Best PC games 2021: the must-play titles you dont want to miss

Date:
Thu, 08 Jul 2021 16:36:46 +0000

Description:
These are the best PC games you can play in 2021.

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With the best PC games out there, its no wonder that putting together a
custom build PC is so attractive. With all the horsepower a gaming PC can offer, these games come with better resolutions, frame rates, and features than anything you can play on a console. Just by investing in the latest GPU
, you can run the newest AAA titles at 60+ FPS, with raytracing no less, through a swanky gaming monitor.

And, by upgrading your peripherals, such as the best gaming keyboard and
mouse , you can gain the upper hand over those using a gamepad, particularly in FPS games. Combine that with a comfortable gaming chair and you might
never go back to gaming from your couch.

So, what makes these games worth the investment? The best PC games whisk you away to a new and unique world with an immersive adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And, with that gaming PC and the best gaming
monitor on hand, it will almost feel like youre really there. Not to mention, new graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 3080 and AMDs Big Navi are
instrumental in helping these games come alive.

To get you started on that next digital journey, weve collected the best PC games here, including the best Steam games . Whether you want to explore the biggest open-world games , go toe-to-toe with your friends in the best co-op PC games , or want to play with people on the other side of the world in the best MMOs or MOBAs, youll have a lot of fun ahead of you. Save money with the best free PC games The best new PC game: Resident Evil Village (Image credit: Capcom)

Resident Evil has been around for a long time. And, while most franchises get stale by the 8th installment, Resident Evil has managed to keep things fresh with the new installment, Resident Evil Village . This horrifically gorgeous game is a direct sequel to the excellent Resident Evil 7, taking place a few years later in a Romanian village.

While not the scariest entry, it does a great job of balancing
survival-horror with story as well as throwing a variety of enemies at you from lycans and vampires to zombies and changing up set pieces at a
reasonable pace. It also manages to get ray tracing right without needing an RTX 3080 to run it. So, anyone looking to play with the lights on can. 1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt might just be one of the best video games of all time. (Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is aging like fine wine. Even several years after it hit the streets, its still one of the most impressive open world games thats ever existed mixing Skyrims unapologetic scale with Grand Theft Auto Vs incredible depth. Its such a jam-packed game, which is why it claims the top spot on our list of the best PC games in 2021. Staggering, beautiful and an absolute time sink in a good way The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isnt just the
best PC game of 2021 or among the best open world games on PC . It might just be one of the best video games of all time. Check out our list of the best single player PC games 2. Ghostrunner (Image credit: 505 Games)

Ultra-violence and constant motion meet in this post-apocalyptic dystopian game. This FPP is not for the faint of heart its tense, exhilarating, and
you will probably die over and over trying to beat it. If you ever wanted a game that came in equal parts Doom Eternal and Mirrors 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. And, if that sounds like your kind of game, then youre in for a treat. 3. Hades (Image credit: Supergiant Games)

Supergiant Games has made a name for itself thanks to the great reception
that Pyre, Transistor, and, most recently, Bastion has received. Fans of the studio have a new entry to add to the studios 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 doesnt start you at the last checkpoint. When you die, you might start at the beginning but youre not starting over. Youre 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. 4. Control Theres nothing quite like Control on the market. (Image credit:
Remedy Entertainment/505 Games)

Its not hard to see why Control has taken the gaming world by storm. The creative team at Remedy Entertainment made sure to pack this title with
plenty to love, paying very close attention to the intricate details. A
deeply cinematic game, this action-adventure offers its players staggering visuals, inspired environment design and brilliant performances not to mention, a deeply satisfying combat experience.

Control places you in the capable shoes of fiery-haired Jesse Faden. Youre tasked to seek out The Oldest House, a building in New York City thats in a constant state of architectural flux and only appears to those who desire to find it, and locate your missing brother, all while heading the Federal
Bureau of Control as its director and overseeing the containment of paranatural entities.

Theres nothing quite like Control on the market, and it makes it one of the best PC games to play right now. 5. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (Image credit: Blizzard)

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands may be the fastest selling game this side of Cyberpunk 2077 . But its also a shot in the arm to one of the longest lasting MMOs out there. Considering WoW has 16 years under its belt, the new installment keeps things fresh by introducing not only a new story but a revamped leveling system, access to a new class, and, of course, new areas, dungeons, and raids to explore and take part in.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands takes place in the land of the dead, split into five major zones and a central hub city to explore. Whether you want to play with friends or tackle the story on your own, theres a ton of new
content here to keep you occupied. Though theres plenty of new additions with the expansion, such as more character customizations and a new drop zone
known as Exiles Reach for beginner players to level up, the game stays true
to its RPG and MMO roots, giving you the kind of fantasy-laden vast world to explore and kill monsters in thats kept the game alive for 16 years. 6. Microsoft Flight Simulator (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

Beyond its impeccable graphics and its excellent peripheral support, it wont take you long to realize that the Microsoft Flight Simulator is a labor of love. Theres a great attention to detail here, as well as a level of realism and immersion you wont find elsewhere. So much so that if youre not a fan of flight simulations, youll want to start getting on the bandwagon. Though that also means this game wont be for everyone. Still, if youre a flight sim fanatic or you love planes and flying, youll relish the chance to fly iconic vehicles in some of the most beautiful yet dangerous locations and conditions in the world.

Read the full review: Microsoft Flight Simulator 7. Hitman 3 (Image credit: IO Interactive)

Hitman 3 closes out the rebooted trilogy with another gorgeous entry that hews close to what makes these games so unique. It doesnt redefine the gameplay but it does introduce six new maps and wraps up the story started in 2016s Hitman. Just like the previous games, Hitman 3 's maps will take you
all over the world from Dubai and England to China and more.

If youre not familiar with the gameplay of this series, youre in for a treat. As Agent 47, you play a calm and calculating hitman whose job is not to run and gun through a mob of bad guys as most games would have you do. Instead, you move around large maps like an English manor to find and eliminate your targets quietly and undetected. On top of that, you can play the same map multiple times to find a multitude of ways or story paths to take out your targets, giving this entry, as well as the previous ones, the kind of replayability you dont see in most games. 8. Monster Hunter World Monster Hunter: World is the PC game of your dreams. (Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter is one of the biggest gaming franchises youve probably never heard of for years now. With Monster Hunter: World, the series broke into the mainstream and came to the PC (much to many gamers relief), and now, its one of the best PC games you can play to date.

Monster Hunter: World puts you in the shoes of a monster hunter, and youll hunt increasingly bigger and meaner monsters, strip them for parts, and craft bigger, badder armor. Its a deviously simple gameplay loop that ends up being one of the most compelling and rewarding PC games you can play right now.

Theres an incessant onslaught of content in this game, and Capcom, the developers of this monster hunting hit, are committed to bringing a wealth of free DLC to the game as well as a new frosty expansion in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. If youre looking for an addictive, immersive and most importantly, fun game to play on your own or with all your closest friends cooperatively, Monster Hunter: World is the PC game of your dreams. Theres no doubt its one of the best PC games you can buy today. These are the best
co-op PC games of 2021 9. Death Stranding (Image credit: 505 Games)

If the name Norman Reedus is what got your attention when someone mentioned Death Stranding, well then youre 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 La 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. 10. Red Dead Redemption 2 Red Dead Redemption 2 is an engrossing western. (Image credit: Rockstar Games)

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

Whether its 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 even run the game in 8K , if you have the hardware. Definitely give this a look if you havent already. 11. Doom: Eternal Doom: Eternal is a hell of a ride. (Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

Doom: Eternal takes everything from the remastered Doom of 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 youre 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). Its also a
gorgeous looking game that takes advantage of the newest hardware. And, its a 2v1 multiplayer mode where one player takes control of the slayer and faces off against two more player-controlled demons. 12. Half-Life: Alyx Valve has graced us with what may be the most compelling reason to get a VR headset
with Half-Life: Alyx. (Image credit: Valve)

No game has been as anticipated for as much or as long as Half Life 3. So, as gamers will have to wait a little longer for it, Valve has graced us with
what may be the most compelling reason to get a VR headset with Half-Life: Alyx .

Half-Life: Alyx is set 5 years before Half-Life 2. What starts as a rescue mission for the protagonists 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 youre looking for an excuse to get into VR gaming, this might be the one for you. Half-Life: Alyxs attention to detail shows what can be done with VR when taken seriously. 13. Forza Horizon 4 Forza Horizon 4 brings the racing
to the UK. (Image credit: Microsoft)

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 purchase Forza Horizon 4 through the Microsoft Store . It's also available as part of the Xbox Game Pass for PC , or you can buy the Xbox One version and get a download code for PC using the Xbox Anywhere feature. 14. Nioh 2 (Image credit: Koei Tecmo Games Co, LTD)

If you like the idea of playing games like Dark Souls that are so hard youll exhaust the depths of your expletive-filled vocabulary, then Nioh 2 should probably be next on your list to buy. Like From Softwares games, Nioh 2 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. 15. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an awfully difficult game to master. (Image credit: From Software)

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 were
talking about.

Dont expect an easy time of it, however. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an awfully difficult game to master, and youll need quick reflexes to deflect enemy attacks, as well as to master stealth. You wont be able to hide behind
a shield all day, like you were able to in Dark Souls III . Read: Is the MMORPG on the verge of extinction? 16. Minecraft Minecraft lets you construct your own worlds using resources you find in the wild. (Image credit: Microsoft)

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 2021, youll 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. 17. Sid Meier's Civilization VI What Sid Meier's Civilization VI has to offer is its massive scope. (Image credit: 2K Games)

Sid Meier's Civilization VI is 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. 18. Fortnite Battle Royale Fortnite Battle Royale is actually a game mode for the Fortnite game. (Image credit: Epic Games)

Still among the biggest games in the world a few years after its release, Fortnite Battle Royale is a natural shoo-in for this list. After all, it is a global phenomenon and among the best PC games to play right now if you like super-competitive online games. This is a game people keep coming back to,
and that's mostly due to its addictive gameplay and regular updates from
Epic.

Fortnite Battle Royale is actually a game mode for the Fortnite game, but this mode has become so popular, many people consider it a separate game in its own right. As with other Battle Royale games, the aim of Fortnite Battle Royale is to fight your way through an ever-shrinking map until you're the last player standing. While that might sound simple enough, there's a whole lot of depth to this game once you start playing. 19. Paradise Lost (Image credit: All in! Games)

Paradise Lost is a game that will intrigue fans of alternate history. Its
set in a world where World War 2 ended in the nuclear destruction of Europe
by the Nazis. Almost 20 years after that apocalyptic event finds you, playing as 12-year old Szymon, exploring an abandoned Nazi bunker looking in search
of a mysterious man.

The gameplay is in line with other walking simulators. And, since your only communication is through the bunkers technology with a mysterious girl named Ewa, this game may remind you of Firewatch by way of Bioshock. Though its a short game, the cost of entry is just right to dive into this adventure.
Going mobile? These are the best games you can play on your laptop Need something to play these games on? Check out the best cheap gaming laptop
deals . Check out the latest cheap gaming keyboard deals

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article



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