Online multiplayer games are all over the gaming world, but nothing can beat the feeling of immersing yourself in a craftily built offline game. Whether you are dealing with internet issues or simply desire to go for solo gaming, there are many offline games that provide thrilling gaming experiences and endless entertainment.
Here are the best offline games that I love playing on my Windows PC.
The following list also includes games from the Steam platform. To play Steam games offline, you must first launch the app and switch to offline mode. The same applies to the games from the Epic Game Store. Also, although all of the following games can be played offline, some require periodic internet access for the latest updates and improvements.
8 best free-to-play games on Steam
Explore the 10 best free-to-play games on Steam, from action-packed shooters to relaxing adventures
15 Red Dead Redemption 2
A Western epic like no other
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 is more than just a game for me. Set in the late 1800s, you take on the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling to keep his gang alive while also dealing with his own sense of morality. It is an open world that seems alive, with cities, regions, and mysteries to uncover.
What I really love about the game is its level of detail. From dynamic weather systems to lifelike NPC interactions, each instance feels alive. The offline story mode has more than 50 hours of the best missions ever, side missions, and random encounters. However, while playing offline, you will miss out on Red Dead Online, which includes cooperative missions, competitive modes, and community-driven events.
Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar's open-world adventure, set in the tragedy and beauty of the Old West.
14 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A sprawling fantasy world filled with adventure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is often cited as one of the best RPGs of all time, and for a good reason. In the game, you play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter traveling a war-torn world searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game features an epic main story accompanied by countless side quests that are as engaging as the main story.
The open-world design is magnificent, boasting a variety of regions to explore, from the lively metropolis of Novigrad to the ghostly swamps of Velen. Its offline mode allows you to immerse in its rich lore, strategic combat, and more without any interruption. Thanks to its multiple endings and popular DLCs like Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, The Witcher 3 has given me hundreds of hours of unforgettable gaming experience. However, it's worth noting that while the offline mode is excellent, the online mods and community-created expansions can add even more to the experience.
One of the greatest RPG adventures and fantasy games available on this generation of consoles.
13 DOOM Eternal
High-octane action and demon-slaying thrills
When I want to smash my gamepad's buttons in a turgid fashion, DOOM Eternal is the game that will give me what I crave the most. Your mission as the Doom Slayer is to eliminate hordes of demons and protect Earth from destruction. The quick, brutal combat mixed with puzzle-like level designs has kept me hooked to the game, and I began to level up faster than I thought possible.
The single-player campaign is a marvel of game design, with tons of weapons, upgrades, and difficult enemies. From chainsawing demons for ammunition to executing gruesome Glory Kills, DOOM Eternal keeps the action fast and furious every single moment. The offline mode lets me relish the chaos uninterrupted, making it perfect for first-person shooter enthusiasts. However, when offline, you'll miss online multiplayer Battlemode, where one player goes head-to-head against two others who control demons.
DOOM Eternal
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
A gloriously violent action game in which you must eradicate a demon invasion personally.
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Action
12 Grand Theft Auto V
A virtual world of endless possibilities
Grand Theft Auto V - Do I need to say more? Its online mode is very popular, but the offline story mode is equally impressive. You have to take on three different characters: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, who live in the overgrown city of Los Santos and go on intertwined adventures.
The game's offline mode allows me to navigate its massive open world, commit heists, and pursue hundreds of side activities like racing, golfing, and even stock-market trading, all at my own pace. With its exceptional graphics, witty writing, and infinite potential for mayhem, GTA V is a benchmark for open-world games. You can also try GTA Online, which includes new missions, updates, and multiplayer fun with friends.
11 The Sims 4
Create your dream world without internet
When I'm in the mood for creativity and simulation, I go to The Sims 4. The game enables me to create my own characters and homes and dictate every detail of their existence. From building careers to forming relationships, there are endless possibilities.
While The Sims 4 has lots of online content, its offline mode is still a rich experience. You can explore the base game offerings or expand it with DLC packs. It's a calming, enjoyable way for me to relieve stress and unwind my imagination.
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
10 Civilization VI
A strategy game that spans the ages
Civilization VI is a strategy game where your goal is to build an empire that lasts ages. As the head of a civilization, you need to lead your people through the Stone Age to the Information Age, making important choices related to politics, science, and military strategy.
The game's turn-based nature makes it well-suited for offline play, allowing you to plan your next move at your own pace. With many ways to achieve victory, including, but not limited to, domination through warfare or conquest of space, the game provides strategy fans like me with immense replay value; Civilization VI by itself is easily its own full-time endeavor.
In Civilization VI you slowly progress through human history. In this turn-based strategy game, you must create your own army, develop technology, and interact with other city inhabitants. Unlock new skills, conquer nations, and rule the world.
9 Celeste
A heartfelt journey with challenging platforming
Celeste is a platformer with solid controls, gorgeous pixel art graphics, and an emotional story about overcoming personal challenges. In the game, you play as a young woman named Madeline, who is climbing the titular Celeste Mountain while battling her inner demons. The game is somewhat challenging, but it's balanced by a large number of checkpoints, making it suitable for players at every skill level.
Celeste
- Released
- January 25, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic TowerFall.
A narrative-driven, single-player adventure like mom used to make, with a charming cast of characters and a touching story of self-discovery
A massive mountain teeming with 700+ screens of hardcore platforming challenges and devious secrets.
Brutal B-side chapters to unlock, built for only the bravest mountaineers
IGF โExcellence in Audioโ finalist, with over 2 hours of original music led by dazzling live piano and catchy synth beats.
The controls are simple and accessible - simply jump, air-dash, and climb - but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson. Lightning-fast respawns keep you climbing as you uncover the mysteries of the mountain and brave its many perils.
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
8 Forza Horizon 5
The ultimate open-world racing experience
Taking place across the colorful landscapes of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 is part racing simulator and part arcade joyride. Its offline mode allows you to explore its open world, compete in races, and customize your cars without any internet connection.
With a wide range of vehicles, breathtaking sights, and dynamic weather systems, the game has everything the curious driver needs. In the offline mode, you'll get the core gameplay but lose the online events, multiplayer races, and seasonal challenges that bring freshness to the game.
Forza Horizon 5
- Released
- November 9, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Forza Horizon 5 is one of the latest and the best-looking games in the long-running Forza Horizon franchise. It plays very well on the Steam Deck, and it lets you drive all your favorite cars on a massive open world map.
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
7 Portal 2
A puzzle game like no other
Portal 2 is a masterpiece of game design. It features some of the most challenging puzzles, engaging writing, and unforgettable characters. While exploring the Aperture Science facility, you solve various complex challenges by creating and redirecting portals with the iconic portal gun. The offline story mode is full of humor, creativity, and a satisfying narrative. And even though it has been several years since its release, Portal 2 is still one of my favorite offline games. When you are offline, you only miss the two-player co-op mode.
Portal 2
- Released
- April 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Portal 2 is an excellent puzzle-platform game where you have to place portals and teleport between locations to progress. In this title, you get to pick between both single- and multi-player modes, giving you the flexibility to enjoy it in more than one way.
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
6 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
A terrifying journey into survival horror
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard reinvented survival horror with its immersive first-person perspective and intense environment. In the game, you play as Ethan Winters, a man searching for his lost wife in a shabby plantation mansion flooded with unimaginable horrors. The game's offline story mode balances the storyline, exploration, and fighting. The photorealistic graphics and captivating audio create an atmosphere that makes every creak and shadow seem realistic. It is a must-play for people who enjoy horror games.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Resident Evil 7 biohazard is the next major entry in the renowned Resident Evil series and sets a new course for the franchise as it leverages its roots and opens the door to a truly terrifying horror experience. A dramatic new shift for the series to first person view in a photorealistic style powered by Capcomโs new RE Engine, Resident Evil 7 delivers an unprecedented level of immersion that brings the thrilling horror up close and personal.
Set in modern day rural America and taking place after the dramatic events of Resident Evilยฎ 6, players experience the terror directly from the first person perspective. Resident Evil 7 embodies the seriesโ signature gameplay elements of exploration and tense atmosphere that first coined โsurvival horrorโ some twenty years ago; meanwhile, a complete refresh of gameplay systems simultaneously propels the survival horror experience to the next level.
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological Horror, First-Person
