The 13 best games for your new PC
If you’re getting a new gaming PC as a gift this holiday season, you’re going to want some games to play. So to help you out, we’ve collected a list of free and paid PC games that you should definitely check out. Some of these titles are graphically intensive (i.e. you need a powerful PC to run them well), so make sure your drivers are up to date and that you fulfill the recommended specs.
There’s a game here for every type of new (or seasoned) PC gamer: first-person shooters, simulation, strategy, party, MOBA (multiplayer online battle area), driving, and indie. Many of these games are used in our benchmark testing for gaming PCs, so besides serving a productive purpose, they’re also some of my favorites. Take note that some of these PC games are only available from their publishers directly (e.g. Origin, Ubisoft), while others are also available on Steam. Keep this in mind when considering how many gaming store apps you want to download onto your machine (and subsequently create online accounts for).
A bit of advice: Now that you have a list of potential PC games to call your own, you should also learn how to stream, just in case. After all, it never hurts to try to become the next Twitch star.
We here at The Verge have rounded up our favorite and most-used apps, games, and utilities. Look for our app picks for iPhones, Android phones, PCs, and Macs; our favorite games for PCs, iOS and Android, and our top choices for the PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
League of Legends
League of Legends is a massive, complex MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game with an equally intriguing fan base and lore. When you start playing, you’ll notice LoL’s ranked gameplay operates in seasons, with the culmination being Worlds, a multimillion dollar e-sports final. Expect to spend a lot of hours practicing on this one.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
This might be one of the most challenging tactical FPS games you can play. RS6’s multiplayer has a high learning curve and operates on a seasonal basis, releasing two new Operators to play every season, which keeps the meta ever-changing and interesting. The $39.99 Standard Edition on Steam is a better value compared to the Starter Edition for $14.99, which makes it more difficult to unlock new Operators in the game.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
By far the most polished battle royale game, the Blackout mode within Black Ops 4 is worth buying it alone. Just remember: there’s no single-player. Other than that, Black Ops 4’s zombies, multiplayer, and battle royale modes are a blast.
Battlefield V
The theater of battle here is World War 2, but DICE has done a great job with pacing. And if you want a challenge, play in hardcore mode. EA / DICE has done a lot to bring some fresh gameplay elements to the Battlefield franchise with this game (such as limited health and ammo) and it ties together nicely.
Incidentally, you can either subscribe to Origin Access for $14.99 per month ($99 for the year) or buy the game outright for $59. I’d say: buy the game outright.
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