The Best PC Games for 2024 (2024)

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which helpsupport our testing.

Whether you're looking for a quick gaming fix or one that lasts hundreds of hours, there's a great game just a few clicks away. Start your PC gaming journey with our top picks in 17 categories.

ByJeffrey L. Wilson

Jeffrey L. Wilson

Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

My Experience

Since 2004, I've penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP; Laptop; Parenting; Sync; Wise Bread; and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag's Apps & Gaming team.

Read Full Bio

&Jordan Minor

Jordan Minor

Senior Analyst, Software

My Experience

In 2013, I started my Ziff Davis career as an intern on PCMag's Software team. Now, I’m an Analyst on the Apps and Gaming team, and I really just want to use my fancy Northwestern University journalism degree to write about video games. I host The Pop-Off, PCMag's video game show. I was previously the Senior Editor for Geek.com. I’ve also written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I’m the author of a video game history book, Video Game of the Year, and the reason why everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.

Read Full Bio

UpdatedJuly 13, 2024

facebook
twitter
reddit

LOOK INSIDE PC LABS ATHOW WE TEST

65EXPERTS

42YEARS

40,000+REVIEWS

Our team of experts test, rate, and review more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

65EXPERTS

42YEARS

40,000+REVIEWS

Our team of experts test, rate, and review more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

  • Categories
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Battle Royale
  • Beat 'Em Up
  • Fighting
  • Horror
  • MMO
  • MOBA
  • Puzzle
  • Racing
  • Shmup
  • Shooter
  • Sports
  • Stealth
  • Strategy

12 More Categories 12 More Categories

The Best PC Games for 2024 (3)(Credit: Getty Images/Dragos Condrea)

You're faced with many purchasing options upon booting Epic Games Store, Steam, Xbox Game Pass, or any of the other digital marketplaces for PC games. Do you feel like shredding enemies with big weapons? Check out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Want to plot maneuvers as a team? Give League of Legends a try. Ready to go on a haunting RPG adventure? Download Elden Ring. Don't get frozen by choice, though; we have more than 20 years of gaming-testing experience and you can trust our independent reviews to help you make a swift and wise purchasing decision.

Note that this isnota historical examination of the most groundbreaking PC games. It's an ever-changing collection of what you should buy if you own agaming desktop, gaming laptop, or Steam Deck OLED (or other handheld gaming device). To clarify, games don't need to have been released within the calendar year to qualify for this roundup. Any release that's still available and considered entertaining is eligible.

This page has a top pick for each of our 17 genre categories, from action games to stealth games. These top picks will change as exciting new titles get released. Right now, you can explore 285 PC games by diving into our standalone, genre-based lists that are linked below each entry.

And if you're a console gamer who thinks we're biased toward PC gaming because we're PCMag—you're right! Still, our staff has assembled their top picks for PlayStation 4,PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, andSwitch. In addition, don't forget to visit the best video games coming out this year to know what's on the horizon.

We now present the best PC games. Grab your keyboard, mouse, gamepad, flight stick, or fight stick, and enjoy.

The Best PC Games for 2024 (4)

The Best PC Games for 2024 (5) Why You Should Game on a PC

Action

The Best PC Games for 2024 (6)

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

4.0

Building off its experimental predecessor, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is an interactive arthouse action game where grappling with mental illness is just as harrowing as slaying monsters. As Senua, you trek across ancient Iceland meeting allies, solving puzzles, and surviving simple but intense sword battles. Streamlined gameplay lets Senua’s Saga focus on delivering a powerful narrative with gorgeous, photorealistic visuals.

For more, check out The Best PC Action Games.

MSRP $49.99

MSRP $49.99

$49.99 at SteamSee It

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review

Adventure

The Best PC Games for 2024 (7)

Myst

4.5

For nearly three decades, atmospheric point-and-click game Myst has stood as one of the best, most successful, and most influential PC release of all time. This latest update enhances the beautiful visuals, adds virtual reality support, and randomizes puzzles to make each playthrough unique. Get lost on the island all over again.

For more, check out The Best PC Adventure Games.

MSRP $29.99

MSRP $29.99

$29.99 at SteamSee It

Myst (for PC) Review

Battle Royale

The Best PC Games for 2024 (8)

Fortnite

3.5

Fortnite is the super-popular, mainstream face of the battle royale genre, but that doesn't mean that the title is without merit. Fortnite has a lot going for it, including approachable gameplay modes, bright and zany graphics, and an excellent construction system. The heavy reliance on microtransactions detracts from the experience a bit, but fans of PUBG and other genre releases should still give this free-to-play game a shot.

For more, check out The Best Battle Royale Games.

$0.00 at Epic GamesSee It

Fortnite (for PC) Review

Beat 'Em Up

The Best PC Games for 2024 (9)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

4.0

A love letter to TMNT fans, Shredder's Revenge sees developer Tribute Games pull from past games, comics, and TV shows to create what may be the definitive Turtles title. Featuring six-player action in local and online co-op, Shredder's Revenge has all the humor and wonderful animation that you'd expect from a property that pits mutated reptiles (and a rat) vs. ninjas (and an alien brain). Like Streets of Rage 4, it incorporates fighting game elements to keep the combos flowing.

For more, check out The Best Beat 'Em Up Games.

MSRP $24.99

MSRP $24.99

$24.99 at SteamSee It

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (for PC) Review

Fighting

The Best PC Games for 2024 (10)

Street Fighter 6

5.0

Street Fighter is back! With the sixth mainline entry, Capcom delivers a fighting game masterpiece. Loaded with content, this title introduces several gameplay mechanics tied to the new Drive Gauge that lets you fight with more freedom than any Street Fighter in the series' history. This creative, fluid combat features newcomer-friendly counters, parries, and aggressive gameplay via its optional, simplified control schemes. Plus, the World Tour mode lets you build an avatar and go on a schlocky martial arts adventure that sees you test your skill in semi-open-world environments.

For more, check out The Best PC Fighting Games.

MSRP $59.99

MSRP $59.99

Visit Site at SteamSee It

Street Fighter 6 Review

Horror

The Best PC Games for 2024 (11)

Alan Wake II: Night Springs

4.5

Alan Wake II is a survival horror masterpiece. But if you’ve already exited the Dark Place, the Night Springs DLC gives Alan Wake II owners a new set of paranormal rabbit holes to explore. This expansion includes three episodic adventures with their own twists on spooky third-person shooting, presented as a Twilight Zone-esque anthology show. More than just goofy fun, Night Springs teases a mind-blowing future for Remedy’s Connected Universe.

For more, check out The Best PC Horror Games.

MSRP $19.99

MSRP $19.99

$19.99 at XboxSee It

Alan Wake II: Night Springs Review

MMO

The Best PC Games for 2024 (12)

World of Warcraft

4.5

Blizzard's World of Warcraft is a MMORPG that has evolved into a cultural icon over the past 12 years. The list of accolades that WoW has accumulated since its release is simply staggering. While it is certainly not the first or only entry in this particular genre, WoW is the standard by which all other MMOs are judged. The game, bolstered by many expansions and a recent visual makeover, is a rich and rewarding experience that boasts a large selection of customizable races and classes battling in a fantasy world.

For more, check out The Best PC MMO Games.

MSRP Free

MSRP Free

$0.00 at Blizzard EntertainmentSee It

World of Warcraft (for PC) Review

MOBA

The Best PC Games for 2024 (13)

League of Legends

4.5

League of Legends, Riot Games' free-to-play, multiplayer online battle arena title is, simply put, the best MOBA game you can buy. Its gameplay incorporates elements of role playing, tower defense, and real-time strategy—a combination that differentiates it from the many cookie-cutter MOBAs flooding the market. More importantly, the playable characters (known as Champions) show a deep level of variation, and each match's competition level increases as the game sinks you deeper and deeper into addiction.

For more, check out The Best PC MOBA Games.

MSRP Free

MSRP Free

$0.00 at Epic GamesSee It

League of Legends (for PC) Review

Puzzle

The Best PC Games for 2024 (14)

Portal 2

4.0

The original Portal was noteworthy for its witty dialogue and a creative blend of the previously incompatible puzzle and first-person-shooter genres. With Portal 2, Valve created a worthy sequel by updating the characteristics that made the first title a distinctive success. Limited multiplayer and post-campaign options slightly diminish the replay factor, but Portal 2 is just as amusing and exhilarating as its predecessor in almost every way.

For more, check out The Best PC Puzzle Games.

MSRP $59.99

MSRP $59.99

$29.99 at GameStopSee It

Portal 2 (for PC) Review

Racing

The Best PC Games for 2024 (15)

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection

4.5

2010's Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was an enjoyable racing game that placed Sega's many iconic characters in a kart competition. Its sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, expanded the game with new characters and unlockables, and introduced transformable vehicles that took to the land, sea, and air. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection, the series' final form, adds free, PC-centric characters from Sega and Valve's libraries, and bundles all the previous DLC goodies.

For more, check out The Best PC Racing Games.

MSRP $19.99

MSRP $19.99

$19.99 at WalmartSee It

RPG & Roguelike

The Best PC Games for 2024 (16)

Another Crab's Treasure

3.5

Do you wish Dark Souls was about crustaceans and capitalism? Check out Another Crab’s Treasure. Thoughtful, brutal combat pushes you to the limit as you level up and equip new shells with custom abilities. Alternatively, you can give yourself a giant gun to blast away enemies. Meanwhile, apocalyptic undersea levels full of human trash turn into satisfyingly tricky 3D platforming stages.

For more, check out .

MSRP $29.99

MSRP $29.99

$29.99 at SteamSee It

Another Crab’s Treasure Review

Shmup

The Best PC Games for 2024 (17)

Vampire Survivors

4.0

On the surface, Vampire Survivors looks like shovelware, but this roguelite-shmup is a ridiculously addictive game, thanks to its simple concept and deceptively deep mechanics. Even in its Steam Early Access state, Vampire Survivors can take a big bite out of your day as you collect weapons and items and optimize your runs.

For more, check out The Best PC Shmups.

MSRP $2.99

MSRP $2.99

$2.99 at SteamSee It

Vampire Survivors (for PC) Review

Shooter

The Best PC Games for 2024 (18)

Doom Eternal

4.5

With Doom (2016), developer Id Software successfully resurrected one of the foundational first-person shooter franchises. Given the game's critical and commercial success, it's no surprise to see a follow-up. Doom Eternal takes everything that made its predecessor a wonderful, demon-slaying shooter and bumps it all up by several notches courtesy of ridiculous weapons, fresh navigation options, and a new multiplayer mode. It is almost too over-the-top at times, but that's precisely what makes Doom Eternal one of the best shooters ever made.

For more, check out The Best PC Shooters.

MSRP $49.99

MSRP $49.99

$71.81 at AmazonSee It

Doom Eternal (for PC) Review

Simulation & Sandbox

The Best PC Games for 2024 (19)

Microsoft Flight Simulator

4.5

Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of PC gaming's most beloved series, a franchise cherished and supported by aviation enthusiasts. The 2020 edition, crafted by developer Asobo Studio in tandem with Microsoft, is a delight. Improved graphics aside, the near-magic addition of a fully recreated and explorable Earth, built and populated with Microsoft’s Bing satellite imagery and real-time weather conditions, elevates the franchise to new heights.

For more, check out The Best PC Simulation Games.

Starts at $59.99

Starts at $59.99

$59.99 at AmazonSee It

Microsoft Flight Simulator (for PC) Review

Sports

The Best PC Games for 2024 (20)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

4.5

The odd thing about aging is just how often it makes you look to the past, perhaps as a way to cope with an ever-shrinking future. The resulting nostalgia can sometimes soften the rough edges of the things we love, making them seem better than they truly were when we first experienced them. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2—a bundle that remasters two iconic late-1990s and early-2000s skateboarding games—doesn't fall into that trap. In fact, it proves that, yes, those brash and exciting action-sports titles are as good as our memories recall, but they now exist with a beautiful visual overhaul and new, bountiful options that make them even better than what we remember.

For more, check out The Best PC Sports Games.

MSRP $39.99

MSRP $39.99

$39.99 at Epic GamesSee It

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (for PC) Review

Stealth

The Best PC Games for 2024 (21)

Hitman 3

4.5

Back in 2016, IO Interactive established a new era for its cult-favorite Hitman franchise with Hitman: Season One. While the episodic release model didn’t stick on PC or consoles, that game's grand levels and inventive murder carried over to 2018’s Hitman 2. Now, the studio has delivered Hitman 3, the capstone to the World of Assassination trilogy. Featuring expansive levels, new ways to kill, and graphical improvements, this excellent stealth title makes it easy for anyone to become a bald, bar-coded assassin.

For more, check out The Best PC Stealth Games.

MSRP $59.99

MSRP $59.99

$59.99 at Epic GamesSee It

Hitman 3 (for PC) Review

Strategy

The Best PC Games for 2024 (22)

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

5.0

The third and final StarCraft II expansion is a fantastic conclusion to Blizzard's five-year saga and a great entry point into one of the most complex, but satisfying, strategy games ever made. Unlike the previous StarCraft II expansion, Legacy of the Void doesn't require you to buy any previous versions of the game to play this package. It's completely standalone. Factor in a varied single-player campaign, gorgeous cinematics, and new noob-friendly co-op modes, and you'll see that Legacy of the Void is one of the best PC games of all time.

For more, check out .

MSRP $39.99

MSRP $39.99

$49.00 at AmazonSee It

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void (for PC) Review

Like What You're Reading?

Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.


Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Sign up for other newsletters

Further Reading

The Best Battle Royale Games for 2024

ByJeffrey L. Wilson&Jordan Minor

The Best Action Games for 2024

ByJordan Minor&Gabriel Zamora

The Best Adventure Games for 2024

ByJordan Minor

The Best Fighting Games for 2024

ByJeffrey L. Wilson

The Best Horror Games for 2024

ByJordan Minor

The Best Free Steam Games for 2024

ByJeffrey L. Wilson&Gabriel Zamora

The Absolute Best Steam Games for 2024

ByJeffrey L. Wilson&Jordan Minor

Bam, Zap, Pow! The 10 Best Superhero Games, Ranked

ByRobert Anderson

The Best PC Games for 2024 (2024)

References

Top Articles
US jobs report for April will likely point to a slower but still-strong pace of hiring
Brownwood Bulletin from Brownwood, Texas
Administrative Supplement Program to Add Fluid-based Biomarkers and APOE Genotyping to NINDS ADRD Human Subjects Research Grants
F2Movies.fc
Www Craigslist Com Wisconsin Milwaukee
Circle L Bassets
Equinox 63Rd Street Class Schedule Pdf
Tiraj Rapid New York Midi
Yasmin Boland Daily Horoscope
Retail Jobs For Teens Near Me
Pooch Parlor Covington Tn
Faotp Meaning In Text
Wow Patchu Pet Battle
Bingo Kans Berekenen
Wsisd Calendar
Nancy Pazelt Obituary
McDonald's restaurants locator - Netherlands
Violent Night Showtimes Near The Riviera Cinema
Binny Arcot
Point Click Care Cna Lo
H. P. Lovecraft - Deutsche Lovecraft Gesellschaft
Hours For Autozone Near Me
Perugino's Deli Menu
Huffington Post Horoscope Libra
19 Dollar Fortnite Card Copypasta
Is Jackson On Jeopardy Transgender
Restored Republic June 16 2023
Highplainsobserverperryton
Who Is Acropolis 1989? Wiki, Bio, Age, Boyfriend, Net Worth | Biography Lane
Penn Foster 1098 T Form
South Louisiana Community College Bookstore
8.7 Increase Of 841
Operation Carpe Noctem
Nationsotc.com/Bcbsri
Anmed My Chart Login
How To Get Stone Can In Merge Mansion 2022
Crazy 8S Cool Math
Walmart Apply Online Application
Tires Shop Santoyo
Urbn Employee Appreciation Fall 2023
158 Rosemont Ringoes Rd, East Amwell Twp, NJ, 08559 | MLS #3921765 | RocketHomes
marie claire Australia January 2016 Robyn Lawley, Rachel Taylor, Sarah Snook • EUR 11,50
Texas State Academic Probation
Apartments for rent in Rotterdam
Gasmonkeygarage.com Cars For Sale
Ucla Football 247
Why Did Anthony Domol Leave Fox 17
Alvin Isd Ixl
Texture Ids For Custom Glove In Slap Battles
Love & Basketball streaming: where to watch online?
Richy Rich Dispensary
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5858

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.