A gaming PC can be a fantastic gift for an older gamer who likes to tinker under the hood. While the initial cost is greater than that of a console, the PC can obviously do much more. Even then, you can grab a solid budget gaming PC for a decent price.
PC is the easiest platform to develop on, and sees the most amount of game releases each year. The cost of games is also far cheaper thanks to a steady stream of constant sales on digital stores like Steam. Steam gift cards make great gifts for PC gamers.
Younger Kids
LEGO DC Super-Villains
The LEGO games are often the best cooperative family games around, though the quality can vary from game to game. The superhero genre fits together with the LEGO style beautifully, especially when TT Games can craft an original story around it. LEGO DC Super-Villains is unique in starring your own super-powered, customizable figure as they join forces alongside a cast of comic favorites.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Overcooked 2
Even if you’re not a fan of Iron Chef or Great British Bake Off, you can find a lot to love in this delightfully charming cooperative cooking game. Each level in Overcooked 2 features a kitchen filled with zany hazards and traps as you and up to three others race to chop veggies, bake ingredients, and toss each other dishes across rivers and through portals. Easily one of the best co-op games of the year.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Older Kids & Teens
Burnout Paradise Remastered
One of the best racing games of the previous generation of consoles finally got an HD remaster earlier this year. Burnout Paradise features an open-world city filled with cars, races, jumps, takedowns, and secrets. Starting up a race is as simple as revving your engine at an intersection. The remaster also includes the excellent Big Surf Island DLC which adds an entirely new area.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Civilization VI: Rise and Fall
Rise and Fall adds new Golden Ages and Dark Ages that reflect your successes and struggles through your Civ’s history. These ages can have huge affects on your gameplay, creating an era of prosperity or revolt and repression. It also adds nine new leaders and eight new civilizations, making Rise and Fall a must-have for Civ fans.
Dead Cells
For years indie games have filled the niche of 2D action-platformers in a variety of formats and styles. With a cool neon art style, tight controls, and clever level design, Dead Cells may be the peak of the genre (read our review).
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
The Dragon Quest series has never been quite as popular outside of Japan, but that should hopefully change with this excellent entry. Dragon Quest 11 features a cast of likable characters alongside an epic 60+ hour story and the always enjoyable character and monster art of Akira Toriyama (Read our review).
Also available on: PlayStation 4
Forza Horizon 4
The racing genre hasn’t been terribly prolific in recent years. Thankfully with the release of Forza Horizon 4, we’re pretty sure you won’t need much else. The Forza series didn’t need much fixing when it came to racing, card handling, and real-world licenses. Instead we get welcoming new features like a well-integrated online racing world and a dynamic weather system that affects road conditions.
Also available on: Xbox One
Into the Breach
Into the Breach is basically Chess, if Chess involved time-traveling mechs versus giant insects. From the makers of FTL come this brilliantly balanced tactical strategy game where every turn demands pain-staking attention to detail and perfect planning. It’s incredibly tense for a turn-based strategy game, and equally rewarding.
Also available on: Switch
Jurassic World Evolution
Even if you’re not a big fan of the recent Jurassic World films, Evolution is a fantastic theme park sim from the makers of the also excellent Planet Coaster (and a wonderful successor to 2003’s Operation Genesis). Splice genomes to breed dinosaurs, build proper enclosures, and keep them happy for your guests. The dinosaur AI is deep enough to be consistently entertaining and when things go wrong it’s running and screaming in all the right ways (read our review).
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Mega Man 11
One of the most prolific platformers in gaming, Mega Man enjoyed a triumphant return to prominence this year with the well-received Mega Man 11. The action is colorful and fast as the Blue Bomber once again battles a series of themed robot masters, acquiring their powers along the way. Different difficulty modes ensure a wider range of players can enjoy the classically-inspired gameplay.
And if you’re nostalgic about the old Mega Man games, the Mega Man Legacy 1 + 2 Collection serves all your needs.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Monster Hunter World
The Monster Hunter series finally gets the love it deserves thanks to Monster Hunter World. The portable gaming series has been rebuilt for home consoles and the behemoths have never looked better. Add in more streamlined concepts and abilities for a new crowd and full online co-op and you have the recipe for Capcom’s best Monster Hunter game yet. A must-buy for action game fans.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
While lacking the official involvement of beloved children’s anime film company Studio Ghibli, Ni No Kuni 2 still captures that bright animation and whimsical style while infusing RTS and town building elements into a fine JRPG.
Also available on: PlayStation 4
SoulCalibur VI
Move over superheroes and ninjas, it’s time for the true weapons-based warriors to shine. SoulCalibur 6 is another stellar fighting game to add to the championship belt. As a reboot it also makes for an excellent jumping on point for series newcomers. It includes bonus character Geralt from the Witcher series, as well as the ability to design your own fighter.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Two Point Hospital
The last several years have seen an explosion of nostalgic games and genres thanks to crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter. Two Point Hospital is a more-than worthy spiritual successor to 1997’s Theme Hospital, designed by the original creators. The hospital simulation is perfected, but even more impressive is the delightfully charming humor that feels both classic and fresh.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
Valkyria Chronicles presents an intriguing combination of RPG, tactical-combat, and third-person action set in an alternate Earth during World War 2. Take turns directing troops on the battlefield, line up shots in your crosshairs, then enjoy their banter in between battles. Although it’s the fourth game in the series, Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a stand-alone story featuring its own cast of young soldiers.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Mature Teens
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey builds upon last year’s Assassin Creed Origins and leans even further into the RPG genre, including dialogue choices, romance-able NPCs, and multiple endings. For a series first you can also choose to play as either a male or female sibling, both fully voiced, fully realized characters within the hand-crafted world of Ancient Greece.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Banner Saga Trilogy
The Banner Saga trilogy reached its conclusion this year with the release of Banner Saga 3. The series is known for both its intricate turn-based tactical combat and its bleak, emotional story-telling that forces you to make tough decisions while facing the end of the world in this Norse-inspired strategy game. All three games are excellent, and included in the bundle.
Also available on: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One
Dark Souls Remastered
The original Dark Souls practically invented a new subgenre of action game with obtuse, challenging, but very rewarding gameplay. Develop your preferred weaponry and playstyle as your journey through a darkly gothic world. The original has been given a graphical face-lift and includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.
Also available on: PlayStation, Switch, Xbox One
Frostpunk
If you’d like your city builders with a bit more emotional gravitas and story-telling, 11 bit Studios has the perfect game for you with Frostpunk. In an apocalyptic world ravaged by a never-ending winter, you’re tasked with keeping humanity’s last city alive. You must build out from your geothermic reactor while dealing with the harsh truths of keeping people alive at any cost.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity 2 takes the same great computer RPG action and drops you into the Deadfire archipelago. From the beginning of the sequel you’re given your own pirate ship and the freedom to explore a massive world as you hunt down the returned god who destroyed your castle. Just another day in the life of an adventuring party.
