And look, we are only talking about recent releases or games that will only arrive in 2023. For our complete list of essential offline games, just read our suggestions below!
1. Cyberpunk 2077
To start our list, we have nothing less than one of the most anticipated games for a few years now. Cyberpunk 2077 appeared for the first time in 2013, but its release was only scheduled for the end of 2020. The game is an open-world and highly interactive RPG. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to all the expectations of what was envisioned, but it’s still a lot of fun. It is certainly one of the essential offline games to try in 2021. Just keep an eye out, because this is one of those games that are so detailed that it can raise the temperature of your PC!
2. Monster Hunter Rise
If you are a fan of the Monster Hunter franchise, there is no reason not to check out the new title that released in early 2021. Monster Hunter Rise was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch and promises a more eastern footprint in its look. Like other titles in the series, you’ll be able to play it with your friends, but it’s also a great single-player experience. If you want to hunt monsters in 2022, this is one of the essential offline games to consider.
3. Demon’s Souls
It might seem strange that Demon’s Souls is being recommended as one of the essential offline games to play in 2022. After all, the game came out in 2009 for the PlayStation 3. But for those who still don’t know, a remake has been announced for the PlayStation 5. Although the essence of the game will remain the same, the visuals and various mechanics have been completely modernized. For anyone who is a fan of From Software’s games, it’s a great opportunity to play the first “Souls” title they released. Also because it is a title that many people ended up leaving aside in its original arrival. As always, it will have certain multiplayer elements and cues from other players when you’re online. Still, it can be enjoyed completely offline.
4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The games in the Yakuza franchise are really unique and it seems that the recent Like a Dragon hasn’t left that spirit aside. The cool thing is that instead of following the story of its usual protagonist, this new Yakuza has a completely new main character. We follow a man named Ichiban Kasuga, who was recently released after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. When he realizes that he will not be rewarded for this unfair time in prison, he does his best to get revenge.
5. Doom Eternal
If you’re looking for a classic with frantic shooting at demonic creatures, you can’t help but recommend Doom Eternal. Sequel to the 2016 reboot, this title puts the series’ popular formula in one of its best forms. The game has multiplayer modes, but the story is all offline so you can experience all the content without interruptions. If you like to take screenshots or record games, this is the title where you’ll find the most epic moments for that.
6. Victoria 3
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build the ideal society in the turmoil of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance your society’s competing interests and win a place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox history. An excellent strategy game released in October 2022, where you can choose a nation from the 19th century and transform history the way you want. The results are endless, unpredictable and fun is guaranteed. The game is primarily offline, but there is an option to play online with friends or strangers. Check out the full game review in our article.
7. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
That’s not to say that the Assassin’s Creed franchise needs major introductions, as we practically see a new title every year. But that’s not to say that the games in the series don’t arouse our interest either. In the case of Valhalla, we follow Eivor, a Viking who fights with his companions against the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The aesthetic and theme of the game is very different from what we’ve seen in previous titles, which can be interesting even for franchise veterans. As a single-player game, there’s no doubting that it’s going to be a great experience to enjoy offline.
8. Resident Evil Village
Another older game that lands on our list is Resident Evil Village, which was originally released in 2021. But why do we recommend this game here? Due to the new DLC, Resident Evil Village – Winters Expansion, which adds a third-person mode to the original game, as well as new characters in Mercenary mode and an all-new story about the character Rose. If you haven’t checked out this game since its release, now is the perfect time.
9. Wasteland 3
And for those who like turn-based strategy games, Wasteland 3 is one of our best suggestions. The game takes place in the state of Colorado, in the United States, but in a post-apocalyptic version. You start by controlling two characters, but you can call more people into your party later. The combat system is very similar to its predecessors, and you can choose between several long, medium and short range weapons.
10. Elden Ring
Another great title from From Software that you can’t miss is Elden Ring. Considered even better than the Dark Souls franchise games, this game oozes challenge and breathtaking visuals. Taking place in an open world setting, the game has mechanics that are very different from other From Software games. But just like the others, it remains a great single-player to enjoy offline.
11. Ghost of Tsushima
It seems that games with an ancient Japan as a setting are really in vogue lately. Ghost of Tsushima is yet another that follows this pattern, but with 13th century Japan in focus. This time, we follow a Japanese island being invaded by the Mongols. It is a young samurai who must do everything possible to turn the situation around and get rid of the enemies silently, since he was one of the only ones left to protect the island.
12. Phasmophobia
This suggestion might seem odd on a list of essential offline games. After all, Phasmophobia is an indie game that has become known as a great option to play online with friends. But the game of investigating ghosts can be even more terrifying when played completely alone. Of course, certain maps and challenges are much more difficult solo, but it’s still possible to do everything if you’re brave enough. For those looking for a spooky experience, this is our suggestion.
13. Baldur’s Gate 3
There’s no doubt that the first two games in the Baldur’s Gate franchise are huge RPG classics. This is especially true for anyone who is a fan of the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop RPG, as everything in the game is based on that system. Fortunately, after 20 since the last title, we will have a new Baldur’s Gate. The game promises to be very faithful to the 5th edition of D&D in video game form. The game can now be enjoyed both offline and in sessions with your friends. As it is in early access, it is still considered incomplete, but updates occur frequently.
14. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Then we have one more nostalgic suggestion for those looking for essential offline games. As the name suggests, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a total remake of the first two skateboarding games in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise. As many people may remember, they were hugely successful in the 1990s and 2000s. Unfortunately, later releases lost quality and the initial charm of the originals. The good news is that even the remake didn’t take that away from the initial two games. As is to be expected, you can fully enjoy it yourself.
15. The Outer Worlds
Our next recommendation among essential offline games is The Outer Worlds. An RPG to envy most releases in recent years, as it offers everything that games like Fallout 4 failed to bring to fans. And we make this direct comparison because The Outer Worlds was developed by the same company that made Fallout: New Vegas, a favorite of series veterans. Not only that, but several aspects of this new game are extremely similar to the Fallout franchise. If you’re looking for an action RPG with a very interesting space theme, you can’t go wrong with this option.
16. Rogue Legacy 2
After being in early access for over a year, Rogue Legacy 2 is finally out, and the game builds beautifully on its wonderful predecessor. As before, players jump into randomly generated dungeons filled with items and enemies. Once death befalls them, players move on to the next generation, choosing another character who inherits unique traits that may or may not be useful. While dungeons reset each match, there are some progression elements that remain fixed, specifically things purchased with gold acquired during a playthrough. Containing 15 classes that look quite distinct from each other, Rogue Legacy 2 packs a lot of content and replay value. There are plenty of indie Metroidvania games on Steam, but few come close to matching the brilliance of Rogue Legacy 2.
17. Vampire Survivors
Available for less than the price of a coffee at Starbucks, Vampire Survivors is a bullet hell roguelite that was in early access until recently. Since its release in late 2021 on Steam, this indie game has frequently released patches containing new stages, characters, and weapons, most of which add hours of content to the base experience. You can read more about the game in our article.
18. Red Dead Redemption 2
Although many people remember Grand Theft Auto when Rockstar is mentioned, you can’t forget the developer’s other great hits. This includes Bully, L.A. Noire and, of course, Red Dead Redemption 2. Even though the original was a PlayStation 3 exclusive, it won over legions of fans who had been waiting for a sequel for years. Without much ado, Rockstar simply released the news that the second Red Dead would arrive on several platforms almost 8 years after the first. As expected, the game further improves on everything we had available in the original. Although there is a fully online mode, the entire story can be enjoyed offline.
19. Crusader Kings 3
Another game highly anticipated by its fans was Crusader Kings 3, which also took 8 years to come out after its predecessor. Like the previous games, this game has a lot of strategy and a dynasty system. Basically, you need to lead your dynasty through several generations. It’s just not that easy to make the right decisions and keep your descendants alive. If you like PC simulation games, you can’t miss this one!
20. God Of War
Originally released on PS4, Santa Monica’s God of War finally made it to PC in January 2022. A soft reboot, this entry significantly alters the franchise’s status quo, launching Kratos into a new mythos and introducing an entirely different style of combat. A third-person action game that places a heavy emphasis on its story, God of War follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, on a journey to lay the ashes of his wife and mother, respectively. With no multiplayer elements, God of War is a purely single-player experience, offering plenty of content and whimsy.
21. Nioh 2
If you’re a fan of the first Nioh, this sequel needs no introduction, not least because it follows a very similar formula. For newcomers to the franchise, just know that this is an action RPG that is often compared to From Software’s “Souls” games. That is, he is very challenging and will require your attention every second. Set in the late 1500’s, the game acts as a prequel to the events of the first Nioh. Even so, you can play it without having tried the original. Really a great choice if you are looking for essential offline games.
22. Streets of Rage 4
For those who love games in the beat’em up genre, Streets of Rage 4 is a title that we have to recommend. It’s basically a continuation of the other games in the Streets of Rage franchise, but it doesn’t require you to have played them to enjoy this release. It’s a very pleasant experience for anyone who used to play games of this type in the 1990s, as it follows the same style. Even for that reason, it focuses much more on the action than on the story, which is more secondary in the middle of everything.
23. Wildermyth
After a period in early access, Wildermyth made its full release in 2021, and the RPG has proven to be worth the wait. Paying homage to Dungeons & Dragons, Wildermyth does a stellar job of recreating the flow of tabletop RPGs. The adaptable and flexible campaign is filled with incredible writing that makes each character feel alive rather than a collection of pre-chosen personality traits. Wildermyth’s tactical combat deftly walks the line between familiarity and innovation; while the battles may initially feel rudimentary, the game reveals hidden depth as the campaign progresses. Wildermyth offers multiplayer as an option, but is predominantly a single-player PC game. We fully recommend you check its Steam page!
24. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
For those who are fans of this famous Marvel hero, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a game that cannot be ignored. The game is the direct sequel to Spider-Man, released in 2018, and picks up exactly where its predecessor left off. This time we follow Miles Morales, who spent a year training with Peter Parker after also being bitten by a modified spider. The game is one of the PlayStation 5 launch titles, and is also one of its many exclusives.
25. Hades
To end our list, we have one of the most celebrated games of 2020 and which, if you haven’t played it yet, should fix it in 2021. Hades is a Roguelite game that, despite being smaller, has won over millions of fans. You play as the son of Hades and you have to fight against all the obstacles that the god of the underworld puts in your way. Everything to reach Mount Olympus and escape the underworld. Like so many games of this genre, the difficulty is great and you’re sure to end up dying several times. Since this is a Roguelite and not a Roguelike, you keep various upgrades and benefits that you acquire in each game.
Did you like the essential offline games 2023?
Did you take advantage of our list to discover some of the essential games to play in 2023? So don’t forget to leave your comment telling us what you think and which ones caught your attention. And if you like the idea of creating games yourself, head over to the link to check out our guide on the subject!
