The 20 Best PC Games of 2023

The first release in FromSoftware's mecha game series in a decade, Fires of Rubicon finds you modifying, upgrading, and piloting your giant mechanical vehicles in a series of fast-paced battles. Newcomers shouldn't expect anything too similar to From's recent hit franchises like Dark Souls or Elden Ring—except the difficulty level.

"Make no mistake: whether you're a longtime Armored Core veteran or a curious Souls fan looking to see what else FromSoftware is capable of, I'm confident you'll absolutely love this game." —Windows Central

Buy it from Fanatical and Green Man Gaming

A frenetic indie first-person shooter inspired by classics like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D, Turbo Overkill features a dystopian cyberpunk setting in which you play as Johnny Turbo, whose limbs are loaded with weapons ranging from rockets to a chainsaw. You'll use that firepower—and your incredible speed, which even allows you to run on walls—in an attempt to take down the most powerful AI the world has ever seen.

"With a name like Turbo Overkill, one is correct to assume that it is full of that cheesy madness, which is exactly what it delivers as it fully embraces the Boomer Shooter subgenre. Turbo Overkill is an encapsulation of absurdity, trying to push itself to the heights of stupendous fun through its creative weapons, augmentations and dumb, wild scenarios while offering plenty of mechanics and rapid gameplay to satisfy those old-school action lovers. With its superb throwback visuals, quality soundtrack, outlandish level design, and hyper-bloody action that never seems to let up, Turbo Overkill is a great recommendation for anyone looking for a quality and thrilling first-person shooter in 2023." —DarkZero

Buy it from GOG and Humble

Released just a few weeks ago, Rising is the latest title in the Granblue Fantasy Versus anime-style fighting game franchise, and it falls somewhere in between a sequel and a remake to the 2020 game Granblue Fantasy Versus. It repeats that game's story but adds new story content and makes numerous enhancements throughout.

"Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a bonefide cure-all for your fighting game ailments. A banger release, right at the end of the year." —VG247

The first sequel to 2014's The Talos Principle is another first-person narrative puzzler hailing from Croatian studio Croteam. Like the prior game, TP2 integrates philosophical themes into its puzzle-solving and sci-fi story set in a post-apocalyptic future world in which humanity has gone extinct—but not before transferring human culture and knowledge into a race of androids.

"Lots of games are about the possible end of the world, but I can't remember playing one that thought about that end, or made me think about it, as much as The Talos Principle 2. As we live through what can often feel like a slow-motion apocalypse, it's been fascinating, heartbreaking, and hopeful to consider things like our essential humanity, the things that make us who we are, and the choices we have made and can still make. And also, the puzzles are really good." —GameSpot

Buy it from Fanatical and Humble

An expansion pack for the 2018 roguelite action-platformer Dead Cells, this March release incorporates a wealth of content—including characters, settings, weapons, and even music—from Konami's Castlevania series (itself a major Dead Cells inspiration). Those components are present in service of a new storyline that finds you battling Dracula—and Death.

"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a shining blueprint of how to do a crossover right. It celebrates the history of the franchise while mixing it with Dead Cells' own identity to make something that's more than the sum of its already excellent parts. Not only does this collaboration feel like it makes total sense, the utmost care has clearly been put into every aspect, whether it be the still fantastic monster-slaying combat or the huge number of secrets waiting to be found inside." —IGN

Buy it from Fanatical and GOG

The terrific debut game from indie Danish studio Geometric Interactive (founded by a pair of Limbo and Inside developers), Cocoon is a sci-fi puzzle-centric adventure that finds you jumping between worlds with the help of ancient alien technology. Gameplay may be as simple as it gets, but puzzle-lovers will be thrilled by the fresh and imaginative challenges on display throughout.

"The closest to a negative thing I can say about COCOON is that I wish there were more of it. I wish I could forget everything I know about it so that I could experience it again for the first time. That those moments of jaw-dropping awe could hit as hard as they did my first time through. While I can't have those moments back, though, you can still experience them. If you haven't played COCOON yet, they're still waiting for you to find them." —Hey Poor Player

Buy it from Humble and Fanatical
Available with PC Game Pass

Originally released in 1997, id Software's classic sci-fi first-person shooter Quake II has returned multiple times over the following decades, including in 2023 for modern consoles and PC. This year's "Enhanced Edition" release features upgraded 4K visuals and includes two previously released DLC packs as well as an all-new expansion.

"Quake 2 Enhanced Edition is an exceptional remaster, turning a beloved classic into one of the better old-school shooters available for what's essentially a steal." —GamingBolt

Available with PC Game Pass

Following about six months after the release of the widely praised Resident Evil 4 remake, that survival horror game's first expansion fills in gaps in the story through the perspective of Ada Wong. Critics were pleasantly surprised by the wealth of content available in this relatively bargain-priced DLC.

"You'd be missing out on a ton of amazing content if you don't play Separate Ways. This RE4 Remake DLC brings you back to some stellar combat and an engaging story, while also giving Ada the spotlight she deserves." —PC Invasion

Buy it from Fanatical and Green Man Gaming

The first (and only) expansion to the 2020 action/RPG cyberthriller Cyberpunk 2077—a high-profile game that rebounded from a notoriously buggy launch to eventually become a huge hit—Phantom Liberty features a new storyline that tasks you with rescuing the President, whose plane has crashed in the dangerous district of Dogtown (a new area created for this expansion). Also new to the game is a spy played by Idris Elba, who joins a returning Keanu Reeves in the cast.

"Phantom Liberty is Cyberpunk 2077 at its best. CD Projekt Red has taken the lessons from the original release and focused on the parts that mattered most to deliver a thrilling and impactful experience that doesn't overstay its welcome. And although it fits into the original story, it leaves a lasting impact that rewrote my perception of Cyberpunk's world. ... It's cruel, sobering, and bittersweet, and it'll stick with you well after V lays down their weapons. " —GameSpot

Buy it from GOG and Humble

A fast-paced and delightfully oddball indie 2D platformer, Pizza Tower shows a debt to Wario Land for its gameplay and '90s cartoons for its visual style. You'll guide Peppino Spaghetti through five floors of the titular Pizza Tower in an attempt to bring it down and save his own restaurant.

"Pizza Tower is a very special 2D platformer that transcends its inspirations and becomes something even greater. It's a short ride, and it'll be most appealing to those who are keen to restart levels in an effort to improve their score, but even if that's not you, there's a ton to like here. It is one of the most straight up fun and refreshing platformers I've played in recent memory, sporting an unforgettably unique art style, excellent animations, immensely rewarding platforming, wonderfully creative level design, a joyful sense of humor, and one of the best soundtracks of the year so far." —IGN

Developed by Max Payne creator Remedy Entertainment, the even-better sequel to 2010's Alan Wake switches genres from action-adventure to survival horror for its story of the titular writer, who has been trapped in a nightmarish alternate world for 13 years and tries to write his way out of his predicament. You'll play as both Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson, who is investigating a series of murders in the real-world small town where Wake disappeared—and whose story is tied to Wake's in mysterious ways. Also named the best game of 2023 by multiple publications and winner of three Game Awards, Alan Wake 2 earned praise from critics for its innovative gameplay, spooky and surreal atmosphere, and truly stunning visuals.

"Alan Wake 2 is a psychological horror masterpiece and one of the best narrative games ever made. Remedy Entertainment took everything they learned from its previous projects, such as Control and Quantum Break, and delivered a riveting story experience that will leave players on the edge of their seats until the game's final scene. The long-awaited sequel is not only groundbreaking and ambitious, but it has now set the bar for how story-driven games can be told." —Siliconera

Buy it from Green Man Gaming

Often compared to Stardew Valley, the hit debut release from South Korean studio Nexon's new label Mintrocket is a charming adventure game centering on Dave, a sushi bar owner who spends his days diving for the fish that he'll serve to his customers at night. But don't be fooled by Dave the Diver's casual, relaxing nature: Between the diving expeditions, restaurant management, quests, minigames, RPG elements, and more, there's a wealth of content and complexity here for those who want it.

"Charming, deep, and constantly surprising, Dave the Diver is packed with activities and full of heart." —PC Gamer

Buy it from Green Man Gaming and Humble

A Microsoft-exclusive action game from The Evil Within studio Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush blends rhythm-based combat and platforming action as your rockstar hero battles an evil corporation, all set against a soundtrack that includes music by Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, and other bands as well as original songs.

"Hi Fi Rush is a phenomenal experience from start to finish with fantastic characters, sublime music, gorgeous visuals, great voice acting, and superlative gameplay. It is essential if you enjoy action and rhythm games." —The Mako Reactor

Buy it from Fanatical and Green Man Gaming
Available with PC Game Pass

First released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS, puzzle-adventure game Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes from the creator of the popular Ace Attorney series and features similar gameplay that finds you investigating a murder. (The difference: In Ghost Trick, you are the one who was murdered, and you're now a ghost.) This year brought a new HD remaster to modern platforms.

"Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the most rewarding puzzle games that I have ever played. With an awesome aesthetic, great music, and a story full of twists and turns, this game will keep you coming back for more." —GameGrin

Buy it from Humble and Fanatical

From indie developer Kinmoku (One Night Stand) comes this narrative adventure set in the early days of the World Wide Web. You'll help guide young gamer and aspiring artist Emmett as he begins to explore the online social network for a fictional game system, the Kinmoku Shark.

"While Videoverse might not hit as hard for you if you weren't around back then, it absolutely delivered in making me think fondly of the past, and delivered a heartfelt story with the closest time capsule experience to the early 2000s internet there has ever been. I can't wait to see what developer Kinmoku does next. This one is special. The only game to get me nostalgic like this before was Gone Home, and I think Videoverse ended up excelling over that in just about every way." —TouchArcade

Buy it from Humble

A choose-your-own-adventure-style visual novel from the creators of Scarlet Hollow, Slay the Princess blends hand-drawn black-and-white visuals and full voice acting with a supernatural horror story that finds you setting off into the woods to murder a princess who will do everything in her power to stop you.

"Slay the Princess is a beautiful narrative of pain, death, love, and transformation. It has so many choices and routes that it's impossible to see them all in one playthrough. While some may come for the terrors of blood, bone, and the unknown, the tender core is what will keep the game in your mind." —GamingTrend

Buy it from GOG

Capcom's Resident Evil remake series has so far produced a stone-cold classic as well as Resident Evil 3. The latest remake is much closer to the former than the latter, though it helps that the source material—2005's Resident Evil 4—is one of the best videogames ever made. And so, apparently, is its remake, which modernizes the graphics, controls, and story while retaining much of what made the original a survival horror classic.

"I don't know what more you could ask for in this stunning remake of Resident Evil 4. It's obvious to say that a great remake should satisfy both returning fans and total newcomers, but this goes so far beyond that. The original game is one of my favorites of all time and now the only reason I'd recommend anyone play it is purely for historical value. And if you're a complete newcomer to the series, this is bar none one of the most thrilling games ever. It shines as the ultimate Resident Evil experience and the greatest remake of all time." —Giant Bomb

Buy it from Fanatical and Humble

Arriving at the end of 2023, this unique roguelite city-builder tasks you with building and managing settlements in a fantasy wilderness world. That "s" at the end of settlements is a key distinction: Unlike most city-builders, Against the Storm allows you to build as many locations as you like—each, potentially, populated by a different fantasy race—and link them together into a network. Critics have highlighted the game's replayability and unpredictability.

"Never the same game twice, Against the Storm is a rare gem of a city builder that thrives on chaos but exists in perfect balance, evolving with you as you learn and adapt." —Eurogamer

Buy it from GOG and Humble

Far, far better than the previous numbered installment in Capcom's venerable fighting series, Street Fighter 6 offers three different game modes which provide a combination of single-player and online (and cross-platform) multiplayer gameplay, and combined provide plenty of content for newcomers and veterans alike. New features include real-time commentary.

"As the series that pioneered fighting games, each new Street Fighter comes with weighty expectations. Street Fighter 6 confidently meets this hype, catering to neophytes and genre veterans by offering the most extensive array of offline offerings the franchise has ever seen alongside a flexible set of core systems and a diverse cast. Between its cohesive aesthetic, the bounty of clever features, and crisp central gameplay, it's one of the most impressive entries the genre has seen in some time." —Game Informer

Buy it from Fanatical and Humble

Metacritic's Best New PC Game of 2023.
Metacritic's Overall Game of the Year for 2023.

It's not just the best game of the year: It's the best of the current decade so far. A surprising commercial hit from Belgian indie studio Larian (who previously created the Divinity series), the first all-new numbered title in the Dungeons & Dragons-based fantasy RPG series Baldur's Gate since 2000's Shadows of Amn is the result of many years of development—including full motion-capture and voice acting for every single on-screen character by a cast of 248 actors—and three years in Early Access. All of that work, love for the source material, and feedback from gamers has paid off handsomely: The incredibly deep Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most flexible, involving, innovative, surprising, and rewarding games in recent memory, and it is virtually impossible not to sink dozens (if not hundreds) of hours into it. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that despite plenty of dark moments it might also be 2023's funniest game.

"Like with the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 feels like an impossible video game. Everything it does flies in the face of modern gaming and it fulfils almost all of its goals with a tactician's precision and clarity. From its stellar story with hundreds, if not thousands, of meaningful choices and consequences which make every single playthrough special, to the deep and compelling combat which you can spend an age learning, to its impeccable world and sound design, Baldur's Gate 3 is truly something special." —KeenGamer

Buy it from GOG

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