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; gaming tastes are subjective. This list reflects the collective recommendations of IGN's PC gaming team, using a weighted voting system. It's a celebration of games we love, encouraging you to explore them if you haven't already. Many excellent games didn't make the cut due to limited slots and diverse perspectives.
This list focuses on "modern" PC games released or significantly updated since 2013. Classic titles like Doom (original), Half-Life 2, and Skyrim are considered all-time classics, not modern.
Remember, this is our perspective. Share your own top 25 using IGN's Playlist tool!
The 25 Best PC Games (Most recent game updates made on February 13, 2025)
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Under Consideration: Recent Games (Too new to rank yet)
These highly-rated 2024 and 2025 games will be considered in future rankings:
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
Game Spotlights (Ranked 25-1):
(Note: Due to space constraints, only a summary of each game is provided. Full reviews are linked in the original article.)
- Undertale: A unique RPG that subverts expectations and emphasizes impactful choices.
- Balatro: A clever deck-building roguelite with wild card combinations.
- Crusader Kings 3: An accessible historical grand strategy game with compelling narratives.
- Hitman: World of Assassination: A collection of the Hitman trilogy's challenging and replayable levels.
- Doom (2016): A thrilling and influential reboot of the classic FPS.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake: A stunning action RPG reimagining of a classic.
- Resident Evil 4 Remake: A masterful modernization of a horror classic.
- God of War: A fantastic reinvention of the classic series, now on PC.
- Nier: Automata: A genre-bending action-RPG with a captivating story.
- Final Fantasy XIV: An excellent MMO and a great Final Fantasy game in its own right.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: A massive and detailed open-world western adventure.
- Outer Wilds: A captivating space exploration game with a time loop mechanic.
- Hollow Knight: A superb Metroidvania with beautiful visuals and challenging gameplay.
- XCOM 2: War of the Chosen: A challenging and replayable tactical strategy game.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: A deep and expansive RPG with a compelling story.
- Cyberpunk 2077: A visually stunning open-world RPG with a compelling narrative.
- Stardew Valley: A relaxing and addictive farming simulator with RPG elements.
- Grand Theft Auto V / GTA Online: A sprawling open-world game with endless possibilities.
- Satisfactory: A satisfying factory-building game with a focus on automation.
- Half-Life: Alyx: A groundbreaking VR shooter that sets a new standard for the genre.
- Slay the Spire: A highly replayable roguelite with engaging card combat.
- Disco Elysium: A unique RPG with exceptional writing and innovative mechanics.
- Hades: A masterclass in action roguelite design with a compelling story.
- Elden Ring: A challenging yet rewarding open-world action RPG.
- Baldur's Gate 3: A massive and ambitious RPG with deep storytelling and tactical combat.
Top 25 Games Summary Image:
Upcoming PC Games (2025):
A table listing upcoming PC games for 2025, including titles like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, PGA Tour 2K25, and Assassin's Creed Shadows.
This list is a snapshot in time. New games will constantly challenge the rankings!
