It’s spring, so we’ve just updated our list of the 10 best PC games to play – and it’s gotten a facelift since our last version from October 2018.

Before we define “the best” as both the games that top our list of recommendations today and the games that were great in their day, even if those glory days are over. This time we decided to refocus our selection on the first part of that idea: If you just got a new PC today, what games should you be playing right now?

We’re still narrowing down our top 10 for games released in the last decade, because how do you compare something like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to a classic like Wing Commander?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Deep, immersive RPGs are a major part of PC gaming, and very few have pulled out a greater chunk of complex content than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Its large open world sandbox areas are impressive in terms of both width and density; They’re full of giant monsters to kill, fascinating mysteries to solve, and personal stories to uncover. It’s one of the most impressive productions in gaming history, with well-written dialogue by a stellar voice cast, a surprisingly original soundtrack, and graphics worthy of both technical and artistic success.

From IGN’s 2015 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review: “While a straight and difficult main story is always welcome, the option to happily dive into a rich, detailed open world was always there for me when I first finished. Even if the plot isn’t very interesting, the many characters involved, and with excellent combat and RPG gameplay, extend The Witcher 3 to the plane captured by many other RPGs.”

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V’s large, yet meticulously detailed map still holds the high bar all other open world games aspire to. Not only is it huge, it’s incredibly dense with great content – not just the story of driving and shooting and the story of the three heroes that make up its campaign, and not just a lot of side missions, but all the visuals, sounds and Busy Actions. you can expect to find in a crowded city, put under the stomach. With so much to do, explore, and play in both single player and Grand Theft Auto Online, as well as great creative tools and modes, it’s truly amazing on so many levels.

From IGN’s 2013 Grand Theft Auto V review: “Grand Theft Auto V is not only a funny video game, but also a smart and quick satire of modern America. It represents the refinement of everything known to me.” What GTA IV brought to the table five years ago. It’s very technically accomplished in every way imaginable, but it’s also ambitious in its own right. No other world in a video game comes close to it in size or scope, and behind it’s concept. humor and the gift of chaos is a sharp wit. It tells a compelling, unexpected and provocative story without confusing your self-guided journey through San Andreas.”

Minecraft

Minecraft is a great video game about playing with blocks. It is great for many reasons, but most importantly, it inspires and builds a sense of wonder in children. That mountain in the distance? You can enter it. You can build your house inside it and cover it with soil to make it cool and cool. And then you can dig deep into the ground to find treasure and fight monsters. Some dedicated players recreate famous spaceships and even build working 3D printers inside their worlds. Minecraft can be played as sandbox whatever you want, but there are enough game plans and rules to organize your time into “campaigns” if that’s what you want. Few games have taken the world by storm like Minecraft, and it’s likely that some will do it again.

From IGN’s 2011 Minecraft review: “Like any review, my feelings about Minecraft are the result of my own experience. You may not be as successful at random projects as I am, or maybe Don’t you feel that sense of accomplishment I had when I finished my first house. If not, you might not be enjoying Minecraft in the same way. And that’s okay. Minecraft, like any other More than the game I know, it’s not about playing it a certain way; it’s an open world, a blank page in which you dare jump and do whatever you like with it. Is it what you need to do to be successful, what is needed to be successful, but rather what are you willing to do to achieve your dreams?”

Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition ranks as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. It combines classic cRPG pieces with modern mechanics and designs, it feels old and new at the same time. The sequel improves on its predecessor’s incredible combat, and deepens its system while simplifying and smoothing out its clunkier bits – not to mention introducing a brutally intelligent new AI. . There is also a large number of games that can be played here. With six different original characters, custom characters to create your own, and over 74,000 lines of fully voiced dialogue, this massive RPG has more than enough to keep you coming back.

From IGN’s 2017 Divinity: Original Sin 2 review: “Divinity: Original Sin 2 may have been designed in the spirit of decades-old RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 2, but that legacy served as the foundation for that great game.” That’s what Larian is built on. Few other RPGs allow such a wide range of flexibility, while supporting rewarding battles and a powerful story, in a world without you reacting and your business without you. This is a rare RPG that I want to play. again and again, it is motivated by the feeling that many interesting and surprising paths remain undiscovered, some of which can lead to different outcomes for NPCs. The one I care about – even the mice. When that happens, you experience something important to remember, as well as the Divine: The 2nd original sin will be remembered as one of the heroes. “

Apex Legends

As the battle royale genre grew and evolved, Apex Legends developer Respawn was clearly watching. Its take on the most popular mode improves upon familiar battle royale mechanics to make this shooter one of the best – if not the best – in the growing field. Like all battleship games, Apex Legends challenges you to be the last team standing on your solo map as a wall of power brings players closer together. It’s incredibly fun to quickly drop, loot, then maneuver and take out opponents, whether you win or not. Apex Legends continues the epic shooter we saw in Titanfall 1 and Titanfall 2 – save for Mozambique, but Respawn is also in on the fun. And as part of the Titanfall universe, belief games based on Apex Legends and its characters are a neat way to further express the series’ identity. Its lovable and unique characters are a great spin on the blank canvases we often see jumping on the ground. Their abilities allow players of all abilities to participate in their team, and no matter who you play with, the new ping system makes it much easier to communicate important information to teammates. Respawn’s excellent communication with game updates gets us excited to see how it continues to drive the exciting gameplay of Apex Legends.

From IGN’s 2019 Apex Legends review: “Apex Legends makes team-based combat work better than ever, even when playing against a randomly matched team. Its intuitive communication system Critical gives the team a breeze, and each of the eight unique legendaries has great abilities that reward without feeling like limited roles. It all takes place in King’s Canyon, a fascinating sci-fi map that’s all from the Titanfall series. Leads to intense encounters full of gun sounds and polish, and its free-to-play setup doesn’t pressure you to pay to continue. -Apex Legends has stuff a real challenger to Fortnite’s dominance Is.”

Monster Hunter: World

Monster: Hunter World is a new chapter in the series, and new features and changes have made the traditionally difficult game more accessible. Slaying giant dinosaurs and soaring ice and fire-breathing dragons is an adventure that few other games deliver in such a beautiful way, and it’s all the more fun when you combine your kills with up to three friends. Huh. Add a deep and complex customization system and more equipment and weapons than you can imagine, and the world will keep you playing for years. Monster Hunter: World took a while to come to PC, and when it finally did it had some performance and control issues. But the World has been updated and fine-tuned since launch, and now you have to play the full game. The PC port now runs smoothly and has more control options than its console counterparts—there’s even an HD texture pack you can download to keep it looking cool even at higher resolutions. That support – along with non-stop events and additional content (even if it’s a little late on PC) – makes Monster Hunter: World worth checking out again and again.

From IGN’s 2018 Monster Hunter: World review: “Whether it’s the best or not, it’s the trickiest monster hunter game out there. World takes an incredible step forward in a look, feel and feel that feels truly fresh, with Lives up to the series’ ideas time after time.” one is maintained by the addictive combat, terrifying monsters, and meaningful development that fans have come to love. The depth and dedication required is still strong, but clearly Capcom’s goal is not to court the casual crowd. It’s all-consuming and just as amazing as ever.”

Dota 2

MOBAs have earned a reputation for being intensive and hard to learn, but they have great strategies for those who put in the time. Spend some quality time with Dota 2 and you’ll understand why. Although everything takes place on the same map, and there’s only one purpose, its 100+ characters and thousands of combinations of items make each round feel unique. And because every second counts, games are always fun, even if they seem slow. Are you farming for gold? Are you spying on the enemy? Or leave the map to help your teammates? Or go back to base to heal? Its complexity can intimidate players, but those who stick with it will be rewarded with one of the most intelligent gameplay.

From IGN’s 2013 Dota 2 review: “Dota 2 deserves its scary reputation, and it probably isn’t worth it if you want to play casually. It took a long time before you could enjoy the game.” Well, feel good at it alone. But once you start to learn its secrets, there’s a wild and exciting variety that’s unmatched even by its peers. It’s a challenge of wisdom and ingenuity, and success is a challenge. The fact that it is completely and completely free to play with all of us free games is not one of the offers available anywhere in the game, makes it a playground where skill And collaboration is very important. May the best team win.”

League of Legends

League of Legends is at the forefront of the esports explosion. Back when the only major MOBA was the original Defense of the Ancients, the league took the formula and tweaked it, resulting in a more accessible game that still offers plenty of depth for those who want to dive deeper. Its 132 heroes are fun, diverse, and difficult to understand, and can be customized with run and craft programs. Developer Riot Games is also pioneering new trends in competitive gaming, hiring teams to play seasons and earn spots in exciting play-off matches, just like you would see in regular games. 20 years down the line, a documentary looking at the beginning of the sport will owe League of Legends a point of validation.

From IGN’s 2014 League of Legends review: “Even if you’re playing on a few of the same maps with similar features, there’s so much depth and strategy going on that no two League of Legends matches ever feel the same. This unique style encourages unexpected attacks and the constant use of power-shooting abilities , and its colorful art style makes everything on the screen pop. Learning how to help your characters and be useful to the team can be long and challenging. The process is there, but once you get it down, it’s incredibly satisfying to work together to destroy your enemies in this amazing MOBA.”

Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite’s battle royale quickly became a global phenomenon, but its quick and frequent updates have shown that it’s more than just a flash in the pan. Its free-to-play format and simple shooting mechanics make it an accessible battle royale shooter. But this combined with unique build tools takes its capabilities to the next level.

From IGN’s 2018 Fortnite Battle Royale review: “Mastering Fortnite Battle Royale’s multiplayer is worth every second of the investment. Whether you go solo or line up with a group, whether you’re the first to die or win the victory royale While you manage, Fortnite’s zany style and unique combination of shooting and construction almost never deliver anything less than an excellent time.. This may not be the first fighting game, and it certainly won’t be the last, But Fortnite sets itself apart from the crowd by giving you the freedom and tools to express your style of play.”

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey picks up (mechanically) where Origins left off, continuing the evolution of the series from stealth-sandbox to action/RPG. Set nearly 400 years before the events of AC Origins, the Ancient Greece rendition of the Odyssey is as good as the series (or the game as a whole, frankly) has ever been. Traversing its lush forests and rocky hills or the sparkling Mediterranean Sea always offers an ancient ruin to discover or explore, and the combat is equal parts arcade fun and ARPG style. The new skill trees offer a number of useful skills both in and out of combat, though combat-focused ones like the 300-hit Spartan Kick and the brutally satisfying Shield Breaker often steal the show. Although it may not include the best voice acting in the series so far, the main campaign was able to deliver an interesting story with characters that we found ourselves really invested in – although its 50-60 hour critical path sounds full of activities. and downloading. Quest That said, with all the important (historically incorrect) exploration beyond borders, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey stands out as a must-see title for the current generation.

From IGN’s 2018 review of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a stellar performance in world-building, environment, and engaging gameplay with occasional glitches. Its fantastical recreation of ancient Greece is something I’d consider ending its main story.” I want to go back a long time. behind, and its excellent program is put together in a way that is hard to beat. Despite its rough edges, Odyssey set a new bar for Assassin’s Creed games and holds its place in the eternal debate about the best open-world simulation games. each time.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is one of the best modern Metroidvania. It’s beautiful to discover, detailed and full of fun secrets that will keep you playing for hours. The realm of Hallownest is brutal, and Hollow Knight doesn’t let you enter, which many people shy away from at first – but it’s hard to put down when it finally gets its hooks in you. Its huge caves open up and give you tons of paths at any given time, but no matter which route you take, there are fun bosses to fight and vital power-ups to keep you strong. And while it was already a huge game, Hollow Knight has grown a lot since its launch in early 2017. The Cherry developer team released several free updates with new areas and bosses, each more difficult than the last. But whether you want to earn credits, get a real ending, or go beyond that, HelloNest is a world worth exploring.

From IGN’s 2018 Hollow Knight review: “Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania in which to discover a source of content that is as deep as its labyrinthine caves. The world of Hallownest is compelling and rich, filled with a story that you can share on your own.” Can be explored on your own, and it’s designed with branching paths that give you an insane amount of choice about finding it. Challenging to face enemies, with lots of secrets to discover and have fun It’s worth every minute you spend on Hollow Knight.”