There are games, and then there are the ones that break review scales, spawn modding cults, and live rent-free in every “best of” conversation. So, we figured it was time to join the fray and contribute our own short, messy, glorious list of the highest-rated PC games ever.
A mix of critic favorites and Steam legends, here are the titles that keep popping up on replay lists, nostalgia scrolls, and—of course—on Displate (where their iconic designs become posters you can actually own).
Why This List? (The Method, Quick and Nerdy)
We didn’t just glance at one scoreboard and call it a day. We dove into critic rankings, SteamDB charts, Steam250 lists, Reddit debates, Discord threads—and even our own Displate sales data. (Shoutout to everyone rocking DOOM posters in 2025.)
The result? A mash-up of the highest-rated PC games ever—not just critically acclaimed, but genuinely loved by players worldwide. These titles survive both internet arguments and the test of time.
1. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut — The Brainy, Emotional RPG
Why it made our list: If you think RPGs need swords, you’ve never debated philosophy with your own consciousness. Disco Elysium rewrote the rulebook with a narrative-first approach, razor-sharp writing, and plenty of dark humor. Critics love it, and it regularly tops best-reviewed PC game lists—for good reason.
Nerd Fact: Its cultures and nations are inspired by real-life counterparts, giving players a sense of familiarity as they navigate characters and environments.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed Disco Elysium posters at Displate.
2. Half-Life 2 — The Shooter That Taught Physics New Tricks
Why it made our list: Valve didn’t just make a shooter—they reinvented interactive storytelling. Half-Life 2 set new benchmarks with its pacing, advanced AI, and that legendary gravity gun your friends still brag about. It remains a staple in every highest-rated PC games roundup.
Nerd Fact: Father Grigori isn’t just a priest—he’s the “father” of all headcrab zombies in the game, earning the title both for his priesthood and the creatures he spawns.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3 — CRPG Royalty, Now Fully Modernized
Why it made our list: Larian Studios raised world-building to a new level with Baldur’s Gate 3. With flawless writing, acting, and animation, it’s endlessly replayable and widely acclaimed—a contemporary classic and a must-have on any “best PC games ever” list.
Nerd Fact: Fans once claimed there were 17,000 endings in Baldur’s Gate 3. In reality, there are only a few official conclusions—but the possibilities still feel massive.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed Dungeons and Dragons posters at Displate.
4. Portal 2 — Puzzles, Jokes, and a Homicidal AI with Attitude
Why it made our list: Perfect puzzle design meets razor-sharp dialogue. Portal 2 remains one of those rare top-rated PC games that both critics and fans agree on. Smart, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving, it keeps popping up in community polls year after year.
Nerd Fact: Originally, Portal 2 wasn’t supposed to have any portals. The developers planned a new mechanic called “F-Stop.” Tester feedback was positive—but players were disappointed at the absence of portals. So, naturally, they gave the people what they wanted.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed Portal posters at Displate.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — The Monster-Slaying Saga Where Choices Bite
Why it made our list: Massive quests, morally gray choices, and unforgettable characters cement The Witcher 3 as a modern classic. It’s the gold standard for narrative depth and open-world design, often topping lists of the best-reviewed PC games ever.
Nerd Fact: The open-world map in The Witcher 3 is massive—if you rode an actual horse across it, it would take around 40 minutes in real time.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed The Witcher posters at Displate.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2 — Cowboy Cinema on a PC
Why it made our list: Rockstar showed that games can be slow, precise, and devastatingly beautiful. With near-perfect scores across the board, Red Dead Redemption 2 delivers one of the most cinematic experiences on PC. For us, it’s a permanent fixture in any “best PC games ever” conversation.
Nerd Fact: Red Dead Redemption 2 takes detail to an extraordinary level, with countless tiny touches that often go unnoticed. For example, the animals in this ecosystem actually hunt each other—next time, pause and watch nature in action.
7. Grand Theft Auto V — Open-World Playground and Chart-Topper
Why it made our list: Behind this franchise lies one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed PC games ever. GTA V’s massive modding community and endlessly refreshed online mode keep it at the top of charts and firmly cement its status as one of the highest-rated PC games.
Nerd Fact: Grand Theft Auto V was the most expensive game ever created at its 2013 release, costing an astounding $265 million.
8. Stardew Valley — Tiny Pixel Farm, Massive Community Love
Why it made our list: What began as a humble indie project has grown into a community-driven legend. Stardew Valley is chill, endlessly replayable, and mod-friendly, proving that heart can matter as much as scale. It regularly ranks among the best PC games ever, according to Steam250.
Nerd Fact: Placing bombs but keep getting caught in the crossfire? Eat while you place them to save time and reduce self-damage.
9. Elden Ring — The Titan of Modern Open-World Combat
Why it made our list: FromSoftware took its punishing formula and unleashed it in a vast, mysterious open world. Elden Ring is brutal, beautiful, and universally adored, earning rave reviews and fan devotion. It’s undeniably one of the top-rated PC games of all time.
Nerd Fact: Most of the light illuminating the lands doesn’t come from the sun—it comes from the Erdtree.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed Elden Ring posters at Displate.
10. DOOM — The Old-School Classic That Started It All
Why it made our list: Yes, it’s old. But so is pizza, and nobody calls that irrelevant. DOOM practically invented the FPS genre, paving the way for everything on this list. Still ported, modded, and celebrated today, it’s gaming history in neon-red pixels—a best-reviewed PC game for the ages.
Nerd Tip: If you want to step into this hellish world but aren’t sure where to start, check out our blog on the DOOM game order, from the 1993 original to the Dark Ages.
Bring your favorite stories to life — explore officially licensed DOOM posters at Displate.
Top-Rated. Fan-Loved. Wall-Mounted.
These PC classics didn’t just break review scores—they broke into our hearts. Now, your walls can too. Displate’s officially licensed metal posters turn your favorite games into bold, magnetic masterpieces, from Disco Elysium’s moral labyrinths to DOOM’s hellfire chaos, and every demon-slaying, gravity-gun-wielding moment in between. Easy to hang, swap, and show off, they’re the ultimate way to level up your space and celebrate the legends that defined a generation of gamers.
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