The Top 20 Games to play right now
Looking for your next gaming adventure? Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking to dive into something new, I’ve got you covered. In this blog post, I am counting down the top 20 games you should be playing right now. From open-world sandboxes and immersive RPGs to fast-paced shooters and indie gems, these games are defining the current gaming landscape.
20. It Takes Two
It Takes Two, developed by Hazelight Studios, is a groundbreaking co-op platformer that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. Players control Cody and May, a couple transformed into dolls who must navigate a fantastical world to mend their fractured relationship. The game cleverly utilizes split-screen mechanics, requiring players to work together to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Each level introduces new gameplay elements and environments, keeping the experience fresh and engaging throughout.
The charming visuals and heartfelt narrative explore themes of love, communication, and reconciliation, making it both entertaining and meaningful. With its inventive design and emphasis on cooperation, It Takes Two is a celebration of partnership, ensuring that every moment fosters connection and fun. This unique gaming experience showcases the power of collaboration, making it a must-play for couples and friends alike.
19. Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter: World is a thrilling action RPG developed by Capcom that invites players to hunt down gigantic creatures in a beautifully crafted world. Players assume the role of a Hunter, tasked with tracking and defeating formidable monsters in diverse ecosystems, from lush jungles to arid deserts. The game excels in its cooperative multiplayer, allowing friends to team up and tackle challenges together. The deep customization options for weapons and armor enable players to tailor their playstyle to their liking.
The engaging gameplay loop—tracking, battling, and harvesting materials—keeps players coming back for more. The dynamic ecosystems create a living, breathing world where every encounter feels unique and impactful. Monster Hunter: World is not just about the thrill of the hunt; it’s about mastering intricate mechanics, strategizing with teammates, and immersing oneself in an expansive adventure filled with epic battles.
18. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt Red, is a landmark in open-world RPGs. Players assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter on a quest to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game features a vast, intricately crafted world filled with rich lore, engaging side quests, and morally complex decisions that significantly impact the narrative. The stunning visuals, coupled with an evocative soundtrack, immerse players in a beautifully realized fantasy realm.
Each character, from allies to foes, is deeply fleshed out, making the world feel alive and vibrant. The combat system blends magic, melee, and alchemy, allowing for dynamic and strategic gameplay. The Witcher 3 is not just a game; it’s an epic journey that challenges players to navigate the gray areas of morality, offering an unforgettable experience that sets new standards in storytelling.
17. Titanfall 2
Titanfall 2 may not have received the attention it deserved at launch, but it has since been recognized as one of the best first-person shooters of its generation. The game’s single-player campaign is a masterclass in pacing and design, blending heart-pounding action with a surprisingly touching story about the relationship between a soldier and his giant mech, BT. Each level introduces new mechanics, from time manipulation to gravity-defying platforming, ensuring that the campaign never feels repetitive and constantly pushes the boundaries of what a shooter can offer. Even years after its release, Titanfall 2 continues to be celebrated for its innovation, fluidity, and exhilarating gameplay.
16. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a vibrant, action-packed adventure that expands on the beloved Spider-Man universe, developed by Insomniac Games. Set during the winter holidays in New York City, players take on the role of Miles Morales as he grapples with his new powers and responsibilities as a superhero. The game introduces a rich narrative that explores themes of identity, family, and legacy while providing thrilling web-swinging mechanics and combat. The stunning visuals capture the essence of the city, enhanced by a dynamic day-night cycle and weather effects.
Miles’ unique abilities, such as bioelectric attacks and camouflage, add fresh gameplay dynamics that keep combat exciting. With a heartfelt story, engaging gameplay, and a captivating portrayal of Miles Morales, this title celebrates diversity and heroism, making it a standout entry in the Spider-Man franchise.
15. Control
Control, developed by Remedy Entertainment, is a mind-bending action-adventure game set in a mysterious government building known as the Federal Bureau of Control. Players assume the role of Jesse Faden, who seeks answers about her past while exploring the supernatural phenomena within the Bureau. The game masterfully blends third-person shooting with telekinetic powers, allowing for fluid and dynamic combat encounters. The narrative unfolds in an intriguing manner, filled with strange occurrences and an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The visually stunning environments, combined with a haunting soundtrack, create an immersive experience that captivates players. Control challenges perceptions of reality and explores themes of identity and power, making it not only a thrilling action game but also a thought-provoking journey through the uncanny.
14. Apex Legends
When Apex Legends launched, it took the battle royale genre by storm with its unique combination of hero-based gameplay and fast-paced action. Developed by Respawn Entertainment, the game stands out with its roster of diverse “Legends,” each equipped with distinct abilities that can drastically change the flow of battle. Whether using Pathfinder’s grappling hook to gain a tactical advantage or deploying Lifeline’s healing drone to revive teammates, the game encourages teamwork and strategic thinking. This blend of hero abilities and traditional battle royale mechanics creates an experience that is both accessible and deep.
The movement in Apex Legends is a highlight, with mechanics like sliding, wall-climbing, and fast-paced gunplay that give it an unparalleled fluidity. The game’s ping system also revolutionized communication in multiplayer games, making it easier than ever for players to coordinate without voice chat. With regular updates, new characters, and ever-evolving maps, Apex Legends has remained fresh and engaging, proving itself as one of the most polished and innovative games in the competitive shooter space.
13. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 delivers the ultimate open-world racing experience, immersing players in the vibrant, diverse landscapes of Mexico. The game is a technical marvel, showcasing stunning visuals that bring everything from lush jungles to arid deserts and historic towns to life. Every inch of the expansive map feels alive with activity, offering dynamic weather, real-time seasons, and environmental events that make each race a unique experience. Whether players are tearing through a dust storm or cruising along the coast during a sunset, the game never fails to impress visually and mechanically. But Forza Horizon 5 isn’t just about pretty scenery—it’s about freedom.
The game encourages players to approach racing on their own terms, with a variety of events ranging from high-speed street races to off-road challenges. The immense selection of cars, each customizable down to the finest detail, ensures that every driver finds their perfect match. The seamless multiplayer integration allows for spontaneous cooperative events with friends or strangers, adding another layer of excitement to the open world. With its blend of accessibility and depth, Forza Horizon 5 sets a new benchmark for racing games.
12. Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact, developed by miHoYo, is an expansive open-world action RPG that invites players into the enchanting world of Teyvat. As the Traveler, players explore a vast landscape filled with diverse regions, each inspired by different cultures and elements. The game features an engaging gacha system for character acquisition, allowing players to build a unique party with distinct abilities and elemental powers. The visually stunning graphics and fluid animations enhance the immersive experience, making exploration a joy.
The rich lore and compelling quests provide depth to the world, while the cooperative multiplayer mode encourages social interaction. Genshin Impact combines captivating gameplay, beautiful aesthetics, and a vast open world, offering an experience that keeps players returning for more adventures in Teyvat.
11. Hades
Hades, developed by Supergiant Games, redefines the roguelike genre with its captivating blend of fast-paced action and rich storytelling. Players step into the shoes of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld. Each run through the procedurally generated dungeons reveals more about the characters and mythological lore, creating a compelling narrative that unfolds with every playthrough. The combat is fluid and exhilarating, featuring a variety of weapons and abilities that can be customized to suit different playstyles.
The voice acting and art style are exceptional, bringing the vibrant characters to life and enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Hades beautifully rewards exploration and curiosity, ensuring that each attempt feels fresh and engaging. This game not only offers thrilling gameplay but also a profound emotional experience, making it one of the standout titles in modern gaming.
10. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, created by FromSoftware, is a challenging action-adventure game set in Sengoku-era Japan. Players take on the role of a shinobi named Wolf, tasked with rescuing his kidnapped lord and seeking revenge on his enemies. The game stands out for its intense combat system, which emphasizes precision, timing, and skill over traditional RPG mechanics. The posture-based combat encourages players to break enemy defenses, making every encounter a test of strategy and reflexes.
Stunning visuals bring the beautifully crafted world to life, immersing players in a rich narrative steeped in Japanese mythology. The game’s level design rewards exploration and experimentation, creating a rewarding sense of discovery. Sekiro pushes players to their limits, but its intricate world and deep mechanics make every victory feel earned and exhilarating.
9. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima, developed by Sucker Punch Productions, transports players to feudal Japan during the Mongol invasion. Players take on the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai who must adapt to new tactics to protect his homeland. The game beautifully blends open-world exploration with intense combat, allowing players to choose between stealth and direct confrontation. The visually stunning landscapes are inspired by real locations, filled with cherry blossoms, rolling hills, and historical landmarks, all contributing to a rich, immersive atmosphere.
The narrative explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and the struggle between tradition and adaptation. The captivating story, combined with dynamic gameplay and an evocative soundtrack, makes Ghost of Tsushima a powerful homage to samurai culture. With its stunning visuals and engaging combat, the game invites players to forge their own path as they become the legendary Ghost of Tsushima.
8. God of War (2018)
God of War (2018) marks a transformative chapter for the iconic franchise, developed by Santa Monica Studio. This action-adventure game follows Kratos, now a father, as he embarks on a journey with his son, Atreus, to fulfill his deceased wife’s last wish. The game beautifully explores themes of fatherhood, loss, and redemption while immersing players in Norse mythology. The combat is visceral and satisfying, featuring a revamped mechanics system that emphasizes strategy and skill.
The stunning visuals and meticulously crafted world invite players to explore lush environments filled with secrets and challenges. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus is the emotional core of the story, enhancing the overall narrative depth. God of War combines breathtaking action with heartfelt storytelling, creating a compelling experience that redefines the series and sets a new standard for narrative-driven games.
7. Civilization VI
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI offers the ultimate strategy experience, challenging players to build and guide their civilization from the dawn of humanity to the space age. The game’s iconic “one more turn” gameplay is as addictive as ever, with players constantly balancing diplomacy, warfare, cultural influence, and scientific progress to achieve victory. The beautifully designed hexagonal tiles offer a visually engaging map that changes over time as cities grow and empires expand, allowing players to immerse themselves in the development of their civilizations.
One of the key innovations in Civilization VI is the introduction of the district system, which forces players to make strategic decisions about city planning and specialization. The game’s AI opponents offer robust challenges, while the inclusion of historical leaders with unique abilities ensures that each playthrough feels distinct. Whether pursuing a cultural victory, conquering your enemies through military might, or reaching for the stars in a scientific triumph, Civilization VI delivers endless replayability, making it the definitive 4X strategy game of its era.
6. Baldurs Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, brings the classic Dungeons & Dragons experience to life in a beautifully realized world where player choices shape every aspect of the story. Set in the Forgotten Realms, this isometric RPG allows players to craft their own unique characters or choose from a set of rich, pre-made characters, each with their own backstory and personal quests. The game’s narrative depth is complemented by a highly flexible gameplay system that blends turn-based combat with real-time decision-making, allowing players to approach encounters with creativity and strategy.
One of Baldur’s Gate 3’s standout features is the sheer number of meaningful choices available at every turn. Whether negotiating with a dangerous foe, solving a complex puzzle, or deciding the fate of an entire village, your decisions have lasting consequences that ripple throughout the world. The game also shines in its representation of relationships, offering deep and meaningful connections with companions whose personalities evolve based on your actions. With its intricate story, tactical combat, and remarkable world-building, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a new high-water mark for the RPG genre.
5. Satisfactory
Satisfactory offers an engrossing experience that taps into the creativity and problem-solving skills of its players, inviting them to build vast, automated factories on a beautifully alien world. Developed by Coffee Stain Studios, the game blends elements of exploration, resource management, and engineering in a way that makes every small victory feel monumental. Players begin with simple hand tools but quickly progress to constructing sprawling, interconnected factories with conveyor belts, pipelines, and automated production chains. The satisfaction (as the name suggests) of seeing your factory evolve into a well-oiled machine is immensely rewarding.
The game also features a gorgeous, open-world environment filled with diverse biomes, from dense forests to towering mountains, all brimming with resources and wildlife. Whether you’re building alone or working with friends in multiplayer, Satisfactory offers endless possibilities for creativity, efficiency, and optimization. The challenges posed by the game’s logistics system—balancing resources, energy, and transportation—create a deeply engaging experience for fans of management and simulation games. Satisfactory is more than just a factory-building game; it’s an endlessly rewarding puzzle that lets players express their ingenuity on a grand scale.
4. NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata is a remarkable blend of action and philosophy, created by the visionary director Yoko Taro and brought to life with stunning combat mechanics by PlatinumGames. Set in a dystopian future where androids fight to reclaim Earth from alien machines, the game explores profound themes of existentialism, identity, and the human condition. What starts as a fast-paced action RPG soon unravels into a deeply emotional and thought-provoking narrative that pushes the boundaries of storytelling in games. The multiple endings are not just plot devices—they are essential to fully understanding the game’s intricate layers of meaning.
Gameplay in NieR: Automata is fluid and exhilarating, with seamless transitions between hack-and-slash combat, bullet-hell sequences, and exploration. The characters, particularly the protagonist 2B, are complex and their personal journeys are deeply tied to the overarching themes of the game. The haunting soundtrack, composed by Keiichi Okabe, complements the melancholic atmosphere perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of every moment. With its masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and dynamic gameplay, NieR: Automata stands as one of the most unique and moving experiences in gaming.
3. Minecraft
Minecraft is an open-world sandbox game developed by Mojang that has become a true classic in the gaming world since its release in 2011 and it’s still one of the most popular games today. In Minecraft, you can do whatever you want. It’s an open-world sandbox, letting you explore, gather materials, and build anything you can imagine, from small houses to giant cities. There’s no set goal – you control the experience. Whether you like surviving against monsters in Survival Mode or building without limits in Creative Mode, Minecraft offers a variety of ways to play. There’s something for everyone, including Adventure Mode for exploring custom maps and Hardcore Mode for a tougher survival challenge.
Mojang keeps the game fresh with regular updates. New biomes, creatures, and items are added all the time, keeping players excited. Recent updates have introduced new mobs and amazing underground caves to explore. Minecraft has a massive community that creates mods, texture packs, and custom servers, making the game endlessly customizable. Whether you want to change how the game looks or try new gameplay features, there’s always something new to experience. Whether you want to play solo, build with friends, or embark on adventures, Minecraft remains timeless and exciting.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Set in the dystopian Night City, Cyberpunk 2077 offers players a massive open world filled with neon-lit skyscrapers, high-tech gadgets, and a gritty, urban atmosphere. Whether you’re walking through crowded streets or hacking into corporate networks, the game brings a futuristic world to life in stunning detail. At its core, Cyberpunk 2077 is about choices. You play as V, a mercenary in a world where technology, power, and morality collide. The storyline is deep and packed with twists, making every playthrough unique. Whether you prefer hacking enemies, going in guns blazing, or sneaking around unnoticed, Cyberpunk 2077 offers plenty of flexibility. Upgrading your skills and cyberware lets you tailor V’s abilities to fit your playstyle.
Since its release, Cyberpunk 2077 has received several updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new content. The Phantom Liberty expansion brings even more story content, new characters, and areas to explore, keeping the game fresh for both new and returning players. Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its release, and it’s now one of the best RPG experiences available. Whether you’re interested in its complex story, diverse gameplay, or simply exploring the beautiful, chaotic world of Night City, this game is worth revisiting or trying for the first time in 2024.
1. Elden Ring
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and shaped in collaboration with George R. R. Martin, pushes the boundaries of open-world RPGs. The game presents a vast, interconnected world filled with mystery, danger, and lore that beckons players to explore every corner. Its world design masterfully balances open exploration with the intricate level design FromSoftware is known for, offering endless opportunities to discover hidden areas, challenging enemies, and cryptic stories. The combat system retains the soul-crushing difficulty and depth of Dark Souls, rewarding players who adapt and learn from each battle, while introducing new mechanics like mounted combat and stealth that enhance gameplay variety.
What makes Elden Ring truly exceptional is how it respects player agency. The narrative is deeply embedded in the world itself, inviting players to piece together its history and myths on their own terms. Every encounter, whether with a towering boss or a minor enemy, feels significant, and the sense of accomplishment after conquering these challenges is unmatched. Elden Ring is not just a game, but a triumph of atmospheric storytelling, demanding exploration, and exhilarating combat, making it one of the greatest RPGs of all time.