Top 15 Games of 2023 to Play on PC

Published 12/22/2023, 11:25 AM EST

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The ongoing year would surely go down as the biggest gaming season in a long while. From celebrated indie games to much-awaited sequels, 2023 offered everything gamers could have asked for. While some of the biggest games release on consoles, console gamers are not the only ones who get to have all the fun. The year was also a treat for all the PC players. 

Revisiting the exhilarating lineup of games that 2023 brought to the table and picking up the finest recommendations is a tough challenge. But a challenge worth a shot! Here’s a list of the best games you cannot afford to miss on the PC.

  1. The Last of Us Part 1 

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If you like story-driven games and haven’t played TLOU yet, you’re missing out on a lot. Most of the issues players had reported with the game seemed to have been fixed. Thus, there’s no better time to get your hands on Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic world. Since this is an original PS3 design, some visuals and combats might seem outdated. But don’t let that stop you. Once in, The Last of Us would be all you’ll talk about for a very long time. 

The game took the art of storytelling to a level that HBO even made a show based on it. So for players interested in a story driven, heartwarming, tear jerking narrative, this one’s for you.

2. Baldur’s Gate 3 

The GOTY winner at The Game Awards 2023, Baldur’s gate 3, was probably the biggest surprise package of 2023. Larian Studios’ developed Dungeons & Dragons adaptation takes you through an edge-of-the-seat experience that includes gripping world-building and the epitome of character arcs. The critical and player reception to the game is itself a testament to the experience it offers to the players. 

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Be it gameplay mechanics or dialogue system, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you the liberty of choice which is the most appealing aspect of the game. 

3. Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart 

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart feels like a Pixar movie. There’s always so much going on screen and it’s a visual spectacle, especially for the PC users. It’s immersive, engaging, and a sure-shot contender in the most entertaining releases in 2023 for PC gamers. 

4. Starfield 

Bethesda’s biggest release of the year is the sci-fi open-world space exploration that might keep you busy until the next big release of 2024! As an idea, Starfield had everything it could possibly have to appeal to hardcore sci-fi enthusiasts. However, the game did fall short of its true potential. But don’t let that take anything away from the game.

The game allows players to build ships, travel through space, and offers over 1000 planets to explore.

5. Alan Wake 2

If you’re a fan of horror, this one’s for you. Remedy Entertainment joined the party of 2023 late, but how they stole the show! Alan Wake 2 is among the very few games that exceed the standards set by their predecessors. The sequel to the classic Alan Wake takes every aspect of gaming to an insane phenomenon. The game stands out as a visual, storytelling, and cinematic masterpiece. 

It’s one of the best games of the year that certainly deserves your time on PC. 

6. Forza Motorsport 

Even if you’re not into racing, Forza Motorsport would seem addictive. It looks good and, most importantly, feels realistic to the players. Also, PC gaming and racing titles have a very impressive history. Forza Motorsport only adds more value to the legacy of racing in PC! 

If you’re new to the genre, let Forza Motorsport be your introduction to racing, and pretty sure you won’t be disappointed. 

7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 

Despite the shortcomings of the campaign mode, Call of Duty: MW3  makes the list. Over the years, Call of Duty as a franchise has set its own standards in FPS and MW3 is no different in terms of class. 

Unfortunately, the game couldn’t manage to completely satisfy the FPS fanatics. But Modern Warfare Zombies has been a huge hit.

8. Assassin’s Creed Mirage 

Ubisoft has also managed to impress fans with its latest Assassin’s Creed title. Mirage works best for the veteran fans of Assassin’s Creed because it brings back OG gameplay features, taking players back to roots. 

Explore 9th century Baghdad with Basim in Assassin’s Creed Mirage and enjoy a healthy dose of nostalgia.

9. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake is special in many ways. It brings improved gameplay, spectacular graphics, and a revised form of storytelling. Not to mention banking on the epic saga of the source Resident Evil. 

It’s so immersive as an experience that despite being a remake, it managed to make it to the GOTY nominations.

10. Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen is far from a perfect game but if you want to experience something like Dark Souls with some new ideas, this game cannot be recommended enough. Another fact that makes this a smart investment is that devs are currently working hard on improving and enhancing the game. Surely, the game would only get better in the near future.  

11. Hogwarts Legacy 

A game that has always been around the trends. It wasn’t just a sweet treat for Potterheads, but a brilliant gaming experience for the community. It drives you through adventure and also sinks you with the Emmy-nominated background theme score. For a lot of fans, Hogwarts Legacy became the reason to join the Harry Potter Club! 

Though the game takes place over 100 years before the time of Harry Potter, the game has everything you’d expect. Hogwarts has never looked better in a game. You can fly around on your own broom, or a Hippogriff, fight goblins and trolls.

12. Counter-Strike 2

CS2 marked its highly anticipated release this year. CS: GO has always been a go to for fans of shooters, so the stakes were high for CS2. 

While the game couldn’t match the expectations, it’s still a great game for shooting fans. Moreover, with constant patch updates, the game keeps on getting better. 

13. Ghostrunner 2 

The first Ghostrunner went under most of the community’s radar. Fortunately, Ghostrunner 2 was something different. A Cyberpunk kind of world with a first-person slasher theme is as good an experience as it sounds on paper. The implementation is decent, and it’s a great fit for some fast-paced action rampage seekers. 

14. Wartales 

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Wartales is criminally underrated. It’s a very gripping fusion of multiple genres: survival, strategy, and RPG. The result is highly commendable. There’s a lot to explore in the game, including a bandwidth of mini-games to start with. 

It lets you make your bands choose your approach to progress further in the RPG. Evidently, it has everything to deserve a spot in your cart. 

15. Returnal 

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A roguelike game which is enough to convince fans of the genre. The game is brutal, and it quickly shows this to you: Enemies are fast, and hard-hitting, and health replenished items are scarce and weak. After a few runs, you become accustomed to the game and you’re making progress. You reach the first boss room and after some tries you beat it. Now it’s time to move to the second area. You feel happy, but you’d feel very sad if you knew the truth: Killing the first boss is when the nightmare truly begins.

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Written by:

Vaibhav Singh Tomar

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?A Supernova resistant to pressure.? Greetings, fellow seekers of the extraordinary! I'm Vaibhav Singh Tomar, your guide to the electrifying universe of eSports and storytelling at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and over 7+ years of crafting narratives, I don't just write about esports; I sculpt captivating tales within this digital arena.
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Edited by:

Rohan Karnad