As we dive deeper into 2025, it's time once again for IGN to refresh our list of the 25 Best Modern PC Games. But before we get into rankings and recommendations, let’s clarify what “best” means in this context. This isn’t an attempt at a universally objective ranking—because let’s face it, that’s nearly impossible. Gamers have vastly different tastes, and what one person considers a masterpiece, another might find tedious or inaccessible. Even among fans of the same genre, personal favorites rarely align perfectly.

Instead, this list represents the collective opinion of IGN’s team of dedicated PC gamers. We used our Face-Off tool to ensure every voice was heard and each game was ranked based on how strongly people felt about its placement relative to others. The goal here is not to dictate taste, but to highlight games we love and encourage you to give them a try if you haven’t already.

With only 25 spots available, many incredible modern PC titles didn’t make the final cut. That doesn’t mean they’re any less worthy—it just means that when you have so many great games and such diverse opinions, some amazing titles inevitably fall by the wayside. Everyone who participated in the voting has their own list of beloved games that just missed the top 25, which is perfectly natural given the volume and variety of today’s gaming landscape.

What Defines a "Modern" PC Game?

For this list, we’ve narrowed the scope to focus exclusively on “modern” PC games—those released or significantly updated within the past decade, dating back to the beginning of 2013. While we still hold a deep appreciation for all-time classics like *Doom*, *Half-Life 2*, *Skyrim*, *StarCraft II*, *Mass Effect 2*, *Minecraft*, *BioShock*, *KOTOR*, *Fallout: New Vegas*, *Batman: Arkham City*, and more, they’ve now earned their place among the legends of gaming history. You can find those timeless titles on our list of the Top 100 Games of All Time or explore genre-specific lists that celebrate those masterpieces.

Most importantly, remember that this list reflects our team’s shared perspective and is neither inherently right nor wrong compared to your own personal rankings. If you’ve got your own top 25 (or even a top 100!) list of PC games you'd like to share with the world, we encourage you to use our Playlist tool to create and publish your own list in the comments below.

***Recent updates were made on February 13, 2025.***

Recently Released Games Under Consideration

Some of the most highly praised games from 2024 and early 2025 are still too new for us to fully evaluate and rank. We need time for the dust to settle and for player perspectives to evolve. However, these titles—and others—are strong contenders for inclusion in the next round of voting when we update this list again:

• Civilization VII
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
• Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• Mouthwashing
• Marvel Rivals
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
• STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
• Life is Strange: Double Exposure
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Sonic X Shadow Generations
• MechWarrior 5: Clans
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• Silent Hill 2 Remake
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• Black Myth: Wukong

If you're interested in exploring other curated lists, check out our Top 100 Video Games and Best Horror Games for PC features.

25. Undertale

Undertale is a brilliantly inventive RPG that thrives on subverting expectations. It knows you're playing a roleplaying game and uses that awareness to constantly surprise and challenge you. From remembering your save habits to adapting based on your story choices, it’s a game that actively responds to how you play. Every decision feels meaningful—not just to your character, but to the entire experience.

Its emotionally rich narrative reinforces the idea that every choice matters. It’s clever, sometimes confusing, deeply replayable, and unafraid of melancholy. Undertale stands as a modern classic, deserving of its place among the greatest PC games ever made.

Release Date: September 15, 2015 | Developer: Toby Fox | Last Position: New!

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24. Balatro

If you think poker strategy will carry you through Balatro, think again. While the core mechanics involve forming card sets and sequences, this clever roguelite throws everything off balance with a wild array of joker cards that completely change the rules of the game. With explosive combo potential and sky-high score goals, it challenges you to rethink everything you know about deck-building and risk management.

Release Date: February 20, 2024 | Developer: LocalThunk | Last Position: New!

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23. Crusader Kings III

Grand strategy games are known for their depth, and Crusader Kings III delivers that in spades. Whether you're building alliances through marriage, waging war, or orchestrating political assassinations, CK3 offers endless opportunities for storytelling. Despite its complexity, the game remains surprisingly accessible thanks to a robust tooltip system that guides players without overwhelming them.

Release Date: September 1, 2020 | Developer: Paradox Development Studio | Last Position: New!

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22. Hitman: World of Assassination

This complete collection brings together all three entries in IO Interactive’s acclaimed modern Hitman trilogy into one definitive package. As Agent 47, you’ll infiltrate intricately designed sandbox levels, hunting for creative assassination opportunities. Observation, stealth, and precision are key, and pulling off a flawless hit—without anyone suspecting a thing—is one of the most satisfying experiences in modern gaming.

Release Date: January 26, 2023 | Developer: IO Interactive | Last Position: 16

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21. Doom (2016)

The 2016 reboot of