In terms of flexibility in gaming, no other platform can match the PC. The hardware comes with a lot of advantages for those that can overcome the often-daunting price of setting up a computer. As a bonus, while consoles require a subscription fee for online gaming, the majority of PC games have free online. Regardless, many people find the most enjoyment in offline PC games.
Whether searching for triple-A open-world behemoths or indie darlings that use pixel art, PC players are spoiled for choice. New games are released on services such as Steam on a daily basis, and while they might not all be classics, there is never a shortage of great titles. What are the best offline games for PC?
High On Life
Squanch Games is primarily known for VR games along with Rick and Morty since the company’s CEO is Justin Roiland. High On Life is a departure for the developer as it is a non-VR single-player shooter with no connection to the popular TV series, outside of sharing similar humor. Following an alien invasion, a human is sent to another planet where they take on the role of a bounty hunter, allowing them to visit unique locations en route to hopefully saving humanity.
High On Life’s comedy is likely to be the game’s selling point for most people. As humor is extremely subjective, the success rate of the FPS’s gags will vary from person to person. That said, fans of Roiland’s previous projects will probably get a kick out of this game’s comedic charm. In terms of gameplay, High On Life is more than solid, and the gunplay is elevated by vibrant and creative visuals.
Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection
Finally, Naughty Dog is on PC, and this collection delivers two games for the price of one. Legacy of Thieves contains Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and a spin-off called The Lost Legacy. On their own, these are both fantastic action-adventure titles that have great stories, endearing characters, and above-average gameplay; together, they provide quality and quantity.
A Thief’s End brings Nathan Drake’s journey to an end in arguably his strongest outing yet, one that blends action, shooting galleries, platforming, and puzzles to create a robust and varied campaign. Although considerably shorter, The Lost Legacy should not be skipped since it has arguably the best gameplay in the series along with two awesome protagonists in Chloe and Nadine.
Return To Monkey Island
A new Monkey Island game is always a good reason to be excited, and the 2022 release is extra special since it marks the return of Ron Gilbert to the series. Set right after the events of the second entry, Return to Monkey Island tweaks the point-and-click formula to create a package that stays true to the franchise’s legacy while also adapting to modern expectations.
As a plot-driven puzzle game, Return to Monkey Island challenges players to explore environments and speak to NPCs to advance the story. The latter is also great, expertly balancing comedy, whimsy, and a sense of adventure.
Immortality
This story-driven indie game is an interactive drama that tasks players with solving the mysterious disappearance of an actress named Marissa Marcel. The truth can be deciphered by investigating three unreleased movies starring Marissa, and the story holds quite a few shocking twists and turns.
Immortality lives and dies on the strength of its narrative, and while things can get confusing at points, everything comes together well by the end. Even though the gameplay might be different from most other entries in the genre, Immortality is ultimately a puzzle game.
Metal: Hellsinger
Steam is not exactly lacking in retro first-person shooters that take inspiration from Doom of yesteryear. With such steep competition, a game must bring something unique to the table to stand out from the crowd. Metal: Hellsinger accomplishes this by focusing on music and encouraging players to sync their blasts with the beat.
Effectively a rhythm game that just happens to feature guns and demons, Metal: Hellsinger makes this bizarre concept work by ensuring that the core gunplay is extremely solid. Even if the rhythm element were to be removed, this would still be a decent FPS; however, this mechanic elevates the experience to another level. In terms of content, this game is on the short side and does not provide much in the way of replay value. Nevertheless, it is a really fun playthrough.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
After the success of Borderlands 3, Gearbox opted to take a bit of a detour, releasing a spin-off starring everyone’s favorite explosions expert. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands builds upon the stellar ideas of Borderlands 2’s Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep DLC. Set in a Dungeons & Dragons-style tabletop game called Bunkers & Badasses, players take on the role of the Fatemaker as they go on a quest to take down the reincarnated Dragon Lord.
While there are some differences from the mainline entries, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is still ultimately a first-person shooter with some light RPG elements. Players also get to create their own characters and class, which is a nice change from the Borderlands trilogy. With a fun story and rock-solid gunplay, this FPS is enjoyable both in single-player or multiplayer.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
There are plenty of good superhero games on PC, but for the longest time, it seemed like one of the best Spider-Man adventures was destined to remain on the PS4. However, Insomniac Games’ open-world epic eventually made the jump to computers, and the port is generally pretty good.
Packaged with the Black Cat DLC, the remaster looks fantastic, tells a gripping story, and controls like a dream. The latter is the game’s true selling point as Marvel’s Spider-Man absolutely nails its movement. Swinging across Manhattan is a joy, while the combat is fluid and stylish.
Stray
This sci-fi game about a stray cat took the world by storm when it debuted, garnering positive reviews across the board. Stray is a charming single-player title set in an underground cyberpunk city filled with robots. Players step into the paws of an adorable feline that has found themselves stuck in this hub, and they head out on a journey to return to the surface world.
Stray blends platforming, puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat to produce a short but sweet experience. The game does not hit everything out of the park, but the overall project is greater than the sum of its parts.
Neon White
Speedrunning is not for everyone, but Neon White just might convince the non-believers. An action-platformer centering around a fascinating card system, Neon White challenges players to repeatedly run through levels so they seek the best time they can manage. While there is some variety, most stages require players to kill every enemy on their way to the endpoint. Completing a level might be simple enough, but the goal is to master them, a process that demands and rewards repeat runs so that each inch of the layout is memorized.
Neon White feels great to play on a fundamental level, and the game’s visuals are stylish and striking. The story is pretty bad, but it does not get in the way of the gameplay. Once its gameplay loop sinks its teeth into someone, Neon White does not let go, firmly establishing itself as one of 2022’s best single-player games.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge does not have to be a solitary experience since it supports online co-op, but it can be played and enjoyed solo or locally. A throwback to beat ’em ups of yesteryear, Shredder’s Revenge expertly combines nostalgia and modern innovations to deliver an experience that will satisfy long-time fans searching for the next Turtles in Time and people dipping their toes into this genre for the first time.
Boasting great visuals, a diverse roster of playable characters, and a fun selection of enemies and levels taken from a plethora of TMNT properties, Shredder’s Revenge knocks it out of the park. The game is also quite challenging and does not pull its punches, which helps extend the campaign’s replayability.
Elden Ring
PvP can be a big part of the Elden Ring experience, permitting a player wants it to be. While online certainly adds another dimension to FromSoftware’s masterpiece, Elden Ring also offers an offline mode for those who prefer to focus solely on PvE or do not have access to the internet at that moment. An absolutely massive action RPG that implements the Souls formula in a proper open-world setting, Elden Ring has garnered almost universal acclaim, receiving praise for its combat, exploration, and replayability.
Backed to the brim with bosses, lore, weapons, and stunning vistas, Elden Ring is an early contender for the best game of the decade, regardless of whether someone plays online or offline. The Lands Between are harrowing, deadly, and well worth visiting – just be prepared to die a lot.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
The latest entry in the Lego gaming franchise, The Skywalker Saga is an ambitious project that covers all nine main Star Wars movies. Beautifully animated and packed with wholesome humor, this package is more than just a love letter to the sci-fi property; it is an accessible open-world game overflowing with content, be it unlockable characters or planets to visit.
Offering fun for all ages, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has a long campaign, pretty good combat, rewarding exploration, and classic co-op. While not everything about the game hits the mark, the good far outweighs the lackluster.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Tokyo has been turned into a literal ghost town, a fate that Akito avoided only due to the interference of a spirit named KK. Now possessed by the latter, Akito sets out to investigate the mystery behind Tokyo’s lack of people, all the while fighting off yokai haunting the streets.
A first-person action game, Ghostwire: Tokyo gives players a range of flashy abilities to work with, making combat visually appealing even if it does not have too much depth. This world and main story are also fascinating, and the game does an impressive job of creating an eerie atmosphere without relying too heavily on overt scares.
MADiSON
Focusing on a slightly smaller project, MADiSON is a psychological horror game centering on abuse and murder. Set within a creepy house that is not tethered to the rules of time and space, the story starts with a teenager getting a hold of a camera that happens to be possessed by a demon. From that point on, players will use the item to solve puzzles while experiencing more than a few genuine frights.
MADiSON has its share of issues as some puzzles overstay their welcome and a few scare attempts fall flat. That said, the game is consistently creepy and is well worth checking out for fans of horror.
Rogue Legacy 2
After being in early access for more than a year, Rogue Legacy 2 is finally out, and the game builds beautifully on its very good predecessor. As before, players jump into randomly generated dungeons filled with loot and enemies. Once death falls upon them, players move on to the next generation, picking another character who inherits unique traits that might or might not be useful. Although dungeons reset in each run, there are some elements of progression that remain fixed, specifically stuff bought by using gold acquired during a playthrough.
Containing 15 classes that feel distinct enough from each other, Rogue Legacy 2 packs in a lot of content and replay value. There are plenty of Metroidvania indie games on Steam, but few come close to matching Rogue Legacy 2’s brilliance.
Far Cry 6
Ubisoft’s latest entry in its open-world FPS franchise drops players in Yara, a Caribbean island under the thumb of Antón Castillo. Far Cry 6’s pre-release marketing centered heavily around Giancarlo Esposito’s casting as the dictator, and the actor more than delivers in his role. Along with continuing the series’ long-standing tradition of delivering fantastic villains, Far Cry 6 is essentially more of the same, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing as the core gameplay loop is still engaging.
Far Cry 6 is perhaps at its best when played in co-op, which does require an internet connection. However, the game can be played offline without much issue, and it delivers a fun open-world Ubisoft experience in the process.
Vampire Survivors
Available for less than the price of a Starbucks coffee, Vampire Survivors is a bullet hell roguelite that is in early access. Since its late 2021 launch on Steam, this indie game has frequently released patches containing new stages, characters, and weapons, most of which add hours of content to the base experience.
The premise is simple: pick a character, enter a stage, and survive for as long as possible. As enemies are slain, players will eventually level up, providing access to a slew of new power-ups and weapons. This straightforward concept produces an addictive gameplay loop that contains far more depth than might initially seem to be the case. Most characters are also quite different from each other, greatly altering the ways stages are experienced.
Tales Of Arise
For the most part, JRPGs tend to be (lengthy) single-player experiences, so they are typically a safe bet for anyone looking for offline games for PC. Bandai Namco’s Tales of Arise is the most recent entry in the long-running real-time action RPG franchise, and it is one of the best in the series.
Narratively ambitious and dark, particularly in its opening hours, Tales of Arise delivers memorable characters, a solid progression system, and fantastic fast-paced combat. Visually, the JRPG is also quite nice, even if it doesn’t reach Final Fantasy levels of gorgeousness.
God Of War
Originally released on the PS4, Santa Monica’s God of War finally made its way to PC in January 2022. A soft reboot, this entry significantly alters the franchise’s status quo, dropping Kratos in a new mythos while introducing a completely different combat style.
A third-person action game that places a heavy emphasis on its story, God of War follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they go on a journey to lay down the ashes of their wife and mother respectively. With no multiplayer elements, God of War is a purely single-player experience, one that delivers plenty of content and polish.
Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist Of The Mysterious Dream
Slightly overshadowed due to coming out on the same day as Elden Ring, Atelier Sophie 2 is a confident sequel in Gust’s JRPG license. The Atelier series delivers elements synonymous with the genre while also opting to slow things down by centering around alchemy, and this 2022 entry is arguably the most complete release in the franchise so far.
Boasting enjoyable turn-based combat, charming characters, good production value, and a fun story that builds up quite nicely, Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is a treat of a game. While the series continues to be niche, this entry is probably the most accessible so far, even for those who didn’t play the first Atelier Sophie (which is also very good).
NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata is the sequel to a niche spin-off of a relatively obscure franchise, Drakengard, and it is awesome. Although a familiarity with the previous entries can heighten the experience, NieR: Automata mostly stands on its own, delivering an ambitious storyline that pits androids against alien robots.
As this game was directed by Yoko Taro, the story takes quite a few surprising turns and explores a range of philosophical themes. Developed by PlatinumGames, NieR: Automata’s hack and slash combat is reminiscent of Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising, although it is backed by more RPG elements.
Psychonauts 2
After almost two decades, Double Fine and Raz are back for a new mind-bending adventure. Psychonauts 2 is a story-driven platformer that sees Raz entering the minds of various legendary Psychonauts who are coping with mental disorders, be it depression or a fragmented psyche.
With extremely creative levels, a genuinely engaging plot filled with heart and humor, and solid gameplay, Psychonauts 2 is a tour de force of imagination and game design. Raz is also free to make use of a slew of Psi-Powers in combat scenarios, each of which can be utilized in inventive ways.
Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
Initially, Ember Lab’s Kena: Bridge of Spirits did not support offline mode on PC, however, the feature was patched in later down the line. A rare example of a modern AA title, Kena is a beautiful adventure game about a spirit guide investigating a corrupted forest and the Rot she collects along the way. Kena takes a few pages from a number of other adventure games like Tomb Raider, using this inspiration to craft a familiar but engaging experience that does not overstay its welcome.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a great pick for those looking for a game that will keep them entertained for a long weekend. It is beautiful, controls well, and doesn’t lack charm.
Rise Of The Tomb Raider
Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider trilogy is a dependable choice for adventure fans. At the bare minimum, all three games are at least good, and the first two entries achieve far more than just the minimum. While 2013’s Tomb Raider is a must-play title, its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, is superior in nearly every way.
Set in Siberia, the 2015 game finds Lara Croft exploring the snowy wilderness in search of the mythical city of Kitezh. The story takes quite a few unexpected turns, and the side content permits Lara to investigate traditional tombs akin to the pre-Crystal Dynamics era. The gameplay blends exploration, crafting, gunplay, puzzles, and stealth, and Rise of the Tomb Raider handles all these elements well.
Wildermyth
After a stint in early access, Wildermyth made its full release in 2021, and the RPG proved to be well worth the wait. Paying homage to Dungeons & Dragons, Wildermyth does a stellar job of recreating the flow of pen and paper tabletop RPGs. The adaptive and flexible campaign is filled with stellar writing that makes each character feel alive rather than a collection of pre-chosen personality traits.
Wildermyth’s tactical combat expertly walks the line between familiarity and innovation; while battles can initially seem rudimentary, the game reveals hidden depth as the campaign progresses. Wildermyth does offer multiplayer as an option, but it is predominantly a single-player PC game.
The Forgotten City
Starting out as a mod for Skyrim, The Forgotten City has blossomed into a standalone game set in the Roman Empire. Meticulously recreating era-appropriate architecture, The Forgotten City instantly immerses players in a modest but engrossing world in which crime has been (apparently) eradicated through the threat of judgemental golden statues.
Stripping out combat in favor of dialogue and tight character work, The Forgotten City wants players to get lost in its setting’s social climate. The story utilizes a time-loop mechanic to slowly peel away the layers concealing this supposed utopia’s harrowing underbelly.
Undertale
Toby Fox’s RPG has established itself as one of the genre’s greatest representatives, and that goes beyond just indie titles. Inspired by games such as Mother, Undertale cleverly examines and critiques the player’s actions as they interact with the inhabitants of the Underground, an area located within the Earth.
Undertale might look simple on the surface, however, the charming 8-bit visuals hide an incredibly complex experience both in terms of story and gameplay. Undertale is one of those releases that everyone should try at one point or another, especially since it is quite cheap to purchase.
Subnautica: Below Zero
Unknown Worlds Entertainment’s sequel to 2018’s Subnautica spent a couple of years in early access before making its full release, and the wait was worth it. Subnautica: Below Zero takes place in an awe-inspiring open-world that can also get terrifying really quick.
A survival game with a strong sense of adventure, Subnautica: Below Zero takes place on planet 4546B and follows Robin Ayou as she tries to learn what happened to her sister, Samantha. Like its predecessor, Below Zero is a gripping single-player game that rewards exploration.
Devil May Cry 5
After a long hiatus and a divisive spin-off, Capcom’s Devil May Cry made its glorious (and stylish) return in 2019. Similar to the fourth game, Nero and Dante are both playable in Devil May Cry 5, and they are joined by a new character called V. All three fighters control very differently, with each one being given mechanics that set them apart from the crowd.
Boasting high-octane hack and slash combat that is accessible but difficult to master, Devil May Cry 5 is endlessly replayable due to the sheer number of combos possible. Newcomers to the series can start with this entry, although they should still seek out all the other games besides Devil May Cry 2 and, perhaps, DmC: Devil May Cry.
System Shock 2
Some games are the definition of timeless, and System Shock 2 falls into that category. This does not mean the game has not aged in various ways, as it naturally has, but its strengths are so undeniable that they override any criticisms. System Shock 2 is a horror RPG set in a starship, with the gameplay revolving around exploration and some combat.
System Shock 2 tells an engrossing narrative featuring a contender for the greatest villain in gaming history, SHODAN. The plot is built up nicely through environmental storytelling and cutscenes, culminating in an unforgettable final act. System Shock 2 is available on Steam and GOG, but the latter is a slightly better pick for offline play.
Persona 5 Royal
What once seemed impossible is now a reality. Steam has multiple Persona games, including mainline entries and spin-offs. Persona 4 Golden is a great PS2 JRPG with one of the best storylines in the series; however, its sequel, Persona 5 Royal, is a better entry point for newcomers. The Phantom Thieves are a group of teenagers who change the hearts of villains by jumping into Palaces, which are manifestations of a person’s psyches.
Split into dungeons with turn-based combat and social sim sections, P5R handles both aspects of the package beautifully. The former’s battle system is relatively by the numbers, but the combat is enhanced through the game’s stylish presentation. Meanwhile, the social sim aspect is engrossing and addictive.
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut
Any fan of role-playing games owes it to themselves to give Disco Elysium a spin. ZA/UM crafted an intricate detective story that puts heavy emphasis on player choice and world-building. Exploring philosophical and social themes, Disco Elysium follows a detective suffering from amnesia as they investigate a murder while trying to piece together their own backstory.
The base game was already fantastic, but The Final Cut update took it a step further by adding new voice acting and quests. Permitting the lack of combat is not a deal-breaker for a potential customer, Disco Elysium is a stellar RPG that offers fantastic writing, a fully-realized setting, and some of the best dialogue in gaming.
Slay The Spire
Slay the Spire, developed by MegaCrit Games, is a rare game that creates an entire subgenre around it. This time, the name of the game is deck-building rogue-lite. The player will select one of four distinct classes and attempt to climb to the top of the Spire and destroy it. It’s a simple concept, and it’s really easy to pick up and play on any kind of PC.
However, each run plays wildly differently due to the draft system of the cards. There are a ton of different synergies between cards, so the number of viable decks is massive. Plus, with the added bonuses of Relics spicing things up, it’s equally easy to get disgustingly over-powered or just fizzle out on the first act. It may take a few runs to get the hang of it, but the thrill of getting that incredible run is unmatched. This game is one that can easily absorb countless hours and is totally worth it.
Outer Wilds
Space-faring games often struggle to find their footing. With a setting as vast as space itself (quite literally), it’s very easy to get bloated and miss making a solid experience. However, that’s not a problem for Outer Wilds, a space exploration adventure game from Mobius Digital.
This title will send the player across the galaxy, stuck in a never-ending loop. It’s incredibly atmospheric and loaded with moments that are equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying. It’s also not a game that overstays its welcome, which is much appreciated for players that want a condensed experience. Plus, now that it’s no longer exclusive to the Epic Games Store, all PC players can check it out on their preferred platform. Outer Wilds is a critical darling for a reason, and absolutely worth checking out.
Frostpunk
Cities: Skylines, Ages of Empires 2, Northgard, and Banished; there are plenty of great city-building games on PC. While not the most accessible entry in the genre, Frostpunk is a game everyone remotely interested in city builders should eventually get to. As The Captain, players must turn a group of strangers into a society, constructing a city in the process. Survival is the name of the game here, and many difficult decisions will need to be made as people decide which buildings to prioritize and policies to enforce.
Frostpunk is punishing, grueling, and stressful. Unlike other city builders, this game focuses more on its story, although it is still solid in the gameplay department.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
A tactical RPG from the developer behind the modern X-COM games, Marvel’s Midnight Suns does not simply offer a rehash of that franchise with a fresh coat of paint. As Hunter, players get to mingle with an impressive selection of heroes, both in and out of battle. Characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America all make appearances, and the game even includes a friendship-building mechanic.
Although not lacking in secondary content, Marvel’s Midnight Suns ultimately lives and dies on the strength of its combat. Thankfully, Firaxis knocks this part out of the park. The system utilizes cards to determine a character’s actions, adding a unique twist to the formula that sets it apart from other tactical RPGs. Even though the game’s playable roster consists of a few of the most powerful figures in comics, battles still offer a reasonable challenge.
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails From Zero
Turn-based JRPG fans cannot go wrong with any of the Trails games. Trails in the Sky and Trails of Cold Steel are available in their entirety on PC, and they are both fantastic sub-series with multiple entries that combine for over 150 hours of gameplay. If someone is searching for a less time-consuming entry point, they should jump into Trails from Zero, a PSP game that finally came to Western nations in 2022. Its sequel, Trails to Azure, will follow suit on March 14, 2023.
Even though it forms part of a much larger franchise, Trails from Zero is relatively self-contained. Set within Crossbell, a city-state stationed between two powerful nations, the game casts players as a detective who investigates a strange case that sheds light on the location’s political and social situations.
Hades
In a world of samey, top-down action roguelites, SuperGiant Games delivers an experience above any level of expectations with Hades. It takes all the best parts of the studio’s previous titles and combines them to form an expertly crafted roguelite. As a game, Hades is tough but fair, and its progression systems are incredibly rewarding. Grinding runs is a blast.
However, the special part of Hades is that the trademark storytelling of SuperGiant Games remains a strong point. As the player battles out of Hell, there’s a cast of colorful characters that have their own development over the course of the experience. Roguelites tend to be weaker in the narrative department, but Hades makes sure that its story is as finely tuned as the rest of the experience. It’s no understatement to say that this is SuperGiant’s magnum opus and worthy of a look from anyone who enjoys quality action games.
Monster Train
Monster Train, developed by Shiny Shoe, is a game with a lot going on under the hood. At its core, it takes a lot of inspiration from Slay the Spire. However, this game isn’t some cheap knock-off; at times, it even surpasses Slay the Spire, and that’s a tough bar to clear.
Monster Train differentiates itself from Spire by taking cues from the tower defense genre. While the player still has attacks and spells at their command, the bulk of the game is recruiting and upgrading monsters to defend the pyre. As an edge on Spire, it’s often obvious at a glance what cards will work well together. This makes it a lot easier to start building winning strategies without sinking too many hours into the game. Monster Train is a game that will destroy the concept of time itself.
Tunic
Tunic takes inspiration from classic Legend of Zelda, which is never a bad thing. More importantly, very few games come as close as this indie title to matching the quality of Nintendo’s franchise, all the while still incorporating enough fresh ideas to stand on its own two feet. Tunic is charming and challenging, with a reasonably lengthy campaign that packs in a fair amount of variety.
This 2022 release absolutely nails its gameplay, combat, and environments. Visually, Tunic is gorgeous by any metric, and that extends to its enemy designs. If someone is searching for one of the best offline games for PC, this title needs to be in contention.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a psychological adventure game that deals with mental health and grief. During the game’s reasonably short campaign, players witness Senua struggle against external and internal demons, crafting a deeply personal experience that works on multiple levels. Hellblade is powerful and should be sought out by anyone interested in a story-driven title.
The gameplay is not groundbreaking but it complements the story well, while also being quite intense at times. With a sequel on the way, this is the ideal time to play through Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
One noteworthy change to Civilization 6 is a “religion” condition that allows players to win the game by converting the world to their faith. As a turn-based real-time strategy game, Civilization 6 has few close competitors. Raising a civilization from the feudal ages to the modern era is too fun in Civilization 6.
The game can be played offline for competitive matches against smart AI. Civilization 6 has relatively low requirements compared to other leading PC games. This is one game you can’t miss!
Divinity: Original Sin 2
From the same developer as Baldur’s Gate comes Divinity: Original Sin 2. At first glance, Divinity: Original Sin 2 appears to take after games like Diablo 3, yet it is so much more than a loot-based game. Divinity: Original Sin 2 masterfully incorporates RPG elements that blend well with its turn-based combats.
The scale of the game is massive. Dialogue is engaging and most players can find something to appreciate in the game. Using a controller is easy and straightforward with this offline PC game. It’s a must-have PC RPG.
Hollow Knight
There have been a ton of Indie games released in the modern age that have defied expectations and carved out their own chunk of the entertainment industry as proof that games don’t have to have an AAA budget to be a spectacular adventure. Hollow Knight should be considered one of the poster children for this phenomenon, as it’s been gripping fans ever since its release back in 2017.
The bug-based Metroidvania features gorgeous visuals, a punishing difficulty, and some of the most entertaining boss fights in recent years. Even those that don’t love side-scrolling adventures or platformers find it hard to resist the charm that Team Cherry presents with Hollow Knight. It’s an experience that all players should check out for themselves, at least once.
Resident Evil 2 (2019)
Capcom amassed a great deal of goodwill with the release of Resident Evil 2’s remake, a game so brilliant that it arguably set a new standard for the horror franchise. Delivering realistic visuals, impeccable gameplay, and a constant sense of tension, RE2 is a masterpiece on nearly every level, even eclipsing the original version in many ways.
Putting aside a few spin-offs, Resident Evil games are generally designed to be single-player experiences, and the remake is perfectly playable offline. For anyone who has yet to dip their toes into Capcom’s license or even horror games in general, Resident Evil 2 is one of the best places to start.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The expansive world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can overwhelm players through its sheer scale. This is a game where people can log hundreds of hours and still have something new to discover. The enemy, weapon, and town variety make the game a masterpiece.
As an offline-only game, what The Witcher 3 does, it does perfectly. There is no need for online as it would only take away from the game. If you only play one role-playing game this year, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a solid choice.
Stardew Valley
Those looking for something a bit more relaxing than many of the high-octane hits found throughout this list can opt for Stardew Valley, an incredibly rich and detailed Indie game that features a surprising amount of depth. Those that enjoy games like Minecraft, Harvest Moon, or even Virtual Novels and Dating Simulators will feel right at home in Stardew Valley’s beautiful landscapes.
Players will take over a dilapidated farm, working hard to restore it to its former glory and making friends along the way. There is something here for everyone, thanks to Stardew Valley’s dating sim elements, exploration, building mechanics, and combat (for those seeking a little danger).
Dead Cells
This overlooked gem is a roguelike-Metroidvania that in some ways is comparable to the Dark Souls series. Players will have to combat fierce enemies while avoiding the obstacles of the game. Falling into a pit of spikes can be frustrating, which is why not everyone will appreciate Dead Cells.
Before playing Dead Cells, it’s worth noting that the game is very unforgiving. As a roguelike, dying in the game forces players to start over from the beginning, and Dead Cells is harder than this subgenre’s average title.
BioShock: The Collection
Neatly packaged in one collection on consoles but sold separately on Steam, the BioShock: The Collection offers remastered versions of all three games. The BioShock franchise is considered one of the greatest single-player trilogies in gaming. Its refined gameplay mechanics combined with its story that twists and turns make it a must-play offline PC game.
With villains like Andrew Ryan in the original BioShock and Zachary Hale Comstock in BioShock Infinite, there is plenty of dense subject matter to keep players enthralled.
Doom (2016)
Doom (2016) is arguably the best attempt at a reimagining of the Doom franchise. The fast-paced combat combined with brutal kills is a first-person shooter game at its finest. The single-player campaign could be the highlight of Doom. The game is set on the planet Mars, which is too freaking cool.
Doom Eternal, the sequel to Doom, is also a thrill ride from beginning to end and incorporates a few noteworthy changes to the gameplay. For one, there is now a dodge mechanic.
Portal
Believe it or not, Valve isn’t just the owner of the Steam storefront. The Valve Corporation is also known for creating instant classics like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Left 4 Dead, and Team Fortress 2. Portal is one of the few Valve Corporation games that are single-player. Although Portal 2 has an online co-op, the story is more intriguing in the first entry.
The game is very polished and is fun from start to end. The objective is to solve a series of puzzles while being directed by GLaDOS, an advanced AI. Even though Portal was released in 2007, the game feels like it hasn’t aged a day.
Half-Life 2
Valve’s Half-Life 2 is generally considered one of the best, if not the best offline PC game of all time. Launching in 2004 and spawning two episodes, Half-Life 2 expands everything from its predecessor, turning a claustrophobic shooter into a blockbuster. With Earth succumbing to a multidimensional force called the Combine, Gordon Freeman goes on a cross-country trip as part of humanity’s resistance unit.
After all this time, Half-Life 2 naturally shows its age; however, the game remains fun and exhilarating to play. While a VR release, 2020’s Half-Life: Alyx is also a great offline game.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Rockstar hit the jackpot with Grand Theft Auto Online, crafting a multiplayer package that continues to be a huge success nearly a decade following its introduction. While the single-player campaign has been overshadowed by the online version, Grand Theft Auto 5 nevertheless offers one of the best offline PC gaming experiences on the market.
With three playable characters, a detailed open-world set (primarily) in Los Santos, and a ton of side-content outside a long main story, GTA 5 feels complete and satisfying. Time has done little to dull this game’s impact.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition
Fans of the series are eagerly waiting for The Elder Scrolls 6 since the franchise is arguably at its best when focusing on offline single-player content. The Elder Scrolls Online has a sizable fan base, but the difference between The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls Online is night and day.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the best games of all time because of its immersive quests, beautiful landscapes, and enemy variety. The game regenerates quests, so there is virtually no end to the game.
