Welcome, gaming aficionados, to a virtual odyssey that transcends time and space. As we venture into 2023, it’s high time we pay homage to the PC games that have left indelible marks on our gamer hearts, while also shining a light on the fresh releases that are redefining our gaming experiences. This article, “Epic Adventures Await: The Best PC Games of All Time as of 2023,” is your portal to the definitive list of PC gaming glory—spanning from iconic classics that have defined generations to the innovative newcomers that are setting new standards in the industry.
Our journey will traverse various genres, ensuring a rich mix of gaming experiences for everyone, whether you’re a devoted fan of strategy games, a thrill-seeker who loves action adventures, or an RPG enthusiast craving immersive worlds. Our selection criteria are comprehensive, considering factors such as gameplay depth, narrative quality, visual aesthetics, innovation, and player reception.
Why should you embark on this journey with us? In the vast universe of PC gaming, finding the gems worthy of your time can be overwhelming. But worry not, for we’ve braved the depths of this universe for you! We’re passionate about the transformative power of games, and we’re here to guide you towards the best that the world of PC gaming has to offer. So ready your gear, summon your adventurous spirit, and join us as we unveil the best PC games of all time. Game on!
Baldur’s Gate 3
“Baldur’s Gate 3” is an acclaimed role-playing video game, developed and published by Larian Studios. Released in early access for macOS and Windows on October 6, 2020, it represents the third main installment in the celebrated Baldur’s Gate series, drawing its foundation from the tabletop role-playing system of Dungeons & Dragons.
Taking place in the imaginary universe of Forgotten Realms during 1492 DR, the game’s storyline unravels more than a hundred years after the incidents of “Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn” and only a few months after the events of the playable Dungeons & Dragons 5e module, “Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus.”
The storyline primarily takes place in the Sword Coast within western Faerûn, covering a variety of intriguing locations such as the Emerald Grove, Moonrise Towers and the Shadow-Cursed Lands, along with the affluent city of Baldur’s Gate and its suburb of Rivington. The player’s journey also leads them through the Underdark, the Astral Plane, and Avernus.
“Baldur’s Gate 3” offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer elements. Players can craft one or multiple characters and form a party with pre-generated characters to delve into the game’s rich story. The option to align with other players online to create a party provides an additional layer of gameplay depth.
The game has been met with critical acclaim, earning praise for its engaging gameplay, compelling narrative, and high production quality. It has also won multiple awards, including the prestigious Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year, underscoring its significant impact on the gaming community.
Red Dead Redemption 2
“Red Dead Redemption 2”, an action-adventure game with a Western setting, was unveiled in 2018. The game is a creation of Rockstar Games and it represents the third entry in the Red Dead franchise. Interestingly, it also functions as a prequel to “Red Dead Redemption”, which was released in 2010. The storyline is set in a fictional representation of the United States during the late 1800s and revolves around Arthur Morgan, an outlaw belonging to the Van der Linde gang.
Players traverse the game’s interactive open world from either a first- or third-person perspective, grappling with the harsh realities of the declining Wild West era. They confront myriad challenges, including government forces, rival gangs, and other antagonists, all while striving for survival. Gameplay encompasses a wide array of activities such as shootouts, robberies, horseback riding, and hunting. Players can interact with non-player characters and their actions and moral choices can impact their character’s honor rating. A distinctive bounty system also governs how law enforcement and bounty hunters react to the player’s unlawful deeds.
The game includes both single-player and online multiplayer modes, with the latter, launched as “Red Dead Online”. In the main game, players predominantly control Arthur Morgan, undertaking missions with specific objectives to advance the narrative. In the epilogue, they assume the role of John Marston, the protagonist from “Red Dead Redemption”.
The development of “Red Dead Redemption 2”, which spanned over eight years and began shortly after its predecessor’s release, ranks it among the most costly video games ever created. Despite its protracted development period, the game achieved a record-setting launch, raking in $725 million in sales in its opening weekend alone and surpassing the entire sales of “Red Dead Redemption” within a fortnight. Critics showered praise on the game for its engrossing story, fleshed-out characters, vast open world, impressive graphics, immersive soundtrack, and painstaking attention to detail. Some critiques were leveled at its control system and the prioritization of authenticity over player liberty. Regardless, the game has bagged numerous Game of the Year accolades and is recognized as a landmark achievement in video game artistry. With sales exceeding 57 million copies, it remains one of the top-selling video games of all time.
Elden Ring
“Elden Ring” is a highly praised action role-playing game that was launched in 2022. The game was crafted by FromSoftware, under the direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki, and features a world built by renowned fantasy author George R.R. Martin. Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms, the game challenges players to embody a customizable character tasked with mending the Elden Ring and assuming the role of the new Elden Lord.
Rendered from a third-person perspective, the game offers an expansive open world ripe for exploration. Players can discover six primary areas and numerous hidden dungeons filled with valuable items. They navigate this vast world on a steed named Torrent and engage in battles using an assortment of weapons, magic spells, and stealth tactics. Checkpoints found throughout the game enable fast travel and attribute enhancement using runes, the in-game currency. The game also includes an online multiplayer mode for cooperative gameplay and player-versus-player combat.
With “Elden Ring”, FromSoftware aspired to transition the gameplay of “Dark Souls” into an open-world format. Martin was granted complete creative liberty to develop the backstory, while Miyazaki spearheaded the writing of the in-game narrative. The development team concentrated on creating a large-scale environment, rich role-playing elements, and immersive storytelling, which required the building of many structures within the open world.
Despite initial criticism regarding its technical performance, “Elden Ring” has garnered widespread recognition for its open world, gameplay mechanics, and setting. It has clinched numerous Game of the Year awards and sold over 20 million copies within its first year. In February 2023, an expansion titled “Shadow of the Erdtree” was announced.
Hades
Supergiant Games, the developer and publisher of Hades, a 2020 roguelike video game, initially launched it for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows in December 2018, following an early access release. The game was subsequently released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in August 2021, with plans for an iOS release through Netflix Games in 2024.
The game puts players in the shoes of Zagreus, the son of Hades, who is on a mission to escape from the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus. Players are challenged by a succession of random rooms teeming with adversaries and rewards. The combat system in Hades blends hack-and-slash tactics, requiring players to use their primary weapon attack, dash ability, special attack, and magical ability to advance while avoiding harm. Despite frequent demises, players can leverage collected treasures to boost attributes or unlock new weapons and abilities, thereby enhancing their chances of escape in future runs.
Hades was developed after Supergiant’s Pyre, a game intended to delve into procedural narrative storytelling. However, due to the game structure, players didn’t replay Pyre multiple times to explore this feature. The roguelike format of Hades gave Supergiant the chance to share these branching narratives with players over multiple playthroughs.
Hades has received widespread praise for its narrative, gameplay, art, music, and voice acting, earning a place among the greatest video games of all time. It has sold more than a million copies and has been recognized as the game of the year by several award events and media outlets. In 2022, Supergiant announced Hades II, building on the original game’s success.
Divinity: Original Sin II
Developed and brought to market by Larian Studios, Divinity: Original Sin II is a highly respected role-playing video game and the fifth primary installment in the Divinity series. Launched in September 2017 for Microsoft Windows, the game immerses players into the role of a “Godwoken”, a Sorcerer with command over potent magic known as Source, who is pivotal in battling the Voidwoken, malevolent beings that wreak havoc in the medieval fantasy realm of Rivellon.
The gameplay features turn-based tactical RPG combat, viewed from an isometric angle, with a focus on character progression, exploration, and interaction with non-player characters. It boasts a versatile quest system, giving players multiple ways to approach quests and make narrative decisions that mold the world. The game can be enjoyed solo or in cooperative multiplayer mode, where players can direct a team of one to four Godwoken by themselves or share control of the characters among a group of two to four players.
Divinity: Original Sin II’s development was funded through a triumphant Kickstarter campaign that amassed $2 million. The game was a resounding success both commercially and critically, selling over a million units within two months of its launch. It is repeatedly recognized as one of the finest role-playing games ever made, earning accolades for its narrative, interactivity, combat mechanics, cooperative multiplayer feature, and soundtrack. A more refined version, Divinity: Original Sin II – Definitive Edition, which offers an extended plot and enhanced gameplay, was rolled out on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2018, and subsequently on macOS, Nintendo Switch, and iPadOS, with Bandai Namco Entertainment publishing all versions barring the one on Windows.
Journey
Journey, an indie adventure game crafted by Thatgamecompany and brought to market by Sony Computer Entertainment, provides a distinct gaming experience under the direction of Jenova Chen. Initially launched for PlayStation 3 in March 2012, it has since been adapted for PlayStation 4 in July 2015, Windows in June 2019, and iOS in August 2019.
In Journey, players take on the role of a robed character journeying through an expansive desert towards a distant mountain. The game offers a distinctive multiplayer setting where players can stumble upon others on a parallel journey and assist one another. Yet, they are unable to communicate verbally or in text, and their identities remain concealed until the completion of the game. The only mode of interaction is a musical chime that brings dull pieces of cloth discovered in the levels to life in a rich red hue, impacting the game environment and aiding player advancement.
The developers of the game aimed to evoke feelings of awe and modesty in the players while fostering an emotional bond between them and the unidentified players they come across during gameplay. The music for the game, masterfully composed by Austin Wintory, adapts dynamically to the actions of the player, creating a unified theme that embodies the emotional trajectory of the game.
Critics have celebrated Journey for its arresting visuals, enveloping sound design, and the unique bond formed by playing with an unknown companion, often characterizing it as an exceptionally poignant and emotional experience. The game has earned a spot among the greatest video games ever, secured numerous “Game of the Year” accolades, and was nominated for a Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 2013 Grammy Awards. A retail “Collector’s Edition,” including Journey, Thatgamecompany’s two preceding titles, and extra media, hit the shelves in August 2012.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, the fourth expansion to the celebrated MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, was launched for macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows. It arrived on December 7, 2021, succeeding Shadowbringers by over two years. With Naoki Yoshida returning as director and producer and Masayoshi Soken providing the soundtrack, the expansion was released as an independent product for existing players. For newcomers, the “Complete Edition” that debuted with Heavensward was updated to incorporate all expansions, including Endwalker.
Endwalker’s plot involves players, in the guise of the Warrior of Light, venturing to the isolated nation of Sharlayan to seek aid against the looming Final Days, a catastrophic event posing a grave threat to the world. Concurrently, Zenos, the unhinged son and murderer of Garlemald’s ex-emperor, is eager for a climactic confrontation with the Warrior of Light. Zenos is abetted by the nihilistic Ascian Fandaniel, who wishes for the Final Days to wipe out all existence, himself included. Promoted as the “finale” of the Hydaelyn–Zodiark arc, the story wraps up the continuing narrative from A Realm Reborn, setting the stage for a new storyline in the major patches post-release. This differs from past expansions where the storylines extended into the mid-way point of post-release patches. The expansion pack also brings in new areas, elevates the level cap to 90, and introduces two new jobs, Sage and Reaper, along with other changes.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Launched in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the third game in The Witcher series and a sequel to the 2011 game, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. This action role-playing game, developed and published by CD Projekt, draws inspiration from the fantasy novels of Andrzej Sapkowski and allows players to explore an open world through a third-person perspective.
The game unfolds in a fictional universe steeped in Slavic mythology. Players step into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia, a renowned monster slayer or ‘Witcher’, on a mission to find his adopted daughter who is fleeing from the ghostly Wild Hunt. Players face various dangers with weapons and magic, interact with non-player characters, and undertake quests to earn experience points and gold, which can be used to upgrade Geralt’s abilities and purchase equipment. The story’s conclusion is influenced by key decisions made by players, offering three possible endings.
Development of the game began in 2011, spanning over three and a half years, with the game’s world heavily influenced by Central and Northern European cultures. The utilization of REDengine 3 allowed CD Projekt to weave a complex tale without compromising the vastness of the open world. The game’s music, primarily composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz, was performed by the Brandenburg State Orchestra.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt debuted for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in May 2015, with a Nintendo Switch version being released in October 2019, and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions under the title The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition rolling out in December 2022. Despite some minor technical glitches, the game received universal acclaim for its gameplay, narrative, world design, combat mechanism, and graphics. It has received more than 200 Game of the Year awards and is consistently cited as one of the greatest video games ever made. The game also saw the release of two highly praised expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. A Game of the Year edition, encompassing the base game, expansions, and all downloadable content, was released in August 2016. With over 50 million units sold as of March 2023, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands as one of the most successful video games in history.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a 2015 release, is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. Marking Hideo Kojima’s final project with Konami, this game is the ninth entry in the Metal Gear series and follows the stand-alone prologue, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, released a year earlier. The storyline, set in 1984, resumes nine years post-Ground Zeroes, centering on Punished “Venom” Snake, a mercenary leader seeking revenge against those who nearly killed him and obliterated his forces during Ground Zeroes’ culmination.
Players explore an open world from a third-person viewpoint, either on foot or using various transportation methods. The protagonist, Snake, has an extensive arsenal of weapons and gear at his disposal and can count on several AI companions for help, allowing players to choose between stealth and direct combat when dealing with enemies. Enemy soldiers and resources discovered throughout the world can be transported back to Snake’s base, encouraging its growth and technological progress. The game features two unique multiplayer modes—Metal Gear Online (also known as Metal Gear Online 3) and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), the latter enabling players to build FOBs that other players can invade.
Launched on September 1, 2015, for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain received widespread acclaim for its gameplay, player freedom, open world, graphics, themes, and performances. However, its narrative and some changes to the series’ formula divided critics, and the character Quiet’s appearance also faced criticism. Some viewed the game as incomplete due to its recurring missions, ending, and signs of removed content. By December 2015, The Phantom Pain had shipped 6 million units and won multiple awards, cementing its status as one of the finest stealth games ever.
In October 2016, Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience was launched, bundling both The Phantom Pain and Ground Zeroes along with all their additional content.
Grand Theft Auto V
The action-adventure game Grand Theft Auto V was launched in 2013 by Rockstar North as the developer and Rockstar Games as the publisher. It represents the seventh primary release in the Grand Theft Auto series and the fifteenth overall. The game’s narrative unfolds in the fictitious state of San Andreas, mirroring Southern California, and traces the lives of three main characters: Michael De Santa, a former bank robber; Franklin Clinton, a street thug; and Trevor Philips, a weapons trader. These characters are entangled in a series of heists while dealing with a corrupt government agency and powerful criminals. Players can roam the expansive landscape of San Andreas and the created city of Los Santos.
Players can traverse this world on foot or by vehicle, and gameplay can be experienced in either a third-person or first-person perspective. Players control the three lead characters, switching between them during and outside missions. The game’s narrative is heavily focused on heist sequences, with many shooting and driving missions. A “wanted” system governs law enforcement responses to player’s criminal activities. The game also includes Grand Theft Auto Online, a multiplayer mode allowing up to 30 players to participate in various cooperative and competitive game modes. One of the most notable features in this expansive world is The Diamond Casino & Resort. This feature, introduced in a content update on July 23, 2019, allows players to engage in a variety of casino-style games and activities. The Diamond Casino & Resort, located in the heart of Vinewood Hills, operates as a bustling casino and high-end resort. Players can gamble their in-game currency on online casino games like poker and roulette, participate in race betting, and even purchase luxurious penthouse suites. Beyond the glitz and glamor of the casino floor, The Diamond Casino & Resort also hosts story missions and work missions, offering players the chance to earn in-game money and reputation points (RP). This feature enhances the interactive experience in Grand Theft Auto Online, demonstrating Rockstar’s commitment to creating rich and immersive online worlds for players.
The development process for the game began around the time Grand Theft Auto IV was released, with multiple Rockstar studios across the globe contributing. Drawing inspiration from past titles like Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3, the creative team decided to center the game on three primary characters, which brought a fresh aspect to the series’ basic framework. Much of the developmental effort was invested in crafting the open world, as team members conducted on-site research in California to gather visual references for the design team. Over several years, a team composed original music to create an impressive score for the game.
Upon its release in September 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, followed by releases for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in November 2014, Windows in April 2015, and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in March 2022, the game broke industry sales records. It earned $800 million on its first day and reached $1 billion within three days, becoming its fastest-selling entertainment product. Despite sparking controversy over its depiction of violence and women, the game received critical acclaim for its multi-protagonist design, open world, presentation, and gameplay. It won several Game of the Year awards and is considered one of the greatest video games ever. As of 2023, with over 190 million copies sold, it is the second highest-selling video game ever and one of the most profitable entertainment products, generating approximately $8 billion in global revenue. Its successor, Grand Theft Auto VI, is set for release in 2025.
