Best PC games 2022: the must-play titles you don’t want to miss. // Top PC games 2022 // Top Pc games to play in 2022 (2024)

You can get your hands on the best PC games that have surfaced over the last decade or so, thanks to the abundance of quality gaming laptops and PCs.

It's put PC gaming on par with the latest consoles, like thePS5andXbox Series X. Cloud services likeXbox Game Pass Ultimatemake it extremely easy to play some of the most talked about games too, without taking up space on your hard drive, or demanding expensive hardware. With a wider variety of titles becoming available, like what was demonstrated during theXbox and Bethesda Games Showcasethis year, there's even more value in the service and PC gaming in general.

In some cases, PC gaming is preferable compared to the newest consoles, mainly because of the technical advantages that PCgraphics cardshave over consoles. The best PC games can also run at higher framerates, leading to a seamless gaming experience without any stutters or lags.Gaming monitors, especially ultra-wide options, can also take the PC gaming experience up another level with incredible immersion comparable only to VR.

Whether you’ve already got a great PC gaming setup, or are just looking for yourPC gamingoptions, we’ve selected the best PC games on the market right now to peruse. Not every game might be your ideal choice, sure, but rest assured that our list has something for everyone. Take a look and see if any of our best PC games fit what you’re looking for.

Best new PC game: Silt

Silt is described as a surreal underwater puzzle-adventure game, starring a lone deep diver exploring the dark depths of the ocean to uncover its mysteries. Developed by Spiral Circus Games and published by Fireshine Games, Silt captures the experience of both awe and terror in this inventive title.

The game is a single-player experience, allowing it to develop its darkly atmospheric gameplay style. If you're looking for a platformer puzzle-style game with a more methodical delivery of its plot and controls that keep things feeling fresh until the end, this is a title worth picking up.

What makes Silt stand out from most other games in the genre is the gorgeous and moody black and white graphics. The contrast between light and dark elements builds the atmosphere in such a subtle yet effective way, which perfectly represents the inherent horror and danger in exploring the deep sea while encountering terrifying monsters.

Silt is currently available on Steam, with praise from critics and fans alike. The title is about three hours long, and the length works perfectly due to its well-paced story and gameplay.

1. Elden Ring

Elden Ring is all anyone can really talk about these days, and for good reason. FromSoftware's latest punishment-simulator has all the familiar touchstones of a Souls-like, but expanded out into an open world with a story crafted by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, so you know it's not going to pull any punches.

The PC version of the game has had some performance issues that FromSoftware is working on patching. Still, even with these issues, it's unquestionably one of the best games, if not the best, that the studio has ever put out.

As devoted fans of the studio's work since the originalDemons' Soulson the PS3, we don't offer that kind of praise lightly, but like the Souls-like genre itself, you gotta earn it, and FromSoftware unquestionable does with Elden Ring.

Read our fullElden Ring review

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is aging like fine wine. Even several years after it hit the streets, it’s still one of the most impressive open world games that’s ever existed – mixing Skyrim’s unapologetic scale with Grand Theft Auto V’s incredible depth. It’s such a jam-packed game, which is why it's still near the top of the best PC games in 2022.

Staggering, beautiful and an absolute time sink – in a good way – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t just one of the best PC games of 2022 or among thebest open world games on PC. It might just be one of the best video games of all time.

3. Ghostrunner

Ultra-violence and constant motion meet in this post-apocalyptic dystopian game. This FPP is not for the faint of heart – it’s tense, exhilarating, and you'll probably die repeatedly trying to beat it. If you ever wanted a game that came in equal parts Doom Eternal and Mirror’s Edge, you found it in Ghostrunner.

The game is set in Dharma Tower, a sort-of last refuge for humanity, where you ascend the tower through platforming and katana-induced carnage to take revenge on a ruthless ruler. You do so by slicing up your enemies, dodging bullets, and using a number of unique abilities to continue making your way to the top. This is the kind of game that will leave you out of breath just playing it. If that sounds like your kind of game, then you’re in for a treat.

4. Dying Light 2

Open-world zombie games may seem a little clichè these days but the Dying Light series has managed to keep things fresh with its parkour-style gameplay and day-night cycle, where the zombies go from slow and lumbering and extremely aggressive and much more dangerous.

In Dying Light 2, not only do you get to explore a map that’s four times larger than in the original game, you’ll be able to make decisions that fundamentally change the in-game world. That even opens up certain sections of the map depending on what you choose to do. And, like the original Dying Light, coop play allows you to tackle the game with up to three other players.

Read our fullDying Light 2 review

5. Hades

Supergiant Games made a name for itself thanks to the great reception that Pyre, Transistor, and Bastion received. Now, fans of the studio have a new entry to add to the studio’s pantheon of great games: Hades. Hades uses the same isometric view of the other games and tells the story of Hades’ son, Zagreus, trying to escape the underworld.

This roguelike dungeon crawler has a few new features up its sleeve. Not only can you romance some characters for extra bonuses, but dying in the game doesn’t start you at the last checkpoint. When you die, you might start at the beginning but you’re not starting over. You’re able to upgrade your character and weapons to improve your chances of escaping with each subsequent death. This leads to a sense of progression that makes for a very addictive game.

6. God of War

God of Waras a series has been around since 2005. And, though it’s had many entries over the years, the one from 2018 has reinvigorated the series, whether that’s due to a new setting – you’re not exploring some hellscape version of Greece anymore – or the fact that Kratos now has a companion on his journey.

This former Playstation exclusive finds you playing as Kratos, the demigod that’s taken down just about the entire Greek pantheon in the previous games, as he and his son travel to the top of the mountain to scatter his dead wife’s ashes in a Norse-inspired mythological setting. Of course, being a God of War game, you’ll have to fight your way through all sorts of creatures and gods on the way.

7. Deathloop

If you ever wondered what Groundhog Day would look like in-game form, wonder no more. Deathloop, from the makers of the Dishonored series, gives the first-person shooter a fun little twist with some added strategy.

In this stylish game, you play as Colt, who’s stuck on an island in a time loop with a rival assassin. To break the loop, you have to kill eight targets before the day ends; otherwise, you start over. However, as each day resets, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, changing playstyles and learning the terrain until you find the best way to break the loop.

Read our fullDeathloop review

8. Microsoft Flight Simulator

Beyond its impeccable graphics and its excellent peripheral support, it won’t take you long to realize thatMicrosoft Flight Simulatoris a labor of love. There’s a great attention to detail here, as well as a level of realism and immersion you won’t find elsewhere.

So much so that if you’re not a fan of flight simulations, you’ll want to start getting on the bandwagon. Though that also means this game won’t be for everyone. Still, if you’re a flight sim fanatic or you love planes and flying, you’ll relish the chance to fly iconic vehicles in some of the most beautiful yet dangerous locations and conditions in the world.

Read our fullMicrosoft Flight Simulator review

9. Hitman 3

Hitman 3 closes out the rebooted trilogy with another gorgeous entry that shows what makes these games so unique. It doesn’t redefine the gameplay, yet it does introduce six new maps and wraps up the story started in 2016’s Hitman. Just like the previous games, Hitman 3's maps will take you worldwide, between Dubai, England, China, and more.

If you’re not familiar with Hitman's gameplay, you’re in for a treat. As Agent 47, you play a calm and calculating hitman whose job is to move around large maps like an English manor, finding and eliminate your targets quietly and undetected. On top of that, you can play the same map multiple times to find fresh ways or new story paths to take out your targets, giving this entry, alongside the previous ones, the kind of replayability you don’t see in most games.

Read our fullHitman 3 review

10. Death Stranding

If the name Norman Reedus is what got your attention when someone mentioned Death Stranding, well then you’re in for a treat. However, this game is getting a lot of attention for more than just the big names attached to it, which incidentally include Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydoux.

As porter Sam Bridges, you bravely traverse an apocalyptic United States to deliver valuable cargo, navigating lands overrun by terrorists, bandits and these invisible creatures called Beached Things. This award-winning action game is a treat to all the senses as well, thanks to its great storyline, which may be reminiscent of the current pandemic, good gameplay, fun quests, and impressive sound and visuals.

Read our fullDeath Stranding review

11. Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Mass Effect Legendary Edition may not be a new game, per se, but it gets a shiny coat of paint as well as a few extras that make one of the most exciting gaming series ever worth revisiting. It’s not only been remastered with the ability to play in 4K, but it comes with just about all the content of the first three games including their DLCs. Additionally, there have been some technical and gameplay improvements for a more seamless experience.

If you’ve never encountered Commander Shepherd and the vast ME universe, this is the perfect time. This epic space saga not only takes you across multiple galaxies and worlds but pits you against all sorts of enemies. Whether you follow the main story or one of the many side quests, the narrative is engrossing. Best of all, you get all three games in a single package.

12. Red Dead Redemption 2

The newest release from Rockstar Games was an instant hit at release. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an engrossing western following Arthur Morgan and his gang, trying to survive a fictionalized Wild West as outlaws on the run. However, the game is much more than just that.

Whether it’s getting lost in the story, following through on every side quest to its conclusion, or just bonding with your horse, RDR2 is one of those games where you can easily sink 50+ hours into and still have something to do. The gameplay is stellar, and the graphics are gorgeous. You can evenrun the game in 8K, if you have the hardware. Definitely give this a look if you haven’t already.

13. Doom: Eternal

Doom Eternal takes everything from the remasteredDoom (2016)and turns it up to 11. The game is intense, visually and sonically overwhelming, and is exactly what you would expect a fever dream inspired by Doom would feel like.

The gameplay is a seamless first-person shooter where you trek into hell to battle an assortment of never-ending demons and reclaim an overrun earth. Refilling your health sometimes requires quite literally tearing monsters apart, and there is some need to be creative with your weapon choice, depending on what demon you’re facing. However, this game is all about creating havoc and rushing into battle as loud and as brash as possible.

Not only is Doom: Eternal a hell of a ride (pun intended), it’s also a gorgeous looking game that takes advantage of the newest hardware. And, it’s a 2v1 multiplayer mode where one player takes control of the “slayer” and faces off against two more player-controlled demons.

Read our fullDoom Eternal review

14. Half-Life: Alyx

No game has been as anticipated for as much or as long as Half Life 3. While you'll need to wait a little longer for it, Valve has graced us with what may be the most compelling reason to get aVR headset: Half-Life: Alyx.

Half-Life: Alyx is set 5 years before Half-Life 2. What starts as a rescue mission for the protagonist’s father evolves into attempting to steal a superweapon from the alien overlords. From the interactive puzzles, the well-thought out combat and the fantastic story, this prequel is a welcome dive back into the Half-Life world that has been universally praised for its quality.

If you’re looking for an excuse to get into VR gaming, this might be the one for you. Half-Life: Alyx’s attention to detail shows what can be done with VR when taken seriously.

15. Forza Horizon 4

Microsoft's racing series is only getting better with each release, and in many ways this spin-off has exceeded the main Forza Motorsport line as the best racing games on PC at present. They're definitely more fun, adding a dash of arcade fun to the strikingly recreated cars and race tracks we've come to expect from Forza.

Forza Horizon 4 is easily one of the best PC games you can buy today, and this entry brings the racing to the UK after having explored America, France, Italy and Australia in the previous three instalments of the franchise. Now, you can rip through charming villages, seaside towns and the city of Edinburgh by way of many miles of country roads and dirt tracks in between. It's fast, frantic and a lot of fun.

You can purchaseForza Horizon 4 through the Microsoft Store(opens in new tab). It's also available as part of theXbox Game Pass for PC, or you can buy the Xbox One version and get a download code for PC using the Xbox Anywhere feature.

16. Nioh 2

If you like the idea of playing games like Dark Souls that are so hard you’ll exhaust the depths of your expletive-filled vocabulary, then Nioh 2 should probably be next on your list to buy. Like From Software’s games,Nioh 2(opens in new tab)rewards you for learning the fighting systems inside and out and squeezing every advantage out of its loot, weapons, and Yokai skills to gain the upper hand.

You can gain more and more Yokai skills as you defeat enemies. You also have quite a bit of customization available to you for deeper gameplay. This sequel is a worthy follow up to the first game, also set in a fictionalized, fantastical version of historical Japan, that will have you either squealing in delight or screaming in anger.

17. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

From Software is a household name when it comes to designing the best PC games. The minds behind the critically praised Dark Souls series have transported PC gamers to some of the most forsaken landscapes and through some of the most challenging yet rewarding gameplay. From Software is back at it once more, with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Sekiro places you in the shoes of the Young Wolf, a shinobi tasked with rescuing his young master. The game will take you through 16th-century Japan, but things will get eerie and supernatural: this is From Software we’re talking about.

Don’t expect an easy time of it, however. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an awfully difficult game to master, and you’ll need quick reflexes to deflect enemy attacks, as well as to master stealth. You won’t be able to hide behind a shield all day, like you were able to inDark Souls III.

Read our fullSekiro: Shadows Die Twice review

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18. Minecraft

The phrase "build it, and they will come" rings truer than ever with Minecraft, the survival-based sandbox RPG that has now been bought more than 100 million times since its release in 2009. In it, you can construct your own worlds using resources you find in the wild, or discover existing ones created by other players online.

In Minecraft, you can either limit yourself to the numerous tools and blocks offered by the developer, Mojang, or you can install mods to truly capitalize on your investment. Moreover, sometime in 2022, you’ll be able to take part in the Super Duper Graphics Pack, an optional piece of DLC that offers more realistic lighting effects and textures to an already amazing game.

19. Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Sid Meier'sCivilization VIis the most recent installment in the iconic turn-based strategy game, and it's without a doubt among the best PC games you can play to date. One of the things that make the PC the best platform for gaming on is the sheer breadth of different game genres on offer. And, what Civilization VI has to offer is its massive scope, despite the fact that it might seem slower paced next to the likes of Fortnite.

Spread your empire across the map and crush your enemies. You build up your empire from a simple settlement to a world power, and you can decide to do this through military might, technological supremacy or cultural influence. Since its launch in 2016, it has had two expansion packs that really cement this game as an epic entry in our best PC games list. Civilization VI: Rise and Fall released in February 2018, with Civilization VI: Gathering Storm following in February 2019.

20. Sucker for Love: First Date

Ok, so dating sims aren't for everybody, much less a Lovecraft-inspired one, but this short indie-darling is exactly that: inspired. Though a lot of folks wouldn't put it on their best PC games list, that's probably because they haven't played it yet.

The simplicity of this short choose-your-own-eldritch-girlfriend title belies a genuine appreciation and understanding of the Lovecraft mythos. Even as you're wooing a Cthulhette for a smooch (seriously), the world around you becomes a familiar stage for cosmic horror that any Lovecraft fan will recognize and appreciate.

We'd even argue that this is the best Lovecraftian game to come out in recent memory, despite the silliness of its premise. It's simply that good andwell worth the modest investment(opens in new tab)to support the artists behind this gaming masterpiece.

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