Introduction
The PC is either making a comeback or never went away in the first place, depending on who you ask.
Whichever camp you're in, a deluge of triple-A titles, virtual reality and (whisper it) decent console ports make picking the PC over the Xbox One or PS4 a no-brainer.
Whether you're a mouse-and-keyboard diehard who mutters "boom, headshot!" in their sleep, or a joypad-wielding adrenaline junkie, the PC has no shortage of blockbuster and indie titles to help you waste away the hours.
We've rounded up the best games currently available for the PC. If you don't agree, let us know in the comments below. So here we go – click on for best 12 PC games currently available today.
TechRadar's favourite PC games of all time1. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is SimCity updated for the modern era, proving a breath of fresh air for would-be mayors. Its core gameplay lets you dig deep into the various aspects of running a sprawling virtual city – from economics to macro and micro management and land planning. But Cities: Skylines really shines when it comes to mods, which allow you to create custom maps, assets and tools to share with other online players.
2. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition places you in the heart of a huge, vibrant world on a far greater scale than its predecessors, and it does an excellent job of making you feel in command. Packing in a huge 90 hours (and the rest) of gameplay into its storyline, Inquisition's smart dialogue, compelling plot, savvy progression system and massive sandbox world will have you engrossed for months on end. Think the Elder Scrolls games meets the Diablo franchise and you're halfway there.
3. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
A card game from the makers of World of Warcraft, Hearthstone is easy to learn, but hard to master. Like Blizzard's famous MMO, Hearthstone combines classes, characters and a bit of tactical luck when throwing you into battle against computerised or online opponents. Stick with it and you'll be rewarded by its tactical, deep gameplay. Though available on iOS and Android, its low system requirements, excellent presentation and great sound effects mean it's best experienced on the PC.
Read: Hearthstone arrives on iPad, but it is better on tablet or PC?4. Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternity is a sprawling RPG in the vein of Diablo or Baldaur's Gate that combines highly detailed technical combat with hundreds of hours of gameplay. It has refreshingly low system requirements on the PC but still looks incredible thanks to its simple but effective art style, which harks back to those aforementioned isometric fantasy RPGs of the 2000s. But it's not all about nostalgia: Pillars of Eternity has enough interesting characters, baddies and clever writing to make it a modern classic of its own.
5. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated console ports to ever hit the PC. You probably didn't need telling twice to head back into Los Santos's hugely detailed and interactive world, but it's ten times more fun with the PC's richer graphics and smooth 60 frames per second gameplay. Once you're done with its 31-hour storyline or had your fill blazing around the city causing chaos, an ever expanding list of GTA V mods – from ones to fine tune cars or throw vehicles around with a Gravity Gun – are bound to keep you entertained for some time.
Read: This is what GTA 5 looks like through an Oculus Rift6. Alien: Isolation
Set in the future but based on the past, Alien: Isolation is the suspense-packed game that Alien fans have been crying out for. Inspired by the first Alien movie, Isolation is first and foremost a stealth game that pits you against an Alien on the Nostromo deep into space. A distinct lack of weaponry, particularly excellent graphics on high-end PCs and clever AI all help ramp up the dread, leaving you to quiver when turning every corner.
Read: How the tech of Alien Isolation will scare you back into the 1970s7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter Strike: Global Offensive remains a fantastic update to a timeless classic that continues to live on thanks to its vast online communities. A well-rounded tactical shooter that builds on the simple Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorists gameplay mechanics of Counter Strike 1.6 and Counter Strike: Source, CS: GO updates classic maps such as Italy and Dust while keeping adding new modes in Arms Race and Demolition. Simpler than Battlefield but more nuanced than the Call of Duty franchise, it's a shooter for those who like to run, gun and think – if only a little bit.
Read: 9 games that are far better on PC than consoles8. Far Cry 4
Far-Cry 4 is Far Cry's most beautiful outing yet. Its graphically-rich world is eye-popping on high-end PCs, which helps make the gameplay more believable when you're dodging bullets, avoiding being trampled by elephants and tearing it across the savanna in a rickety car. It's brash, in your face and not afraid to make you take tough choices if you want to survive.
Read: Far Cry 4: Building the anecdote factory9. FTL (Faster Than Light)
FTL (Faster Than Light) puts you command of running a spaceship and looking after its crew. Featuring a complex game mechanism that involves maintaining weapons, engines, shields and other areas, in addition to tactical combat, FTL can get extremely in-depth over time. Whether you're ordering your crew to quite literally put out fires on deck in the heat of battle, or are navigating through asteroid fields, FTL is as much about long-term progression and satisfaction as it is quick fixes. Don't let its indie stylings fool you: this is game with untold depth and scary levels of addictiveness.
10. Grim Fandango Remastered
A 90s classic brought back to life (unlike its main protagonist), Grim Fandango Remastered is a successful attempt at bringing back one of the PC's best adventure games of all time. Combining writing that matches the funniest dark comedies with clever puzzles and a still-impressive art style, Grim Fandango was the most entertaining work of art to take place in a Mexican setting for years until Breaking Bad came along. Now with updated graphics, sound and better controls, Manna Calavera's adventure has never looked so good.
Read: Grim Fandango is headed to the PS4 and Vita11. Skyrim
Four years after its initial release, Skyrim is going as strong as ever thanks to a vast selection of mods and high-resolution texture packs. Even if you're only interested in playing the vanilla version of the RPG, it still offers more than 100 hours of gameplay.
12. Day-Z
Originally launched as an Arma II mod, Day-Z is a zombie shooter with a difference. Not only do you have to mind the undead when wandering around its sprawling maps, but other online players too. Armed with nothing but a lead pipe and carrying nothing but a backpack and a flashlight, you'll need wits to survive.
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Original source: 12 best PC games: the must-play titles you can't afford to miss.
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