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10 Best Single-Player Games for PC

10 Best Single-Player Games for PC

Jamie Finch
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While video game consoles are ideal for friends and family to play together, PCs are often best for single-player games. This is partly because the keyboard and mouse combination offers gamers more functionality than console controllers. PCs are also upgradable and gaming computers can be built according to a range of budgets, while PCs also give gamers access to mods.
Regardless, developers have released numerous single-player games for the PC. We’ll look at the 10 best single-play PC games you should check out.

1. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk is a first-person shooter based in the fictitious Night City. The main character, V, is a mercenary looking to make ends meet but begins to have odd experiences.
V’s experiences are caused by a cybernetic implant that threatens to take over his body and mind. The implant holds the personality of Johnny Silverhand, a former band member with a short temper, played by none other than actor Keanu Reeves. V must wrestle with Johnny Silverhand as he gradually takes over, while also performing missions along the way. Implants are one of the game's key features, giving V and other characters impressive abilities.
Despite a disastrous initial rollout full of glitches, the game has now been patched and has sold more than 18 million copies since its release.

2. Age of Empires IV

Age of Empires is one of the best single-player PC games available, often seen as a benchmark for future games of the same genre. Age of Empires IV is the latest addition to the franchise after a long spell without new releases, making its arrival highly anticipated.
The game takes you back to the ages of castles and knights, with other units including archers, swordsmen, and trebuchets. Build your defences to repel enemy attacks while planning your own attacks on the enemy. You will also need to research new technologies that will help you defend and grow your empire. Age of Empires IV provides a good challenge that has kept countless gamers occupied for hours on end. The game has also retained the look and feel of previous versions, adding some nostalgia for many gamers.
Age of Empires IV has sold more than 25 million copies since its release, with almost 74,000 people playing the game on the Steam game distribution platform on its opening weekend.

3. Death Stranding

Death Stranding is the brainchild of Hideo Kojima, who bought us legendary titles like Metal Gear. Kojima was able to let his imagination loose on Death Stranding, resulting in a surreal yet beautiful world.
You will play Sam, a porter, played by actor Norman Reedus. As a porter, your role is to negotiate the often rough terrain to make deliveries to outposts, ensuring you keep your balance and don't drop any of the merchandise. Unfortunately, Sam's job is made much harder by the presence of BTs, mysterious entities that make Sam's deliveries seriously dangerous. In addition to amazing scenery, the game offers a rich, somewhat unusual storyline.
Death Stranding has sold more than 5 million copies, with many commentators stating the game is a masterpiece.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a single-person shooter with a wild west theme. Players will find themselves immersed in 1899 with wonderfully designed towns, cities, and countryside to explore.
You play the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling with ill health caused by tuberculosis. Arthur's task is to help protect and provide for the rest of his gang, hoping to get lucky with a big take that will let them move away and choose a simpler life. However, some of Arthur's companions are untrustworthy.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has been one of the most successful games for one player ever, having sold 44 million copies since its release. The game was developed by Rockstar Studios, which also made GTA V.

5. Control

Control is a unique single-player game that takes you into a world where reality doesn't behave as expected. Meet bizarre entities and other surreal characters as you explore this fascinating supernatural world.
The main character in Control is Jesse Faden, who arrives at the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) looking for her brother, Dylan, who went missing 17 years beforehand. Little did Jesse know that the FBC building is under lockdown after an attack from extradimensional entities called The Hiss. Jesse's job is to help defeat The Hiss while looking for her brother. She is helped by telekinesis skills that let her pick up heavy objects to use as projectiles against The Hiss.
Control has sold more than 2 million copies since its release in 2019. While it may not be a huge hit in terms of sales, it's still a game that any gamer should not miss.

6. Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a popular role-playing game that takes you into a world of fantasy and magic. Explore a vast world where you will meet some fascinating characters who might be friends or foes.
Players will have control over Tarnished, a customizable character on a mission to become the new Elden Lord. Use magic spells and weapons for defence and attack, while crafting skills will help ensure you have the tools and potions to help your cause.
Elden Ring has sold more than 13 million copies since its release, making it the best-selling title for its developer, Bandai Namco.

7. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Halo is one of the best single-player games ever to have been made, taking the gaming world by storm when the developers originally released it in 2001. The Master Chief Collection is a compendium of 6 Halo games.
The main protagonist is Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. Master Chief's role is to fight against The Covenant, an alien species that attacks human worlds, believing humans are an insult to their gods. With stunning graphics and gameplay, Halo remains one of the best single-player games on PC.
No sales figures are available for the Master Chief Collection, but the first Halo game sold more than 5 million copies.

8. GTA V

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is one of the most successful games for one player ever to have been released on PC. Explore the fictional city of Los Santos as you control 3 different characters, each with their own objectives.
Each of the characters you play is a criminal, looking for ways to make more money and empower themselves. Get involved in shootouts against the police or other civilian characters and complete missions throughout the game. So naturally, GTA V involves vehicles from BMX bikes to tow trucks to help you navigate the city.
GTA V has sold an astonishing 165 million copies, ranking it second of all PC games ever made. Minecraft takes first place, which has sold an incredible 240 million copies worldwide.

9. Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 is an arcade-style racing game made with fun in mind. While you will need to compete in races against other players, Forza Horizon 5 is also a game that can be enjoyed at your own pace.
Take charge of various vehicles, from family saloons and off-road trucks to the latest supercars. You will also find yourself racing against planes and other vehicles as you complete challenges along the way. There are hundreds of cars to choose from in the game, including classics that you need to find. Forza Horizon 5 is located in Mexico, and the game offers some stunning scenery.
Only two months after its release, Forza Horizon 5 had sold more than 15 million players. This outstripped the game's predecessor, Forza Horizon 4, which has sold more than 10 million copies.

10. Cities Skyklines

Cities Skylines is a city builder like no other made before. The game eclipses previous attempts like SimCity, with far more detail and impressive graphics. In addition, Cities Skylines players can add remarkable details to their city, occasionally making screenshots from the game difficult to distinguish from real life.
If you enjoy building and managing cities and building them up, Cities Skylines is a must. You build buildings by assigning zones to districts, automatically constructing the building. However, you have a say in how many buildings are developed by providing inhabitants with the necessary services. You must also deal with traffic and design your transportation network to help keep traffic congestion to a minimum.
Cities Skylines has sold more than 22 million copies, with 250,000 sold in the first week after the game's release.

Summary

Different gamers tend to prefer particular genres, so which of the above is best for you is primarily a matter of personal preference. Of course, there are many more single-player games to choose from in a vast range of genres, from simple kids' games to more complex titles for adults.
It's always a good idea to do some research on a game before making any decisions. Regardless of your preferences, you will find no short of solo games for the PC, with new titles being released all the time.
About the Author - Jamie is contributing writer for HP Tech Takes with almost 20 years of writing experience. He has a focus on marketing topics but enjoys writing on pretty much any topic under the sun. Jamie enjoys gaming, virtual reality workouts, and relaxing with friends and family in his spare time.

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