Playing games on your own, it turns out, is a lot like playing with friends but better. It’s just you, the controller and the TV. You’re all alone, but you’re also very much not alone because you can shout at the screen or talk to yourself, make up voices for the characters if you want to, and enjoy the fantastic soundtrack the best single-player games have to offer. No rush to get on with the game, nor background voices from other players that can disturb your gaming experience. To sum it up, it’s a great way to be by yourself without feeling lonely at all.
We’re not saying that multi-player games aren’t worth attention (because they are!). But sometimes you want to play video games on your own—maybe because you don’t want to wait for someone else to join you, or you’re tired of dealing with other people’s nonsense, or you simply want some hours for yourself.
Think about Red Dead Redemption 2—a vast open world with dozens of side quests, characters, and events that unfold over several hours. The idea of single-player video games may seem like a relic of the past, considering the popularity of multi-player and co-op games. However, there are still plenty of great titles that can be played solo.
We relied on TechRadar’s ranking to find the best single-player video games on the market—keep in mind it’s entirely up to you to upvote your favorites so they rank higher. Rest assured, these titles offer the most compelling stories and gameplay experiences and are well worth your time and money!
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Ghost Of Tsushima
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 9.1 (20732 ratings) | Metascore: 83 (122 critic reviews)
The game is set in 1274 AD, right when the Mongolians invaded Japan and established their own empire on the island nation. The game revolves around a samurai named Jin Sakai who must protect Tsushima island from an invading army of Mongolian warriors. The developers at Sucker Punch Productions have created a beautiful world for players to explore, so you’ll want to make sure you keep an eye out for every collectible and easter egg!
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 8.9 (1779 ratings) | Metascore: 90 (based on 71 critic reviews)
Sequel of Ori And The Blind Forest, the game follows Ori on a new journey through the region of Niwen, with the story being narrated by the Spirit Tree that lives there. This platform adventure has been praised for its story, characters, visual design, and soundtrack, and it’s often included among video games considered works of art. It won “XBox Game Of The Year” at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2015 | Metacritic User Score: 9.2 (18019 ratings) | Metascore: 92 (79 critic reviews)
With 260 Game of the Year Awards, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a dark fantasy adventure you don’t wanna miss. Your character, Geralt of Rivia, is a monster slayer known as Witcher. You’ll travel across different regions hunting monsters for a living and completing quests for people in exchange for rewards. With 36 different endings, depending on what choices you make during gameplay, there’s lots of replay value too!
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 8.7 (18927 ratings) | Metascore: 97 (109 critic reviews)
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 7.3 (2779 ratings) | Metascore: 80 (50 critic reviews)
Assassin’s Creed isn’t a franchise that needs much of an introduction. The series has been around for fifteen years now, and it’s one of the biggest names in single player gaming. Its latest installment, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, follows Eivor Varinsdottir, a male or female Viking warrior (depending on your choice) attempting to establish a new Viking clan in England.
Control
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 7.3 (2415 ratings) | Metascore: 82 (63 critic reviews)
The game revolves around the Federal Bureau of Control, a secret government agency tasked with studying phenomena that violate the laws of reality. As Jesse Faden, the new Director, you’ll use your powerful abilities to defeat a deadly enemy known as the Hiss, which has invaded and corrupted reality. A sequel and a co-operative spin-off were announced in June 2021.
Hades
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 9.0 (753 ratings) | Metascore: 93 (48 critic reviews)
Hades is an action dungeon crawler game that gives players a lot of freedom in terms of experimentation. The main character, Zagreus, is the prince of the Underworld and the son of Hades and Persephone. Our goal is to help Zagreus escape from his cruel father and reach his mother in the mortal world. Players can learn and master skills however they want and choose whichever weapon to use and upgrade so long as they feel that it will help Zagreus progress further.
Celeste
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 8.6 (1047 ratings) | Metascore: 92 (36 critic reviews)
Celeste is a platform video game that follows the story of Madeline, a young woman trying to climb the titular mountain and face her inner demons. Upon release, the game received universal acclaim and was largely considered one of the best single player games of 2018, especially for Madeline’s characterization that fans loved.
Red Dead Redemption 2
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 8.6 (19407 ratings) | Metascore: 97 (99 critic reviews)
“We’re thieves in a world that don’t want us no more.” “When the time comes, you gotta run and don’t look back.” “Five thousand dollars? For me? Can I turn myself in?” – Arthur Morgan
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 6.5 (3451 ratings) | Metascore: 83 (86 critic reviews)
This highly acclaimed game by Ubisoft is set in ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. You play as either Alexios or Kassandra, a mercenary embarking on an epic journey to become a legendary hero. Throughout the game, you’ll meet famous historical figures like Socrates and Leonidas. It’s got tons of side quests and collectibles to keep you busy for hours!
Which Type of Game is Good for a Single-player?
Looking at this list of good single-player games, you might have noticed a trend. Specific genres are best at creating an enjoyable one-player game experience.
RPG’s. Games aren't real. Risky choices in a video game don’t affect your real-life experience. Quite the opposite. With role-player games, you can pick any role, no matter how evil or weird it is.
Horror. The tense atmosphere and spooky monsters keeping you company create a nerve-wracking experience, while terror stays with you long after the credits roll. Horror games are for the daring.
Indie. Games like Hollow Knight are simple yet intoxicating. With a focus on unique gameplay scenarios, indie games offer a less ordinary perspective than most triple-A games lack.
Adventure and action. Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best video games to play when bored out of your mind. This game genre often blends action and problem-solving. One moment, you explore the mysterious world; the other, you fight in an isolated alley.
Strategy simulation. These games can suck you in and never let you go. From time management to regulating traffic, it’s easy to get lost in the repetitive gameplay. Civilization IV even has a button for “one more turn.”
Narrative-driven. The best story games are usually the most lonely ones—a movie experience in the form of a game. They often are narrative-driven and have brilliant stories with human-like characters. Firewatch, a game with barely any action, is just as enjoyable with very little going on—arguably one of the best PC single-player games on the market right now.
Resident Evil II
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 9.0 (4436 ratings) | Metascore: 91 (85 critic reviews)
There’s no denying that Resident Evil 2 is one of the most iconic one player games in the survival horror genre. The original game was released back in 1998 to critical acclaim, and it has been praised for its intense atmosphere, memorable characters, and sound design. More than 20 years later, Capcom has remade the game from scratch with new striking visuals and gameplay mechanics.
Undertale
2015 | Metacritic User Score: 8.5 (5093 ratings) | Metascore: 92 (43 critic reviews)
I’ve been replaying this one right now! This spooky puzzle game’s story focuses on a child who falls into the Underground — a large realm inhabited by monsters — after wandering around Mount Ebott. They must find their way out of the Underground while encountering many obstacles along the way. The player can choose whether or not to spare enemies, which will affect the game’s ending.
Elden Ring
2022 | Metacritic User Score: 7.9 (9669 ratings) | Metascore: 96 (84 critic reviews)
Marvel's Spider-Man
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 8.7 (8338 ratings) | Metascore: 87 (116 critic reviews)
Total War: Warhammer 3
2022 | Metacritic User Score: 5.4 (279 ratings) | Metascore: 85 (63 critic reviews)
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 8.5 (4851 ratings) | Metascore: 90 (76 critic reviews)
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 7.7 (841 ratings) | Metascore: 84 (22 critic reviews)
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
2016 | Metacritic User Score: 8.8 (16258 reviews) | Metascore: 93 (113 critic reviews)
Final Fantasy 7: Remake
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 8.1 (7669 ratings) | Metascore: 87 (126 critic reviews)
Restarted gaming with the original. Had such high expectations. Not necessarily disappointed, but wasn’t all I expected. Still, I’ll NG+ it over & over.
What Remains Of Edith Finch
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 8.3 (814 ratings) | Metascore: 88 (65 critic reviews)
Why Do People Play Single Player Games?
Good single-player games are like great movies. It’s easy to get lost in the experience, completely ignoring the time. Here are a few reasons that draw people into single-player games.
Gameplay. Video games allow you to progress at the pace you want. Single-player ones don’t have the rush that multi-player games might have. You can go as slow or as fast as you want. As long as the gameplay doesn’t become repetitive, you won’t get bored.
Story. The game plot is like a glue that holds everything together. The best story games rival Hollywood movies in themes and beats. While not every game has such an edge, those that do will take you through the whole set of emotions. Multi-player games focus on spectacles of action and fire. Single-player games focus more on the fine and personal details.
Characters. The more emotional the characters, the better. Taking a page from Red Dead Redemption, Arthur Morgan and John Marston, ruthless men, are some of the most emotional characters in the game world. They have their own flaws and make human mistakes. Characters like these keep the game interesting and immersive.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
2015 | Metacritic User Score: 8.2 (6197 ratings) | Metascore: 93 (86 critic reviews)
The Last Of Us Remastered
2014 | Metacritic User Score: 9.2 (18449 ratings) | Metascore: 95 (70 critic reviews)
Portal 2
2011 | Metacritic User Score: 9.1 (8781 ratings) | Metascore: 95 (52 critic reviews)
Metroid Dread
2021 | Metacritic User Score: 8.6 (2516 ratings) | Metascore: 88 (124 critic reviews)
Hollow Knight
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 9.0 (1798 ratings) | Metascore: 90 (27 critic reviews)
Half-Life 2
2004 | Metacritic User Score: 9.2 (12340 ratings) | Metascore: 96 (81 critic reviews)
Old now, but brilliant! Why, really why, did they only release "Alex" on oculus ( or whatever it is) I'd love to play it Xbox!
Dead Cells
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 7.8 (266 ratings) | Metascore: 87 (31 critic reviews)
Rise Of The Tomb Raider
2015 | Metacritic User Score: 8.0 (1862 ratings) | Metascore: 88 (55 critic reviews)
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 7.6 (3888 ratings) | Metascore: 79 (70 critic reviews)
The Outer Worlds
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 8.0 (1480 ratings) | Metascore: 85 (77 critic reviews)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2011 | Metacritic User Score: 8.4 (12411 ratings) | Metascore: 94 (32 critic reviews)
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
2022 | Metacritic User Score: 8.1 (261 ratings) | Metascore: 82 (62 critic reviews)
Persona 5 Royal
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 8.5 (3519 ratings) | Metascore: 95 (71 critic reviews)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
2022 | Metacritic User Score: 8.2 (3421 ratings) | Metascore: 83 (116 critic reviews)
The game that finally killed my joycons from all the dodging and screaming!
Borderlands
2009 | Metacritic User Score: 7.6 | Metascore: 81
Luigi’s Mansion 3
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 8.4 (1256 ratings) | Metascore: 86 (106 critic reviews)
God Of War
2018 | Metacritic User Score: 9.1 (21254 ratings) | Metascore: 94 (118 critic reviews)
Horizon: Zero Dawn
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 8.4 (11790 ratings) | Metascore: 89 (115 critic reviews)
Super Mario Odyssey
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 8.9 (6927 ratings) | Metascore: 97 (113 critic reviews)
Doom Eternal
2020 | Metacritic User Score: 8.9 (3755 ratings) | Metascore: 87 (48 critic reviews)
Nier: Automata
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 8.9 (4390 ratings) | Metascore: 88 (101 critic reviews)
A Short Hike
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 8.6 (161 ratings) | Metascore: 82 (11 critic reviews)
Assassin’s Creed Origins
2017 | Metacritic User Score: 7.2 (3149 ratings) | Metascore: 81 (63 critic reviews)
Hitman 3
2021 | Metacritic User Score: 8.0 (290 ratings) | Metascore: 84 (35 critic reviews)
Psychonauts 2
2021 | Metacritic User Score: 7.3 (915 ratings) | Metascore: 89 (36 critic reviews)
Dying Light 2 Stay Human
2022 | Metacritic User Score: 4.9 (3605 ratings) | Metascore: 76 (62 critic reviews)
Before Your Eyes
2021 | Metacritic User Score: 8.7 (76 ratings) | Metascore: 77 (25 critic reviews)
Death Stranding
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 7.4 (18261 ratings) | Metascore: 82 (111 critic reviews)
Outer Wilds
2019 | Metacritic User Score: 7.7 (222 ratings) | Metascore: 82 (8 critic reviews)
"You should try these." Doesn't bother to provide any information at all about most of them.
You have "Sea of Thieves" on your solo games list. It's not - it's either online PvP or online Co-op.
"You should try these." Doesn't bother to provide any information at all about most of them.
You have "Sea of Thieves" on your solo games list. It's not - it's either online PvP or online Co-op.
