Best games
Best PC games of 2016
The 200 best PC games released in 2016, ranked from 36,773 critic and player ratings.
The best PC game of 2016 is Inside, with a critic score of 92/100 — updated September 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: 2016.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 36,773 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Inside
An atmospheric 2D side-scroller in which, hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project and struggles to preserve his identity.
92
/100
02
Rocksmith 2014 Edition - Remastered
The fastest way to learn guitar is now better than ever. With Rocksmith you can learn everything from single notes to chords and advanced techniques, all at your own pace. You'll learn fast because it adapts to your skill level as you play, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player. This remastered version also includes six free bonus songs. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley & The Wailers "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley "Some Nights" by FUN. "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5 "Hey Ya!" by Outkast "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
92
/100
03
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
92
/100
Inside
An atmospheric 2D side-scroller in which, hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project and struggles to preserve his identity.
92
/100
02
Rocksmith 2014 Edition - Remastered
The fastest way to learn guitar is now better than ever. With Rocksmith you can learn everything from single notes to chords and advanced techniques, all at your own pace. You'll learn fast because it adapts to your skill level as you play, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player. This remastered version also includes six free bonus songs. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley & The Wailers "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley "Some Nights" by FUN. "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5 "Hey Ya!" by Outkast "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
92
/100
03
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
92
/100
04
Rez Infinite
The ultimate version of Sega's psychodelic rail-shooter adventure Rez, fully remastered and evolved, including VR support and additional new content, all by members of the original development team
91
/100
05
A
Overwatch
Join the fight for the future in the world of Overwatch and choose your hero from a diverse cast of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities. Bend time, defy physics, and unleash a dizzying array of extraordinary powers and weapons. Engage your enemies in iconic locations from around the globe in the ultimate team-based shooter.
89
/100
06
B
Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in March 2016, it is the fourth entry in the Souls series and the final instalment in the Dark Souls trilogy. Set in the decaying kingdom of Lothric, players take on the role of the "Ashen One," an undead warrior tasked with rekindling the First Flame to prevent the world from falling into darkness. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a deep, lore-rich narrative.
89
/100
07
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is an open-ended country-life RPG! You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
89
/100
08
Hyper Light Drifter
Echoes of a dark and violent past resonate throughout a savage land, steeped in treasure and blood. Hyper Light Drifter is an action adventure RPG in the vein of the best 16-bit classics, with modernized mechanics and designs on a much grander scale.
89
/100
09
Owlboy
Owlboy is a platform/action-adventure video game created by Norwegian developer D-Pad Studio. Explore a vibrantly crafted pixel world in this flying adventure platformer. Being a mute, Otus struggles living up to the expectations of owl-hood. Things spiral from bad to worse with the sudden appearance of sky pirates. What follows is a journey through monster infested ruins, with unexpected encounters, and burdens no one should have to bear.
89
/100
10
The Witness
The Witness is a single-player game in an open world with dozens of locations to explore and over 500 puzzles. This game respects you as an intelligent player and it treats your time as precious. There's no filler; each of those puzzles brings its own new idea into the mix. So, this is a game full of ideas.
88
/100
11
S
Battlefield 1
88
/100
12
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
88
/100
13
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
88
/100
14
Forza Horizon 3
88
/100
15
World of Warcraft: Legion
88
/100
16
A
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
88
/100
17
S
Titanfall 2
87
/100
18
RimWorld
87
/100
19
Orcs Must Die! Unchained
87
/100
20
S
Doom
87
/100
21
S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
87
/100
22
A
Dishonored 2
86
/100
23
Pony Island
86
/100
24
Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You
86
/100
25
Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR
86
/100
26
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
85
/100
27
XCOM 2
85
/100
28
Total War: Warhammer
85
/100
29
Gears of War 4
85
/100
30
FIFA 17
85
/100
31
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
85
/100
32
Thumper
85
/100
33
SuperHot
85
/100
34
Day of the Tentacle Remastered
85
/100
35
SpeedRunners
84
/100
36
Salt and Sanctuary
84
/100
37
OneShot
84
/100
38
ICEY
84
/100
39
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
84
/100
40
Hearts of Iron IV
84
/100
41
OneShot
83
/100
42
Darkest Dungeon
83
/100
43
A
Hitman
83
/100
44
C
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
83
/100
45
D
Don't Starve Together
83
/100
46
ABZU
83
/100
47
Grim Dawn
83
/100
48
Planet Coaster
83
/100
49
BioShock: The Collection
83
/100
50
Devil Daggers
83
/100
Rez Infinite
The ultimate version of Sega's psychodelic rail-shooter adventure Rez, fully remastered and evolved, including VR support and additional new content, all by members of the original development team
91
/100
05
A
Overwatch
Join the fight for the future in the world of Overwatch and choose your hero from a diverse cast of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities. Bend time, defy physics, and unleash a dizzying array of extraordinary powers and weapons. Engage your enemies in iconic locations from around the globe in the ultimate team-based shooter.
89
/100
06
B
Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in March 2016, it is the fourth entry in the Souls series and the final instalment in the Dark Souls trilogy. Set in the decaying kingdom of Lothric, players take on the role of the "Ashen One," an undead warrior tasked with rekindling the First Flame to prevent the world from falling into darkness. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a deep, lore-rich narrative.
89
/100
07
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is an open-ended country-life RPG! You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
89
/100
08
Hyper Light Drifter
Echoes of a dark and violent past resonate throughout a savage land, steeped in treasure and blood. Hyper Light Drifter is an action adventure RPG in the vein of the best 16-bit classics, with modernized mechanics and designs on a much grander scale.
89
/100
09
Owlboy
Owlboy is a platform/action-adventure video game created by Norwegian developer D-Pad Studio. Explore a vibrantly crafted pixel world in this flying adventure platformer. Being a mute, Otus struggles living up to the expectations of owl-hood. Things spiral from bad to worse with the sudden appearance of sky pirates. What follows is a journey through monster infested ruins, with unexpected encounters, and burdens no one should have to bear.
89
/100
10
The Witness
The Witness is a single-player game in an open world with dozens of locations to explore and over 500 puzzles. This game respects you as an intelligent player and it treats your time as precious. There's no filler; each of those puzzles brings its own new idea into the mix. So, this is a game full of ideas.
88
/100
11
S
Battlefield 1
88
/100
12
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
88
/100
13
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
88
/100
14
Forza Horizon 3
88
/100
15
World of Warcraft: Legion
88
/100
16
A
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
88
/100
17
S
Titanfall 2
87
/100
18
RimWorld
87
/100
19
Orcs Must Die! Unchained
87
/100
20
S
Doom
87
/100
21
S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
87
/100
22
A
Dishonored 2
86
/100
23
Pony Island
86
/100
24
Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You
86
/100
25
Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR
86
/100
26
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
85
/100
27
XCOM 2
85
/100
28
Total War: Warhammer
85
/100
29
Gears of War 4
85
/100
30
FIFA 17
85
/100
31
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
85
/100
32
Thumper
85
/100
33
SuperHot
85
/100
34
Day of the Tentacle Remastered
85
/100
35
SpeedRunners
84
/100
36
Salt and Sanctuary
84
/100
37
OneShot
84
/100
38
ICEY
84
/100
39
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
84
/100
40
Hearts of Iron IV
84
/100
41
OneShot
83
/100
42
Darkest Dungeon
83
/100
43
A
Hitman
83
/100
44
C
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
83
/100
45
D
Don't Starve Together
83
/100
46
ABZU
83
/100
47
Grim Dawn
83
/100
48
Planet Coaster
83
/100
49
BioShock: The Collection
83
/100
50
Devil Daggers
83
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PC game of 2016?
Inside currently tops the ranking with a score of 92/100 across 1,594 ratings. Ranking updated September 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.