11 of the best games you can play offline (2023)

Best of the best

Release date: 2020 | Developer: Ubisoft | Ubisoft Store (opens in new tab), Steam (opens in new tab)

Eivor's Viking adventure through Norway and 9th century England should keep you busy for a while. Even if you've finished the main story, there's plenty of side stuff to keep any Viking busy.

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Release date: 2020 | Developer: Supergiant | Steam (opens in new tab)

Something as simple as an internet connection—or lack of—is not going to stop the Immortal Prince of the Underworld. Good news if you fancy jumping into this fast-paced action roguelike.

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Release date: 2018 | Developer: Square Enix | Steam (opens in new tab)

Final Fantasy 12 moved away from the turn-based combat of previous games and opted for the love-it-or-hate-it Gambit system. Set in the world of Ivalice, you'll soon be taking on the Archadian Empire with Balthier, Fran, and others in an effort to save the world.

Read more: 15 years on, Final Fantasy 12's combat system is still the best

Release date: 2021 (Early Access) | Developer: Iron Gate AB | Steam (opens in new tab)

This co-op survival game set in the Viking afterlife has loads to do, and you can play at the pace you choose. Obviously, the co-op won't work without an internet connection, but there's nothing to stop you from playing solo and living your best Viking afterlife.

Read more: The state of Valheim in 2022: Still the Vi-king of co-op

Release date: 2016 | Developer: Crate Entertainment | Steam (opens in new tab)

If you're after a top-down ARPG to get stuck into, Grim Dawn could be your answer. While Path of Exile and Diablo 3 won't work offline, Grim Dawn allows you to smash demons in the face without a connection.

Read more: Daring to care about the denizens of Grim Dawn

Release date: 2017 | Developer: Larian Studios | Steam (opens in new tab)

If you've never found the time to strike this from your backlog, now might be it. This vast, story-rich RPG should keep you busy for however long you need—though you might find it difficult to tear yourself away once you've started.

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Release date: 2015 | Developer: CD Projekt Red | Steam (opens in new tab)

You'll be pleased to know that there's no such thing as playing The Witcher 3 too many times. So why not jump back into the beloved open-world RPG that gave rise to PCG's obsession with Tub Geralt?

Read more: I got drunk trying to take Geralt on a pub crawl in The Witcher 3

Release date: 2020 | Developer: Paradox | Steam (opens in new tab)

You might have been put off playing this historical grand-strategy from Paradox because of its complexity, but if you've got time to kill, it's well worth jumping into. You'll be guiding your medieval dynasty through peasant revolts and Viking invasions in no time.

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Release date: 2016 | Developer: Arkane | Steam (opens in new tab)

If you fancy your chances as a stealthy supernatural assassin, whiling away the hours with whalepunk murder schemes, taking down targets in Dishonored 2 is a great way to pass the time.

Read more: I judged every citizen of Karnaca in Dishonored 2

Release date: 2018 | Developer: Capcom | Steam (opens in new tab)

Capcom's monster-slaying RPG may not seem like it would work offline, but it does. Of course, you'll have to take monsters down without the help of friends, but if nothing else, it's an excellent way to vent some of that frustration at your connection woes.

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Release date: 2016 | Developer: Paradox | Steam (opens in new tab)

Like CK3—and pretty much any Paradox title—Stellaris has a pretty steep learning curve. But once you're past that, mining planets for resources, fending off hostile fleets, and generally expanding your empire makes this space-based strategy game incredibly satisfying.

Read more: Planet destroyers and diplomacy: the expanding universe of Stellaris

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she's quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.