The PC is arguably the definitive gaming platform, deeper and broader than any of the bespoke packing containers you stick below your TV. It has turn out to be a catch-all for multiplatform video games, an inevitable second dwelling for first-party console exclusives, and a bastion for smaller video games that won’t be capable of develop ports. It’s additionally a vacation spot of its personal for distinctive, mouse-and-keyboard-driven genres that simply aren’t fairly as comfortable to play whereas sitting on a sofa, whereas additionally being the place for portable-friendly video games due to the likes of the Steam Deck. Unsurprisingly, it meant we had so much of video games to select from when it got here to crowning our 2024 PC favourites.
Whereas loads of unimaginable video games got here to each the PC and different platforms this 12 months, our picks for one of the best PC video games of 2024 stand as a mixture of spectacular experiences throughout a number of genres – some of which you merely can’t play with a controller in your hand. There’s the intricate, automated empires of Passable; the beautiful puzzle design of Animal Properly; the just-one-more-round compulsion of Balatro; the thrilling detective work of The Rise of the Golden Idol, and extra in addition to.
However just one may be topped one of the best PC sport of 2024. What did the IGN workforce choose to be probably the most worthy? Let’s check out the outcomes…
Honorable Mentions
With so many wonderful video games to select from this 12 months, the unfold of votes for one of the best PC sport was understandably broad. The assorted style of the IGN workforce meant that a number of video games picked up a powerful quantity of votes, however sadly not sufficient to safe a podium end. Of these video games, the 2 that solely simply missed out had been 1000xResist and The Rise of the Golden Idol.
Lots of video games inform a compelling story, nevertheless it’s the way in which 1000xResist tells its story that actually stands out. It’s a assured and shifting story that isn’t afraid to get deep, mixing surreal ideas with emotionally charged deconstructions of the human situation in a way reminiscent of video games like Nier: Automata. Because of its narrative-first design being one thing of a primary cousin to visible novels, 1000xResist’s story is ready to double down on delivering concepts and plot in progressive ways in which increase the bar for its style.
A follow-up to 2022’s breakout detective sport, The Rise of the Golden Idol continues to impress by empowering you to resolve its crimes with hands-on detective work. Set within the Nineteen Seventies, it presents a number of diorama-like crime scenes in every chapter, demanding you to assemble clues through shut statement after which piece collectively precisely what occurred. Not often are the precise occasions so simple as they appear, and the reality can solely be deduced from recognizing minor issues reminiscent of an empty gun chamber or the hidden subtext in an offended observe. It’s a “puzzle” sport that’s not merely about discovering the precise button to push, with an inventive presentation uniquely its personal.
Runner-Up: Animal Properly
2D pixel artwork platformers can really feel like they’re a dime a dozen nowadays, however Animal Properly is completely different. Which will sound like a cliche setup, one thing you’ve heard earlier than about loads of different video games, nevertheless it actually is true right here. Animal Properly wears the pores and skin of a puzzle-driven metroidvania whereas additionally twisting all the same old developments that come together with that construction.
You aren’t preventing your means via waves of enemies or upping your missile capability right here, partly due to Animal Properly’s nearly full rejection of violence. As a substitute you’ll discover bubble-blowing wands that may produce floating platforms, frisbees that may tame ferocious canine, and firecrackers that illuminate the darkish to disclose the hidden platforming challenges forward.
The actual pleasure of Animal Properly, although, is realising that there’s far, way more to every merchandise than their apparent use. And you then start to understand that there’s far, way more to every location than the plain goals. And as you start to peel again the layers, you quickly uncover that what initially gave the impression to be a five-hour metroidvania is as an alternative a gargantuan puzzle with sufficient secrets and techniques to find that they may fill an precise effectively. It’s an progressive and endlessly attractive tackle in any other case well-worn territory.
Runner-Up: Passable
After almost 5 years in Early Entry, Passable’s 1.0 replace arrived this 12 months to cement it as one of the best possible automation video games round. It’s a sport all about constructing meeting strains and laying down limitless miles of conveyor belts, which is rather more of an immense pleasure than it might initially appear. The subsequent tech climb that sees your factories turn out to be sooner, extra environment friendly, and inevitably extra difficult all the time retains you wanting ahead to that subsequent huge breakthrough.
The sight of spaghetti-like factories that span a thousand acres can appear intimidating at first, however don’t let that put you off: Passable’s well-constructed net of goals helps you construct confidence in your engineering capabilities. Inside only a few hours you’ll have graduated from novice conveyor belt fanatic to an automation veteran, succesful of troubleshooting catastrophic malfunctions as in the event that they had been minor inconveniences.
However whereas the factories are your major concern, Passable is rather more than the tip consequence. That is additionally a Minecraft-style open world by which you need to delve into caves, survive lethal fuel clouds, and stripmine rock formations so as to collect the supplies wanted to each fund and gas your colossal creations. Throw in a couple of associates working collectively in co-op to pave over each inch of inexperienced on this detailed alien world and also you’ve acquired a recipe for “blink and an hour has handed” captivation that not often quits.
Runner-Up: UFO 50
UFO 50 is an nearly incomprehensible achievement. The idea of an old-school gaming system being miraculously unearthed and made out there immediately is a cute one already, and I wouldn’t blame you in the event you assumed {the catalogue} of 50 video games that got here with it had been largely simply quant minigames that make for an amusing however fleeting distraction. However that’s merely not the case.
Every entry on this library is actually the scale of a complete retro sport of its personal, many of which might have absolutely been standout hits of their period if they really existed at the moment. However this isn’t a group of video games made within the Eighties, and the deeper down the rabbit gap you go the extra apparent that turns into. The video games of UFO 50 are good. Like, modern-day indie darling good. Each weaves wonderful new concepts into the canvass of a retro basic, leading to video games that really feel like toys of yesteryear however play like a 2024 Steam top-seller. Echoes of No Man’s Sky, Hotline Miami, Into The Breach and extra may be discovered between the scan strains, however every sport is greater than only a de-make of its inspiration. UFO 50 is actually a playable examination of the previous and current of video video games.
There’s simply a lot to dig into right here, with an nearly alarmingly constant degree of high quality. UFO 50 may have been half as huge as it’s and it nonetheless would have been spectacular – as an alternative, it’s borderline gorgeous.
Winner: Balatro
When you’ve already performed Balatro, you most likely perceive why it’s right here. Actually, odds are good you may nonetheless be enjoying it proper now. And in the event you haven’t, I’d suggest you do, however the kinder factor could be to let you know to run. As a result of when you’ve jumped into its good combine of roguelite deckbuilding and digital poker, you may discover your free time slipping away and the solar creeping up throughout what was alleged to nonetheless be evening. However then once more, it positive is value it.
There’s one thing about Balatro that effortlessly hooks you, the “only one extra flip” syndrome distilled into its purest kind. All the things about its pretty easy presentation is tuned completely to be endlessly satisfying, bringing delight or destruction with each card you play. Whereas on the floor it’s a poker sport that’s approachable for anybody who can inform their flushes from their full homes, don’t be fooled into pondering you want to know the foundations of the basic on line casino sport to play. Actually, this isn’t really poker.
Balatro is a completely authentic thought, and whereas poker arms could also be on the centre of the display, the true centre of the expertise is constructing wild game-breaking decks that may ship your rating multiplier skyrocketing. Every spherical permits you to tweak and enhance your assortment of playing cards, switching out fits to extra simply obtain higher arms, or utilizing celestial powers to assemble literal wildcards. The choices are unbelievably deep for individuals who then wish to break the intuitive tropes open with good modifiers – you’ll have put collectively a four-of-a-kind in your day, however play a five-of-a-kind for the primary time and also you received’t ever wish to return.
That is the really spectacular trick of Balatro, making you suppose you recognize what it’s doing at each step of the way in which, then teasing you in deeper as extra game-shifting Jokers are found, extra decks are unlocked, and the scores you contemplate spectacular begin stretching from the hundreds into exponents so massive you want a level to decipher them. Wrap that up in a lo-fi presentation as deceptively effectively designed as the cardboard sport it homes, and also you’ve acquired a sport we’re undoubtedly going to be enjoying for years to come back.