The best PC games of 2023 offered some truly memorable experiences, ranging from big-budget adventures to indie darlings. Plus, between services like Game Pass for PC and never-ending sales on Steam, obtaining the best PC games of 2023 often resulted in some stellar deals. While the console wars continued to rage on throughout the year, these amazing games proved that the PC was the best gaming platform of 2023.
To celebrate those particularly excellent titles, we’ve crafted a list of the best PC games of 2023, whittling a huge selection down to just 5 of our favorites. These games are listed in no particular order, as each of the best PC games of 2023 had something special to offer. So, if you’re looking to grab some of the best titles from one of the best years in gaming, look no further than this list!
5. Pizza Tower
As the debut game from indie studio Tour De Pizza, Pizza Tower was an easy choice for our list of the best PC games of 2023, due to its vibrant graphics, old-school gameplay, and general chaotic attitude. Released in January, this PC-exclusive game was inspired by classic platformers like Wario Land and Sonic the Hedgehog, with an emphasis on colorful and stylish animation.
Both fans and critics adored Pizza Tower, leading to its massive success as one of the biggest indie games and speedrun games of 2023. The game currently sits at a 98% Positive review score, tallied from nearly 50,000 players, which should give you a decent idea of its cult classic status. Hell, even Geoff Keighley gave the developers a shout-out during the 2023 Video Game Awards; a bonus considering that Pizza Tower was nominated for Best Debut Indie Game.
4. Starfield
To call Starfield “one of the most anticipated PC games of 2023” would be an incredible understatement, and although it didn’t satisfy every player who picked it up, we still believe it deserves a spot on this list. Available only on PC and Xbox, and developed by the ever-imaginative folks at Bethesda, this sci-fi RPG promised a fully-explorable universe teeming with quests, mystery, and intrigue.
At the end of the day, Starfield was more similar to a sci-fi version of Fallout rather than a genre-defining sci-fi epic. However, that didn’t seem to bother players in the slightest, as Starfield was the best-selling game of September 2023 in the United States, outpacing games like Mortal Kombat 1 and more. Although the quest design is admittedly dated, the ship-building, attention to detail, and pure scope of Starfield make it a solid pick for the best PC game of 2023.
3. Hogwarts Legacy
An open-world RPG based on the Harry Potter universe has been something that both franchise fans and gamers have been dreaming of for decades, and in 2023, developer Avalanche Software made it a reality. Although it was set roughly a century before Harry and his friends roamed the halls, Hogwarts Legacy gave players the chance to attend the mystical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As a representation of the sprawling school that many fans are familiar with, Hogwarts Legacy did an absolutely amazing job producing an immersive atmosphere, recreating key locations, and featuring some spectacular secrets. Exciting third-person combat (including condemned curses like Crucio) and several set piece moments made Hogwarts Legacy one of the best PC games of 2023, without a doubt.
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Resident Evil 4 has been a kingpin of the survival horror genre for decades, but after a particularly fantastic remake, has earned a spot as the best PC game of 2023. For those unfamiliar, Resident Evil 4 offers tense gun action, inventive horror, and some of the best bosses in all of gaming. This new port simply made everything so much better.
PC ports are far too often given second-rate treatment in comparison to their console counterparts, so it was important for us to highlight the quality of Resident Evil 4 Remake on PC. A slew of technical and graphical options are available, special controllers like the DualSense are supported, and it even runs like a beauty on the Mac! Of course, this is a list about the best PC games of 2023, but any high-end title that runs well on Mac is worth applauding.
1. Baldur’s Gate III
Undeniably crafted with an immense amount of passion and care from the Belgian game designers at Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate III was arguably the biggest and best game of 2023, regardless of platform. That said, this expansive and highly customizable RPG was always meant to be played with a keyboard and mouse, making Baldur’s Gate III a top-tier PC game first and foremost.
Considering the incredible amount of player freedom, the beautiful storytelling, and every other wonderful tidbit of Baldur’s Gate III, it’s no wonder why so many gamers consider it the best PC game of 2023. Countless critics have awarded it perfect “10 out of 10” review scores, while the gaming industry at large showers Larian Studio with deserved accolades. Simply put, Baldur’s Gate III is a masterwork that required a mammoth amount of dedication, care, and hard work. That definitely makes it a contender for the best PC game of 2023 in our book.
*The content of this blog post was written by a paid freelancer.