There’s a reason why the PC gaming market is estimated to reach $70 billion by the year 2023. It’s long been known that the right PC offers better graphics and performance than traditional consoles. However, superior hardware isn’t the only thing that the gaming device has going for it.
There’s also a seemingly endless amount of games to choose from. Despite being a thoroughly weird year, 2020 still managed to keep us entertained with some exciting new titles. So which ones do you need to play? In this top PC games 2020 list we’ll give you everything you need to know about some of the year’s best titles. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
The Fifteen Top PC Games 2020
We tried to keep this list confined to games released in 2020. However, some picks released new updates that we also included. Also, to get the most out of the try to play them on a desktop or laptop that was made specifically for gaming. If you need one, then you can start saving money by taking advantage of holiday sales.
1) Cyberpunk 2077
The cyberpunk genre has long been a way to capture the dark undercurrents of our society’s growing reliance on technology. Now a game has finally come along that perfectly captures its ethos.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a new open-world RPG action game from the creative minds that brought us The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The game boasts some truly impressive graphics, engaging side quests, and a killer soundtrack. As long as you can tolerate the occasional glitch you’re sure to enjoy this fully-realized virtual world.
2) Hades
If you enjoy dungeon crawlers, then you’ll love the new rougelite Hades. In it, you play as the Prince of the Underworld whose goal is to escape the depths of the underworld. As a rougelite, there are some elements you can expect — randomly generated maps, boss fights, and lots of dying.
However, the skill system, outstanding combat, and uniquely integrated story keep Hades fresh and fun. Even if you’re not a fan of dungeon crawlers, we think any fans of Greek mythology will enjoy the art style of the story of this unique game.
3) Bugsnax
You can tell that the developers of Bugsnax had a blast while designing their game. Just look at some of the creature names in this food-themed adventure game. There’s the job hopper — a grasshopper-like bug that looks like corn on the cob. And of course, the ghost pepper scorpion is known scope per.
In this wholly creative game, you will capture hundreds of these mouthwatering bugs while exploring a vast mysterious island. The delightful art design is reason enough to give it a chance. But, we think the addictive gameplay will also keep you coming back.
4) Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Considering Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the twelfth major installment in the series, you’d think the series might have hit a dry spell. However, you’d be wrong. This Ubisoft development feels like an instant classic. That’s thanks to an incredibly engaging story, likable characters, and gorgeous world-building.
The extremely violent combat might not be for the squeamish. But those with the stomach for it will be mesmerized by the astonishing finishing moves in the game. So what are you waiting for? Start your very own Viking adventure today.
5) Doom Eternal
The long-standing Doom series has never been big on the story. The Hell-on-Earth premise of the first-person shooter has long been a flimsy excuse to have you fight a neverending array of demons. Luckily, the combat in Doom is so absurdly over-the-top that this is hardly noticeable.
The newest version, Doom Eternal, takes everything that made 2016 remaster good and amplifies it up to twenty. The thrilling multiplayer, which introduces plenty of creative modes to stand out from Call of Duty and Battlefield, is another great excuse to try it.
6) Crusader Kings 3
Fans of the grand strategy games will be singing the arrival of the new Crusader Kings 3. The game puts you on the throne of a king who’s wrapped in a complicated entanglement of social, political, and religious strife.
If you’ve ever fantasized about being a key Game of Thrones character, then this game is for you. The fascinating social puzzles will make it feel like you’re in the alternative history of this game.
7) Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Just a heads up: when you play Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice you will die a lot. Like A LOT a lot. However, the difficult gameplay yields some of the most satisfying victories in recent memory. If you’re willing to put in the time to master it, then this stealth combat game is worth the sweat and tears.
8) Amnesia: Rebirth
As if 2020 hasn’t been scary enough, Frictional Games decided to give us a follow-up to the much-loved Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Amnesia: Rebirth doesn’t lose any of the tension brought in the first game.
However, it does add more in terms of brilliant story revelations and horrifying level and creature design. Unlike many horror games on the market, Amnesia: Rebirth dives into many relatable psychological terrors. This makes the game all the scarier.
9) Factorio
Factorio isn’t for everyone. Not all gamers will see the appeal of a construction management game about maintaining production chains. However, don’t be mistaken, Factorio is a triumph.
The delightfully complicated system of construction and resource gathering is easy to get lost in. You play as the survivor of a spaceship crash on an alien world. To combat the hordes of enemies, you’ll need to harvest the planet’s resources and continually expand. Expect to sink many many hours into this one.
10) Super Mega Baseball 3
Thanks to COVID, 2020 will go down as the year without sports. As such, any sports-related titles now feel like pure escapism. If you crave this simpler time, then you need to check out Super Mega Baseball 3.
This game is the best in the series thanks to its perfectly attuned field gameplay. However, the real standout is player development and manager decisions that you will need to make.
11) Half-Life: Alyx
Fans have been waiting for a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Half-Life 2 for over a decade. Now, they finally have it with Half-Life: Alyx. The game is without a doubt the best virtual reality title on the market right now. As such, it’s a great excuse to invest in a VR headset if you’re curious about it.
12) League of Legends
This wouldn’t be a PC gaming list if we didn’t include League of Legends. After all, the game is by far the most popular PC game in the world. If you’re not familiar, the game is a multiplayer online battle arena or MOBA. There’s a high learning curve, but if you’re willing to put in the time to learn, then you’ll be hooked.
The game brings an endless variety of strategy to the table. Best of all, no one strategy stays viable forever. That’s thanks to a constantly updating rooster of character stats. This keeps the gameplay in every new season fresh and fun. Who knows? If you get good enough maybe you’ll join the massive e-gaming community that’s surrounded by the title.
13) Microsoft Flight Simulator
If you’re not a fan of flight simulators, then Microsoft Flight Simulator might be a hard sell. Still, it’s not hard to see why fans of the long-running game are awestruck by this latest version. That’s thanks to the breathtaking beauty that has gone into this version’s environments.
The sim offers a level of realism unparalleled in many games — both in the flying itself and the real-world locations it generates. Maybe that’s why the game has inspired so many people to become real-life pilots. Even if you’ve never played a flight simulator before, this one is a great place to start.
14) Valorant
At the end of the day, Valorant is just Counter-Strike with some interesting twists. However, that’s not a bad thing. The thrilling dynamics make it much more accessible to a wider audience. Best of all — it’s free to play!
15) Paradise Killer
A problem with a lot of detective games is there’s little choice. You’ve put in a room and asked to find clues. In this way, these games are nothing more than intricate escape rooms. However, the new Paradise Killer game allows you to explore and investigate in your way and method. This makes the game all the more immersive. Plus the vaporwave soundtrack is killer (pun intended).
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you find some of the top PC games 2020 that appeal to you. As you can see, there’s no shortage of great titles to choose from. So, get started playing the ones that appeal to you today. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
