In terms of flexibility in gaming, no other platform can match the PC. The hardware comes with many advantages for those who can overcome the often-daunting price of setting up a computer. As a bonus, while consoles require a subscription fee for online gaming, the majority of PC games can be played online without any additional cost. Regardless, many people find the most enjoyment in offline PC games.

Whether searching for triple-A open-world behemoths or indie darlings that use pixel art, PC players are spoiled for choice. New games are released daily on services such as Steam, and while they might not all be classics, there is never a shortage of great titles. What are the best offline games for PC?

Updated June 30, 2024 by Mark Sammut: While far from a bad month for gaming, June was not packed with many notable single-player PC games. Still, one title was added to this discussion.

Still Wakes The Deep

Metascore: 76

All things considered, June 2024 was not a particularly great month for new offline PC games. The month's biggest releases were arguably all expansions, with Destiny 2: The Final Shape and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree being the most notable ones. The former, obviously, requires an internet connection, while the latter can be played offline if someone prefers to go down that route. Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance was also a huge release that instantly established itself as one of the best turn-based JRPGs on Steam; however, the game uses Denuvo, which complicates things a bit (as players will not be able to always play offline). Still, Atlus' project is generally fantastic, and it offers a lot of content for its price tag.

Therefore, to highlight one of the month's games, let's shift focus to a smaller but still worthwhile release: Still Wakes the Deep. The Chinese Room has developed a reputation for crafting story-driven titles that tend to feature minimal interactivity, even earning the much-dreaded "walking sim" label. Everybody's Gone to the Rapture is probably the developer's most well-known project, although Still Wakes the Deep is more in line with 2013's Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. Both titles very much fall within the horror genre and cast players as weak protagonists who have to mostly hide and avoid monsters.

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Fans of Still Wakes The Deep have plenty of options available to them if they are looking for a similar gaming experience.

Stuck on an oil rig, players find themselves dragged into cosmic chaos when something escapes from deep within the sea, turning this already dangerous location into hell on Earth. Still Wakes the Deep's gameplay is fairly straightforward, mostly consisting of running, talking, and a few simple puzzles. However, the game features consistently engaging writing and voice acting, both of which combine to create an immersive story with fleshed-out characters. The player's actions also have genuine consequences.

Hades & Hades 2 (Early Access)

Metascore: 93 (Hades) & Steam User Rating: 95% (Hades 2)

Despite being very much an indie company, Supergiant Games has amassed such a positive reputation that every release is deemed an event, and Hades 2 is arguably the developer's biggest project to date. Released into early access on May 6, 2024, the highly-anticipated sequel is still a work in progress, a fact interested customers should keep in mind; however, the game is already very promising, with the main campaign being largely playable. In its present state, Hades 2 has enough content to match its (fantastic) predecessor, and the gameplay is generally fun, even if it will likely receive some tweaks in the next few months.

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Still, if someone would rather play a 100% complete project, they can just pick up the original Hades. The 2020 game sits among the best roguelites on the market, and it does a brilliant job of blending the genre's traditional repetitive loop with a narrative that allows for a sense of constant progression. As Zagreus, players need to work their way through four areas (and bosses) to escape the Underworld. Naturally, this process is anything but simple, and Zagreus will need to experiment with boons and weapons to get the job done.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Metascore: 88

Fans of Dragon's Dogma had to wait a long time for another entry to materialize; fortunately, the 2024 follow-up is pretty good. As obvious as this might sound, Dragon's Dogma 2 is unquestionably its predecessor's sequel, meaning it sticks close to the ideas introduced by the 2012 action RPG. Sure, there are some tweaks and improvements, but they are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Consequently, if someone liked the original release, they will probably appreciate its successor, which largely provides a very similar albeit fine-tuned experience.

For the uninitiated, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a combat-driven RPG with great character customization courtesy of a robust vocations/classes system and a fairly wide assortment of weapons, armor, and magic abilities. This goes beyond just the main character since everyone also creates Pawns, AI companions who can be shared with other players. This system is DD2's only notable online feature, although the game can be played offline without suffering too many setbacks. Considering Capcom's pedigree, DD2's combat is unsurprisingly fantastic, offering both depth and accessibility.

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition

Metacritic: 89

While not releasing simultaneously with consoles, Sony has been steadily porting its PlayStation exclusives. Two years after launching on the PS4 and PS5, Horizon Forbidden West made its way to PC courtesy of the complete edition, which includes the base game and The Burning Shores expansion. Building on its predecessor's very good foundations, Forbidden West is bigger and, arguably, superior. The story finds Aloy heading west, a direction that takes her to some recognizable cities that have gone through major changes.

Telling a solid story that is better paced than the one in Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West delivers beautiful visuals, generally enjoyable combat that is only let down during human encounters, and a massive world that is just begging to be explored. Due to launching just a day before Dragon's Dogma 2, HFW was somewhat overshadowed, but an argument could be made that it was the best open-world game to debut on PC in March 2024.

Alan Wake 2

Metascore: 89

Alan Wake 2 took a long time to materialize, but it was largely worth the wait. Remedy delivered a sequel that expands on its predecessor's ideas while never coming across as a retread. Along with the titular character, the game features a second protagonist named Saga Anderson, who is an officer investigating a series of murders. Outside a few sequences, players are free to swap back and forth between both characters, and their halves of the campaign are fairly different from each other.

Firmly falling within the survival-horror genre, Alan Wake 2 succeeds in creating a sustained sense of anxiety that a threat could be present around every corner. The game uses light as a weapon; in turn, nothing is scarier than the dark. The story is not only fantastic, but also does a great job of differentiating Saga and Alan's sections while still making them feel like they are part of a cohesive whole.

Baldur's Gate 3

Metascore: 96

Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 launched in Steam early access in 2020, and the developer used this time wisely. Although the franchise has remained somewhat active thanks to enhanced editions and spin-offs like Dark Alliance, Baldur's Gate's last mainline entry came out in 2000, with its expansion debuting a year later. BioWare's original two games are still regarded as some of the greatest RPGs of all time, and they set a bar that seemed almost impossible for a sequel to surpass. Baldur's Gate 3 not only leaps over this bar but also confidently carves a new path that sets it apart from everything that came before it, at least in the D&D franchise.

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Deep customization, a fully realized world, and flexible storytelling are just a few of the game's strengths, and they are really just the tip of the iceberg. Utilizing a turn-based combat system reminiscent of Larian's Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur's Gate 3 focuses on strategic and calculated play that rewards forward-thinking and big-picture tactics, all the while incorporating an element of luck as a reflection of its tabletop roots. While the title supports co-op multiplayer and shines in the mode, the campaign can be played offline as a traditional single-player RPG.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Metascore: 93

2023's opening quarter produced two remakes of all-time great survival horror games. While neither release makes their predecessor obsolete, they are high-quality modern renditions that present enough new ideas to offer more than just a fresh coat of paint. Capcom knows a thing or two about remakes, and while 2019's Resident Evil 2 is still arguably the standard-bearer, 2023's Resident Evil 4 comes very close to claiming that crown.

2005's Resident Evil 4 reshaped the third-person shooter genre, casting a shadow that continues to linger to this day. The remake could never hope to be as groundbreaking as Capcom's GameCube classic; consequently, the game opts to provide a more consistent experience. Players who never played the original will find a lot to enjoy in the new version, while veterans who have repeatedly accompanied Leon on his European adventure will find a journey that holds a few surprises.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Metascore: 93

Rockstar might not release new games all that often, but each debut is an event. Following its console launch, Red Dead Redemption 2 took more than a year to come to PC, and while the transition was not seamless, the game nevertheless offers a premium single-player experience. While Red Dead Online obviously requires internet, the main game can be played offline, although players will need a connection when they are signing up for the first time.

Set toward the end of North America's Wild West era, RDR2 follows Arthur Morgan as he deals with internal tension as part of the Van der Linde gang. Boasting a gorgeous and detailed open-world, the game is a technological tour de force with precious few peers in the gaming industry. Narratively, RDR2 is constantly emotionally captivating, which is hardly an easy feat considering the campaign's length.

Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection

Metascore: 88

Finally, Naughty Dog is on PC, and this collection delivers two games for the price of one. Legacy of Thieves contains Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and a spin-off called The Lost Legacy. On their own, these are both fantastic action-adventure titles that have great stories, endearing characters, and above-average gameplay; together, they provide quality and quantity.

A Thief's End brings Nathan Drake's journey to an end in arguably his strongest outing yet, one that blends action, shooting galleries, platforming, and puzzles to create a robust and varied campaign. Although considerably shorter, The Lost Legacy should not be skipped since it has arguably the best gameplay in the series along with two awesome protagonists in Chloe and Nadine.

Return To Monkey Island

Metascore: 87

A new Monkey Island game is always a good reason to be excited, and the 2022 release is extra special since it marks the return of Ron Gilbert to the series. Set right after the events of the second entry, Return to Monkey Island tweaks the point-and-click formula to create a package that stays true to the franchise's legacy while also adapting to modern expectations.

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As a plot-driven puzzle game, Return to Monkey Island challenges players to explore environments and speak to NPCs to advance the story. The latter is also great, expertly balancing comedy, whimsy, and a sense of adventure.

Prey

Metascore: 84

Arkane's games are all generally great recommendations for single-player experiences. Dishonored is the developer's most famous license, and all the entries in that series are, at the bare minimum, very good. Deathloop can also be played offline, although it features a mechanic that benefits from an online connection. Lastly, there is Prey, Arkane's brief trip into survival horror territory. Set on a desolate space station, the campaign drops players in the deep end and largely leaves them to their own devices.

Prey's gameplay is fairly typical for Arkane, but the 2017 game has arguably the developer's greatest setting. Talos I is an immaculately designed Metroidvania-esque map, one which demonstrates that open-world games do not need to exceed 50 hours to be worthwhile. Blending RPG, stealth, and shooter elements, Prey is a complete and satisfying package that has not aged a day since its debut.

Planescape: Torment

Metascore: 91

A bona fide classic, Planescape: Torment holds up as one of gaming's best uses of Dungeons & Dragons. Unlike the more action-oriented Baldur's Gate and its sequel(s), which are all naturally fantastic, Planescape: Torment is driven almost entirely by its writing and world-building, two things that are fairly timeless. The combat system was never amazing, and time has done little to change that, but it largely avoids diminishing the RPG's strengths.

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PST brings to life a complex, dark, and engrossing universe that encourages players to fully immerse themselves as the Nameless One, the campaign's protagonist. In 2017, an Enhanced Edition was released that made the game easier to run on modern systems, and the remaster includes a few quality-of-life improvements as well.

Dave The Diver

Metascore: 90

After a stint in early access, Dave the Diver made its full debut in June 2023, and it is safe to say the game has been a resounding success. Mintrocket really went for broke with this project, crafting an experience that appears to actively despise repetition despite sticking to a fairly fixed loop. Dave not only runs a sushi shop but also personally catches the fish he serves, meaning he spends his days exploring a fantastical ocean and his nights managing a restaurant. That is a lot of work for anyone, and the amazing thing is that Dave the Diver does not neglect either area.

The deep-sea expeditions are an absolute joy thanks to an ever-changing environment and a one-weapon-per-run loadout system. The latter means players constantly have to weigh the pros and cons of their available arsenal, and once a decision is made, they are stuck with it. Dives also come with a well-thought-out risk/reward system since overambition can result in a mostly wasted session.

Dave the Diver takes its restaurant management angle just as seriously as its dives. Players are given full control over the establishment, allowing them to do things like hire staff and alter the menu. Even more impressively, the game is also stuffed with minigames that never overstay their welcome.

Dragon Age: Origins

Metascore: 91

An online connection could be required to set up Dragon Age: Origins or to access its DLC; however, the base game is an offline experience. Even if recent years do not represent the developer's peak, BioWare is nevertheless responsible for some of the greatest Western RPGs of all time. The company was on fire during the 2000s, producing Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, and Baldur's Gate 2, all of which are ambitious projects that prioritize single-player campaigns.

Dragon Age: Origins is arguably BioWare's crowning achievement, particularly on PC. While set in a somewhat typical fantasy world, the RPG does a beautiful job of exploring its universe's mythology, characters, and social systems. Each playable race comes with a unique origin story, which not only serves to enhance the game's replayability but also expands its overall world-building. The combat system is tactical in nature without being overwhelmingly complex.

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

Metascore: 87

There are plenty of good superhero games on PC, but for the longest time, it seemed like one of the best Spider-Man adventures was destined to remain on the PS4. However, Insomniac Games' open-world epic eventually made the jump to computers, and the port is generally pretty good.

Packaged with the Black Cat DLC, the remaster looks fantastic, tells a gripping story, and controls like a dream. The latter is the game's true selling point as Marvel's Spider-Man absolutely nails its movement. Swinging across Manhattan is a joy, while the combat is fluid and stylish.

Neon White

Metascore: 89

Speedrunning is not for everyone, but Neon White just might convince the non-believers. An action-platformer centering around a fascinating card system, Neon White challenges players to repeatedly run through levels so they seek the best time they can manage. While there is some variety, most stages require players to kill every enemy on their way to the endpoint. Completing a level might be simple enough, but the goal is to master them, a process that demands and rewards repeat runs so that each inch of the layout is memorized.

Neon White feels great to play on a fundamental level, and the game's visuals are stylish and striking. The story is pretty bad, but it does not get in the way of the gameplay. Once its gameplay loop sinks its teeth into someone, Neon White does not let go, firmly establishing itself as one of the best single-player games of the 2020s.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Metascore: 84

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge does not have to be a solitary experience since it supports online co-op, but it can be played and enjoyed solo or locally. A throwback to beat 'em ups of yesteryear, Shredder's Revenge expertly combines nostalgia and modern innovations to deliver an experience that will satisfy long-time fans searching for the next Turtles in Time and people dipping their toes into this genre for the first time.

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Boasting great visuals, a diverse roster of playable characters, and a fun selection of enemies and levels taken from a plethora of TMNT properties, Shredder's Revenge knocks it out of the park. The game is also quite challenging and does not pull its punches, which helps extend the campaign's replayability.

Elden Ring

Metascore: 94

PvP can be a big part of the Elden Ring experience, provided a player wants it to be. While online certainly adds another dimension to FromSoftware's masterpiece, Elden Ring also offers an offline mode for those who prefer to focus solely on PvE or do not have access to the internet at that moment. An absolutely massive action RPG that implements the Souls formula in a proper open-world setting, Elden Ring has garnered almost universal acclaim, receiving praise for its combat, exploration, and replayability.

Backed to the brim with bosses, lore, weapons, and stunning vistas, Elden Ring is an early contender for the best game of the decade, regardless of whether someone plays online or offline. The Lands Between are harrowing, deadly, and well worth visiting – just be prepared to die a lot.

Rogue Legacy 2

Metascore: 88

After being in early access for more than a year, Rogue Legacy 2 is finally out, and the game builds beautifully on its very good predecessor. As before, players jump into randomly generated dungeons filled with loot and enemies. Once death falls upon them, players move on to the next generation, picking another character who inherits unique traits that might or might not be useful. Although dungeons reset in each run, there are some elements of progression that remain fixed, specifically stuff bought by using gold acquired during a playthrough.

Containing 15 classes that feel distinct enough from each other, Rogue Legacy 2 packs in a lot of content and replay value. There are plenty of Metroidvania indie games on Steam, but few come close to matching Rogue Legacy 2's brilliance.

Batman: Arkham City

Metascore: 91

Rocksteady's Batman trilogy still arguably represents the peak of superhero games, and an argument could be made that this accolade should be extended to the action genre in general. All three titles are highly regarded in their own right, but if forced to highlight the pick of the bunch, Batman: Arkham City has to get the nod. Unlike its predecessor, the 2011 entry expands its playground to an open-world setting as Batman finds himself investigating the eponymous prison.

Arkham City has fantastic combat, a memorable main storyline that includes a wide range of Batman's rogues' gallery, and a ton of side content that can easily balloon a playthrough's runtime to more than double its normal length. Even though it is not more than a decade old, Arkham City is still visually impressive, which serves as a testament to Rocksteady's art design.

Vampire Survivors

Metascore: 87

Available for less than the price of a Starbucks coffee, Vampire Survivors is a bullet hell roguelite that is in early access. Since its late 2021 launch on Steam, this indie game has frequently released patches containing new stages, characters, and weapons, most of which add hours of content to the base experience.

The premise is simple: pick a character, enter a stage, and survive for as long as possible. As enemies are slain, players will eventually level up, providing access to a slew of new power-ups and weapons. This straightforward concept produces an addictive gameplay loop that contains far more depth than might initially seem to be the case. Most characters are also quite different from each other, greatly altering the ways stages are experienced.

God Of War

Metascore: 93

Originally released on the PS4, Santa Monica's God of War finally made its way to PC in January 2022. A soft reboot, this entry significantly alters the franchise's status quo, dropping Kratos in a new mythos while introducing a completely different combat style.

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A third-person action game that places a heavy emphasis on its story, God of War follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they go on a journey to lay down the ashes of their wife and mother respectively. With no multiplayer elements, God of War is a purely single-player experience, one that delivers plenty of content and polish.

Crusader Kings 3

Metascore: 91

Grand strategy games are dense, time-consuming affairs that come with a high entry barrier for newcomers. Historically, the genre has struggled to balance accessibility with complexity, with most of the best projects prioritizing the latter at the complete expense of the former; if nothing else, Crusader Kings 3 balances this juggling act better than most of its peers. And, just to be clear, Paradox's game has a lot more going for it than just that.

Dropped into the Middle Ages, players lead a family dynasty through multiple generations, a process that marries interpersonal drama along with political ambition. Crusader Kings 3's brilliance lies in the way it manages to offer a massive world-expanding scope alongside small-scale household squabbles that are just as engaging as full-blown wars.

NieR: Automata

Metascore: 84

NieR: Automata is the sequel to a niche spin-off of a relatively obscure franchise, Drakengard, and it is awesome. Although a familiarity with the previous entries can heighten the experience, NieR: Automata mostly stands on its own, delivering an ambitious storyline that pits androids against alien robots.

As this game was directed by Yoko Taro, the story takes quite a few surprising turns and explores a range of philosophical themes. Developed by PlatinumGames, NieR: Automata's hack and slash combat is reminiscent of Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising, although it is backed by more RPG elements.

Rise Of The Tomb Raider

Metascore: 86

Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider trilogy is a dependable choice for adventure fans. At the bare minimum, all three games are at least good, and the first two entries achieve far more than just the minimum. While 2013's Tomb Raider is a must-play title, its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, is superior in nearly every way.

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Set in Siberia, the 2015 game finds Lara Croft exploring the snowy wilderness in search of the mythical city of Kitezh. The story takes quite a few unexpected turns, and the side content permits Lara to investigate traditional tombs akin to the pre-Crystal Dynamics era. The gameplay blends exploration, crafting, gunplay, puzzles, and stealth, and Rise of the Tomb Raider handles all these elements well.

Undertale

Metascore: 92

Toby Fox's RPG has established itself as one of the genre's greatest representatives, and that goes beyond just indie titles. Inspired by games such as Mother, Undertale cleverly examines and critiques the player's actions as they interact with the inhabitants of the Underground, an area located within the Earth.

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Undertale might look simple on the surface, however, the charming 8-bit visuals hide an incredibly complex experience both in terms of story and gameplay. Undertale is one of those releases that everyone should try at one point or another, especially since it is quite cheap to purchase.

Turbo Overkill

Metascore: 91

There are roughly a billion retro FPSs on PC, and while they might not all be masterpieces, they can be a ton of fun in the right headspace. Turbo Overkill serves as just one representative of this peculiar subgenre, although releases like Dusk are also fantastic. Very much inspired by old-school greats, this first-person romp prioritizes excess above everything else, delivering an all-thrills experience that is almost cerebral.

While the controls work as they should and the gameplay has enough depth to keep things interesting enough, Turbo Overkill is generally quite straightforward, opting to distill the genre's appeal to its most fundamental selling point: it is fun to shoot things in the face and watch them go boom. Sometimes, that's all a game needs, along with a chainsaw leg.

Devil May Cry 5

Metascore: 89

After a long hiatus and a divisive spin-off, Capcom's Devil May Cry made its glorious (and stylish) return in 2019. Similar to the fourth game, Nero and Dante are both playable in Devil May Cry 5, and they are joined by a new character called V. All three fighters control very differently, with each one being given mechanics that set them apart from the crowd.

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Boasting high-octane hack and slash combat that is accessible but difficult to master, Devil May Cry 5 is endlessly replayable due to the sheer number of combos possible and extra modes like the Blood Palace. While the campaign can become a touch repetitive due to some fairly bland environments, that criticism is offset by the sheer quality of the gameplay. Newcomers to the series can start with this entry, although they should still seek out all the other games besides Devil May Cry 2 and, perhaps, DmC: Devil May Cry.

System Shock 2

Metascore: 92

Some games are the definition of timeless, and System Shock 2 falls into that category. This does not mean the game has not aged in various ways, as it naturally has, but its strengths are so undeniable that they override any criticisms. System Shock 2 is a horror RPG set in a starship, with the gameplay revolving around exploration and some combat.

System Shock 2 tells an engrossing narrative featuring a contender for the greatest villain in gaming history, SHODAN. The plot is built up nicely through environmental storytelling and cutscenes, culminating in an unforgettable final act. System Shock 2 is available on Steam and GOG, but the latter is a slightly better pick for offline play.

Persona 5 Royal

Metascore: 95

What once seemed impossible is now a reality. Steam has multiple Persona games, including mainline entries and spin-offs. Persona 4 Golden is a great PS2 JRPG with one of the best storylines in the series; however, its sequel, Persona 5 Royal, is a better entry point for newcomers. The Phantom Thieves are a group of teenagers who change the hearts of villains by jumping into Palaces, which are manifestations of a person's psyches.

Split into dungeons with turn-based combat and social sim sections, P5R handles both aspects of the package beautifully. The former's battle system is relatively by the numbers, but the combat is enhanced through the game's stylish presentation. Meanwhile, the social sim aspect is engrossing and addictive.

Disco Elysium – The Final Cut

Metascore: 97

Any fan of CRPG games owes it to themselves to give Disco Elysium a spin. ZA/UM crafted an intricate detective story that puts heavy emphasis on player choice and world-building. Exploring philosophical and social themes, Disco Elysium follows a detective suffering from amnesia as they investigate a murder while trying to piece together their own backstory.

The base game was already fantastic, but The Final Cut update took it a step further by adding new voice acting and quests. Permitting the lack of combat is not a deal-breaker for a potential customer, Disco Elysium is a stellar RPG that offers fantastic writing, a fully-realized setting, and some of the best dialogue in gaming.

Slay The Spire

Metascore: 89

Slay the Spire, developed by MegaCrit Games, is a rare game that creates an entire subgenre around it. This time, the name of the game is deck-building rogue-lite. The player will select one of four distinct classes and attempt to climb to the top of the Spire and destroy it. It's a simple concept, and it's really easy to pick up and play on any kind of PC.

However, each run plays wildly differently due to the draft system of the cards. There are a ton of different synergies between cards, so the number of viable decks is massive. Plus, with the added bonuses of Relics spicing things up, it's equally easy to get disgustingly overpowered or just fizzle out on the first act. It may take a few runs to get the hang of it, but the thrill of getting that incredible run is unmatched. This game is one that can easily absorb countless hours and is totally worth it.

Sid Meier's Civilization 6

Metascore: 88

One noteworthy change to Civilization 6 is a "religion" condition that allows players to win the game by converting the world to their faith. As a turn-based real-time strategy game, Civilization 6 has few close competitors. Raising a civilization from the feudal ages to the modern era is too fun in Civilization 6.

The game can be played offline for competitive matches against smart AI. Civilization 6 has relatively low requirements compared to other leading PC games. This is one game you can't miss!

Hollow Knight

Metascore: 87

There have been a ton of Indie games released in the modern age that have defied expectations and carved out their own chunk of the entertainment industry as proof that games don't have to have an AAA budget to be a spectacular adventure. Hollow Knight should be considered one of the poster children for this phenomenon, as it's been gripping fans ever since its release back in 2017.

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The bug-based Metroidvania features gorgeous visuals, punishing difficulty, and some of the most entertaining boss fights in recent memory. Even those who don't love side-scrolling adventures or platformers find it hard to resist the charm that Team Cherry presents with Hollow Knight. It's an experience that all players should check out for themselves, at least once.

Diablo 2 (& Resurrected)

Metascore: 88 (Original)

Largely hailed as the greatest action RPG of all time, Diablo 2 is a bona fide masterpiece that casts a wide shadow over the entire gaming industry. Blizzard's title offers players the option to pick offline or online, and they both have their positives. The latter should be picked if someone plans to take advantage of the game's trade system, which can be a good way to make extra cash. Online is also required to take part in Diablo 2: Resurrected's Ladder seasons.

These features might make online seem like the obvious pick for Diablo 2, but offline is not only a valid option but also preferred by many people. If someone opts to treat the game like a single-player experience, they will be afforded a few noteworthy benefits. For one, the areas' maps will remain consistent from game to game, which is not the case when playing online. Also, and this is probably the biggest advantage of offline mode, players will be allowed to respec their characters' stats as often as they want.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Metascore: 93

The expansive world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can overwhelm players through its sheer scale. This is a game where people can log hundreds of hours and still have something new to discover. The enemy, weapon, and town variety make the game a masterpiece.

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As an offline-only game, what The Witcher 3 does, it does perfectly. CD Projekt Red crafted a lived-in and detailed open-world rich with minor but personal stories that are constantly rewarding, justifying constant exploration and immersion. The combat can be divisive and does not offer too much flexibility in its minute-to-minute action, but it does capture Geralt's Witcher training and personality well. With fantastic writing, strong characters, and 50+ hours of content, The Witcher 3 will keep somebody busy for a very long time.

Stardew Valley

Metascore: 89

Those looking for something a bit more relaxing than many of the high-octane hits found throughout this list can opt for Stardew Valley, an incredibly rich and detailed Indie game that features a surprising amount of depth. Those who enjoy games like Minecraft, Harvest Moon, or even Virtual Novels and Dating Simulators will feel right at home in Stardew Valley's beautiful landscapes.

Players will take over a dilapidated farm, working hard to restore it to its former glory and making friends along the way. There is something here for everyone, thanks to Stardew Valley's dating sim elements, exploration, building mechanics, and combat (for those seeking a little danger).

BioShock

Metascore: 96

All three BioShock games have a lot to offer, including the often-overlooked second entry, but the original release is undoubtedly the most influential of the bunch. The game takes place in Rapture, an underwater city envisioned as a utopia for the rich and powerful that eventually succumbed to internal strife and became a desolate graveyard and a warning of the corrupting effects of human arrogance and greed. As Jack, players gradually discover Rapture's history and secrets, a journey that is captivating from the first moment until the last.

Although not among the best-playing releases to come out of the first-person shooter genre, BioShock's gameplay gets the job done, primarily thanks to the inclusion of plasmid abilities. However, the game is primarily worth playing for its atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and themes.

Doom (2016)

Metascore: 85

Doom (2016) is arguably the best attempt at a reimagining of the Doom franchise. The fast-paced combat combined with brutal kills is a first-person shooter game at its finest. The single-player campaign could be the highlight of Doom. The game is set on the planet Mars, which is too freaking cool.

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Doom Eternal, the sequel to Doom, is also a thrill ride from beginning to end and incorporates a few noteworthy changes to the gameplay. For one, there is now a dodge mechanic.

Half-Life 2

Metascore: 96

Valve's Half-Life 2 is generally considered one of the best, if not the best offline PC game of all time. Launching in 2004 and spawning two episodes, Half-Life 2 expands everything from its predecessor, turning a claustrophobic shooter into a blockbuster. With Earth succumbing to a multidimensional force called the Combine, Gordon Freeman goes on a cross-country trip as part of humanity's resistance unit.

After all this time, Half-Life 2 naturally shows its age; however, the game remains fun and exhilarating to play. While a VR release, 2020's Half-Life: Alyx is also a great offline game.

Grand Theft Auto 5

Metascore: 96

Rockstar hit the jackpot with Grand Theft Auto Online, crafting a multiplayer package that continues to be a huge success nearly a decade following its introduction. While the single-player campaign has been overshadowed by the online version, Grand Theft Auto 5 nevertheless offers one of the best offline PC gaming experiences on the market.

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With three playable characters, a detailed open-world set (primarily) in Los Santos, and a ton of side-content outside a long main story, GTA 5 feels complete and satisfying. Time has done little to dull this game's impact.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Metascore: 94

Bethesda is generally a safe bet for offline games. Although not flawless, 2023's Starfield's scope is impressive, and the RPG is likely to hit the mark with people craving space exploration. The 3D Fallout games are among the post-apocalyptic genre's most beloved representatives, and most of the single-player entries are worth experiencing (including the ones not developed by Bethesda).

Finally, there is The Elder Scrolls, Bethesda's quintessential property. Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim are all masterpieces in their own right, and they all present convincing arguments for being the franchise's peak. Skyrim is, ultimately, the most accessible and popular of the three games, and it has received quite a lot of updates over the last decade. As far as fantasy RPGs are considered, few titles are as long-lasting and addictive as this 2011 project.

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