Whether you’re browsing the Epic Games Store, Steam, Xbox Game Pass, or any other digital PC game marketplaces, finding the right title for your setup has never been more exciting—or more overwhelming. From fast-paced shooters to deep strategy sims, today’s PC games are built to shine on any device, whether you’re using a gaming desktop, gaming laptop, or a Steam Deck OLED (or other handheld gaming device).
Not a PC gamer? We’ve got you covered there, too. Many of the top titles below are also available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Switch, ensuring cross-platform fun for every kind of gamer.
Before diving into your next obsession, don’t forget to check out our roundup of the best video games coming out this year to see what’s on the horizon and start planning your gaming calendar.
So grab your keyboard, mouse, gamepad, flight stick, or fight stick—whatever your preferred input—and get ready to experience the best PC games available today.
Feeling indecisive? Here’s what to try:
- Whip some fascists in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Dominate the arena in Street Fighter 6
- Lose yourself in the fantasy world of Wuthering Waves
And that’s just scratching the surface. With over 20 years of hands-on game reviewing, our team filters out the noise so you can focus on what’s truly worth playing right now—on any modern rig, whether that’s a high-end gaming desktop, a portable Steam Deck OLED, or a gaming laptop on the go.
What You’ll Find in This Guide:
- Top-performing PC games from recent and past years
- Digital download-ready titles for every platform
- Tested recommendations across genres (RPGs, FPS, strategy, indie hits, and more)
Civilization VII – Strategy’s Next Evolution (Más de 500 palabras)
Developer: Firaxis Games
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Genre: 4X Turn‑Based Strategy
Gameplay & Features
Civilization VII reinvents the classic empire‑building franchise with three “historical Ages,” each introducing era‑specific mechanics that evolve your civilization dynamically. From forming early city‑states to navigating modern geopolitics, every phase rewards strategic decisions in diplomacy, culture, and technology.
The AI has been revamped: rival leaders now engage in long‑term alliances, trade embargoes, and ideological pressure—making diplomacy a crucial tool rather than a late‑game formality. Cultural progression also expands: artifacts, festivals, and asymmetrical faction bonuses lead to deeper interplay between players’ empires. Multiplayer modes support LAN and online play on PC, though it doesn’t include hotseat via Switch platforms.
System Requirements – PC
Based on official support documentation and verified hardware lists:
- Minimum (1080p / 30 FPS / Low)
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64‑bit)
- CPU: Intel i5‑4690 or i3‑10100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050, AMD RX 460, or Intel Arc A380
- DirectX: 12
- Storage: 20 GB available (SSD ideal)
- Recommended (1080p / 60 FPS / High)
- CPU: Intel i5‑10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060, AMD RX 6600, Intel Arc A750
- Same OS, DirectX, and storage need
- Ultra (4K / 60 FPS / High)
- CPU: Intel i7‑14700F or AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 or AMD RX 7800 XT
- DirectX: 12
- Storage: 20 GB (SSD recommended)
Steam Deck support is verified, though users may need resolution scaling or remote play for larger map sizes.Polygon
Highlights
- Civilization VII layered history through evolving Ages
- Deep turn‑based empire building at its best
- Love the genre? The strategic AI diplomacy system and cultural mechanics elevate long‑term play
- Lightweight enough for gaming laptops and even Steam Deck OLED, especially at 1080p/Medium settings
- Need power? Ultra 4K mode pushes high‑end rigs with RTX 4070 level GPUs or better
Experience on PC
Even moderate systems—say an i5‑10400 with RTX 2060 and 16 GB RAM—deliver fluid 60 FPS in high‑settings 1080p. Casual gamers will appreciate that ultra‑settings push into ray‑tracing‑friendly GPUs, but core gameplay runs well on SSD‑equipped systems with 16 GB RAM.
On gaming desktops or gaming laptops, Civilization VII remains accessible even if your PC isn’t cutting‑edge—thanks to scalable settings. Lower‑end rigs can still enjoy immersive empire building, while upper‑tier setups reward you with stunning map detail and seamless zooming between micro‑management and map overviews.
Verdict
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a true evolution, not just a sequel. The refined diplomacy AI, layered Ages, and support for Steam Deck OLED and PC platforms make it the benchmark for modern turn‑based strategy. Whether you’re playing on a gaming desktop, gaming laptop, or handheld device, this is top‑tier 4X empire building that delivers across all levels of hardware.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Feudal Japan Reimagined
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Genre: Open‑World Stealth Action RPG
Gameplay & Narrative
Dive into feudal Japan during the Sengoku era in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. You control two protagonists—Fujibayashi Naoe, a kunoichi stealth expert, and Yasuke, an African samurai inspired by real history. The dual-character mechanic allows missions to be approached with distinctive stealth or combat styles, depending on your strategy.
The world features seasonal environments, dynamic weather cycles, and evolving lighting systems that impact stealth and exploration. Whether you’re scaling pagodas under cherry blossoms or infiltrating war camps in winter snows, atmosphere and authenticity were a top priority. The Anvil game engine powers realistic NPC behavior, dense ambient AI traffic, and enhanced procedural detailing.
Critics praised Shadows for its tone and fidelity to historical culture. The branching gameplay and realism bring new depth to the Assassin’s Creed formula, while dual protagonists help explore philosophical themes of loyalty, honor, and freedom.
PC System Requirements
Ubisoft’s official specs show that PC users will need a moderately advanced setup for comfortable play: Game System RequirementsMicro CenterUbisoft
Minimum (1080p, ~30 FPS Non-RT)
- OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM (dual-channel highly recommended)
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 (8 GB VRAM), AMD RX 5700 (8 GB), or Intel Arc A580 (8 GB, REBAR on)
- Storage: SSD required, ~115 GB capacity
- Supports DirectX 12
Recommended (1080p 60 FPS, Medium/High)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti or AMD RX 6700 XT or Intel Arc B580 (8–12 GB VRAM)
- Same memory/storage requirements
High-End / Ray Tracing (1440p / 60 FPS or 4K Ultra)
- For standard RT at 1440p/60 FPS: RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT (12+ GB VRAM)
- For ultra RT at 4K/60: RTX 4090 or RX 7900 XT and i7-13700K / Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Memory: 16–24 GB RAM recommended
- Storage: SSD, ~103–115 GB free
Performance Notes & Experience
Players report that even decent mid-range GPUs like RTX 2060 or RX 6700 XT struggle with ultra RT at high resolutions. On Steam forums, some mention that 60 FPS at 1440p Ultra with a 4080 may dip unexpectedly under heavy scenes.
Conversely, the base game runs smoothly at 1080p 60 FPS on recommended GPU/CPU setups with quality settings—visibility remains rich, motion is fluid, and world scale remains immersive.
Why It Stands Out
- Deep commitment to authenticity and historical world-building
- Fluid switch between stealth and combat gameplay with dual protagonists
- Trailblazing dual-character storytelling in Samurai and ninja archetypes
Monster Hunter Wilds – The Open‑World Hunt (Action RPG)
Developer/Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Genre: Open‑World Action RPG
Gameplay & World Structure
Monster Hunter Wilds plunges you into Capcom’s largest digital ecosystem yet—set in the mysterious Forbidden Lands. Using 14 weapon types and a new wound-targeting system, players hunt colossal monsters, gather resources, and craft upgraded gear. A standout feature is cross-platform multiplayer across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, making the hunts truly global. The seasonal biome shifts, weather variability, and seamless camp deployment uphold Capcom’s legacy of epic scale and atmospheric immersion.
Technical Optimization & Community Feedback
Despite strong sales, the PC version has earned “Overwhelmingly Negative” recent reviews on Steam, largely due to optimization issues and poor performance. Capcom pulled a planned optimization-focused panel amid rising developer harassment and community backlash.
Many users report that frame generation is required to even reach 60 FPS at 1080p with medium settings, causing inconsistent frame pacing and input lag. Even high-end hardware—like RTX 4070 SUPER with a Ryzen 7 5700X—may struggle in ultra settings without significant framerate drops.
PC System Requirements (Capcom & Tech Sites)
Minimum (1080p / ~30 FPS, Lowest):
- OS: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel i5‑10400 / i3‑12100 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super (6 GB VRAM) or AMD RX 5500 XT (6 GB VRAM)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 75 GB SSD required (install only)
- Notes: Expected upscaled 1080p from 720p base resolution
Recommended (1080p / 60 FPS with Frame Generation):
- CPU: Same as minimum
- GPU: RTX 2060 Super or RX 6600 (8 GB VRAM)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 75 GB SSD
- Notes: Frame generation needed for 60 FPS under Medium graphics setting
High/Ultra (1440p–4K, 60 FPS with Upscaling):
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti / RX 6700 XT or higher
- VRAM: 12+ GB
- Storage: ~75–150 GB SSD (with optional high-res texture pack)
- Memory: 16 GB minimum
- Notes: 4K Ultra requires frame generation support; optional HD texture pack pushes size to ~150 GBTechRadarThe OuterhavenPCGamesN
Steam Deck compatibility is not verified, and benchmarks suggest that performance may be unreliable. Some players advise against attempting PC play unless using a 40‑ or 50‑series Nvidia GPU
Highlights & Drawbacks
Strengths:
- Lush, dynamic open-world environments that evolve with seasons and weather
- Intense monster encounters with new wound-targeting mechanics and dual-weapon loadouts
- Accessible combat and exploration, for both newcomers and veterans of the series
- Robust cross-platform play supports quests with friends on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Weaknesses:
- Terrible PC launch performance and frame-rate stuttering, even on high-end hardware
- Heavy reliance on frame generation (DLSS/FSR) to maintain playable framerates
- Optimization issues with RE Engine in open environments cause dropped frames, low texture fidelity, and performance inconsistency
Verdict
Monster Hunter Wilds is visually stunning and structurally ambitious—an exciting evolution in the series with its living ecosystems, monster AI, and cross-play capability. That said, its PC edition is severely crippled by poor optimization. Mid-range systems may only achieve 60 FPS via upscaling, and users with high‑end machines still report unstable frame pacing. Current performance woes outweigh technical brilliance for PC players at launch, though Capcom has pledged updates to address these issues.
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Medieval Hellscape Mayhem
Developer / Publisher: id Software / Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: First‑Person Shooter (FPS), Action
Setting & Combat Evolution
DOOM: The Dark Ages reimagines the iconic FPS franchise by plunging the Doom Slayer into a grim, medieval hellscape powered by the next-gen id Tech 8 engine. Steer clear of sci-fi tropes—this entry embraces techno-medieval themes, massive castles, gothic ruins, and brutal melee combat.
Combat transforms the Slayer into an “iron tank”—equipped with the Shield Saw (for blocking and parries), the Skull Crusher, gauntlets, maces, and a return to classical weapons like shotgun and chainsaw shield. Melee hits, slow-motion glory kills, and strategic blocking redefine the brutality at the core of DOOM combat
For the first time, players can pilot creatures and machinery—including a towering mech dubbed the “Atlan” and a cybernetic dragon—though some critics feel these outdoor segments clash with the game’s kinetic ground combat ethos
Why It Stands Out
- A shield-based melee system unlike any previous Doom entry
- Epic, fast-paced battles against demon hordes
- A narrative prequel offering insight into the Slayer’s origins and medieval warrior fantasies
PC System Requirements & Performance
Bethesda and id Software officially require ray-tracing-capable GPUs just to run the game—even at minimum spec. The game also mandates NVMe SSD storage and 16 GB RAM minimum
Minimum (1080p / 60 FPS / Low Settings)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7‑10700K (8 cores / 16 threads)
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 6600 (8 GB VRAM)
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB+ NVMe SSD (!100 GB free)
Recommended (1440p / 60 FPS / High Settings)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X or Intel Core i7‑12700K
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 or AMD RX 6800 (10 GB+ VRAM)
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: Same NVMe SSD requirement
Ultra 4K (2160p / 60 FPS / Ultra Settings)
- Same CPU tier as Recommended
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD RX 7900 XT (16 GB VRAM)
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 512 GB+ NVMe SSD
According to performance benchmarks, ultra settings at 1080p without upscaling require GPUs like RTX 4060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, while 4K ultra typically needs RTX 4080 level power. Tests show stability only with frame generation or DLSS enabled—a must even at lower resolutions
Extreme Benchmarking: RTX 50‑Series GPUs
On an RTX 5090 system (Alienware Area‑51, Intel Ultra Core 9 285K, 64 GB RAM), the game achieved up to 155 FPS at 4K Ultra—or a staggering 344 FPS with DLSS 4×4 enabled. Even the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti delivered 4K framerates above 150 FPS
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Aggressive, fast‑paced melee combat with Shield Saw parries
- Strong visual fidelity powered by id Tech 8 and ray tracing
- Atmospheric gothic levels with tech-meets-medieval storytelling
- First Doom entry to allow piloting mechs and dragons (though divisive)
Drawbacks
- Mech/dragon sequences feel disconnected from core flow for many players Polygon
- Requires a ray-tracing GPU just to run—even minimum spec
- High RAM and SSD requirements—excludes older rigs
Final Verdict
DOOM: The Dark Ages rewrites the Doom formula with heavier combat, medieval aesthetics, and game mechanics designed to maximize visceral action. On PC, it pushes modern systems to deliver its high-fidelity ray-traced world—but rewards the effort with some of the most fluid and intense FPS gameplay in memory. From castle corridors to mech carnage, it’s Doom like you’ve never experienced it before.
