IGN's Top 25 Modern PC Games of 2025: A Subjective Celebration
2025 is here, and it's time for IGN's updated list of the 25 best modern PC games. This isn't an objective ranking; taste is subjective. Instead, it reflects the collective recommendations of IGN's PC gaming team, using our Face-Off tool for ranking. This list celebrates games we love and encourages you to explore them. Many excellent games didn't make the cut due to limited slots and diverse preferences.
This list focuses on "modern" PC games released or significantly updated since the beginning of 2013. Classic titles like Doom, Half-Life 2, and Skyrim are considered all-time greats, not "modern."
Remember, this is our perspective. Share your top 25 using our Playlist tool!
Most recent game updates were made on February 13, 2025.
Games Under Consideration:
These highly-rated 2024 and 2025 games are too new to rank yet:
- Civilization 7
- 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
The Top 25:
(Note: The following descriptions are shortened for brevity while maintaining the original meaning. Image placements remain unchanged.)
- Undertale: A surprisingly inventive RPG that subverts expectations and emphasizes the impact of choices.
- Balatro: A clever deck-building roguelite with wild card combinations that redefine the card game experience.
- Crusader Kings 3: An accessible grand strategy game with deep systems and compelling historical narratives.
- Hitman: World of Assassination: A collection of the Hitman trilogy's levels, offering endless replayability and creative assassination opportunities.
- Doom (2016): A phenomenal reboot of the classic, delivering intense, visceral combat against space demons.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake: A stunning action RPG remake that reimagines the original with modern combat and visuals.
- Resident Evil 4 Remake: A masterful modernization of the classic action-horror game, delivering intense combat and a richly detailed world.
- God of War: A fantastic reinvention of the classic series, featuring challenging combat and a touching story.
- Nier: Automata: A unique action-RPG with diverse gameplay styles, a compelling story, and an unforgettable soundtrack.
- Final Fantasy XIV: A fantastic MMORPG with a compelling story, streamlined gameplay, and a variety of end-game content.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: A massive open-world game with a sprawling story, detailed world, and extensive online multiplayer.
- Outer Wilds: A captivating space exploration game with a unique time loop mechanic and a heartfelt story.
- Hollow Knight: A superb Metroidvania with beautiful visuals, expansive exploration, and challenging combat.
- XCOM 2: War of the Chosen: A challenging tactical game with high stakes, permanent death, and immense replayability.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: A deep, lengthy RPG with a massive open world, compelling story, and stunning visuals.
- Cyberpunk 2077: A visually stunning open-world RPG with a gripping story, refined combat, and extensive modding capabilities.
- Stardew Valley: A charming farming simulator with RPG elements, relaxing gameplay, and endless possibilities.
- Grand Theft Auto V / GTA Online: A meticulously detailed open world with a gripping story, diverse activities, and extensive modding support.
- Satisfactory: A unique factory-building game with a satisfying sense of accomplishment and cooperative multiplayer.
- Half-Life: Alyx: A groundbreaking VR shooter that sets a new standard for VR experiences, delivering intense action and compelling storytelling.
- Slay the Spire: A highly replayable roguelite with diverse character builds, challenging combat, and a distinctive art style.
- Disco Elysium: A unique RPG with innovative mechanics, deep storytelling, and memorable characters.
- Hades: A masterclass in roguelite design, with exhilarating combat, a compelling story, and an unforgettable soundtrack.
- Elden Ring: A challenging yet rewarding open-world action RPG with diverse builds and a vast, mysterious world.
- Baldur's Gate 3: A massive RPG with epic storytelling, deep character customization, and challenging turn-based combat.
Upcoming PC Games (2025):
A table listing upcoming PC games for 2025.
This list represents IGN's current opinion. New games will shift the rankings in future updates. Check out our other "Best Of" lists for other platforms!
