We cover a little bit of everything here at PC Invasion, from cracking indie games to AAA titles. That said, PC gaming is a big part of our identity, and the platform offers experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Let me show you our picks for the top 15 Best PC Exclusives of All Time.
The top 15 games you can only play on PC
These titles are in no particular order, as they include a broad selection of genres. While many games are multi-platform, every game on this list can only be played on PC at the time of writing.
Half-Life 2 VR
I know Half-Life 2 was technically released on consoles as part of the superb Orange Box back in 2007, but that was back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Half-Life 2 is still one of the greatest first-person shooters, and it can even be enjoyed in VR.
The crazy thing about this entry is the Source VR Mod Team released this addition completely free if you own the base game. It’s a phenomenal experience and a delectable treat for fans of the standard game. VR offers unparalleled immersion, and great care has been taken to give newbies a comfortable ride.
Escape From Tarkov
I’ve played hundreds of shooters over the years, and nothing comes close to the feelings of tenseness and panic in Escape From Tarkov.
EFT is a brutally unforgiving Extraction Shooter by Battlestate Games. This title has giant sprawling maps, impressive sound design, and enough weapon customization to make firearms enthusiasts drool.
Several titles have tried and failed to emulate EFT’s success in the Extraction Shooter genre. BSG knows its title won’t appeal to everyone, but it leans into this and has crafted an experience you can’t find anywhere else.
If you take the time to learn how to play Tarkov, it can easily consume thousands of hours of your free time.
Guild Wars 2
MMOs offer a social gaming experience like no other. The downside is they are a time and financial commitment as most require a monthly payment. Guild Wars 2 is one of the rare MMOs without a subscription model, and it’s a darn good one at that.
The high fantasy world of Tyria is ripe for adventure, and the five races that inhabit it each have unique traits. The story is told through exceptional voice-acted exchanges, and there’s enough content to keep you busy for thousands of hours.
This title is the first MMO I ever stuck with, as it’s accessible for newcomers to the genre. If you’re intrigued by MMOs but don’t know where to start, I don’t think you can top ArenaNet’s legendary Guild Wars 2.
Counterstrike 2
While many have mixed feelings about the “skins” aspect of Counterstrike 2, there’s no denying its position in the market as a top first-person shooter. Counterstrike 2 is the long-awaited sequel to Counterstrike: Global Offensive and brings a much-needed spruce up to the series.
Counterstrike 2 is a ferociously competitive shooter at its core. It’s also accessible, and even an inexperienced spectator can figure out what’s going on. Don’t mistake accessible with ‘easy.’ The Counterstrike 2 community are bloodthirsty demons with god-like aiming at higher levels. If you’re looking for a hyper-competitive shooter with an unreachable skill ceiling, Counterstrike 2 might be for you.
Half-Life: Alyx
I didn’t want to add another VR game to this list, let alone another Half-Life, but hear me out.
Half-Life Alyx is the most master-crafted VR experience I’ve ever had. The gunplay and graphics are superb, and the gameplay is so smooth; it’s like you’re there.
Besides Beat Saber (which is also on PSVR), Alyx is one of those rare titles that’s so good it’s worth buying a headset for. You will need a beefy rig to run it, but City 17 never looked or felt so good. As with most VR shooters, a regular controller can’t compete with physically drawing a gun from your side and manually aiming.
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia offers an interactive horror experience like no other. You play as Paranormal Investigator, trying to identify what apparition haunts each site.
There are plenty of jump scares, but Phasmophobia masterfully ramps up tension without them. Exploring dark hallways alone or with a group isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s unforgettable with friends.
The voice recognition feature even allows you to try and communicate with spirits. It works so much better than it should and is frightfully creepy if you get into it.
Planet Zoo
Planet Zoo is the first of several “management” style games on this list. While some titles in the genre make it over to consoles, only a select few do so without ruining the controls.
Planet Zoo manages to find that sweet spot between accessibility and complexity. If you just want to plonk some animals in an enclosure and aww at them going about their days, you can do that. On the flip side, you can also customize every facet of your Zoo, from the staff to how fences look. You’ll want everything to look perfect as the visuals in Planet Zoo are top-notch, as are the animal animations.
Many iconic Zoo sims have come and gone over the years, and Planet Zoo is the best in the genre to take that mantle.
Rimworld
Rimworld is an unforgiving space colony management simulator that’s complex and, at times, downright hilarious. The graphics are nothing to write home about, but managing your Colony and making it thrive is addictive.
My favorite part of Rimworld is the Storyteller, who dictates what fortunes and tragedies your Colony must deal with. No two playthroughs are the same, and some of the scenarios you can find yourself in are unforgettable.
One of my favorite Rimworld memories is when I brought an unlikable but hard worker into the Colony. One day, he suddenly died. Within hours of this event, my inhabitants threw a party, and while Rimworld didn’t tell me it was to celebrate his passing, it sure felt like it! If you’re up for an unforgiving but incredible management sim, you can’t go wrong with Ludeon Studios’ Rimworld.
Valorant
I’ve already sung Counterstrike 2’s praise, but we can’t talk about competitive shooters without mentioning Valorant. While Valorant can arguably wear the Hero Shooter label like Overwatch, there’s a much stronger emphasis on gunplay.
Shooting in Valorant has a ludicrous skill ceiling, and decent players understand the value of holding angles and team tactics. Character abilities are usually tactical skills instead of tools to wipe out the enemy team.
Valorant is hard to get into, especially if your shooting skills aren’t on point. But if you persevere, you’ll find a lot to love in one of the most competitive shooters on the planet.
Project Zomboid
Zombie games have been done to death, and as much as they are enjoyable, many feel bereft of creativity. If you can overlook the simplistic visuals of Project Zomboid, you’ll find one of the most complex survival sims on the market.
In Project Zombied, you’re a random survivor of a zombie apocalypse. You’re not a badass, and death is inevitable no matter what you do. If you get bitten once, you will become part of the undead horde.
The harsh reality of Project Zombied is you’re supposed to die. It may sound bleak, but character customization is impressively in-depth, as are the game’s numerous systems.
Things can go south in an instant in Project Zomboid, but that’s the part the player base enjoys. This is a game where the journey is more important than the destination. It’s not for everyone, but this survival game is furiously addictive when you get into it.
Dwarf Fortress
I’ve already mentioned Rimworld as it’s a steller colony simulator. If you’re hungry for more from the genre, you may also enjoy Dwarf Fortress.
Dwarf Fortress is an old-school colony sim with roguelike mechanics. Don’t let the simplistic visuals fool you; Dwarf Fortress is exceptionally complex, and a few poor decisions can spell the end of your precious dwarves.
This is a title that’s beloved and has a diehard fanbase, but I couldn’t get into this one. That said, I can see the appeal. There’s a brutal learning curve, and new players can access an overwhelming amount of build options and systems.
If you’re into management sims and are willing to learn from your mistakes, you’ll find a lot to love in Dwarf Fortress.
Total War: Medieval 2
Many of the Total War games could have made the list, and if you’re not a fan of Medieval warfare, you’ve still got a ton of options. That said, many revere Total War: Medieval 2 as the series peak.
The Total War games are beloved PC management/war simulators and have been around for decades. Medieval 2 almost feels like two games in one, as it’s part turn-based while retaining live combat.
While the graphics are a little basic in Medieval 2, the game still nails the grand scope of battles as you watch massive armies locked in combat from above. Considering the complexity, the Total War games are quite approachable, and if you enjoy Medieval 2, you’ll likely enjoy other games in the series.
World of Warcraft
What PC-exclusive list would be complete without the big daddy MMO of them all, World of Warcraft? This game should need no introduction, but WoW has been around since 2004 and sports the largest player base in the genre.
As you may expect from a game with almost 2 decades of history behind it, there’s an overwhelming amount of content. With this in mind, it’s admirable how smooth the beginner experience is, and WoW remains a title that can be enjoyed for hundreds or even thousands of hours.
If you’re new to the genre, I still recommend Guild Wars 2 from earlier as the ideal entry point, as there’s no subscription fee.
League of Legends
League of Legends often makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. The community is known for its toxicity; as someone who used to play, I can confirm all of those rumors are true. That said, League of Legends is fun and addictive, especially if you have a friend to guide you.
League of Legends is a MOBA where two teams battle to destroy the opposition’s base. There are well over 100 champions with diverse skill sets and playstyles.
If you’ve got a competitive streak, you’ll find a lot to love in League of Legends. There’s plenty of room for strategies and counterplay, and it feels fantastic when your plans work out, and you win the game for your team. If you’re interested, I urge you to try it out and not let the community’s reputation scare you away.
Lethal Company
Survival Horror games are great as a solitary experience but unbeatable with friends. Lethal Company is a phenomenal horror game where your team visits abandoned facilities in search of salvage. These facilities are inhabited by all manner of nasties, from haunted masks to boxes on legs.
Lethal Company has its fair share of jump scares but has downright terrifying ambient noise to keep you on edge. Monsters can also react to your voice comms. You can try to alert your team and suffer the consequences yourself or let your teammates die while you quietly giggle about it.
If you’re thinking of taking Lethal Company for a spin, the beginner experience is quite punishing as you’re left to discover many things by yourself. Still, it’s worth slogging through as the game offers a unique blend of scares and silly moments you won’t find elsewhere.
Those are my picks for the best 15 PC exclusives, but I’m sure there’s plenty I’ve missed, particularly in the indie space. PCs offer unrivaled customization and often get dibs on early access experiences. If you’re new to the platform and want experiences you can’t find elsewhere, the titles above are great places to start.
If you’re looking for great first-person shooters and don’t care about the platform, check out our list of the 10 best games like Bioshock.
