The Best PC Games to Play Right Now
The PC is the most versatile gaming platform there is — open storefronts, mods, the widest catalogue of any system, and games that span everything from massive open worlds to tiny indie gems. But with thousands of titles to choose from, where do you start? This is our regularly updated guide to the best PC games worth playing right now: a mix of all-time classics and modern must-plays, grouped by what you're in the mood for, with where to buy each and what kind of PC you'll need.
Best PC Games at a Glance
| Game | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Baldur's Gate 3 | RPG | Story & choice |
| Elden Ring | Action RPG | Open-world challenge |
| The Witcher 3 | RPG | Best-value epic |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Open world | Immersion |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Competitive FPS | Free multiplayer |
| Helldivers 2 | Co-op shooter | Playing with friends |
| Stardew Valley | Cozy sim | Relaxing & low-end PCs |
| Hades / Hades II | Roguelike | Pick-up-and-play runs |
| Civilization VII | Strategy | "One more turn" |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Open-world RPG | Showing off your GPU |
Best RPGs on PC
Baldur's Gate 3 is the modern benchmark for the genre — a sprawling Dungeons & Dragons adventure where almost any plan you can think of actually works, with reactive storytelling and co-op that few games match. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the best-value games ever made; its huge world and two expansions still hold up beautifully. For something darker and more freeform, Disco Elysium is a writing masterclass with no combat at all, and Cyberpunk 2077 — much improved since launch — is a stunning open-world RPG that doubles as a graphics-card showcase.
Best Action & Open-World Games
Elden Ring took FromSoftware's punishing combat into a vast open world and became an instant classic; its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion adds dozens more hours. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the most detailed open world ever built, a slow-burn western that rewards patience. Grand Theft Auto V is still wildly popular thanks to its online mode, and the long-awaited GTA VI is the most anticipated release on the horizon. For fast, brutal action, DOOM Eternal and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are hard to beat.
Best Multiplayer & Competitive Games
If you want to play with (or against) other people, PC is the place to be — and many of the best options are free. Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant lead the tactical-shooter scene, Dota 2 and League of Legends dominate the MOBA world, and Fortnite and Apex Legends rule battle royale. For co-op, Helldivers 2 delivers chaotic four-player fun, while Baldur's Gate 3 and It Takes Two are superb for playing with a single friend.
Best Indie & Cozy Games
Some of PC gaming's finest moments come from small studios. Stardew Valley is the definitive cozy farming sim and runs on almost anything. Hades and its sequel Hades II are perfect roguelikes — quick runs, gorgeous art and addictive progression. Hollow Knight is a gorgeous, enormous metroidvania (with the long-awaited Silksong expanding the series), and Balatro — a poker-themed roguelike — became a surprise phenomenon you'll lose whole evenings to. Vampire Survivors offers the same "just one more run" pull for a couple of dollars.
Best Strategy & Simulation Games
Strategy is a PC stronghold. Sid Meier's Civilization VII (and the still-excellent Civilization VI) deliver the classic "one more turn" loop, while Total War: Warhammer III blends grand strategy with massive real-time battles. City-builders like Cities: Skylines II and management games such as Factorio and RimWorld are endlessly deep time-sinks. And Minecraft remains the ultimate sandbox — creative, survival or modded, it never really ends.
Best Free PC Games
You don't need to spend anything to get started. Standout free-to-play titles include Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Dota 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warframe and Path of Exile 2. The Epic Games Store also gives away a paid game every week, so it's worth checking in to build a free library over time.
Where to Buy PC Games
Steam is the default — the biggest library, frequent sales and the best community features. The Epic Games Store offers weekly freebies and occasional exclusives, while GOG specialises in DRM-free games and classics. For the best value of all, Xbox Game Pass for PC gives you hundreds of games (including new first-party titles on day one) for a monthly fee — an excellent way to try lots of the games on this list without buying each one.
What PC Do You Need?
The beauty of PC gaming is that there's something for every machine. Cozy and indie games like Stardew Valley, Vampire Survivors or Balatro run on the most basic laptops. Competitive shooters such as Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant are well optimised and play smoothly on modest hardware. It's the cutting-edge showcases — Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Black Myth: Wukong — that benefit from a powerful graphics card, especially if you want high frame rates with ray tracing. Check each game's recommended specs on its store page before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best PC game right now?
For most players, Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are the two standout modern titles — both are critically acclaimed, enormous and endlessly replayable. The "best" for you depends on taste: choose Baldur's Gate 3 for story and choice, Elden Ring for open-world challenge, or a free game like Counter-Strike 2 if you want competitive multiplayer.
What are the best free PC games?
The top free-to-play PC games include Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Dota 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warframe and Path of Exile 2. The Epic Games Store also gives away a different paid game free every week.
What are the best PC games for a low-end PC or laptop?
Stardew Valley, Vampire Survivors, Balatro, Hades, Hollow Knight, Terraria and most competitive shooters (Counter-Strike 2, Valorant) run well on low-end hardware and integrated graphics. Indie and 2D games are your best friends on a weak machine.
Where is the cheapest place to buy PC games?
Steam has the most frequent sales, GOG is great for cheap DRM-free classics, and Epic gives away free games weekly. The best overall value is Xbox Game Pass for PC, which includes hundreds of games — and new Xbox first-party titles on launch day — for one monthly subscription.
Do I need a gaming PC to play these?
Not for all of them. Many of the best PC games are light enough for ordinary laptops, and competitive titles are optimised to run on modest hardware. Only the latest graphical showcases really need a dedicated gaming PC with a strong graphics card.
Final Thoughts
The best part of PC gaming is that there's no single "right" choice — the platform's strength is its sheer variety. If you only try a handful from this list, start with Baldur's Gate 3 or Elden Ring for a modern masterpiece, The Witcher 3 for incredible value, a free game like Counter-Strike 2 for multiplayer, and Stardew Valley or Hades to unwind. We refresh this guide as major new games launch, so bookmark it and check back. For more, see our roundups of the best SNES emulators and the best handheld gaming PCs.