PC gaming continues to thrive this year, showcasing more than just the loyalty of enthusiasts. The gaming landscape is being transformed through higher frame rates, ultra-wide monitor support, modding, and robust backward compatibility.
One significant advantage is longevity. Instead of replacing an entire system, players can gradually upgrade their components. This approach offers greater control and long-term value as hardware prices fluctuate and the cycles of console refresh become less predictable.
Here are the top ten PC games rated for 2025.
1. Hades II
Metacritic score: 94
Key review: “This year has been stellar for great games, and Hades II still manages to stand out from the pack” – Gaming Age
Supergiant Games has returned with another expertly crafted roguelike. Hades II masterfully combines fast-paced action, character-driven storytelling, and expressive art, making it one of the most engaging titles of the year. The sequel introduces a richer overworld, more complex upgrade paths, and a larger supporting cast that evolves with each playthrough. Players appreciate its blend of challenge and accessibility, where every defeat imparts valuable lessons. Hades II further solidifies Supergiant’s reputation for games that are filled with warmth and distinctive personality.
2. Sektori
Metacritic score: 93
Key review: “Sektori is brutal; it aims to overwhelm you at every turn, making reaching the game’s end one of the most satisfying moments in gaming this year” – Player 2
Sektori features sharp, minimalist shooting mechanics centered around twin-stick gameplay, immersing players in shifting arenas filled with abstract enemies. Each brief but demanding run encourages varied experiments with upgrades and playstyles. Its neon visuals and pulsating electronic soundtrack create an entrancing rhythm, while its uncompromising difficulty pays homage to classic arcade games, reimagined for a modern audience.
3. Blue Prince
Metacritic score: 92
Key review: “Blue Prince uniquely blends puzzles and roguelike exploration into something refreshingly original, clever, and calm.” – GamingBolt
At first, Blue Prince may seem like a standard puzzle game. However, it challenges players with a reconfiguration of a mysterious mansion’s interior with each run, prompting reevaluation of solutions and departure from established patterns. Its subtlety forms the game’s essence, offering minimal guidance and entrusting players to decipher its logic.
4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Metacritic score: 91
Key review: “Clair Obscur is an RPG on rocket skates, successfully landing every ambitious element” – The Times
This acclaimed title showcases unique artistic confidence rarely seen in major releases. Clair Obscur melds surreal French fantasy with turn-based gameplay and a narrative centered on resistance within a realm locked in destructive cycles. Its captivating aesthetic, alongside polished mechanics, marks it as a pivotal work of the year. Players have commended its storytelling and emotional depth without sacrificing gameplay quality. Recently, Clair Obscur was awarded Game of the Year at the esteemed Game Awards.
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Metacritic score: 90
Key review: “Beautiful and charming yet mean-spirited, this game is filled with revelations and authentic personality” – Eurogamer
After years of anticipation, Silksong has finally been released. Team Cherry enhances the Hollow Knight formula by shifting focus to the agile Hornet, promoting quicker traversal and more vibrant combat in a denser world with new biomes. Its handcrafted environments and demanding bosses make it a crucial entry within the action platformer genre. The fluidity of Hornet’s movement encourages aggressive gameplay and innovative exploration, redefining speedrunning and discovery.
6. Split Fiction
Metacritic score: 90
Key review: “Split Fiction is a masterclass in innovation and a serious contender for Game of the Year” – PC Games
This narrative adventure stands out this year for its creativity. Split Fiction invites players to navigate parallel narratives in intersecting sci-fi and fantasy realms, showcasing how games can explore unique structures not possible in film. It challenges players to consider the subtle ramifications of their decisions across different timelines, rewarding players for attentively exploring various branches.
7. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Metacritic score: 90
Key review: “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PC elevates the already stellar experience with exceptional optimization, quality-of-life enhancements, and expanded gameplay customization” – Noisy Pixel
The second chapter of Square Enix’s ambitious remake project reached a broader audience with its PC edition. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth significantly expands its universe, providing greater freedom and deeper character development. The blend of action and tactical combat is complemented by various graphical enhancements, resulting in a version that feels both expansive and refined.
8. Despelote
Metacritic score: 89
Key review: “Despelote is a moving and beautifully crafted game about soccer, growing up, and much more” – Digital Trends
Though modest in scale, Despelote delivers a profound narrative about memory and childhood through the lens of football culture in Quito. With its loose structure and conversational tone, it feels like an intimate experience rather than a traditional game design. The minimalist style and rich audio create a connection that supports the reflective nature of the game.
9. The Talos Principle: Reawakened
Metacritic score: 89
Key review: “Everything that was great about The Talos Principle has been renewed in The Talos Principle: Reawakened” – CGMagazine
This title refines its puzzles and philosophical themes for a new audience rather than merely revisiting the original. It continues to pose questions about consciousness and humanity while pairing abstract concepts with well-constructed challenges. The enhancements for PC offer smoother performance and improved visuals, reinforcing its status as one of the medium’s most enlightening puzzle experiences.
10. The Seance of Blake Manor
Metacritic score: 89
Key review: “The Seance of Blake Manor is a captivating detective game with a horror twist that keeps you engaged” – GameGrin
This atmospheric horror game favors nuance over spectacle. Set in 1897 Ireland and primarily contained within a single location, it unfolds through environmental clues and subtle shifts in tone. PC enhancements in lighting, sound design, and high-resolution assets amplify its eerie ambiance, making it one of the year’s most effective slow-burn horror titles.
—
