Best games
Best PC games of 2021
The 80 best PC games released in 2021, ranked from 14,292 critic and player ratings.
The best PC game of 2021 is Escape Simulator, with a critic score of 100/100 — 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: 2021.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 14,292 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Escape Simulator
Escape Simulator is a next-gen escape room experience: pick up and examine everything, move furniture, smash pots and melt locks! Play solo or with a friend to solve cryptic puzzles and riddles.
100
/100
02
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
03
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
Escape Simulator
Escape Simulator is a next-gen escape room experience: pick up and examine everything, move furniture, smash pots and melt locks! Play solo or with a friend to solve cryptic puzzles and riddles.
100
/100
02
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
03
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
04
S
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut Includes: - Full game. - Iki Island expansion: New story, mini-games, enemy types and more. - Legends online co-op mode. - Digital mini art book by Dark Horse. - Director’s commentary: The creative team sits down with a renowned Japanese historian to look at the world of Ghost of Tsushima and how it compares to the real-life events that inspired it. - One Technique Point. - Charm of Hachiman’s Favour. - Hero of Tsushima Skin Set: Golden Mask, Sword Kit, Horse, Saddle.
92
/100
05
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an enhanced and expanded version of Final Fantasy VII Remake that features a new episode starring Yuffie and introduces an exhilarating new story arc with numerous gameplay additions for players to enjoy.
92
/100
06
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter. Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet. Enhanced Edition offers additional Ray Tracing features including Advanced Ray Traced Reflections and support for DLSS 2.0. Additionally, this update improves its existing Ray Traced Global Illumination tech to make every light source fully Ray Traced. It also implements the Ray Traced Emissive Lighting tech from The Two Colonels throughout the game.
92
/100
07
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
08
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
09
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
10
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
11
D
Valheim
90
/100
12
The Forgotten City
90
/100
13
Returnal
90
/100
14
Deathloop
90
/100
15
A
It Takes Two
88
/100
16
D
Deathloop
88
/100
17
Halo Infinite
88
/100
18
Tales of Arise
87
/100
19
Psychonauts 2
87
/100
20
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
21
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
22
Death's Door
87
/100
23
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
24
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
25
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
26
Loop Hero
85
/100
27
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
28
Unpacking
84
/100
29
A
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
30
Hitman 3
83
/100
31
Road 96
83
/100
32
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
82
/100
33
The Riftbreaker
82
/100
34
Inscryption
82
/100
35
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
82
/100
36
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
37
S
NieR Replicant v1.22474487139...
82
/100
38
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
82
/100
39
Knockout City
82
/100
40
A
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
41
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
81
/100
42
Age of Empires IV
81
/100
43
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
44
Dyson Sphere Program
80
/100
45
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
80
/100
46
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
47
B
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
48
The Artful Escape
80
/100
49
Eastward
80
/100
50
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
S
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut Includes: - Full game. - Iki Island expansion: New story, mini-games, enemy types and more. - Legends online co-op mode. - Digital mini art book by Dark Horse. - Director’s commentary: The creative team sits down with a renowned Japanese historian to look at the world of Ghost of Tsushima and how it compares to the real-life events that inspired it. - One Technique Point. - Charm of Hachiman’s Favour. - Hero of Tsushima Skin Set: Golden Mask, Sword Kit, Horse, Saddle.
92
/100
05
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an enhanced and expanded version of Final Fantasy VII Remake that features a new episode starring Yuffie and introduces an exhilarating new story arc with numerous gameplay additions for players to enjoy.
92
/100
06
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter. Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet. Enhanced Edition offers additional Ray Tracing features including Advanced Ray Traced Reflections and support for DLSS 2.0. Additionally, this update improves its existing Ray Traced Global Illumination tech to make every light source fully Ray Traced. It also implements the Ray Traced Emissive Lighting tech from The Two Colonels throughout the game.
92
/100
07
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
08
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
09
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
10
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
11
D
Valheim
90
/100
12
The Forgotten City
90
/100
13
Returnal
90
/100
14
Deathloop
90
/100
15
A
It Takes Two
88
/100
16
D
Deathloop
88
/100
17
Halo Infinite
88
/100
18
Tales of Arise
87
/100
19
Psychonauts 2
87
/100
20
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
21
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
22
Death's Door
87
/100
23
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
24
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
25
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
26
Loop Hero
85
/100
27
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
28
Unpacking
84
/100
29
A
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
30
Hitman 3
83
/100
31
Road 96
83
/100
32
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
82
/100
33
The Riftbreaker
82
/100
34
Inscryption
82
/100
35
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
82
/100
36
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
37
S
NieR Replicant v1.22474487139...
82
/100
38
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
82
/100
39
Knockout City
82
/100
40
A
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
41
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
81
/100
42
Age of Empires IV
81
/100
43
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
44
Dyson Sphere Program
80
/100
45
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
80
/100
46
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
47
B
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
48
The Artful Escape
80
/100
49
Eastward
80
/100
50
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PC game of 2021?
Escape Simulator currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 89 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.