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Best PC games of 2009

The 64 best PC games released in 2009, ranked from 24,890 critic and player ratings.

The best PC game of 2009 is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated November 2026.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 2009.
  • 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 24,890 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 50

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition 2009 · 682 ratings · finished by 15% 94 /100
02 Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition 2009 · 953 ratings · finished by 20% 91 /100
03 Ticket to Ride Ticket to Ride 2009 · 117 ratings · finished by 3% 91 /100
04 Bayonetta A Bayonetta 2009 · 567 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 21% A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat. 91 /100
05 Assassin's Creed II S Assassin's Creed II 2009 · 3,242 ratings · 21 Tier votes Discover an intriguing and epic story of power, revenge and conspiracy set during a pivotal moment in history: the Italian Renaissance. Experience the freedom and immersion of an all new open world and mission structure with settings such as the rooftops and canals of beautiful Venice. Your options in combat, assassination and escape are vast, with many new weapons, settings and gameplay elements. 90 /100
06 Dragon Age: Origins S Dragon Age: Origins 2009 · 1,749 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 30% Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game described as a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights franchises. Players create their own character by customizing gender and appearance as well as choosing a race and class. Combat is in real time with the ability to pause at any moment: tactical options include an editor which allows the player to give the AI detailed instructions on how to behave in every possible situation. Although the main storyline is the same for every character created, the game features six unique prologues, two for each race. Dragon Age: Origins received critical acclaim upon release, with praise mostly directed at its story, setting, characters, music and combat system. 90 /100
07 Empire: Total War Empire: Total War 2009 · 163 ratings · finished by 8% Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths. In addition, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map for many, the heart of Total War introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America. 90 /100
08 Batman: Arkham Asylum A Batman: Arkham Asylum 2009 · 2,608 ratings · 9 Tier votes · finished by 49% Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released in 2009, it follows Batman as he battles the Joker, who seizes control of Arkham Asylum and frees its inmates. The game features stealth, combat, and detective elements, with players using Batman's gadgets and skills to subdue enemies and solve puzzles. Set in a dark, immersive version of Gotham, the story explores Batman’s psychological battle with his foes, including Harley Quinn, Bane, and Scarecrow. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay, atmosphere, and storytelling, becoming a defining title in superhero video games. 89 /100
09 Left 4 Dead 2 S Left 4 Dead 2 2009 · 1,216 ratings · 2 Tier votes · finished by 17% · 9 h to beat Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game, the sequel to Valve Corporation's Left 4 Dead. The Game builds upon cooperatively focused gameplay and Valve's proprietary Source engine, the same game engine used in the original Left 4 Dead. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, Left 4 Dead 2 focuses on four new Survivors, fighting against hordes of the Infected, who develop severe psychosis and exhibit zombie-like tendencies. The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign's finale. 89 /100
10 Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box 2009 · 669 ratings · finished by 11% 87 /100
11 The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition 2009 · 169 ratings · finished by 12% 86 /100
12 Trine Trine 2009 · 312 ratings · finished by 25% 85 /100
13 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 S Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2009 · 1,574 ratings · 4 Tier votes · finished by 39% 85 /100
14 Machinarium Machinarium 2009 · 447 ratings · finished by 24% 85 /100
15 League of Legends League of Legends 2009 · 1,027 ratings 84 /100
16 Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City 2009 · 139 ratings · finished by 19% 84 /100
17 Torchlight Torchlight 2009 · 265 ratings · finished by 11% 83 /100
18 Flower Flower 2009 · 233 ratings · finished by 20% 83 /100
19 Red Faction: Guerrilla Red Faction: Guerrilla 2009 · 160 ratings · finished by 11% 82 /100
20 Anno 1404 Anno 1404 2009 · 135 ratings 82 /100
21 Final Fantasy XIII A Final Fantasy XIII 2009 · 428 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 15% 81 /100
22 Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 2009 · 99 ratings 85 /100
23 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 2009 · 135 ratings · finished by 11% 81 /100
24 Wolfenstein Wolfenstein 2009 · 282 ratings 81 /100
25 Fallout 3: Broken Steel Fallout 3: Broken Steel 2009 · 88 ratings 81 /100
26 The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena 2009 · 86 ratings 81 /100
27 Brütal Legend Brütal Legend 2009 · 259 ratings 80 /100
28 Borderlands Borderlands 2009 · 1,031 ratings · finished by 20% · 22 h to beat 80 /100
29 Trine Enchanted Edition Trine Enchanted Edition 2009 · 730 ratings · finished by 10% 80 /100
30 STEINS;GATE STEINS;GATE 2009 · 358 ratings · finished by 16% 80 /100
31 Angry Birds Angry Birds 2009 · 209 ratings 80 /100
32 Tales of Monkey Island Tales of Monkey Island 2009 · 89 ratings 80 /100
33 Need for Speed: Shift Need for Speed: Shift 2009 · 227 ratings · finished by 22% 80 /100
34 Colin McRae: DiRT 2 S Colin McRae: DiRT 2 2009 · 141 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 16% 79 /100
35 Fallout 3: Point Lookout Fallout 3: Point Lookout 2009 · 87 ratings 79 /100
36 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat 2009 · 285 ratings · finished by 23% 79 /100
37 Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood 2009 · 207 ratings · finished by 21% 79 /100
38 Resident Evil 5 B Resident Evil 5 2009 · 823 ratings · 3 Tier votes · finished by 25% 78 /100
39 The Saboteur The Saboteur 2009 · 192 ratings · finished by 32% 78 /100
40 Prototype S Prototype 2009 · 419 ratings · 1 Tier vote · finished by 36% 78 /100
41 Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition 2009 · 124 ratings · finished by 6% 78 /100
42 Halo 3: ODST D Halo 3: ODST 2009 · 406 ratings · 2 Tier votes · finished by 30% 78 /100
43 Risen Risen 2009 · 188 ratings · finished by 13% 77 /100
44 F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin 2009 · 317 ratings · finished by 17% 76 /100
45 Might and Magic Clash of Heroes Might and Magic Clash of Heroes 2009 · 89 ratings 76 /100
46 Fallout 3: The Pitt Fallout 3: The Pitt 2009 · 89 ratings 76 /100
47 The Sims 3 The Sims 3 2009 · 648 ratings · finished by 30% 75 /100
48 Angry Birds Angry Birds 2009 · 239 ratings 75 /100
49 LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues 2009 · 92 ratings 75 /100
50 Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter 2009 · 96 ratings 74 /100
Browse all the best PC games

Other years

Best PC games of 2026Best PC games of 2025Best PC games of 2024Best PC games of 2023Best PC games of 2022Best PC games of 2021Best PC games of 2020Best PC games of 2019Best PC games of 2018Best PC games of 2017Best PC games of 2016Best PC games of 2015

Same year, other platforms

Best PlayStation 3 games of 2009Best Xbox 360 games of 2009Best Mac games of 2009Best iOS games of 2009Best Nintendo DS games of 2009Best Linux games of 2009Best PlayStation 2 games of 2009Best Android games of 2009Best PSP games of 2009Best Wii games of 2009

Nearby rankings

Best PC games of 2008Best PC games of 2010

Catalog statistics

Most abandoned gamesMost completed games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best PC game of 2009?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 682 ratings. Ranking updated November 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.