PC gaming has never been short of choice, but that is exactly what makes finding the best PC games difficult. Steam alone offers an enormous library, while 2026 has already delivered everything from ambitious open-world RPGs to inventive roguelikes, demanding action games, and some excellent horror. PC Gamer’s current recommendations include standout releases such as Cairn, Nioh 3, Mewgenics, Resident Evil Requiem, Marathon, and Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations.
The picks below focus on games that offer something genuinely worthwhile rather than simply chasing the biggest releases. Some are obvious blockbusters; others are the kind of PC games to play when you want something more distinctive. If you are building a new library or deciding what deserves your next weekend, these are the strongest places to start.
The Best PC Games in 2026
There is no single game that works for every PC player. A great recommendation depends on whether you want a long RPG, a brutally difficult action game, a tightly paced horror experience, or something you can play for dozens of hours in short sessions.
Here are the standout choices worth considering right now:
| Game | Best for | Genre | Why play it |
| Resident Evil Requiem | Horror fans | Survival horror | Excellent mix of action, puzzles and tension |
| Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter | JRPG fans | RPG | Deep characters, world-building and combat |
| Nioh 3 | Soulslike fans | Action RPG | Exceptional combat and build variety |
| Mewgenics | Strategy fans | Tactical roguelike | Wild builds and remarkably deep progression |
| Cairn | Players seeking something different | Climbing adventure | Creative movement and environmental challenge |
| Crimson Desert | Open-world fans | Action RPG | Huge world packed with activities |
| Silent Hill: Townfall | Horror enthusiasts | Psychological horror | Strong atmosphere and unusual storytelling |
| Big Walk | Co-op groups | Adventure/puzzle | Relaxed multiplayer built around exploration |
1. Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem review on PC Gamer
Resident Evil Requiem is one of the easiest recommendations on this list if you want a polished single-player experience. Capcom’s survival-horror sequel combines classic series puzzles with modern action and horror, following Leon Kennedy alongside newcomer Grace Ashcroft.
The result is unusually focused. PC Gamer praised the game’s ability to bring together puzzles, horror and action without unnecessary padding, giving it a 92% review score. The campaign is also relatively compact, at roughly 10 hours, which makes it a particularly good choice for players who prefer games that respect their time.
Its biggest strength is variety. One sequence may emphasize exploration and environmental puzzles, while another pushes you into tense combat. That makes Requiem a strong starting point for anyone looking for the best games for PC without committing to a 100-hour RPG.
Best for: Survival-horror fans, Resident Evil veterans, and players who prefer focused campaigns.
Watch out for: Anyone looking primarily for an open-ended or multiplayer experience.
2. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is proof that a remake does not have to rely entirely on nostalgia. Nihon Falcom’s classic JRPG has been brought back for a modern audience, retaining the series’ emphasis on characters, world-building and tactical combat.
It is also one of the strongest-reviewed PC releases of 2026 so far. GamesRadar reported a 93 Metacritic score for the PC version shortly after launch, putting it ahead of several major releases at that point in the year.
The appeal is not immediate spectacle. This is a game for players willing to spend time with its characters and setting. The writing and world-building are central to the experience, while the combat provides enough strategic depth to keep encounters interesting.
If sprawling JRPGs are already part of your library, this should be high on your list of must-play games. Newcomers, however, should be aware that the story is closely tied to the wider Trails in the Sky narrative.
Best for: JRPG fans who value characters, story and long-form world-building.
Watch out for: Players who want a fast-paced game with minimal dialogue.
3. Nioh 3
Team Ninja’s Nioh 3 is the choice for players who want combat to be the main attraction. Released in February 2026, it expands the series with larger areas while preserving the demanding combat and loot-driven buildcrafting that define Nioh.
Its standout addition is Style Shift, allowing players to switch between samurai and ninja styles during combat. That creates a much more fluid combat system than simply selecting one class and sticking with it. The game also features 14 weapon types, extensive skill customization and a substantial amount of content.
The open-world structure works because the environments remain dense with things to discover rather than simply becoming enormous stretches of empty terrain. It is still difficult, but the additional tools give experienced players plenty of ways to approach difficult encounters.
The first DLC, Hell Rising, also arrived in August, adding new weapons, content and a harder difficulty option.
Best for: Soulslike veterans, action-RPG fans and players who enjoy mastering complex combat.
Watch out for: Anyone who finds loot management and demanding combat exhausting.
4. Mewgenics
The strangest game on this list may also be one of the most addictive. Mewgenics, created by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, combines turn-based tactical combat with cat breeding, roguelike progression and an absurd amount of build experimentation.
The premise sounds like a joke. The systems are anything but.
You raise cats, build a team, assign classes and abilities, send them into dangerous encounters, and then deal with whatever bizarre combination of traits emerges. PC Gamer gave the game a 92% score, highlighting its depth and ability to keep producing unexpected situations even after dozens of hours.
That makes it an excellent option for players who enjoy games such as XCOM, Into the Breach or The Binding of Isaac, but want something with a much stranger personality.
The developers have also discussed multiple DLC plans, suggesting there is more content ahead.
Best for: Strategy enthusiasts and roguelike players who enjoy experimentation.
Watch out for: Players who dislike randomness or micromanaging complicated builds.
5. Cairn
Cairn is one of the more unusual recommendations among the top PC games of 2026. Rather than giving you a conventional platforming system, it turns rock climbing into the central gameplay mechanic.
The result is a game built around movement, route planning and problem-solving. You are not simply jumping between platforms. You have to consider where to place your hands and feet, how to manage your movement and how to deal with increasingly difficult climbing routes.
PC Gamer currently lists Cairn among its best PC games, with a 91 review score.
It is particularly appealing if you have become tired of conventional combat-heavy games. There is tension here, but it comes from committing to a difficult climb rather than mowing down enemies.
Best for: Players who want a focused, unusual challenge.
Watch out for: Anyone expecting traditional action or combat.
6. Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert review on PC Gamer
Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert is for players who want an enormous fantasy playground. Released in March 2026, the open-world action RPG combines sword fighting, exploration, quests, traversal and a huge collection of side activities.
It is also one of the more divisive games here. PC Gamer awarded it 80%, praising its scale and variety while noting that its sheer density and occasionally awkward design choices will not work for everyone.
That distinction matters. Crimson Desert is arguably more successful as a sandbox than as a tightly controlled narrative experience. Players willing to wander away from the main story can find plenty to do, from exploration and combat encounters to activities scattered throughout its world. GamesRadar similarly highlighted its open-world freedom while describing its story as less successful.
Best for: Open-world enthusiasts who love discovering systems and side activities.
Watch out for: Players who want a tightly paced story or streamlined progression.
7. Silent Hill: Townfall
Silent Hill: Townfall review on PC Gamer
Silent Hill: Townfall takes the long-running psychological-horror series somewhere unexpected: a fictional Scottish island rather than the familiar American setting.
Developed by Screen Burn Interactive and published by Konami, the game follows Simon Ordell as he explores St. Amelia, uncovering a story built around trauma, guilt and a disturbing community tragedy. Its first-person perspective, environmental puzzles and unusual CRT television mechanic give it a distinct identity within the franchise.
The setting is arguably its greatest achievement. The developers drew heavily from Scottish coastal environments and 1990s details, creating a location that feels lived-in before the supernatural elements begin taking over.
It is not simply another monster-filled horror game. Much of the tension comes from understanding what happened and interpreting the environment around you.
Best for: Psychological-horror fans and players who value atmosphere over constant combat.
Watch out for: Players looking for a conventional action-horror game.
8. Big Walk
Big Walk is an excellent reminder that not every great PC game needs an elaborate combat system or a massive campaign.
Built around cooperative exploration and puzzle solving, it is at its best when played with friends. The game’s appeal comes from wandering through its world together, solving problems and creating the kind of accidental comedy that emerges naturally when several players are trying to figure something out.
That makes it an especially good recommendation for people looking beyond traditional PC games to play alone. It is also currently part of PC Gamer’s broader recommendations for 2026.
The catch is obvious: its appeal depends heavily on having people to play with. Solo-focused players should look elsewhere.
Best for: Groups of friends looking for a relaxed multiplayer experience.
Watch out for: Solo players or anyone wanting a competitive multiplayer game.
9. Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations
The Doom formula remains one of PC gaming’s safest bets when you want fast, aggressive combat, and Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations continues that tradition.
Its appeal is straightforward: brutal first-person combat, heavy weapons and an emphasis on momentum rather than hiding behind cover. For players who enjoy the modern Doom games, it offers another opportunity to indulge in the series’ distinctive rhythm of movement, positioning and resource management.
PC Gamer currently includes Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations among its recommended 2026 releases, with a 90 review score listed in its best-PC-games roundup.
This is the pick for anyone who wants their PC gaming session to be immediate and mechanically demanding rather than dominated by dialogue or inventory screens.
Best for: FPS fans and players who want relentless action.
Watch out for: Anyone looking for a slower, story-heavy experience.
10. Marathon
Bungie’s Marathon deserves consideration for players who prefer multiplayer and extraction shooters. Its appeal is built around the tension of entering a match, collecting valuable resources and deciding when to push your luck or escape.
That risk-and-reward structure gives every expedition a different rhythm. A successful run can leave you better equipped for the next one, while an unsuccessful trip can cost valuable progress.
It is also a very different proposition from the single-player games dominating this list. If your idea of the best PC games 2026 includes competitive multiplayer, Marathon belongs in the conversation.
The main limitation is that extraction shooters demand patience. Understanding maps, equipment and player behavior takes time, and players looking for an immediately accessible shooter may find the learning curve steep.
Best for: Competitive players and fans of extraction shooters.
Watch out for: Anyone who dislikes losing progress after a failed run.
11. Mina the Hollower
For players who miss the era of compact action-adventure games, Mina the Hollower is an easy recommendation. Its retro presentation hides a modern understanding of responsive controls, exploration and carefully structured challenges.
It is particularly appealing to players who grew up with classic handheld and 16-bit adventures but want something that does more than imitate their visuals.
PC Gamer currently lists Mina the Hollower among its 2026 recommendations with a 90 review score.
Its strongest quality is focus. Instead of trying to be everything at once, it concentrates on exploration, combat and discovery.
Best for: Retro enthusiasts and action-adventure fans.
Watch out for: Players who prefer cutting-edge presentation or enormous open worlds.
12. Esoteric Ebb
Not every standout PC release needs a huge marketing campaign. Esoteric Ebb is one of the more interesting choices for players who enjoy tabletop-inspired role-playing, unusual writing and games that give player decisions meaningful room to breathe.
PC Gamer currently places it among its recommended PC games of 2026, with a 90 review score.
This is the kind of title that rewards players who enjoy reading, experimenting with dialogue choices and engaging with systems rather than simply following a linear path from one combat encounter to another.
It is a particularly good alternative if you have already exhausted the year’s major action RPGs.
Best for: CRPG fans and players who value role-playing and unusual writing.
Watch out for: Players who want a heavily action-focused RPG.
How to Choose the Best PC Games
