Finding truly excellent games to play can feel overwhelming with thousands of options across different platforms. I've spent over 20 hours this week digging through new releases and hidden gems to save you the hassle. Whether you're on PC, console, or mobile, this guide covers the absolute best titles worth your time and money.
Quick tip before we dive in: Don't just follow hype. That AAA game everyone's talking about? Might not suit your taste. I learned this when I pre-ordered a heavily marketed RPG last year and regretted it after 3 hours of clunky gameplay.
What Makes a Game "Excellent" Anyway?
Let's get real - "excellent" means different things to different players. Based on my 15+ years of gaming and countless discussions with other players, here's what actually matters:
Funny story: My friend Dave insists pixel-art indies can't be excellent games. Then I made him play Celeste - he finished it in one weekend.
Core elements of excellent games to play:
| Factor | Why It Matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Immersion | Does the world pull you in? I quit more games because of weak immersion than anything else | Red Dead Redemption 2, Subnautica |
| Gameplay Loop | The core mechanics need to feel rewarding hour after hour | Hades, Monster Hunter World |
| Value Proposition | Price vs content vs enjoyment balance. That $70 game with 8-hour campaign? Usually not worth it | Terraria, Stardew Valley |
| Polish & Performance | Bugs and glitches can ruin even great concepts (looking at you, Cyberpunk launch) | God of War, Mario Odyssey |
Genre-Specific Excellent Games to Play
I've grouped recommendations by genre because nobody plays "all games". Let me know if your favorite genre's missing - I might add it later!
Action & Adventure Must-Plays
Elden Ring Essential
Price: $59.99 | Average Playtime: 80+ hours
FromSoftware's masterpiece blends challenging combat with an astonishing open world. I got lost for hours just exploring the Weeping Peninsula without touching the main story. Warning: Prepare to die. A lot.
Downside: No difficulty options frustrates some players.
| Game | Platforms | Price | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| God of War Ragnarök | PS4/PS5 | $69.99 | Cinematic storytelling | Norse mythology fans |
| Horizon Forbidden West | PS4/PS5 | $59.99 | Robotic creature combat | Open-world explorers |
| Marvel's Spider-Man 2 | PS5 | $69.99 | Movement mechanics | Superhero enthusiasts |
RPGs That Devour Your Free Time
Remember when I said I'd play Baldur's Gate 3 for "just an hour last night"? Yeah, sunrise surprised me. Here are RPGs that truly deserve the excellent games to play label:
| Game | Playtime | Combat Style | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 80-150 hours | Turn-based tactical | Unprecedented choice impact |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Fixed!) | 60-100 hours | Real-time FPS/RPG | Night City atmosphere |
| Persona 5 Royal | 120+ hours | Turn-based JRPG | Style and soundtrack |
Personal confession: I've started Skyrim seven times since 2011 and never finished the main story. Too busy stealing cheese wheels.
Platform-Specific Excellent Games
PC Master Race Picks
As a primarily PC player, these stood out from my Steam library of 400+ games:
| Game | Genre | Install Size | Why It Shines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valheim | Survival Crafting | 1GB | Incredible value for $20 |
| Deep Rock Galactic | Co-op FPS | 3GB | Best community in gaming |
| Factorio | Automation | 1.5GB | Perfect optimization |
Nintendo Switch Hidden Gems
Beyond the obvious Mario/Zelda titles, these excellent games to play deserve attention:
- Hades - Roguelike with perfect pacing ($24.99)
- Slay the Spire - Deckbuilding brilliance ($24.99)
- Dead Cells - Responsive combat meets exploration ($24.99)
Switch pro tip: Check DekuDeals for sales. Nintendo games rarely discount, but when they do...
Excellent Games for Specific Situations
When You Only Have 30 Minutes
Some days I barely have time to game. These excellent games to play respect your limited time:
| Game | Session Length | Platform | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vampire Survivors | 15-30 mins | All platforms | Runs well even on cheap laptops |
| Dorfromantik | Flexible | PC/Switch | Relaxing tile placement |
| Marvel Snap | 3 mins per match | Mobile/PC | Surprisingly deep strategy |
Couch Co-op Excellence
When friends visit, these create actual laughter instead of frustration:
- Overcooked 2 - Chaotic kitchen fun ($24.99)
- It Takes Two - Best co-op design ever ($39.99)
- Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime - Cooperative spaceship management ($14.99)
My partner refuses to play Overcooked with me anymore after "the great soup incident of 2022". I maintain it wasn't my fault.
Free Excellent Games Worth Playing
Yes, free games can be excellent games to play! These prove it:
| Game | Genre | Monetization | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warframe | Action RPG | Cosmetics/convenience | Hundreds of hours of content |
| Path of Exile | ARPG | Cosmetics/storage | Deepest skill system in genre |
| Apex Legends | Battle Royale | Cosmetics/characters | Best movement in shooters |
Important note: Set spending limits if you're prone to impulse buys. My "free" Warframe account has cost me about $120 over 5 years.
Excellent Games FAQs
How do I find excellent games to play that suit my taste?
Ignore generic "top 10" lists. Instead:
- Identify 2-3 games you've loved recently
- Check "Similar games" sections on Steam/Reddit
- Watch 10-minute gameplay videos, NOT reviews
Are expensive AAA games always superior?
Absolutely not. Hollow Knight ($15) offers more meaningful content than many $70 titles. Price doesn't determine quality.
How many hours makes a game "worth it"?
My personal value metric: Cost ÷ hours enjoyed. If a $60 game gives me 60 hours of fun ($1/hour), that's excellent. But a 10-hour masterpiece at $30 ($3/hour) can be worth it too.
Should I wait for sales on excellent games?
Depends. For single-player games? Absolutely wait. Multiplayer games? Consider buying earlier to join active communities. I regretted waiting 6 months for Deep Rock Galactic sale - missed the hype wave.
Underrated Excellent Games You Might've Missed
These don't get enough attention but absolutely deserve the excellent games to play label:
| Game | Year | Why It's Special | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Wilds | 2019 | Knowledge-based progression system | $24.99 |
| Disco Elysium | 2019 | Unmatched writing and roleplaying | $39.99 |
| Return of the Obra Dinn | 2018 | Most unique detective gameplay | $19.99 |
Seriously, play Outer Wilds. Don't watch trailers. Don't read guides. Just trust me on this.
Seasonal Excellent Games
Sometimes mood matters more than genre. When you need...
To Relax After Work
- Stardew Valley ($14.99)
- Abzû ($19.99)
- Journey ($14.99)
An Adrenaline Rush
- Doom Eternal ($39.99)
- Returnal ($69.99)
- Hotline Miami ($9.99)
To Challenge Your Brain
- Baba Is You ($14.99)
- The Witness ($39.99)
- Opus Magnum ($19.99)
Finding truly excellent games to play shouldn't feel like work. At the end of the day, the best game is the one that makes you forget to check the time. For me recently, that's been Baldur's Gate 3 - even though I still can't figure out how to properly use the camp supplies.
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