The Top-Rated PC Video Games of 2024, According to Metacritic

The PC platform continues to witness an increase in game releases from Sony and Microsoft, which, combined with the numerous exclusives available, makes it an excellent venue for gaming. While Nintendo stands apart, players can expect to enjoy the finest offerings from Xbox and PlayStation on this platform. Even without the involvement of these console titans, the year has been filled with remarkable launches. According to GameSpot’s affiliate site, Metacritic, the highest-rated PC games—up to December 5—spanned a diverse array of genres.

From major blockbuster titles to smash-hit independent games, 2024 saw the release of a classic with the Elden Ring expansion from From Software, Animal Effectively captivated audiences with its uniquely enchanting metroidvania gameplay, and Tactical Breach Wizards reminded everyone that throwing enemies out of windows is always an option. We have compiled a list of all the games that achieved top metascores, which you can explore below. Don’t forget to check out our ongoing compilation of the best PC games to play right now.

More Best Of 2024:

• Our Favorite Games That Didn’t Make The Top 10
• Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024
• Best Xbox Games Of 2024
• Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024
• Best Of 2024 hub

Is it truly possible to make one of the best games ever even better? Shadow of the Erdtree undoubtedly answers that question with its stunning new setting, breathtaking boss encounters, and innovative gameplay features that establish a new benchmark for future souls-like games.

Metascore: 94 | Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review

What initially appeared to be little more than a superficial rehash of the Persona series turned out to be much more. Metaphor: ReFantazio was awarded GameSpot’s Game of the Year for 2024 and received a rare 10/10 rating, and for good reason: It transforms Persona’s turn-based combat into engaging new systems that create an enriching experience, complemented by a captivating narrative that resonates with today’s political landscape. It performs exceptionally well on Steam Deck as well.

Metascore: 92 | Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio review

We are currently in a golden age of fighting games, and following the releases of Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 last year, it was time for a legendary king to make a powerful comeback. Tekken 8 reinforces its prowess, solidifying its position as one of the key players in the fighting game arena. Its stunning graphics deliver impactful visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics reward aggressive combat styles, and its single-player storyline is a captivating clash between Tekken’s most iconic characters and various others.

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Metascore: 90 | Read our Tekken 8 review

One of the most ambitious indie endeavors in recent years, UFO 50 envisions a fictional online gaming console and reveals an astounding 50 games from it. This collection showcases a wonderfully varied range of retro-style games that capture the essence of the 1980s. It serves as both a clever examination of classic gaming conventions and offers a broad selection of fresh games to delve into.

Metascore: 91 | Read our UFO 50 review

The less you know about Animal Well, the better, as this indie hit is most enjoyable when you dive in with minimal information. This cryptic metroidvania game allows you to collect items that can alter the environment in surprising ways. Everything about Animal Well feels like a detailed work of art. Don’t be misled by its low-fi graphics and seemingly simple gameplay; this nonlinear adventure is a masterclass in tension.

Metascore: 91 | Read our Animal Well review

After a lengthy period in early access, Satisfactory finally launched in full this year, and it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t worth the anticipation. The game centers on creating automated systems, and in that aspect, it’s exceptional. If you’re seeking a sense of accomplishment with your title, Satisfactory delivers without a doubt.

Metascore: 91

Balatro has emerged as one of the year’s most delightful surprises, and if you’ve played it, you’ll understand why. It expertly merges its poker influences with roguelike deck-building mechanics, creating a game of endless possibilities and captivating scenarios that you can easily immerse yourself in, playing until the early morning hours. Each card you draw can significantly affect your fortunes for better–or worse!–while a blend of synthwave music and psychedelic visuals contributes to the enchanting atmosphere of Balatro.

Metascore: 90 | Read our Balatro review

Atlus could have easily ported Shin Megami Tensei V, updated its graphics, and called it a day, but the publisher chose to go above and beyond what was expected. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance shines on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC with a remarkable amount of additional content in this demon-collecting adventure. It’s also packed with thoughtful quality-of-life enhancements, all contributing to an already-engaging narrative that makes this unique franchise worth diving into for first-timers and veterans seeking to play the definitive version.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance review

The charm of Thank Goodness You’re Here lies in its unpredictability; you’ll never quite know what to expect from this delightful “slapformer.” Throughout gameplay, you guide a whimsically small character through various scenarios that can often be resolved with a bit of percussive intervention, yet you would be hard-pressed to find another game as memorable as this one.

Metascore: 90 | Read our Thank Goodness You’re Here review

The stream of exclusive titles from Sony, which had previously ignited interest in PlayStation consoles, continued in 2024, and few can rival God of War Ragnarok. This sequel to the 2018 soft reboot presents yet another grand narrative filled with unforgettable characters and immersive settings, and the gameplay has taken another leap forward with new mechanics and subtleties to keep it feeling innovative. Though it’s a few years old, much like its predecessor, Ragnarok remains exceptionally impressive.

Metascore: 90 | Read our God of War Ragnarok review

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth perfectly captures what a sequel ought to be—bigger, bolder, and now featuring Danny Trejo as a villain inspired by machetes. Simultaneously, Infinite Wealth serves as a wonderful passing of the torch, reintroducing familiar faces for one final journey. This complex and emotionally resonant adventure will tug at your heartstrings with its masterfully crafted plot and leave you with plenty to explore after the credits roll due to an abundance of additional content.

Metascore: 89 | Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review

Sure, the title is amusing (Kill Butt 2: 2, anyone?), but Kill Knight is also a brilliantly crafted shooter that will evoke memories of classic arcade games like Smash TV and Robotron 2084. Or perhaps, it’s swathed in a nightmarish aesthetic that’s distinctly darker and more sinister than those earlier titles, and in a whimsical twist on Doom, it’s up to you to vanquish angels. You won’t believe when angels must meet their demise.

Metascore: 88

The Final Shape successfully tackled the challenge of concluding the decade-long saga of Destiny, bringing the game to its finest, most engaging form yet. The RPG elements are more thoroughly developed than ever, and the new activities, captivating story, and rich Pale Heart location all contribute to a satisfying conclusion to the Light and Darkness Saga. While it isn’t the end of Destiny 2, which will continue on, it undoubtedly marks a high point for the game.

Metascore: 89 | Read our Destiny 2: The Final Shape review

Horizon Forbidden West was launched several years ago on PlayStation, ultimately making its way to PC in 2024. The second chapter of Aloy’s journey delves deeper into the technological conspiracy that led to the collapse of modern civilization, now facing a new threat from a unique group of people wielding seemingly unstoppable weapons. Much like its predecessor, it features a blend of stealth and full-throttle combat, battling both humans and the different “species” of robotic dinosaurs scattered across a ravaged world.

Metascore: 89 | Read our Horizon Forbidden West review

Persona 3 established what would become a new benchmark for the franchise’s popularity. However, elements of it aged poorly, and it had never been available on PC until now. Reload makes it accessible for newcomers, boasting a visually pleasing PC version (which also performs well on Steam Deck) alongside various quality-of-life enhancements.

Metascore: 89 | Read our Persona 3 Reload review

A unique-world samurai experience, Ghost of Tsushima offers a more accessible mix of stealth and action compared to souls-like games. It boasts a stunning environment to explore and incredible cinematography to absorb, all enhanced by the visual improvements available on PC, alongside additional content that was included with the Director’s Cut release.

Metascore: 89 | Check out our Ghost of Tsushima review

2024 might just go down as the finest year ever for puzzle games, with Lorelei and the Laser Eyes at the forefront of thought-provoking titles. Picture a game that boasts an Italian cinematic art style, puzzles that will compel you to reach for a notepad to keep track of everything, and surreal atmospheres; it has all the elements needed for an engaging and uniquely strange mystery.

Metascore: 88 | Check out our Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review

Tactical Breach Wizards adopts the core gameplay concept of the brilliant Into the Breach—turn-based gameplay where you anticipate your opponents’ next move and manipulate their positions for better outcomes—and replaces the roguelike format with a narrative-driven campaign. It is rich in clever writing and humor, and it also innovates its gameplay by increasing the number of possible actions per turn, allowing even complex challenges to be resolved in a single, highly satisfying round.

Metascore: 88 | Check out our Tactical Breach Wizards review

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a beautiful and rewarding venture into storytelling. Capcom’s revival of the series isn’t without its flaws, but these shortcomings are easy to overlook when you find yourself immersed in a vast world of opportunities filled with helpful Pawns, exciting quests, and combat that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Metascore: 88 | Check out our Dragon’s Dogma 2 review

This roguelike deckbuilder is set in feudal Japan, challenging you to contend with enemy swordsmen using nothing but your intellect and a deep, turn-based combat system. You will carefully command your shogun and decide the perfect moment to strike, unlocking new characters and abilities as your runs progress.

Metascore: 88

A nostalgic nod to the era of Sierra’s MS-DOS point-and-click adventure games, The Crimson Diamond still manages to incorporate a few modern features into its classic format. A murder mystery filled with tricky puzzles to solve, this homage to text-parser games like the Laura Bow Mystery Series is a must-play for anyone looking to revisit the past.

Metascore: 88

Mullet Madjack feels reminiscent of a first-person homage to Hotline Miami, merging the intensity of that game with a colorful, vibrant art style and a satirical take on streamer culture. You must race from kill to kill before your timer expires, soaking in the bloody visuals and ’80s-inspired soundtrack that make this an exhilarating experience.

Metascore: 88

Can a Five Nights at Freddy’s game be just as chilling in 2D as it is in its original 3D format? The response is a definitive yes.

With Into the Pit, this Five Nights-inspired spin-off appears to be gruesomely captivating thanks to its pixel-art animation. Combine dual timelines, trademark Five Nights at Freddy’s scares, and disquieting environments, and you have an incredibly strong spin-off.

Metascore: 87

Crusader Kings III offers players nearly limitless strategies to dominate the globe, whether through astute diplomacy or eliminating a rival and subsequently launching a full-scale invasion. If you thought you had experienced all that Crusader Kings III had in store, think again, as Roads to Power introduces numerous new features regarding the Byzantine Empire. The game presents fresh governmental options, co-ruling capabilities, and more liberated exploration, all of which reinvigorate this historical simulation.

Metascore: 87

A Survivors experience that was already an exceptional addition to the genre while in early access, Halls of Torment celebrated its full release in 2024. Its visuals reminiscent of Diablo 2 evoke a certain nostalgia that may attract many, yet its extended progression system makes it hard to resist diving into yet another run each time you finish one.

Metascore: 87

A Zelda-inspired platformer combined with a shoot-em-up, Minishoot Adventures merges two seemingly disparate genres in a delightful way. The bullet hell mechanics feel perfectly suited as you navigate dungeons, uncover extraordinary new gear, and engage in epic boss fights.

Metascore: 87

Bloober Team faced numerous challenges while developing Silent Hill 2. Players expressed considerable skepticism regarding the game. However, an unexpected outcome occurred: it launched and was extraordinary. This faithful remake of a legendary horror game not only revitalizes the original experience but also enriches the overall narrative and lore of Konami’s premier horror title, making the Silent Hill 2 remake arguably the finest horror remake in recent years.

Metacore: 87 | Read our Silent Hill 2 review

JRPG enthusiasts have been restless all year, but the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake made a memorable impact with its nostalgic charm and impressive visual overhaul typical of Square Enix. While some classic elements remain unchanged—illustrating how far the genre has progressed since the game’s original release—the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake still presents thrilling turn-based battles and remarkably adaptable gameplay systems.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake review

Antonblast is an intense platformer that plays like a 2D Crash Bandicoot, complete with jaw-dropping rage-management mechanics. With an exhilarating pace, platforming that demands skillful play, and a visual style that may not be visually appealing to everyone, it is rather niche. However, if you’re looking to wrap up the year with high-energy platforming mayhem featuring a protagonist whose relentless fury might outshine the Doom Slayer, then you’ll enjoy every moment with Dynamite Anton in this title.

Metascore: 87

The ultimate Indiana Jones game since the daring archaeologist uncovered the fate of Atlantis, The Great Circle embodies the essence of a cinematic icon with its high-budget presentation, gritty combat, and puzzles that will make you feel deserving of a teaching position at Marshall College. Developer MachineGames certainly did its research for this Indiana Jones game, but more importantly, the entire project feels like a labor of love that honors the character and his lasting influence on popular culture.

Metascore: 87 | Read our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review

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