Heroes and heroines have long captivated our imagination, whether they were real people or fictional characters. Their abilities to act upon their instincts, show courage, strength, craftsmanship, and win glory and honor inspired all of us to be better in our lives. And while the concept used to be tied to books, TV shows, and movies, video games have also carved their chunk of the multimedia industry. They’re even better because instead of learning about a hero, you get to be the hero! With that said, here are the best hero games for PC.
1. Batman: Arkham City
To people who still hold a tiny shred of hope that there is a chance for them to become heroes in real life, Batman is the idol. He has no superpowers and relies on his wealth, wits, gadgets, fighting skills, research, Batmobile, Alfred, and of course, his costume. How would you like to feel like a Gotham City’s protector, especially at night? Imagine driving at a fast speed, cleverly solving crime through detective work, sneaking out and about, or jumping in and beating up bad guys senseless? That’s only a small part of the game.
2. Saints Row 4
If you want to be a hero to a lot of people, one of the best positions is to become the President. In this case, the President of the United States after an alien invasion. And not only that, to protect the common folk, you’ll gain a set of handy superpowers, giving you the chance to fight while flying, run at superspeed, shoot guns, drive and drift in fast cars, and much more. The game can be described as Grand Theft Auto V on steroids, and with humor, customization, and fantasy added to the mix.
3. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Being a hero that rose through the ranks and being the chosen one are two different things. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, you’ll be the latter, one everyone has been waiting for, named The Inquisitor. Demons are spawning through a tear in the sky in this gruesome epic world, and behind it, all is a man named Corypheus, a corrupted former Magister (and formerly human, too). You must use the combination of physical and psychological prowess to come out on top and save humanity from certain extinction.
4. Sleeping Dogs
In Sleeping Dogs, an action-adventure game, you will play as Wei Shen. He is an undercover police officer who infiltrates a Chinese triad named Sun On Yee. Immediately, you are sucked into the crime world and forced to deliver a countless amount of beating, sneaking like a ninja, shooting, slashing, driving fast cars, and completing gruesome orders for the triad. But, you can also choose to complete police side missions simultaneously, and avoid reckless driving and injuring or killing civilians. This is tough when you’re constantly tempted by expensive cars, a chance to own multiple houses, and date gorgeous women.
5. Injustice 2
Here’s a hero story, or rather a superhero story, sharing the tales of 26 different characters from the DC Comics’ roster. It’s not what you would expect – this is a one-on-one fighting game, similar to Tekken. This doesn’t take away from its intricacy or awesomeness, as the graphics are pretty decent, and there is a singleplayer story for those who like to fly solo. You can customize the superheroes’ stats like in the prequel, but there is also an RPG element, which a unique combination. It’s called the Gear System, allowing equipment and costume pieces to drop, thus enabling appearance and abilities customization for the first time.
6. Lego Marvel Superheroes
How about a game with Marvel superheroes you know and love, but they are stylized as Lego characters? Would the fact that you can play as 180 unique superheroes to defeat Doctor Doom and Loki, who seek to conquer the Earth, float your boat? In addition to an awesome, rich singleplayer campaign with a total of 15 missions, you can also go on 11 side missions, one of which includes saving Stan Lee. Furthermore, you’ll also get to visit the Lego-themed version of New York City, but also of Asgard, the home of Thor.
7. Red Dead Redemption 2
This is where the lines between hero and villain get blurred, but you’ll be mostly the former. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game set during the best days of cowboys, in the Wild West. That means there will be a lot of revolvers, shotguns, horses, carriages, dusty old towns and saloons, and a lot of combat. Many praise the game as one of the best-paid games for PC, not only because of its stunning graphics. It also them be both a vigilante, villain, and a hero, depending on the situation and from whose perspective.
8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
One of the best-rated games for PC is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In this singleplayer open-world RPG game, you’ll play as Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher, a warrior and hero of the world, on a quest to slay monsters and corrupt humans alike. In his arsenal, he has a trustworthy horse who carries him across great distances, and the charm to attract beautiful women. He also has two swords and the matching skills to use them as a lethal force of destruction, as well as the ability to use magic. Besides saving the world through murder, Geralt also has to solve the main puzzle – to find a child of prophecy.
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
A premise similar to Dragon Age: Inquisition, but also vastly different in other regards is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The protagonist is Dragonborn, but you are free to choose the race and customize his appearance. There are a plethora of main and side quests in this vast open world, a lot of inventory and weapons to acquire, and plenty of combat to partake in. But all of this pales in comparison to the end-goal. That is to slay the large, terrifying dragon named Alduin the World-Eater, who threatens to destroy everything you know.
10. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Going back to superheroes, here’s an action RPG game that features a large pool of villains and heroes alike. You can form a team of up to 4 different characters, which are swappable, and go through dungeons, complete missions, and follow a very rich, comics-based, storyline. Besides regular combat and abilities, you’ll get to witness something unique. An attack, known as Fusion, allows you to combine the powers of two characters into a singular, powerful attack. Each character shares a unique fusion with another character, which is a discovery process in itself.
11. Raft
Being a hero is noble but taxing on the mind and body. An example is building a raft. You need to ensure it will allow you to survive a long journey floating across the majestic sea. This is only the beginning, as the four-panel wooden raft turns into a floating kingdom if you start diving, hunting sharks and fish and scavenging resources from wreckages and coral reefs. Even better – you don’t have to endure the journey alone because Raft is also an online Co-Op game. There is also a PvP (player vs. player) aspect, adding more danger, but also a chance to steal someone’s resources.
12. Outward
Outward is a heroic tale of epic proportions, which uses its open world, survival, and RPG elements to make a hero of just about anyone. Set in a magical world of Aurai, it is truly a challenging adventure. While you have some magic powers, they are very taxing and hard to pull off. That means you’ll have to use other means to survive enemy attacks. Add to that danger such as lethal environment, diseases, dehydration, hunger, thirst, sleep deprivation, and more. Furthermore, it is available as a singleplayer, co-op, or split-screen. The game is also constantly saved to prevent you from re-playing checkpoints and changing your decisions.
13. Doom Eternal
Here’s a great PC game for boys, if said boys don’t mind getting terrified when overwhelmed by multiple opponents. But why is it a hero game, you might ask? Well, it fits the narrative perfectly. In this first-person shooter, you will play as Doomguy or Doom Slayer. He is tasked with disposing of the demonic forces of Hell. They are spawning all around the Earth and have already wiped 60% of the population. Using an arsenal of superhuman abilities, guns, melee weapons, parkour abilities, and the environment, you have to stop the antagonist, Maykr, from summoning Icon of Sin, the world-eating demon who plans on consuming mankind.
14. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is painfully underrated, primarily because of a movie of the same name, released the same year. And while the movie is considered one of the worst X-Men movies, the game is surprisingly fun and action-packed. You’ll truly feel like a hero, using your brawling skills and adamantium claws to rip through enemies. Gruesome, gory, but loads of fun to be a hero killing machine. Just be wary – the digital copies aren’t officially sold anymore, but physical ones can be bought second-hand.
15. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
If you have been itching to try a really hardcore hero game, here’s the chance. It’s historically accurate, for the most part, and set in the year 1403. You’ll start as Henry, the son of a blacksmith, whose goal is to restore the rightful ruler to the kingdom of Bohemia. But, through every choice you make, which affects the storyline, you’ll sooner or later become a killing machine and start feeling like a noble knight. The voice acting, hard-to-beat enemies, a lot of riding, running, and dying repeatedly are guaranteed to make the journey challenging, and the result satisfying, once you get there.
16. Prototype 2
How about being a James Heller, a mutated human, for a hero? He is capable of jumping down and across the buildings, moving at inhuman speeds, and all without losing precious health. That health will be useful when you start slaughtering the enemies using superstrength, of course. It’s hard to define him as a superhero you’re familiar with, so imagine someone with traits of Wolverine, Spiderman, and Superman, and you get an idea. We also don’t want to spoil anything. But, be on a lookout for a gut-wrenching plot twist at one point. It will make you rethink the concept of being a villain or a hero.
17. Dark Souls III
Being a hero is hard. But it’s just a saying until you start playing Dark Souls III. The game seems to be made to force you to start doubting whether you’re a hero in the first place – odds are definitely not in your favor here. The creatures before a boss pose a challenge to survive, but the bosses themselves are larger-than-life, quick, cunning, powerful, and will crush you like a bug. That is until you get the hang of their moves and spells. Even then, one wrong step, and you’ll be caught in a flurry of attacks and end up dead. You need a solid strategy, quick fingers, peripheral vision, and a laser focus to prevail here.
18. Marvel’s Spider-man
Marvel’s Spider-Man is an iconic game for PlayStation 4 and has picked up a lot of praise. But wait, isn’t this a list dedicated to games for PC? While there is no PC port and probably won’t be, PlayStation offered the game for PC as part of their PlayStation Now subscription between April and July 2020. We suspect this will happen again, as part of the promotion, or become a permanent fix. You’ll technically be streaming the game from PS to PC, even if you don’t own one. And better yet, your in-game progress will be saved to the cloud. That allows you to continue where you left off if you decide to purchase the console.
19. State of Decay 2
Being a hero often means overcoming difficulties and beating impossible odds. This is truly the case with the State of Decay 2, a third-person action, adventure, and survival game. You are required to scavenge and manage resources while trying to either kill or avoid hordes of incoming zombies. Even better, the second installment put the focus on building a community, instead of flying solo. This means you can play with AI or with up to 3 other players as multiplayer.
20. Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice is not a classical hero game. You are a hero, sure, but only from your perspective. As Wolf, a master samurai and shinobi, you’ll seek revenge for your clan lord, who was kidnapped by the enemy clan. You can already guess this quickly from diplomacy into violence, brutal killings, and fighting multiple opponents. But it doesn’t have to be – you’re the hero of your story. You can choose to act like a ninja and avoid attracting attention until you get to the objective. We would also like to add that in 2019, Sekiro was named “Game of the Year” at The Game Awards.