing in the main game

We were so impressed with Forza Horizon 5 that we gave it a perfect score. This sandbox racer is set in Mexico, featuring a wide range of jaw-dropping biomes from vast deserts to lush jungles. While races offer heart-pounding fun, you can have just as much fun simply exploring the map.

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. 

You can play solo or with a group of friends too, making Forza Horizon 5 impressively versatile. So if your squad is fatigued from gunning down in Call of Duty Warzone, this is a fantastic alternative to take for a test drive. 

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Forza Horizon 5 Review

Elden Ring

Best RPG
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Pros

  • Giant open world to explore, full of things to discover
  • Rewarding and punishing combat
  • More content than most players will ever need
  • Open-class development tree that’s ripe for tweaking

Cons

  • Some fights are very difficult

Elden Ring is the latest RPG from FromSoftware that brings in a large open world to explore and a compelling narrative, alongside the famous combat and lore from the publisher’s own Dark Souls series. While this game is definitely about fighting and not about talking, it’s great to meet characters that were hinted at in past games and to learn more about the overall lore.

The open-world map is epic in scale, with the beginning of the game not pushing towards any missions or tasks, giving the player the chance to traverse the lands and get to grips with the new gameplay mechanics, including a fully-fledged jump button.

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.

Reviewer: Alastair Stevenson
Full Review: Elden Ring Review

Deathloop

Best singleplayer FPS
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Pros

  • Uses the time loop concept to great effect
  • Supernatural abilities are a joy to use
  • Plenty to discover in each hub world
  • Multiplayer element adds some thrilling chaos

Cons

  • Can get repetitive towards the end
  • A small number of technical issues

Deathloop feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the other AAA games on the market. Instead of having traditional levels to play through, Deathloop locks you into a time loop which can only be broken by assassinating eight targets before the weekend is over. 

Interestingly, you can’t simply jump into each location guns blazing to take down your targets, as you must instead do some sleuthing and clever time manipulation in order to put your carefully assembled dominos in place. 

Throw in some absurdly fun supernatural abilities and the capability for online players to invade your game, and Deathloop becomes an absolute joy to play. If you’ve been complaining that modern games are all too similar, this is one of the best PC games that you buy right now.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Deathloop Review

Crusader Kings 3

Best strategy game
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Pros

  • Excellent new RPG elements
  • Additional mechanics allow for more varied playstyles
  • Quality-of-life improvements
  • Improved visuals look fantastic

Cons

  • AI-controlled allied armies are unreliable
  • Couple of irksome technical issues

Crusader Kings 3 may look like a bore that only a history nerd could love, but it’s actually a ridiculously fun create-your-own-adventure epic, as you can become the ruler of any kingdom you fancy and change historical events for the better or worse.

You can take your crown seriously and try to conquer as much land as possible, or just have a ruddy good time by spending your money on parties and sleeping with every character that looks your way. There’s an excellent RPG system at play here, so you can make different builds with each character.

Strategy games such as Crusader Kings have understandably been intimidating for new players in the past, but this time round there’s an excellent tutorial, accompanied by detailed guides. It’s well worth a go if you have even the faintest interest in history, or you simply just want to wreak havoc as King of England.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Crusader Kings 3 Review

Football Manager 2022

Best sports game
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Pros

  • Still as tactically deep as ever
  • Data Hub helps to pinpoint team flaws
  • Staff Meetings and Deadline Day improve immersion
  • Match Engine allows for more realistic player behaviour

Cons

  • Arguably not enough features to justify upgrading from FM21
  • Media conferences still feel like a chore

You may be repulsed by the idea of a game that involves spreadsheets and emails, but Football Manager 2022 is a surprisingly entertaining game. You can take control of any football team you fancy, and then fiddle with every aspect of the club, from what style of football you should be playing to what kind of salary your scouts should be getting.

Playing as Newcastle will grant you a whopping £200 million war chest in the latest iteration, allowing you to build up your own title-winning team from scratch. The introductions of the Data Hub and an expanded Transfer Deadline improve the immersion of being a head coach too, making this the best entry in the series yet.

It may not offer the end-to-end excitement of FIFA, but if you’ve ever wondered what managing a football club would be like, then Football Manager 2022 is your best opportunity.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Football Manager 2022 Review

It Takes Two

The best co-op PC game
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Pros

  • Well told narrative
  • Engaging and constantly changing gameplay
  • Jaw-dropping scenery

Cons

  • The scene with Cutie the elephant
  • Occasionally less than stellar voice acting

After showing off its ability to make a fun and engaging co-op narrative in A Way Out, Hazelight Studios was able to go even further with its colourful yet thought provoking follow-up, It Takes Two.

Centred around a married couple on the verge or divorce who suddenly find themselves turned into dolls, the game requires two players to work together in a quest for the ages, all with the hope of getting the main characters back to their human form and potentially reconcile along the way.

The magic of It Takes Two is that the game rarely rests on its laurels – while cooperation is key, the gameplay changes greatly from level to level, so you’re never quite sure of what to expect. 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.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: It Takes Two Review

Resident Evil 4

Best horror PC game
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Pros

  • Gameplay tweaks help to elevate the original game
  • The revamped story feels more cohesive
  • A much stronger link with Resident Evil 2
  • Tons of replayability

Cons

  • Minor performance issues in Resolution mode

Capcom’s been on a roll recently with remaking classic Resident Evil titles for a modern age but the developer has reached new heights, not just within its own series, but also for what one can expect from a ground-up remake in Resident Evil 4.

Because the original Resident Evil 4 is so well remembered for how it introduced gamers to more fast-paced, over the shoulder-style gameplay, Capcom certainly had a tricky task on its hands with recapturing that magic a second time, but the Resident Evil 4 Remake is everything we could’ve hoped for and then some.

On the gameplay front, Capcom has made some meaningful tweaks here that allow RE 4 Remake to fit in with the modern day crowd. Leon can now run and aim at the same time but to make sure that the player doesn’t feel too powerful, enemies are now more aggressive and can corner you easily if you’re not paying attention.

The game itself has also been remixed in such a way, with updated locations and twists on well-remembered boss fights, that it won’t feel like a complete retread for returning players. This also applies to the story, which now has a more consistent narrative and fleshed out character moments that simply weren’t present in the original game.

Beyond the gameplay, it’s the visuals that have been given the biggest overhaul as RE 4 Remake features far more detailed character models and vastly improved lighting to deliver a terrifying adventure. The game looks great on consoles but it really shines if you have a high-end PC to really put it to the test.

While there are plenty of side-quests throughout the game to help pad out the runtime, players are encouraged to dive into multiple playthroughs in order to unlock various weapons, costumes and more, so you’ll get plenty bang for your buck with Resident Evil 4.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Resident Evil 4 Remake Review

Two Point Campus (2022)

Best management simulator
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Pros

  • Great variety of courses and personalities
  • Hours of gameplay
  • Great and distinctive art style
  • Simple controls make designing easy

Cons

  • Occasional technical glitches

Two Point Campus sees you become the owner of a university, blending the management elements perfectly with quirky graphics and interesting characters to create a unique experience.

A large portion of this game is dedicated to customisation, as you’re tasked with creating your university campus from the ground up. You need to ensure that your campus is up to standards, with enough rooms like Student Lounges and Libraries to meet every student, and staff needs.

We loved how easy it was to customise your space, with options for funky decor like a Clown Dresser or Gothic Bookcase. And that’s not to mention how entertaining the courses are, with students taking Knight classes and Cooking seminars, it’s so easy to get lost in this world for hours on end making sure your campus is the best in town.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full review: Two Point Campus Review

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Best zombie game
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Pros

  • Parkour platforming is incredibly fun
  • The open-world city is a great playground
  • Your decisions shape the story
  • Great cast of characters

Cons

  • Combat is hit and miss
  • Immunity timer will be divisive
  • Not scary enough for horror fans

Dying Light 2 may look like your bog-standard zombie slasher on the surface, but it actually feels very different to the likes of Resident Evil thanks to its top-notch parkour system.

You’re able to climb up skyscrapers, soar through the air with a glider and even somersault over the undead. This makes fleeing from hordes of zombies even more fun, especially during the night when there are even more frightening monsters lurking in the streets.

Those looking for a proper horror game will likely be disappointed here, as Dying Light 2 is more interested in high-octane action than building up a creepy atmosphere. But if you’re squeamish and don’t fancy soiling your pants, this is likely the best zombie game for you.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Dying Light 2 Review

Halo Infinite

Best multiplayer shooter
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Pros

  • Hugely enjoyable gunplay, with great weapon variety
  • Grappleshot is incredibly fun to use
  • Compelling dialogue and engaging new characters
  • Fantastic multiplayer mode

Cons

  • Open-world sections are generic
  • Boss battles can be frustrating
  • Story’s conclusion is anti-climatic

Halo Infinite is one of the most popular shooters on PC right now. Its online multiplayer is free to play and is well worth trying out with a group of friends, although you will need to pay upfront to experience the sixth mainline campaign in the series.

Master Chief once again stars in this latest outing, proving as resilient as ever following a crushing defeat by a new enemy: the Banished. He’s joined by a fantastic cast of characters, while also benefiting from a new grappling gun that allows you to zip across a battlefield in a blink of an eye.

The shooting mechanics are fantastic here too, with plenty of heart-pounding shootouts with a huge variety of sci-fi weapons. The new open-world map is admittedly disappointing, feeling somewhat empty and lifeless, but that’s easily forgivable when the gunplay is so much fun.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Halo Infinite Review

FAQs

What are the most popular PC games on Steam?

As of February 2022, the current most played games on Steam are Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2 and PUBG: Battlegrounds.

Is Fortnite free on PC?

Yes, Fortnite is free to play on PC. Just install the Epic Games Store, and you can download it from there.

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