Playing video games used to be a nerdy activity in the past decades. Well, it still is, but it is more widely accepted, which, we suspect, happened as soon as people started money from playing video games. As such, boys are heavily influenced by either watching others play them, or playing the games themselves on a computer, console, handheld, or a smartphone. But, being a boy is a vague period in young male humans. It can be appropriately used for both children and adolescents alike. For that reason, our list of best PC games for boys will reflect various levels of maturity.
1. Minecraft
Minecraft, an open-world game for PC, is a very unique, and many wonder how it got so popular. This is because the entire world is built out of blocks, grouped into chunks, thus not making the graphics look so attractive. But, it is the premise of a Survival Mode that gets people addicted. You spawn naked, and start hunting for dirt, wood, stone, coal, iron, gold, diamonds, and other supplies. Plus, you have the freedom of crafting and building to your heart’s content. The world is nearly infinite and procedurally generated. There is also a Creative Mode, where you can use any and all resources available in the game without obtaining them through conventional means. This allows you to express your creativity to the maximum.
2. Roblox
Roblox is considered a great Minecraft alternative, but it is not a game itself. It is a toolkit of resources needed to create your iteration of the game. You pick the rules, the world, the game mode. You have all the help of the Roblox team through the forums and written guides. There are multiple stories of boys becoming millionaires by creating a Roblox-based game mode, such as Jailbreak. Yes, there is plenty of traveling, crafting, and scavenging for resources as in Minecraft. But some game modes go a step further, allowing you to develop businesses, build houses, drive vehicles, and truly enjoy roleplaying to the maximum.
3. Rocket League
In our opinion, Rocket League is one of the most underrated driving games for PC. This is because the game is very unusual. In the main game mode, you play football (soccer) with vehicles, typically cars. Yes, vehicles! Although it sounds weird, you’ve got to see it for yourself to realize how fun it is. And because it can be played via LAN, it can also be a replacement for watching a football game with your friends.
4. Cities: Skylines
The game is often described as a modern take on simulating cities. Have you, or your boy, ever wanted to be in full control of an entire city but being a Mayor in real life is too far a stretch? Well, you can do it virtually! You’re on a quest to start a city from scratch, slowly developing houses, buildings, roadways, and highways, slowing or speeding up traffic. As the city grows bigger, your task becomes significantly harder and will require your assistance more and more. This game will develop your brain’s capacity, for sure.
5. Fortnite
Does the concept of jumping off an airplane on a remote island, and being forced to fight for your life and be the last man (or woman) standing sound good? Then Fortnite, a third-person shooter and one of the most popular military games for PC, is the right game for you or your boy. Although, you won’t be jumping from an airplane but a flying bus. You also won’t exactly get a hardcore military experience either, but it’ll be close. You’ll get to collect guns, ammunition, scavenge things for resources, construct a building on the spot to give you a sniper’s nest or a shield from enemy attacks, and much more.
6. Apex Legends
Riding the wave of Fortnite, we present to you a very similar game, as mentioned in our Apex Legends review. It’s more graphically advanced, and sports a bigger variety of heroes, e.g. Legends, not just re-skins. An Origin exclusive, just like Fortnite is Epic Games exclusive, it is one of the most popular FPS games and online games to play with friends in general. You also drop from the sky and land in a random spot. And, you’ll also struggle to be the first one to pick up weapons and ammunition, and eliminate the opponents nearby that are trying to do the same.
7. Forza Horizon 4
Do you crave drifting but find yourself too unskilled in real life, or the activity too dangerous for your health or your freedom? Want to feel a high-speed chase against opponents in luxury cars, but don’t feel like renting a car yourself? That’s perfect – you have Forza Horizon 4 to simulate the experience of adrenaline-pumping car racing. Beautiful graphics, a vast open-world, extremely fast cars, a plethora of challenges, and commonly, a lot of lost races and second spots. But that’s okay, it’s just the thing you need to boost your spirits to finally come out on top.
8. Cuphead
Both a singleplayer and a two-player game, Cuphead has an old school feel because it’s inspired by the cartoons of the 1930s. It has watercolor backgrounds, jazz recordings, hand-drawn animations, very challenging enemies. In summary – a lot of hurdles to overcome. There’s plenty of secrets to unveil, and moves to unlock if you are to pay the debt you owe to the devil. Just be aware, this run-and-gun game has broken even the most patient gamers, and sent them into a fit of rage.
9. Overwatch
Overwatch is a Blizzard Activision’s first-person shooter/gun game, and one of the best known multiplayer games for PC, just like their Diablo and World of Warcraft games are. Although there are plenty of heroes to choose from, more than 30, you need to pick the one that will benefit your 5-person team the most. This also depends on the map, the objective (attacking or defending objectives, defending a payload), and the characters the enemy team chose.
10. Subnautica
Here’s a vast game that will keep both you and your boy engaged, amazed, and entertained. You’ll be a single diver in water with no end, who crash-landed there inside a Life Pod with no knowledge. You’ll be playing detective, solving puzzles, and simply exploring trenches, underwater rivers, plateaus, caves, reefs while struggling to keep your oxygen levels, food, and water optimal. Besides building bases, hunting, and simply surviving, Subnautica can also be played using VR (Virtual Reality) gadgets.
11. The Sims 4
The Sims 4 has a lot of similarities with Cities: Skylines. This is mainly with building houses, roads, and crafting an entire city. But the focus isn’t on such a big perspective, but more on the members of those communities. Start families, introduce new family members, customize their houses and yards inside and out, pick their occupations, hobbies, clothing, habits, and every aspect of their lives. Expansion Packs allow you to go to parties, vacations, use magic, go to university, take care of pets, become famous, and much more.
12. Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Shadow Of The Tomb Raider is one of the most beautiful 3D games we’ve ever seen. Some people use it to demonstrate the HDR capabilities of their TVs or monitors, and we don’t blame them. But it’s not only pretty – it is also very immersive. The game puts your brain to work to solve numerous puzzles, and survive by fighting enemies and creatures, uncovering hidden treasures, and just exploring the thick jungle as Lara Croft, an archaeologist, and a badass. But, even though stealth is possible, it’s an action-adventure game for a reason, so be prepared.
13. Need for Speed: Heat
Boys like cars, that’s a fact. Boys also like to rebel and dodge the rules, that’s a fact too. Need for Speed: Heat recognized that. They put the player in the shoes of a driver escaping the police’s rogue, corrupt police force, who also must race against the elite of the city’s street racing. This creates a lot of conflict and launches the player into a fast-paced action-adventure from the very first second. And it only gets better from there, by painting, customizing, and upgrading your starter car, or purchasing newer, faster models with money you earn racing.
14. MudRunner
Is the boy in question excited to start driving his first car and hyped up on Need for Speed? If so, MudRunner will be a perfect game for him and a very educational one. But it won’t be in the way you expect. As the name suggests, you’ll experience plenty of difficulties in this singleplayer or online, 3-player co-op off-road experience. You’ll be driving 19 all-terrain vehicles such as 4×4 cars and trucks, all with their purpose and characteristics. Load and unload logs from deep, muddy forests, go through shallow rivers and swamps, and leave before the night falls. The game is as intense and realistic as it gets!
15. Terraria
Looking for a Minecraft alternative that isn’t Roblox and doesn’t require a strong PC? Terraria is the solution because it’s entirely 2D and thus easy-to-run. You also start by chopping the nearest set of trees and gathering enough resources to survive the first night. You build your character with armor, weapons, and skills, and slowly move on to complete dungeons and world bosses. Plus, besides PC, Terraria is also available for PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and even Nintendo Switch. Get a friend or family member addicted, and playing it will become a great bonding experience.
16. Rust
If you like Minecraft and Terraria, you’ll like Rust, we promise. It is essentially a realistic 3D version of Terraria, but not built of blocks. The concept is very similar – you spawn without a penny to your name, with only a loincloth. You’ll have to stealth past enemies to collect resources and start building a shelter to survive the night. And, except enemy players who are looking to break in, kill you, and steal your loot, you also have to worry about elements, one of which is raising radiation.
17. ARK: Survival Evolved
Ever wondered how it feels to co-exist with dinosaurs, from timid, small ones, to apex predators such as T-Rex? Well, you’ll be fighting for your life every second of the day while playing ARK: Survival Evolved, a paid game, and one of the most popular dinosaur games for PC. You can build bases, scavenge the island for resources, tame and fight dinosaurs, craft armor and weapons, and more. In the end, choose to become friends or foes with other players on the server – it’s up to you!
18. Left 4 Dead II
Does your boy have extra energy that cannot be contained? In that case, Left 4 Dead II, a horror game, might be the solution. He will be put in a scary situation, with only 3 friends and a horde of zombies coming to claim their lives. He’ll need all the extra energy to use resources and an arsenal of weapons to mow them down fast enough. And, although they seem mindless, zombie NPCs are designed to be smarter than you think, which will put the player in even more trouble. The game can be played solo, with bots, LAN with 3 friends, or online, by joining a server.
19. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
There is a reason The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is considered one of the best-rated games. We share the remark as one of the games with the best graphics. It is also one of the most immersive RPG you’ll ever play. You are Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher – a creature that has a human-like appearance. However, Witchers have developed a proficiency in using magic and swords so they can assassinate even the most powerful monsters. As such, you’ll slay a nearly limitless number of monsters and humans alike. You’ll also complete quests in every place you visit. Also, there is a massive open world to explore, and you only have a horse. That means you’ll spend a lot of time in awe of the scenery.
20. Grand Theft Auto V
We know, we know, violence and killing aren’t appropriate for boys – we were aware of it with Left 4 Dead II. Well, here’s a counterargument. How old is the boy? Hasn’t he been exposed to those things on the Internet or the TV already? After you think about that, read our GTA V review. Then, allow the kid to experience air combat with jet packs, airplanes, and helicopters, drive fast cars and armored vehicles, rob, explore the in-game open world, be a ninja, or use an arsenal of weapons to run in guns blazing.