Beste games
Best PC games of 2004
The 73 best PC games released in 2004, ranked from 23,660 critic and player ratings.
The best PC game of 2004 is Half-Life 2, with a critic score of 96/100 — updated augustus 2026.
01
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
02
A
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Returning after his mother's murder to the semi-fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Carl Johnson, a former gang banger, must take back the streets for his family and friends by gaining respect and once again gaining control over the streets. However, a story filled with crime, lies and corruption will lead him to trudge the entire state of San Andreas (based on California and Nevada) to rebuild his life.
93
/100
03
Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition
93
/100
S
Half-Life 2
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.
96
/100
02
A
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Returning after his mother's murder to the semi-fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Carl Johnson, a former gang banger, must take back the streets for his family and friends by gaining respect and once again gaining control over the streets. However, a story filled with crime, lies and corruption will lead him to trudge the entire state of San Andreas (based on California and Nevada) to rebuild his life.
93
/100
03
Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition
93
/100
04
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
05
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
90
/100
06
Counter-Strike: Source
Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology.
88
/100
07
Sid Meier's Pirates!
88
/100
08
ROME: Total War
88
/100
09
Unreal Tournament 2004
Unreal Tournament 2004 is a multiplayer first person shooter that combines the kill-or-be-killed experience of gladiatorial combat with cutting-edge technology. Ten game modes - both team-based and "every man for himself" -- provide even the most hardcore gamer with palm-sweating challenges through unbelievably detailed indoor arenas and vast outdoor environments. As the ultimate techno-gladiator of the future, players will take their fates into their hands, battling against up to 32 other players online in action-packed, frag-filled arenas. Assault Mode - Assault mode returns! Redesigned for UT2004, this fan-favorite mode sees teams face-off to defend and attack fortified bases, from fast-moving trains, barreling across an arid alien desert to a Skaarj mother ship, poised to attack the human home world. Onslaught Mode - Onslaught mode takes team combat to the next level! Opposing teams are pitted against each other to capture and hold strategic points in order to attack and destroy the enemy power core. Taking place in massive outdoor environments, here is where vehicular combat comes into its own. Flying and driving machines take combatants to the frontline and gigantic mobile battle stations serve as a platform from which to launch devastating attacks. Vehicles - Rev-up and ride out in an array of land-, air-, and space-based vehicles that play critical roles in a successful combat strategy in Assault and Onslaught. With vehicles ranging from single man fighters to five man behemoths, Unreal Tournament 2004 provides players with plenty of choices when shopping for a mechanized implement of destruction. Levels - More than 95 maps will be available immediately, including more than 45 brand new maps for all existing game play modes as well as new modes of play. Vast outdoor environments, deep space combat areas and tightly packed indoor techno-arenas are all waiting for the latest entrants to the Tournament. Weapons - The entire smorgasbord of frag-dealing weaponry from Unreal Tournament 2003 returns for the experienced player to wield masterfully against new contestants. Those armaments are joined by three new implements of doom: the Mine layer, which disperses spider-like bombs that chase and harass any enemy that comes within range; the anti vehicle rocket launcher, or AVRiL, which deals out a payload of massive rockets tuned to seek and destroy enemy mechanized units; the Grenade Launcher, which launches timed explosives that will bounce on the ground and stick to enemies and enemy vehicles, only to be triggered by the weapons altfire command; and, the return of the notorious Sniper Rifle from the original Unreal tournament, completely redesigned and upgraded to make heads roll. New Characters - Unreal Tournament 2004 introduces 32 new characters on four new teams: The human Thunder Crash, lead by Tournament hero, Malcolm; the Robotic Corrupt, lead by an upgraded Xan Kriegor; the Iron Skull, a team of merciless Skaarj warriors; and the Hellions -- wreckless human mercenaries and pirates who delight in the thrill of the kill. New Technology - Unreal Tournament not only brings new content for hardcore fans to relish, it also delivers a tremendous technology update over its predecessor, delivering a faster, slicker, deeper experience than ever before.
88
/100
10
Far Cry
A tropical paradise seethes with hidden evil in Far Cry, a cunningly detailed action shooter that pushed the boundaries of combat to shocking new levels.Freelance mariner Jack Carver is cursing the day he ever came to this island. A week ago, a brash female reporter named Valerie had offered him an incredible sum of cash to take her to this unspoiled paradise. Shortly after docking, however, Jack's boat was greeted by artillery fire from a mysterious militia group swarming about the island. With his boat destroyed, his money gone, and the gorgeous Valerie suddenly missing, Jack now finds himself facing an army of mercenaries amidst the wilds of the island, with nothing but a gun and his wits to survive. But the further he pushes into the lush jungle canopy, the stranger things become. Jack encounters an insider within the militia group who reveals the horrific details of the mercenaries' true intentions. He presents Jack with an unsettling choice: battle the deadliest mercenaries, or condemn the human race to a maniac's insidious agenda.
88
/100
11
Call of Duty: United Offensive
87
/100
12
OpenTTD
87
/100
13
World of Warcraft
86
/100
14
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
86
/100
15
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
86
/100
16
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
85
/100
17
Thief 3: Deadly Shadows
85
/100
18
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
85
/100
19
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
20
Battlefield Vietnam
84
/100
21
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
84
/100
22
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
84
/100
23
Cave Story
83
/100
24
Silent Storm Gold Edition
83
/100
25
Sid Meier's Pirates!
83
/100
26
Evil Genius
82
/100
27
Need for Speed: Underground 2
82
/100
28
The Suffering
82
/100
29
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
30
Halo 2
81
/100
31
Syberia 2
80
/100
32
FlatOut
80
/100
33
Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault
80
/100
34
Gish
80
/100
35
Colin McRae Rally 2005
80
/100
36
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
80
/100
37
Garry's Mod
79
/100
38
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
39
Zuma Deluxe
78
/100
40
Hitman: Contracts
77
/100
41
Knights of Honor
77
/100
42
Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
76
/100
43
Second Sight
75
/100
44
Sacred
74
/100
45
Bejeweled 2
74
/100
46
Beyond Divinity
73
/100
47
Star Wars: Battlefront
73
/100
48
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
72
/100
49
Silent Hill 4: The Room
72
/100
50
Scrapland
72
/100
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
05
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
90
/100
06
Counter-Strike: Source
Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology.
88
/100
07
Sid Meier's Pirates!
88
/100
08
ROME: Total War
88
/100
09
Unreal Tournament 2004
Unreal Tournament 2004 is a multiplayer first person shooter that combines the kill-or-be-killed experience of gladiatorial combat with cutting-edge technology. Ten game modes - both team-based and "every man for himself" -- provide even the most hardcore gamer with palm-sweating challenges through unbelievably detailed indoor arenas and vast outdoor environments. As the ultimate techno-gladiator of the future, players will take their fates into their hands, battling against up to 32 other players online in action-packed, frag-filled arenas. Assault Mode - Assault mode returns! Redesigned for UT2004, this fan-favorite mode sees teams face-off to defend and attack fortified bases, from fast-moving trains, barreling across an arid alien desert to a Skaarj mother ship, poised to attack the human home world. Onslaught Mode - Onslaught mode takes team combat to the next level! Opposing teams are pitted against each other to capture and hold strategic points in order to attack and destroy the enemy power core. Taking place in massive outdoor environments, here is where vehicular combat comes into its own. Flying and driving machines take combatants to the frontline and gigantic mobile battle stations serve as a platform from which to launch devastating attacks. Vehicles - Rev-up and ride out in an array of land-, air-, and space-based vehicles that play critical roles in a successful combat strategy in Assault and Onslaught. With vehicles ranging from single man fighters to five man behemoths, Unreal Tournament 2004 provides players with plenty of choices when shopping for a mechanized implement of destruction. Levels - More than 95 maps will be available immediately, including more than 45 brand new maps for all existing game play modes as well as new modes of play. Vast outdoor environments, deep space combat areas and tightly packed indoor techno-arenas are all waiting for the latest entrants to the Tournament. Weapons - The entire smorgasbord of frag-dealing weaponry from Unreal Tournament 2003 returns for the experienced player to wield masterfully against new contestants. Those armaments are joined by three new implements of doom: the Mine layer, which disperses spider-like bombs that chase and harass any enemy that comes within range; the anti vehicle rocket launcher, or AVRiL, which deals out a payload of massive rockets tuned to seek and destroy enemy mechanized units; the Grenade Launcher, which launches timed explosives that will bounce on the ground and stick to enemies and enemy vehicles, only to be triggered by the weapons altfire command; and, the return of the notorious Sniper Rifle from the original Unreal tournament, completely redesigned and upgraded to make heads roll. New Characters - Unreal Tournament 2004 introduces 32 new characters on four new teams: The human Thunder Crash, lead by Tournament hero, Malcolm; the Robotic Corrupt, lead by an upgraded Xan Kriegor; the Iron Skull, a team of merciless Skaarj warriors; and the Hellions -- wreckless human mercenaries and pirates who delight in the thrill of the kill. New Technology - Unreal Tournament not only brings new content for hardcore fans to relish, it also delivers a tremendous technology update over its predecessor, delivering a faster, slicker, deeper experience than ever before.
88
/100
10
Far Cry
A tropical paradise seethes with hidden evil in Far Cry, a cunningly detailed action shooter that pushed the boundaries of combat to shocking new levels.Freelance mariner Jack Carver is cursing the day he ever came to this island. A week ago, a brash female reporter named Valerie had offered him an incredible sum of cash to take her to this unspoiled paradise. Shortly after docking, however, Jack's boat was greeted by artillery fire from a mysterious militia group swarming about the island. With his boat destroyed, his money gone, and the gorgeous Valerie suddenly missing, Jack now finds himself facing an army of mercenaries amidst the wilds of the island, with nothing but a gun and his wits to survive. But the further he pushes into the lush jungle canopy, the stranger things become. Jack encounters an insider within the militia group who reveals the horrific details of the mercenaries' true intentions. He presents Jack with an unsettling choice: battle the deadliest mercenaries, or condemn the human race to a maniac's insidious agenda.
88
/100
11
Call of Duty: United Offensive
87
/100
12
OpenTTD
87
/100
13
World of Warcraft
86
/100
14
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
86
/100
15
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
86
/100
16
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
85
/100
17
Thief 3: Deadly Shadows
85
/100
18
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
85
/100
19
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
20
Battlefield Vietnam
84
/100
21
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
84
/100
22
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
84
/100
23
Cave Story
83
/100
24
Silent Storm Gold Edition
83
/100
25
Sid Meier's Pirates!
83
/100
26
Evil Genius
82
/100
27
Need for Speed: Underground 2
82
/100
28
The Suffering
82
/100
29
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
30
Halo 2
81
/100
31
Syberia 2
80
/100
32
FlatOut
80
/100
33
Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault
80
/100
34
Gish
80
/100
35
Colin McRae Rally 2005
80
/100
36
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
80
/100
37
Garry's Mod
79
/100
38
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
39
Zuma Deluxe
78
/100
40
Hitman: Contracts
77
/100
41
Knights of Honor
77
/100
42
Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
76
/100
43
Second Sight
75
/100
44
Sacred
74
/100
45
Bejeweled 2
74
/100
46
Beyond Divinity
73
/100
47
Star Wars: Battlefront
73
/100
48
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
72
/100
49
Silent Hill 4: The Room
72
/100
50
Scrapland
72
/100
FAQ
What is the best PC game of 2004?
Half-Life 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 96/100 across 4,105 ratings. It holds a S grade from the Tier community — updated augustus 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.