I remember when I was a little kid and started playing games, and as I didn’t have an internet connection, I was forced to go single-player. I like to game in single-player, and I’m very mad at some game developers for letting this key component slip by, as it is the case with some popular games. In single-player mode, you are engaged in a story, which revolves around a certain character or location, and the game has an ending, so you can complete the game, unlike multiplayer mode. Some people find it boring, but I like to rest myself from playing online, as it can be very stressful, especially when playing in a team.
What is a Single-Player Game?
Video games that are made to be played by a single person, giving an experience tailored to their tastes and playstyle, are known as Single Player Games. Single-player games provide a more isolated and self-paced experience than multiplayer games, which include numerous players engaging at once.
In these games, players travel alone, assuming the role of a protagonist and moving through a plot or accomplishing goals. They have access to expansive open worlds, combat, puzzle-solving, story-altering decisions, and deep character development.
What are the Best Single-Player Games for PC?
Nevertheless, let me present you the 22 best single-player games for PC. It’s a tough choice, but hey… you got to do what you got to do, so let’s start.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
If you are reading my articles, and I hope that you are reading them, you’ll see that I often mention The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at the top of my list. Well, that’s because this is the greatest game of all time. In this game, you’ll follow the story of Geralt of Rivia, as he ventures into an adventure to search for his adopted daughter Ciri. It’s a beautiful-looking PC game, but it is as equally as brutal.
It’s also a role-playing game, so you’ll collect items, craft armor, and weapons, and fight against numerous types of enemies. Let me warn you before you play it; it will ruin every single game you play after it; it’s that awesome.
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim comes in second place, and it’s also an open-world, role-playing game. Here, you are playing from the first-person perspective of an unknown character, who is immediately thrown into the open world and seeking survival. You’ll encounter dragons, soldiers, monsters, and many other enemies here, and the world is HUGE, so you’ll need more than a hundred hours to explore everything, granting lots of fun.
Also, Skyrim stands for one of the best games ever, and there is deep character customization, leveling, and even stealth mechanics which works really well here. If you don’t like the graphics here, you can install some mods and enjoy your favorite game with HD textures.
3. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
I’m a little tired from all of the open-world PC games now, and by that, I don’t think they are bad, just… you know, the same pattern over and over again. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus brings back the old school shooting, explosive action, and killing Nazis, which is a great combo.
Our hero B.J Blazkowicz makes his return here, and although he is more fragile than ever, he is also stronger than ever, with his main motivation being twins that he and his lover Anya are waiting for. Also, the game looks great, and it’s so brutal that your stomach will twist and clench when you stab that ax into the Nazi’s head or stomach and rip them apart.
4. DOOM
Doom or be doomed! I choose to DOOM in this new shooter that will make your blood boil and your palms sweat as you run and gun demons from hell and send them directly to the grave with every shot from your shotgun.
The demons are ruthless, and there is a wide variety of them, with the same goal regardless of demon- to MUTILATE you. So are you going to stand still and wait for them? Come on, don’t be silly, grab your weaponry and start killing, you have an Earth to save, and Hell to cleanse. Enjoy more than ten hours of a campaign in DOOM, and prepare to feel the brutality of this game. So, are you hardcore enough to play it, or you are scared, like a little girl?
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
Players are taken on a grand adventure across the American wilderness in the late 1800s by Red Dead Redemption 2. As Arthur Morgan, a member of an outlaw gang, you’ll go through a vast and immersive open world brimming with fascinating tales, breathtaking scenery, and engaging gameplay. Take part in thrilling shootouts, pursue side interests like fishing and hunting, and make choices that shape Arthur’s moral compass. For those who enjoy open-world action games, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play because of its stunning aesthetics and gripping plot.
6. Portal 2
Portal 2 takes a slightly laid-back approach, by giving you a Portal gun and making things interesting, as you have to use your brain, instead of your reflexes now. You are trapped with that insane female robot called GLaDOS, who is constantly testing you, and you need to pass the tests by solving the puzzles. Here, you’ll encounter jumping, shooting and hiding from your enemies, as well as thinking carefully about your every step.
The enemies are deadly here, but there aren’t lots of them, so it’s a relaxing singleplayer game. Also, the voice acting is perfect here, so you’ll enjoy silly one-liners of your robot friend Wheatley as he guides you through the game.
7. Far Cry 3
Far Cry 3 was released in 2012, but it’s still a beautiful game, with lots to offer. The game follows a story of several teenagers celebrating a protagonist’s younger brother getting a pilot license. However, they land on a pirate-infested land, and after Brody’s brother was killed, he is forced to fight and survive on the island, with zero knowledge about weapons.
Far Cry 3 will take you on an epic journey through the jungle, as you fight to save your friends, kill enemies, do quests and hunt and scavenge for animals, in order to eat and create your equipment. In my opinion, this is the last great Far Cry game, and it’s surely worth playing.
8. Dark Souls 3
Imagine that real life is hard like Dark Souls 3. Well, better don’t, because this game will kick your butt and laugh at you for dying. Seriously, Dark Souls 3 is the hardest RPG action game for PC I’ve ever played. Upon the beginning of the game, it immediately throws you into its dark and gothic world filled with enemies and bosses that want to kill you.
The boss fights are challenging, and the enemies besides the bosses are just as satisfying to kill and earn various items. However, the bosses are the main stars here, and I’m going to tell you that there are a LOT of them, so prepare to DIE. If you are a rage quitter, then please don’t bother with this game, for the sake of your PC and your mouse and keyboard.
9. Dishonored 2
When Dishonored 2 first came out, it was utterly badly optimized, and that’s why I thought it was a bad game. Dishonored 2, I want to apologize for my irrelevant opinion that’s been replaced with a much better opinion now. You can play with either Corvo or Emily in this game, so there are two timelines. Also, the combat is much improved from the previous games, and the AI will make you regret every time you engage in combat, as they are deadly and have some fast reflexes. Other than that, Dishonored 2 looks very well, and with its better optimization through patches, it’s now a great experience and satisfaction for playing.
10. Celeste
Celeste is a well-liked independent platformer with precise controls, challenging levels, and an emotional story. Play as Madeline, a young woman who is climbing Celeste Mountain in an effort to overcome her inner demons. With precise platforming controls and a striking pixel art aesthetic, Celeste is a fascinating and satisfying experience for anyone searching for a challenging single-player adventure.
11. Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata is a new action RPG that follows a non-linear and very complex story, at least from the first impression. The gameplay here is great, but the optimization isn’t that good. Here, you’ll fight, fly and drive your way through the non-linear levels, and although the game’s main menu doesn’t give a correct impression, you’ll be amazed to see the game’s world and boss fights, which are brutal.
Nier: Automata will let you roam freely in the vast, half-empty, and deteriorated open world of the game, and because the game is very long (about 30 hours), it will make the ending even more satisfying.
12. Metro: Last Light
Metro: Last Light is a masterpiece of a game, combining both stealth and action sequences with great voice acting and touching the story.
You are Artyom, a ranger deployed to search for the Dark One, which is the only remaining specimen that survived the last game’s events. However, as Artyom searches for him, he encounters multiple factions trying to fulfill the goal he has, resulting in great action sequences and unforgettable plot twists and missions, especially the mission on a moving train, where you are fighting to get the Dark One, and then the chilling next mission. That will stay in my mind forever, just amazing!
13. Dying Light
I’m not a fan of zombie games for PC, but Dying Light did a pretty good job here, implementing the cliche theme, but expanding it into much more. The whole setting of the game is on the island, infected with the virus that turned people into a monster, that is dangerous in the day but more dangerous at night. The game features melee combat, but you can also use guns to your advantage, as well as vehicles to faster navigate the world
Generally, Dying Light must be played to be experienced properly, and I also recommend the new expansion of the game, which is also great.
14. Fallout 4
Bethesda is known to develop great single-player games for PC, and Fallout 4 is no exception. This open-world RPG will take you on a journey through the fictional wasteland called Commonwealth, as you are in search of your lost son. However, the game strays a little from the main theme, letting you explore the world and do various quests to gain level, equipment, and money. The plot twist at the end is interesting, but you’ll have to fight and earn your right to get there.
15. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Hideo Kojima, a mastermind behind MGS series brought us his final masterpiece with MGSV: The Phantom Pain. This stealth open-world game brings a great story, and simple gameplay, with lots of features. For example, its open-world nature will let you explore the levels, find out more about the backstory, and also find your companions such as D-Dog which is very cute but will also kill enemies for you.
It’s a long game, so don’t expect to finish it in eight hours or less. You’ll play this game for more than 20 hours, but it’s well worth it. And that ending… oh my God, it’s still stuck in my head, although I played it two years ago.
16. Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 is one of the most controversial games in recent years, and it’s mainly because of the ending of the game. The reason I didn’t mention Andromeda is that I didn’t find it as compelling and good as this one. Our commander Shepard, the savior of the galaxy returns here, and he is more powerful than ever.
You are again tasked with a mission to save the world from the demise and kill the Illusive Man, by forming your team, leveling up, and upgrading your character and the team. The game is more focused on the action now, but there are engaging dialogues, where you can interact with the other NPCs, as well as make important decisions. Definitely the best game in the series for me!
17. Rise of the Tomb Raider
If you like action adventures, then Rise of Tomb Raider is just for you. This beautiful game will once again put you in the role of the famous heroine Lara Croft on her venture to the ancient city of Kitezh, to find an artifact that grants immortality. You’ll encounter various enemies and puzzles to solve, and all of that is presented with sharp and great graphics that will also put your computer to the test.
Aside from a single-player campaign here, this game boasts a multiplayer component, but it’s not popular and not that good. Our focus here is single-player, so there you’ve got it. Grab it and enjoy.
18. Superhot
Superhot might seem easy to you, but believe me, I’ve had a very tough time with this game. Superhot boasts a cartoonish artwork, with your character and enemies being faceless, human-shaped figures. Also, the game plays by advancing the time every time you move, so if you stand still, your enemies will stand still. It’s like a chess game, where you have to watch your every step to not get killed.
19. Firewatch
Firewatch will not offer you any combat and blood-boiling scenarios, BUT it will offer you a great story and cartoonish graphics. Here, you are in the role of Henry, the protagonist who takes a job in 1989 as a fire lookout in a nearby forest.
The world here is beautiful, and you’ll be able to explore it to the fullest, also the story is a classic mystery that will always leave you with additional questions, but also give the answers in the end. I remember playing it for five hours straight, as it’s so interesting and engaging. Try it; you won’t regret a single second of it.
20. Bioshock Infinite
In my first impression, I thought – “Well, what a beautiful game this is”, all of that until the combat started. Don’t let Bioshock Infinite fool you with its stunning visuals, as this game is all about killing with your guns and melee attacks that will leave your enemies mutilated and with blood all over the place. Our protagonist’s friend Elizabeth is also a worthy companion, always helping you decide where to go and what to do. It’s a great action game, with a satisfying single-player campaign, that you can get for just a few dollars.
21. Undertale
Undertale sports an old-school 8-bit graphics, and it’s even more amazing as it’s developed by the SINGLE developer. Yes, there is only one man behind the project. It’s a story-driven game, with an emphasis on making decisions, engaging in dialogues, and beating the bosses. I was scared as hell of that final boss called Flowey. It’s the creepiest thing I ever saw in video games!
22. Cuphead
Cuphead is like a Dark Souls of the 2D action genre. Here, you’ll shoot, dodge, jump and crawl your way through the colorful levels, inspired by the 30s cartoons. The game is all about shooting, and your Cuphead can shoot directly from the finger, which we always tried to do as kids, and miserably failed. It’s a hard game, but you can play it in two-player mode if you have a gamepad. It’s one of the rare games that received an almost perfect 10/10 score, so I guess it’s worth checking out.