The Best Pc Games Ever offer a unique and immersive experience that keeps players engaged for hours, and at polarservicecenter.net, we understand the importance of seamless gaming experiences. Do you want to discover the ultimate list of must-play titles? This guide reveals the top PC games that define the gaming landscape. Explore polarservicecenter.net for troubleshooting tips, warranty information, and product support to ensure your gaming setup runs smoothly. Find your favorite gaming accessory with our help.
1. Understanding the Scoring System for the Best PC Games
To determine what constitutes the best PC games ever, a comprehensive scoring system is used. How does this system ensure a fair and balanced evaluation? The scoring system considers four key categories:
- Quality: Reflects the game’s overall excellence and personal enjoyment (60% of the score).
- Importance: Measures the game’s impact on the gaming industry and its lasting legacy (15% of the score).
- Hotness: Assesses the game’s current community engagement and player enthusiasm (15% of the score).
- Playability: Evaluates the game’s accessibility and performance on modern systems (10% of the score).
Quality holds the highest weight, emphasizing that the games recommended are those that the evaluators wholeheartedly believe players should experience.
2. Valheim: Survival Without Endless Stress
Valheim, released in early access on February 2, 2021, receives a Top 100 Score of 213.85. Why is Valheim considered a brilliant survival game?
Valheim offers a survival experience without the relentless pressure of resource management, allowing players to relax or challenge themselves as they see fit. According to Jacob Ridley, Managing Editor, Hardware, Valheim is as excellent now as it was upon release, with significant additions like the mistlands enhancing the experience.
#100, Valheim
3. Guild Wars 2: A Quietly Revolutionary MMO
Guild Wars 2, released on August 28, 2012, has a Top 100 Score of 214.10. What makes Guild Wars 2 a revolutionary MMO?
Guild Wars 2 offers a subscription-free model with no FOMO-inducing scarcity, rewarding players for their time without penalizing extended breaks. Phil Savage, Global Editor-in-Chief, notes that every addition to the game remains relevant, creating a seamless blend of content developed across a decade.
#99, Guild Wars 2
4. City of Heroes: Homecoming – A Second Life
City of Heroes: Homecoming, originally released on April 27, 2004, boasts a Top 100 Score of 216.15. Why is Homecoming’s revival significant for MMO fans?
Homecoming’s resurrection on a legitimate private server with NCSoft’s approval provides a vibrant future for one of PC gaming’s great MMOs. Harvey Randall, Staff Writer, emphasizes that Homecoming has received enough updates to warrant a revisit, even beyond nostalgia’s sake.
#98, City of Heroes
5. Dave the Diver: A Charming Surprise
Dave the Diver, released on June 28, 2023, earns a Top 100 Score of 217.19. What makes Dave the Diver stand out as one of the best games in recent years?
Dave the Diver surprises players with its constant unveiling of new systems and its ever-expanding scope, centered around the lovable middle-aged diver Dave. Christopher Livingston, Senior Editor, highlights the game’s unexpected twists, from boat chases to seahorse racing management, praising its anime-inspired cutscenes.
#97, Dave the Diver
6. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines – A Cult Classic
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, released on November 16, 2004, attains a Top 100 Score of 219.68. Why is Bloodlines considered a cult classic despite its initial issues?
Bloodlines offers a unique and immersive RPG experience where each vampiric bloodline feels completely distinct, providing high replayability. Jody Macgregor, Weekend Editor, notes that the game is a blast to replay, with each bloodline offering a unique perspective and gameplay style.
#96, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
7. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 – The Smartest Star Wars Game
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, released on December 6, 2004, achieves a Top 100 Score of 220.13. What makes KotOR 2 the smartest Star Wars game?
KotOR 2 is celebrated for its intelligent narrative and complex characters, particularly Kreia, despite its initial incomplete release. Joshua Wolens, News Writer, praises Kreia as one of the best RPG companions, a brilliantly rendered, bitter old woman consumed by her old hatreds.
#95, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
8. Dragon Age: Origins – A Definitive Experience
Dragon Age: Origins, released on November 3, 2009, earns a Top 100 Score of 220.30. What makes Origins a definitive Dragon Age experience?
Origins delivers a 3D CRPG experience that honors the 2.5D classics, with old-school combat, incredible characters, and rich world-building. Robert Jones, Print Editor, emphasizes the game’s mature storytelling and complex fantasy RPG elements.
#94, Dragon Age: Origins
9. Left 4 Dead 2 – The Co-Op Shooter Pioneer
Left 4 Dead 2, released on November 20, 2009, attains a Top 100 Score of 221.63. Why is L4D2 considered a pioneer in the co-op shooter genre?
L4D2 essentially invented a whole genre and set the standard for four-player co-op shooters with its panic, hilarity, and satisfying teamwork. Rich Stanton, Senior Editor, notes that no game has improved upon the simple joy of smacking a zombie in the face with a giant skillet.
#93, Left 4 Dead 2
10. Ghost of Tsushima – A Samurai Masterpiece
Ghost of Tsushima, released on May 16, 2024, achieves a Top 100 Score of 221.76. What elements make Ghost of Tsushima a modern classic?
Ghost of Tsushima offers superb assassinations, swordplay, a gripping narrative, beautiful visuals, and period-accurate detailing that surpasses other similar games. Robert Jones highlights that its success has set a high bar for other historical action games.
#92, Ghost of Tsushima
11. Dead Cells – A Roguelike All-Timer
Dead Cells, released on August 6, 2018, earns a Top 100 Score of 221.85. What distinguishes Dead Cells as a top-tier roguelike?
Dead Cells was greatly built upon through early access, focusing on bizarre and wonderful weapon/perk combinations that constantly challenge players. Rich Stanton notes that the game subtly changed over time, making each run unique and challenging.
#91, Dead Cells
12. Outer Wilds – Exploration Perfected
Outer Wilds, released on May 28, 2019, attains a Top 100 Score of 222.02. What makes Outer Wilds a standout in exploration?
Outer Wilds masterfully captures the feeling of discovery within its time-looped solar system, creating a warm and small-feeling expanse of space. Robin Valentine notes that every expedition reveals new knowledge and ways to interact with the environment.
#90, Outer Wilds
13. Death Stranding – A Contemplative Journey
Death Stranding, released on March 30, 2022, has a Top 100 Score of 222.09. What makes Death Stranding a unique and contemplative gaming experience?
Death Stranding offers a zen-like experience through its delivery gameplay, allowing players to relax and contemplate while traversing a virtual world. Rich Stanton describes it as a zen simulator that provides a unique rhythm for the mind.
#89, Death Stranding
14. Pentiment – A Historical Mystery
Pentiment, released on November 15, 2022, earns a Top 100 Score of 222.30. What makes Pentiment a captivating historical mystery game?
Pentiment immerses players in a living, breathing 16th-century Bavarian town, where their actions have lasting consequences over decades. Andy Chalk notes that the slow burn of the game draws players into a world filled with memorable characters.
#88, Pentiment
15. The Case of the Golden Idol – Intricate Mysteries
The Case of the Golden Idol, released on October 13, 2022, attains a Top 100 Score of 222.36. What makes The Case of the Golden Idol a novel and original murder mystery?
The Case of the Golden Idol fascinates with its intricate mysteries and grotesque characters, compelling players to pore over every detail. Robin Valentine praises the twisting story of murder, magic, and authoritarianism.
#87, The Case of the Golden Idol
16. Ultrakill – An Absurdist FPS
Ultrakill, released in early access on September 3, 2020, has a Top 100 Score of 222.90. What makes Ultrakill a standout absurdist FPS?
Ultrakill’s high-flying, combo-focused gameplay and absurd retelling of Dante’s Inferno create an intense and unique experience. Ted Litchfield describes it as Doom Eternal running at 1.5x speed.
#86, Ultrakill
17. Destiny 2 – A Worthwhile Experience
Destiny 2, released on October 24, 2017, earns a Top 100 Score of 222.91. What makes Destiny 2 a worthwhile game to play right now?
Destiny 2 is currently in a very good spot due to The Final Shape, with the new subclass and exotic items greatly contributing to build variety. Phil Savage notes that the game is absolutely worth playing thanks to its latest content.
#85, Destiny 2
18. Inside – A Flawless Gem
Inside, released on July 7, 2016, attains a Top 100 Score of 222.98. What makes Inside a flawless puzzle-platformer?
Inside is a brilliant puzzle-platformer that combines brain-teasing challenges with immediate threats and a haunting atmosphere. Rich Stanton describes it as a flawless gem with a lingering sense of horror.
#84, Inside
19. Sid Meier’s Civilization 5 – Perfection Defined
Sid Meier’s Civilization 5, released on September 23, 2010, achieves a Top 100 Score of 223.06. What makes Civilization 5 a defining game in the series?
Civilization 5 is considered perfection due to its refined structure and addictive gameplay loop, making it difficult to stop playing. Nick Evanson notes that it defines the phrase “just one more turn.”
#83, Civilization 5
20. Hotline Miami – Brutal Puzzle
Hotline Miami, released on October 23, 2012, earns a Top 100 Score of 223.29. What makes Hotline Miami a unique and brutal puzzle game?
Hotline Miami is a puzzle game disguised as combat, where the challenge is to efficiently murder an army of criminals in tightly designed levels. Jake Tucker describes it as a flow-state fever dream.
#82, Hotline Miami
21. Kentucky Route Zero – An Incredible Vibe
Kentucky Route Zero, released on February 22, 2013, attains a Top 100 Score of 223.50. What makes Kentucky Route Zero an unforgettable experience?
Kentucky Route Zero offers an incredible vibe through its slow drift along a mystical highway, filled with moody set pieces and emotionally difficult themes. Andy Chalk describes it as a moving journey through a world unseen.
#81, Kentucky Route Zero
22. Caves of Qud – A Surreal Roguelike
Caves of Qud, released in early access on July 15, 2015, has a Top 100 Score of 223.80. What makes Caves of Qud a unique and surreal roguelike?
Caves of Qud is a traditional, tile-based roguelike with a fascination for chrome spindles, transdimensional excretions, and procedural gibberish. Lincoln Carpenter notes that every run has its own layered, surreal history to uncover.
#80, Caves of Qud
23. Baldur’s Gate 2 – A Fantasy RPG Legend
Baldur’s Gate 2, released on September 26, 2000, achieves a Top 100 Score of 224.13. What makes Baldur’s Gate 2 a legendary fantasy CRPG?
Baldur’s Gate 2 set the template for later fantasy RPGs with its memorable writing, deep mechanics, stunning graphics, and great voice acting. Robert Jones emphasizes its influence on the genre.
#79, Baldur
24. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon – Mecha Action at Its Finest
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, released on August 24, 2023, earns a Top 100 Score of 224.32. What makes Armored Core 6 a standout mecha action game?
Armored Core 6 blends mecha cool, sci-fi dystopia, and vast build variety into its most straightforward action game. Wes Fenlon notes that it’s FromSoftware’s first 120 fps PC game.
#78, Armored Core 6
25. Deep Rock Galactic – True Co-operation
Deep Rock Galactic, released on May 13, 2020, attains a Top 100 Score of 224.73. What makes Deep Rock Galactic a unique co-op experience?
Deep Rock Galactic forces players to truly cooperate, combining their distinctive excavation and exploration tools to navigate alien caverns. Robin Valentine praises its procedural generation that ensures a fresh challenge.
#77, Deep Rock Galactic
26. Dishonored 2 – Immersive Stealth Sandbox
Dishonored 2, released on November 11, 2016, achieves a Top 100 Score of 220.25. What makes Dishonored 2 the pinnacle of immersive stealth sandboxes?
Dishonored 2 is praised for its freakishly flexible, devilishly smart, and visually stunning sandbox, with wonders that unfurl slowly as players experiment. Fraser Brown notes that it is the pinnacle of immsim stealthy sandboxes.
#76, Dishonored 2
27. Chivalry 2 – Medieval Warfare
Chivalry 2, released on June 12, 2022, earns a Top 100 Score of 225.00. What makes Chivalry 2 a uniquely enjoyable medieval warfare game?
Chivalry 2 balances unserious fun with thoughtfully designed melee combat, offering a perfect mix of sweaty and silly gameplay. Tyler Wilde describes it as the perfect combo of sweaty and silly.
#75, Chivalry 2
28. Max Payne – Noir Action
Max Payne, released on July 25, 2001, attains a Top 100 Score of 225.00. What makes Max Payne a memorable noir action game?
Max Payne offers a dumb ’90s action movie experience in video game form, with brutal firefights and memorable faux-noir quotes. Jake Tucker describes it as a trauma-ridden cop’s worst night.
#74, Max Payne
29. Papers, Please – A Dystopian Classic
Papers, Please, released on August 8, 2013, achieves a Top 100 Score of 225.19. What makes Papers, Please a unique gaming experience?
Papers, Please makes choosing to suck at the game a mechanic itself, asking how many hits you’re willing to take to preserve goodness in a heartless world. Harvey Randall highlights its exploration of failure in games.
#73, Papers, Please
30. Cyberpunk 2077 – Redemption Arc
Cyberpunk 2077, released on December 10, 2020, earns a Top 100 Score of 221.05. What makes Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing now?
Cyberpunk 2077, after its initial rocky release, has been redeemed through updates like Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 update, offering immersive gameplay. Wes Fenlon notes the reworked RPG skill trees and mocapped characters.
#72, Cyberpunk 2077
31. Alien Isolation – Horror Perfection
Alien Isolation, released on October 6, 2014, attains a Top 100 Score of 225.29. What makes Alien Isolation the best Alien game ever made?
Alien Isolation is celebrated for its terrifying atmosphere, focusing on a single Alien in a lived-in space station, a corrective to Hollywood’s mismanagement of the series. Rich Stanton emphasizes the bravery of building the entire game around one Alien.
#71, Alien Isolation
32. Strange Horticulture – Occult Botany
Strange Horticulture, released on January 21, 2020, earns a Top 100 Score of 225.30. What makes Strange Horticulture a unique mystery game?
Strange Horticulture combines detective work with occult botany, tasking players with solving mysteries through plant identification. Jody Macgregor describes it as a mystery subgenre with a plant shop twist.
#70, Strange Horticulture
33. Signalis – Psychological Horror Masterpiece
Signalis, released on October 27, 2022, attains a Top 100 Score of 225.30. What makes Signalis a standout psychological horror game?
Signalis is praised for its grimy, psychological horror and surreal world, making it an unforgettable setting for a touching story about androids. Tyler Colp notes that it feels like an old Resident Evil with a vast and surreal world.
#69, Signalis
34. Titanfall 2 – Creative FPS Campaign
Titanfall 2, released on October 28, 2016, achieves a Top 100 Score of 225.35. What makes Titanfall 2’s campaign a highlight in the FPS genre?
Titanfall 2’s campaign is celebrated for its fantastic FPS ideas, innovative level design, and the unique bond between pilot and mech. Jake Tucker praises its curiosity and joy, reminiscent of Nintendo games.
#68, Titanfall 2
35. Monster Hunter: World – The Definitive Experience
Monster Hunter: World, released on August 8, 2018, earns a Top 100 Score of 225.66. What makes Monster Hunter: World the definitive experience in the series?
Monster Hunter: World modernizes the series, making its deep systems more accessible and offering intense hunting experiences. Robin Valentine emphasizes its incredible modernization of the series.
#67, Monster Hunter: World
36. Kerbal Space Program – Physics-Driven Slapstick
Kerbal Space Program, released on April 27, 2015, attains a Top 100 Score of 225.77. What makes Kerbal Space Program a timeless space sim?
Kerbal Space Program is a magnificent playbox for building rockets and fixing the resulting disasters through physics-driven slapstick. Phil Savage notes that its original formula remains strong despite a disappointing sequel.
#66, Kerbal Space Program
37. Rust – Creativity, Paranoia, and Brutality
Rust, released on February 8, 2018, achieves a Top 100 Score of 225.80. What makes Rust a unique and intense survival experience?
Rust distills humanity to its purest components of creativity, paranoia, and utter brutality in a world where trust is rare. Andy Edser describes it as a testament to why we’re a terrible species.
#65, Rust
38. Diablo 2 – The Dungeon Crawling Standard
Diablo 2, released on June 28, 2000, earns a Top 100 Score of 226.00. What makes Diablo 2 the standard for dungeon crawling loot-em-ups?
Diablo 2 lets players build a little murder person and spam attacks that turn monster crowds into bloody gibs, offering endless replayability. Rich Stanton notes that it is perfectly happy to let you run around with other little murder people.
#64, Diablo 2
39. Resident Evil 4 (Remake) – Remake Perfection
Resident Evil 4 (Remake), released on March 24, 2023, attains a Top 100 Score of 226.05. What makes the Resident Evil 4 Remake a standout?
Resident Evil 4 Remake successfully retains the original’s quirky personality while making sensible changes and improvements. Elie Gould praises it for changing her mind about remakes.
#63, Resident Evil 4
40. Nier: Automata – Creative and Ambitious
Nier: Automata, released on March 17, 2017, achieves a Top 100 Score of 226.29. What makes Nier: Automata a creative and ambitious action RPG?
Nier: Automata offers a gripping story, immaculate vibes, and creative multiple playthroughs that build to a grander ending. Wes Fenlon notes that few games have done anything remotely as creative with its multiple playthroughs.
#62, Nier: Automata
41. Team Fortress 2 – A Timeless Classic
Team Fortress 2, released on October 10, 2007, earns a Top 100 Score of 226.69. What makes Team Fortress 2 a timeless FPS classic?
Team Fortress 2 has a special place in many players’ hearts as a fun and accessible FPS, and recent action against botting has renewed its appeal. Elie Gould notes that it was the first real FPS her friends and she played together.
#61, Team Fortress 2
42. System Shock (Remake) – Cyberpunk Reimagined
System Shock (Remake), released on May 30, 2023, attains a Top 100 Score of 226.88. What makes System Shock Remake the best entry point into the series?
System Shock Remake is praised for its incredible first-person shooter gameplay and fresh cyberpunk aesthetic. Ted Litchfield describes it as a masterclass in how to remake a game.
#60, System Shock
43. Unavowed – Urban Fantasy Mystery
Unavowed, released on August 8, 2018, achieves a Top 100 Score of 227.10. What makes Unavowed a unique urban fantasy adventure game?
Unavowed combines classic point-and-click adventure gameplay with BioWare-style companions and moral choices, creating a fresh experience. Robin Valentine praises its masterful combination of genres.
#59, Unavowed
44. Fortnite – A Multiplayer Phenomenon
Fortnite, released on September 26, 2017, earns a Top 100 Score of 227.24. What makes Fortnite a perfectly balanced multiplayer game?
Fortnite offers a perfectly balanced multiplayer experience that is fun, easy to play, and has masses of free content. Nick Evanson describes it as a game that defies stereotypes.
#58, Fortnite
45. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind – Peak Bethesda
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, released on May 1, 2002, attains a Top 100 Score of 227.37. What makes Morrowind a unique Elder Scrolls experience?
Morrowind is praised for its janky, weird, and fearless approach, representing Bethesda at its most ambitious. Andy Chalk describes it as peak Bethesda, free of the ossified lore that built up over subsequent years.
#57, Morrowind
46. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Tactical Excellence
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, released on December 1, 2015, achieves a Top 100 Score of 227.38. What makes Rainbow Six Siege a competitive tactical shooter?
Rainbow Six Siege offers great moments through its gadget-heavy SWAT tactics, leading to spectacular successes and failures. Tyler Wilde notes that it’s a go-to game for casual competition with a low time-to-kill.
#56, Rainbow Six Siege
47. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth – Love/Hate Roguelike
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, released on November 4, 2014, earns a Top 100 Score of 227.90. What makes The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth a captivating roguelike?
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth offers ever-changing layouts, gross enemies, and fun builds that capture the player’s attention. Elie Gould describes it as a love/hate relationship that she looks for in all her roguelikes.
#55, Binding of Isaac
48. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – Ratmen Mayhem
Warhammer: Vermintide 2, released on March 8, 2018, attains a Top 100 Score of 227.97. What makes Vermintide 2 an excellent co-op action game?
Vermintide 2 takes the ball Left 4 Dead 2 threw and ran with it, offering exceptional melee combat and an addictive co-op experience. Harvey Randall praises it as an exceptional addition to the core machine that made Valve’s work sing.
#54, Vermintide 2
49. Control – Strange and Unsettling
Control, released on August 27, 2020, achieves a Top 100 Score of 228.17. What makes Control a memorable and unique action-adventure game?
Control’s strange and unsettling adventure feels like a watershed moment for Remedy, offering chaotic combat and telekinetic power fantasy. Robin Valentine praises its storytelling and Remedy’s unique style.
#53, Control
50. Wildermyth – Tabletop RPG Feel
Wildermyth, released on June 15, 2021, earns a Top 100 Score of 228.43. What makes Wildermyth a standout tactical RPG?
Wildermyth evokes the feel of a rambling tabletop RPG campaign, with heroes growing and changing over the course of the adventures. Robin Valentine praises its delightful and surprising character development.
#52, Wildermyth
51. Spelunky – The Most Moreish Roguelike
Spelunky, released on August 8, 2013, attains a Top 100 Score of 228.71. What makes Spelunky a highly replayable roguelike?
Spelunky’s wacky physics and endless array of creative deathtraps ensure it never ceases to find creative new ways to kill players. Joshua Wolens describes it as the most moreish roguelike of all time.
