Outlast 2
The fact that it’s not as breathtaking as its predecessor shouldn’t really stop horror fans from picking up this creepy run-and-hide simulator.
Prey
Until such time that System Shock 3 may challenge it, Prey is the follow-up to System Shock 2 in everything but name. Arkane reaffirms their commitment to ‘immersive sims’ in impressive fashion.
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
A wonderful return to creepy form for the venerable horror franchise.
Rain World
A gem of a platformer featuring an adorable Slugcat. Rain World is both brutal and challenging. Plus, it has a Slugcat.
Sniper Elite 4
You can shoot Nazis in the junk, across bigger maps than before, with more options and better AI. Were you expecting something else? Do you really want something else?
Star Trek Bridge Crew
This is the first VR-only game to make it onto our best PC games list in 2017. Star Trek Bridge Crew places up to four players on the bridge of a Federation starship and they have to work together as either captain, helmsman, engineering or tactical officers. The game is the best Star Trek game for a long time and offers a real sense of immersion. A must-have game for Star Trek fans.
Stellaris Utopia DLC
In tandem, the (free) Banks 1.5 update and Utopia contribute a splendid set of features and mechanical changes to Stellaris. Taken alone, Utopia is more the luxury trimmings to Banks’ essentials, but it’s a fine package of unique species specialisation and mega-engineering all the same.
NieR: Automata
You don’t have to be a soulless, unthinking machine to dislike NieR: Automata, but it helps. This is a very, very special game – sufficiently special that it honestly deserves a better port than it got.
Middle Earth Shadow of War
One of the better PC portst this yearm Shadow of War was a solid performer; seemingly well optimised for a broad selection of hardware, and full of plenty of UI, control and graphics options for a nicely customised game.
Tales of Berseria
Over-linearity and rubbish dungeon design bog it down a bit, but the combat, characters, and rather unusual plot still make Tales of Berseria a tale worth experiencing.
The Evil Within 2
Mixing open-world and linear survival horror is a brave experiment that largely pays off for this enjoyable, schlocky stealth-action horror title.
Thimbleweed Park
A love letter to the old LucasArts adventures. A must-play if you fondly remember them, and a should-play even if you don’t.
