Top 25 single player games to play on PC in 2023

Check out our ranking of the best single-player video games you can play right now!

This year will undoubtedly be a fantastic one for PC gamers, but if your anticipated release is still a long way off, why not play some of the best single player PC games in the meantime? After all, many of us appreciate private gaming sessions where one can fully immerse in the world and enjoy every inch of the gameplay over competitive experiences.

The following list of 25 best single player PC games in 2023 features all sorts of genres, so everyone can find something to their taste. Some of them may even be available as a part of a PC gaming subscription service, which we’ll note in the bracket next to the title. Without further ado, let’s begin!

25. Cyberpunk 2077

It was a major letdown at the release, and that’s a known fact. But don’t close the tab just yet, and hear us out. It’s still a solid cyberpunk adventure with a well-thought story, interesting (most of the time) characters, and satisfying gameplay. Some glitches here and there never stopped Fallout fans from loving the series, so why should Cyberpunk be omitted? It’s been patched a lot since it came out, so you shouldn’t worry too much about getting it now, especially since it will receive the expansion in 2023.

24. Hitman 3 (Included with Game Pass)

There’s not much to say about the adventures of Agent 47, as the premise is straightforward. You’re an assassin who does everything in his power to fulfill what’s expected in the contract. It’s a field for creativity: should you knock out this one guy, take his clothes and infiltrate the place in disguise, or should you go all out and kill everyone in sight?

It’s the first single-player video game on the list that is a part of Microsoft’s subscription service. If you want to play this game (and many others on this list) and have never subscribed to Game Pass before, you will pay only $1, 1€, £1, or 4 zł for the first month, regardless of which option you choose: 

23. Cult of the Lamb

The indie scene has undoubtedly grown stronger over the years. The last year saw the release of another fantastic title that immediately captured the hearts of gamers: The Cult of the Lamb. 

This title really has everything it takes to be one of the best single-player games out there, from the stunning graphics to the pleasant soundtrack to the intriguing concept. Its gameplay combines elements of the base-building and roguelite genres, making for a fun mix. 

22. Crusader Kings III (Included with Game Pass)

Suppose you’ve been familiar with previous games in the series done by Paradox Development Studio. In that case, you know what to expect: a massive strategy that allows you to lead a dynasty of royalty through several generations. It’s Middle Ages; regardless of how things are going, be sure to take good care of your family. Otherwise, it might as well turn its back on you.

21. Total War Warhammer 3 (Included with Game Pass)

It’s the culmination of an unlikely blend of the Total War series with the Warhammer universe, and it’s phenomenal. Few games can match one of the best single-player campaigns here, but Warhammer 3 is a worthy epilogue to this epic trilogy and totally deserves its place at this top. It was added to Game Pass on the release day; go check it out!

20. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

If you’re a fan of the original Final Fantasy VII, you already know this is a must. However, it will be a smooth introduction to the franchise if you’ve never encountered it before. It has excellent graphics and a re-designed combat system that works perfectly. The game explores the characters more than the original, so be ready for a truly magical experience.

Hungry for more top-notch Japanese titles? Check out the list of the best JRPGs on Steam that will keep you glued to your PC for hours.

19. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Included with Ubisoft+)

We’ve seen A LOT of titles in this series, so what makes Valhalla one of the best solo games on PC? It continues the RPG trend we’ve seen in Odyssey and Origins, yet it feels even better. Quests are finally more complex than mere “kill/follow this guy,” and the world is full of engaging activities to do. The Vikings must have had a truly fascinating life if it was anywhere near as thrilling as it is in this game.

Here’s how much you will have to pay for Ubisoft’s subscription to get access to the game:

18. Hi-Fi Rush (Included with Game Pass)

Hi-Fi Rush was definitely unexpected, as it was released shortly after a trailer. However, the lack of teasers worked in its favor, making it an instant hit with players, especially since it’s available on PC Game Pass from day one.

So what’s the title about? It’s a TPP rhythm game where you play as a would-be rock star fighting the evil corporation in sync with rock music. Its unusual comic-like graphics are also worth mentioning. It is guaranteed to please both eyes and ears.

17. Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Included with Game Pass)

For those who love a decent challenge, we don’t need to encourage you to play this game. Ori is a beautiful series that rewards you with a cute, engaging story for all the attempts you had to make along the way. It’s difficult, but it’s well aware of this fact and does everything in its power to make you feel satisfied with completing any particularly strenuous section.

16. LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga

If you’re a true Star Wars fan, there’s no better game to relive your favorite fragments from the movies. The LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga gives the fandom everything they’ve ever wanted: all nine episodes in one package. It also takes the familiar gameplay formula of previous titles and reinvents it for a new experience.

15. Persona 5 Royal (Included with PC Game Pass)

If you have a lot of time on your hands and aren’t discouraged by a 10-hour tutorial, you should give Persona 5 Royal a try. The game may be a little slow at first, but once it hits you with addictive gameplay and a compelling story, it’s hard to stop playing.

It transports you to Tokyo, where you live the life of a seemingly ordinary high school student. But at night, you become one of the Phantom Thieves. You travel through the alternate universe to eliminate the source of evil. It’s undeniably, one of the top RPG games of all time.

14. Resident Evil Village

The franchise continues the story of Ethan – he has just come out of the nightmares of Biohazard and now has to deal with the mysteries of a strange, small Romanian village. There are also the residents of a big, grim castle with a very unsettling aura. Be sure to play the previous title in the series. Otherwise, you might not understand some of the game’s plot.

13. Horizon Zero Dawn

There were quite a few visions of what the future will look like, and this one is genuinely mesmerizing. You control Aloy, a female hunter trying to figure out why there are so many animalistic machines all around while surviving in this harsh environment. It’s a TPP adventure game with some RPG elements thrown into the mixture, making a terrifying concept of the future quite fun.

12. Plague Tale: Requiem (Included with PC Game Pass)

Plague Tale: Requiem is the sequel to the acclaimed action game Plague Tale: Innocence. It continues the story of Hugo and Amicia, siblings struggling to survive in a world ravaged by the Black Death. 

While it’s not necessary to play the original to enjoy this one, we highly recommend it. Both are worth playing in your spare time for the mesmerizing visuals and engaging plot. Speaking of graphics: There are even more beautiful high-end PC games on the market that deserve your attention. Check out the list to find out!

11. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Spider-Man: Miles Morales

There’s no doubt about it: Superhero games have been on the rise recently, with more and more titles being released. There are better and worse examples, but surely among the best are Spider-Man Remastered and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

They’ll provide you with some top-notch action in the middle of New York City. From a gameplay perspective, they are very similar. However, the protagonists of each game have slightly different abilities, which makes both installments so much fun to play.

10. Dying Light 2 Stay Human

The list of the best single player games on PC wouldn’t be complete without Dying Light 2. It takes place 20 years after the events of the first installment. The city of Villedor is full of undead enemies. However, this time the critical mission awaits you.

As Aidan Caldwell, you’ll be trying to find your lost sister. Simultaneously, you must be aware of other people, as they are even more dangerous than monsters. Will you be able to stay human?

9. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Included with Game Pass and EA Play / EA Play Pro)

There’s no way that one of the most popular science-fiction universes wouldn’t appear at least twice on this list, so here it is once again. It’s a TPP action-adventure title that plays like a soulslike and offers a lot of exploration that reminds you of titles like Tomb Raider. This combination works surprisingly well, making it a truly great Star Wars game.

Here are the current deals for EA’s subscription:

8. Dead Space Remake

Remasters and remakes have certainly gotten a bad rap from gamers. However, some titles prove to be more than just a graphical update of the original and offer an even richer experience, as in the case of Dead Space (2023).

The enhanced version of the classic space horror not only sees improvements in the visual department but also in the story and gameplay. You can also extend your playthrough by completing the new side missions.

7. Yakuza Like A Dragon (Included with Game Pass)

It’s no longer Tokyo, and it’s no longer Kazuma Kiryu, known from previous installments in the Yakuza series. Yokohama is a bit different, which also applies to the combat system: you will be fighting turn-based this time.

Other than that, it’s what players love about this franchise; there will be serious moments and extraordinary characters, but the game doesn’t shy away from the bizarre elements. For instance, there is a kart mini-game that will make you think of a particular Japanese game series.

6. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar’s take on Wild West didn’t get old at all. It’s a massive, engaging tale about honor, titular redemption, love, and hate. All set in the beautiful world straight from the finest westerns. It’s so much more than, as some people call it, Grand Theft Auto set in Wild West. The adventures of Arthur Morgan are still something that any player should experience, which is why it’s so high on the list.

5. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition

Speaking of the best single player PC games that don’t age, can you believe that Witcher 3 came out in 2015? Even though it seems like ages ago, the title can still cast a strong love spell on anyone who plays it. And now, with the next-gen upgrade, it looks even more stunning and polished (pun intended). It’s a phenomenal RPG with better side quests than many main quests in other games. 

It has a satisfying combat system that combines Signs and elixirs with the mastery of swordsmanship. There’s also Gwent and other fun things to do when Geralt isn’t slaying monsters. We highly recommend getting the Complete Edition, which includes both the Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone expansions. They add lots of hours of gameplay, and both have great stories to tell. 

4. God of War

The old-new Kratos is just outside the top three. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the fact that this title is a masterpiece with one of the best single player campaigns. The brave decision to change the image of our favorite god paid off: he’s now matured and has someone else to teach about life. The PC port is as good as it gets, and you can even play the game on Steam Deck if you want. It’s still a bit difficult to process, but here we are.

3. Half-Life: Alyx

We know that most gamers don’t own a VR set, but this is the game you need to have when buying one. It’s hard to believe that Valve was able to transfer its legendary series to the world of Virtual Reality – and it’s a full-fledged, new Half-Life title that utilizes all of the possibilities of a VR headset.

2. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut

It’s not an easy game to digest. It has a wall of text waiting for you; it’s sad and depressing, but it tells an important story through our beloved medium. In theory, it’s an isometric adventure title inspired by tabletop experience: a dice roll will determine your actions as if you were playing a board game.

Practically speaking, this philosophical manifestation is hard to comprehend but rewards you with one of the most remarkable experiences you can get on a PC once you make this effort.

1. Elden Ring

Is anyone surprised that the new From Software title is on the top of our list? We thought that there was no way that a typical Dark Souls formula could feel fresh once again, but that’s precisely what we received. Elden Ring takes the genre into the open-world format and tells a fantastic story (supported by George R. R. Martin) that you need to gather from all the bits scattered around the Lands Between.

The gameplay is very similar to what you experienced in previous titles developed by the studio, although everything has been polished to perfection and works as intended. There’s also a horse that will accompany you on your journey – which will last at least 40-50 hours, so it’s good to have one. Are you ready to become the Elden Lord?

That’s it for the ranking of single player PC games that we recommend you check out in 2023. There are many more titles that also deserve recognition; if we haven’t included them, you can always mention a game or two in the comment section. Or maybe some titles should be higher on the list, in your opinion? Either way, tell us what you think about our choices, and feel free to post your own top 25 (or 10, or 5—whichever you prefer) down below!