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Our ranking of the best single-player games to play right now in 2026 is here for you if you're looking to get stuck into some memorable solo adventures.
From some of the best RPGs to the best horror games, we've pulled together a broad variety of recommendations across genres so you can find something to suit you. With picks across all platforms, there's so much to explore here, with each and every game in our curated selection offering up experiences you won't soon forget.
With some of the best games of 2026 that we've seen arrive this year (so far) included, we'll also be keeping an eye on more new game arrivals set to come our way, with plenty of single-player games in the pipeline. But for all of the best single-player games you can play right now, read to discover our list.
The best single player games to play right now, starting with...
25. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Developer: Kojima Productions
Platform(s): PS5
One of the best single player games of 2025 is hands down Hideo Kojima's follow-up to the trippiest walking simulator around, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Sam Porter Bridges is back, and like the first game, you'll need to coordinate and plan deliveries across visually stunning landscapes of Australia and Mexico. We won't get into the main story here as we'd take a whole page breaking it down, but know that Death Stranding 2's cut scenes and new cast are thrilling to watch, and you'll be hooked into a very unique narrative once again here.
Along with making sure you complete deliveries, the gameplay in Death Stranding 2 gives us action and stealth approaches in combat, so you are never bored outside the main story either. Basically, we love this game. In fact, we gave it a four-star rating, and in our Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review, we wrote that it's "charmingly bizarre with its worldbuilding and spectacle," and how the game is "more Metal Gear Solid than ever."
24. Half-Life 2
Developer: Valve
Platform(s): PC
Half-Life 2 is classic, and despite its age, still holds up as one of the best single-player games to ever be made. Set years after the first game, you take on the role of Gordon Freeman once again after he has just awoken from stasis by the very unsettling G-Man. It turns out that Earth is run under a pretty brutal Police state, and it's up to Gordon to work with the resistance in order to liberate everyone.
The main campaign does a great job at building a tense sense of adventure as you navigate run-down homes and some pretty messed-up scenes. You really do feel like you are a lead in an action movie, and the game generally has more scale than its predecessor, which could feel stiflingly confined at times. Half-Life 2's excellent level design and narrative easily sweep you into Gordon's shoes, and the level of immersion easily makes it a standout single-player experience. In our Half-Life 2 review, we also called it one of the greatest shooters ever made, so be sure to check this one out!
23. Returnal
Developer: Housemarque
Platform(s): PS5, PC
Part old arcade school shoot 'em up, part Hideo Kojima-esque narrative opus, here is a bizarre, ambitious, and utterly enthralling ride. As we point out in our Returnal review, it's also unrelentingly brutal. Light on save points and big on punishment, this all-consuming PS5 exclusive definitely isn't easy.
Yet, thanks to its slick-feeling movement, all-consuming sense of atmosphere, and brilliant sense of intrigue, it's a game that constantly beckons you to return. Blending a sickeningly detailed Aliens-esque aesthetic with some of the most satisfying combat this side of Platinum games, this story-led sci-fi roguelike is a creation that’s refreshingly unique. Whether you're new to the genre or are an old hand, Returnal is a gorgeous, ambitious, and completely essential experience.
22. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
If you’re itching to wield a virtual lightsaber after binge-watching The Mandalorian, then look no further. Taking its cues from Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, Jedi Fallen Order is a giddy blend of Uncharted-esque cinematic adventure and challenging Metroidvania. Yet more crucially for Star Wars stans, the tale it tells is entirely canon.
Featuring characters from Rogue One and tying neatly into the events of Rebels, the Bad Batch, and The Clone Wars, Fallen Order is a must for anyone who's found themselves falling back in love with a galaxy far, far away. It's easily one of the best Star Wars games around, and the perfect title to visit before you pick up the latest Star Wars-flavored sci-fi adventure, Star Wars Outlaws. For more details on this single-player gem, read our Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order review.
21. 007 First Light
Developer: IO Interactive
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
007 First Light puts you in the role of a young James Bond in a memorable, re-imagined origin story as he joins the Double 0 training program at MI6. When tragedy strikes, though, you'll find yourself swept up in unravelling a conspiracy with your mentor Greenway. With different ways to approach scenarios, you can get resourceful with your gadgets to complete objectives, opt for a stealthy route, or fight with your fists or guns.
With its blend of cinematic sequences, car chases, and missions, playing Hitman developer IO Interactive's take on Bond offers up an engaging single-player experience full of espionage-fueled thrills. As we said in our 007 First Light review, the adventure "understands the appeal of spycraft and is able to deliver the fantasy".
20. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 draws you into 15th century medieval Europe on a sprawling journey as Henry of Skalitz. As a rich sandbox RPG that allows you to role-play to your heart's content, there's all kinds of approaches you can take, from boosting your charisma with the right gear and items to talk your way out of scrapes, to engaging in sword fights (both on foot or on horseback), or sneaking your way to victory.
As you set out on a far flung journey across the landscape, taking on quests as you go, you can also get stuck into other pastimes, from blacksmithing, to horse racing, and playing a round of dice. The world really is your medieval oyster to mess around in. To find out more, check out our Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review.
19. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PS5
After Final Fantasy 7 Remake delivered a memorable reimagining of the opening section of the beloved 1997 RPG, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes us out into the wider world beyond Midgar. Building on what came before with some great improvements to side content such as Odd Jobs and minigames, Rebirth follows Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Barret as they set out in pursuit of Sephiroth.
With open areas to explore, the follow-up allows us to spend more time with the lovable cast and get stuck into the action with new synergy abilities and skills. If you want to know about one of the best JRPGs and a stand-out single-player game, check out our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review.
18. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios / Virtuos
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Almost two decades after it first released in 2006, Oblivion is back in style. That's right, you can relive the magic of Cyrodill or experience the adventure for the first time in a remaster that's worthy of the amulet of kings. Bethesda brings to life an open-world packed with things to do and discover, and while there's a big central questline to follow, you'll be free to go off the beaten path pretty much from the get-go and see what the sprawling landscapes have to offer you.
With some memorable expansions to top it all off, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remastered is a welcome comeback for what is one very enjoyable RPG, and it's easily one of the best single-player games around.
17. Pokemon Legends Z-A
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch, Switch 2
Following in the footsteps of Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A brings to life a single-player adventure that takes place in the city setting of Lumiose (which featured as the backdrop to Pokemon X and Y). But rather than turning back the clock and drawing us into the past, Z-A leans more towards a futuristic feel, with a focus on combat.
Switching things up by seeing you take on Pokemon battles in real-time rather than series' traditional turn-based fair, there's a refreshing feel to adventure. With plenty of challenges to conquer as you take on the Z-A Royale to rise through the ranks. As we said in our Pokemon Legends Z-A review, it "offers a true slice-of-life Pokemon experience thanks to its anime-style real-time combat system and wholesome worldbuilding elements."
16. Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S
Not only is Yakuza 0 one of the best ARPGs, it's also one the very best Yakuza games in the series. Proving that a prequel can match up to, if not surpass, the games that follow, Yakuza 0 serves as the perfect set up for Kiryu's adventures, with the story also establishing Majima as the other playable protagonist.
With a memorable crime drama to make your way through as you navigate through Tokyo and Osaka in the '80s, you'll get to put different (and incredibly entertaining) fighting styles to use, which are unique to Kiryu and Majima. There's so much to do outside of the main story, too, from singing karaoke, to running a host club, and playing classic Sega arcade games.
15. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
If you're looking to dive into a very memorable, single-player RPG, then Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is hear to answer your call. As one of the biggest highlights of the first half of 2025, Sandfall Interactive pays homage to JRPGs with turn-based combat and a party of memorable companion that join you on a sweeping adventure across the fantasy world that's inspired by the Belle Epoque 19th century era in France.
Following the journey of Expedition 33, you set out to put a stop to a figure known as the Paintress who decides at what age people who inhabit the world should die. With high stakes, engaging combat, and characters you'll come to care for, you can find out more about this standout singe-player game in our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.
14. Resident Evil 2 Remake
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch
Capcom's initial announcement of Resident Evil 2 Remake was naturally met with some skepticism at first, but we couldn't have been more off-base. The studio's loving recreation of its '90s survival horror classic is the perfect example of how to modernize an old game while staying true to its roots.
Leon's harrowing gauntlet through the Raccoon City Police Department is one of the scariest, toughest campaigns we've ever had the joy of running through. It's completely accessible to series newcomers yet still littered with Easter eggs to delight the Resi faithful. This is how horror is done, and proves just how much life there is in all the best Resident Evil games yet. For more spooky fun, read our Resident Evil 2 Remake review.
13. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, PC
The current crop of consoles may have got off to a bit of a shaky start, but Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a clear launch highlight. Picking up where 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man left off, this 15-hour standalone adventure puts players in the shoes of the other Spider-Man.
Not only is Insomniac’s second Spidey outing drop-dead gorgeous, it’s an utter joy to play, too. Stepping up the level of cinematic storytelling and giving players a toybox full of new suit upgrades to play with, Miles Morales’ Christmas-time Harlem is an utter joy to swing through. If you’re after something fun and story-led, then you can find out more in our Spider-Man: Miles Morales review.
12. Metaphor: ReFantazio
Developer: Atlus
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
Metaphor ReFantazio isn't just one of the best games of 2024; it's also a JRPG that will make you fall in love with the genre, thanks to its stylish direction, mature story, and snappy gameplay. Set in the fantastical world of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, there's mass unrest after the King is assassinated and his son is put under a curse. You play as the hero who works to save his cursed friend and keep the throne away from nefarious forces.
As you progress, you'll not only have a well of gameplay mechanics to explore, such as raising bonds with your companions and unlocking new powerful forms (called Archetypes), but you'll be drawn into the world that's rife with inequality, power struggles, and fear. Metaphor ReFantazio takes the calendar and bonding system used in the best Persona games and gets rid of all the filler and fat. It's stunning, streamlined, and has 80-plus hours of single-player magic. For more information on this must-play, read our Metaphor ReFantazio review.
11. Fallout: New Vegas
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platform(s): PC
Fallout: New Vegas is one of the best Fallout games ever to exist and is easily one of the greatest RPGs around still today. Set in the Mojave Desert, years after a nuclear war has turned the United States into a bare wasteland, you play as a courier (who wakes up after being shot in the head, ouch). You’ll have to make your way to New Vegas, where your choices and actions tie you to different factions throughout the open world. Every side mission is rich with story, and the aesthetics are to die for as you trek through an almost Western post-apocalyptic world.
With stellar writing and a rich world that changes based on your actions, this is an RPG that truly puts you first. Every playthrough can result in an entirely new experience of the story as you switch allies, prioritize different stats, and choose to do certain missions over others for your reputation. This game is a pure joy to play, and as we wait for Fallout 5, it’s also the perfect time to revisit it. For more information on this classic, read our Fall Out: New Vegas review.
10. Alan Wake 2
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
Following the heights of Control, Alan Wake 2 arrived to deliver a memorable, imaginative survival horror that succeeds at drawing you in as much as it keeps you guessing. As a sequel to Remedy's much-loved supernatural thriller from 2010, you follow and play as two protagonists - FBI agent Saga Anderson and author Alan Wake.
Saga investigates a case that starts to veer into the supernatural, and Wake, who mysteriously went missing 10 years ago, is trying to free himself of the Dark Place. As you switch between characters and experience their interwoven stories, you can expect some scares, intrigue, and plenty of surprises. Read our five-star Alan Wake 2 review for more thrills and insights.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Who'd have thought that of all games, the Zelda series would be the one to introduce one of the best open worlds of all time? Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is Zelda's first... sorry, Link's first journey on the Nintendo Switch and it's one of his best ever.
There's so much to do! From searching for the 900 Korok Seeds to hunting down Guardians and completing shrines, Breath of the Wild is one of the best Switch games of all-time. It also fully deserves its spot in the top 10 picks on our list of the best single-player games, and if you love it, you'll undoubtedly enjoy the sequel, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Check out our Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild review for more Hyrule details.
8. God of War
Developer: Sony Santa Monica Studio
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5
The God of War franchise has always been great, but God of War has taken things to the next level. It's gone from linear storytelling to a semi-open world, where players control Kratos and explore worlds taken straight from Norse mythology.
It's brutal, badass, and bafflingly beautiful, which is why we called it one of "PlayStation's finest moments." Plus, once you've made your way through the adventure, you can follow it up with the excellent sequel, God of War Ragnarok. If you need more Kratos in your life, check out our God of War review.
7. Cyberpunk 2077
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Cyberpunk 2077 is undoubtedly one of the best single-player games around. With characters you won't soon forget, a customizable character in V, and some impressive updates that have improved the overall experience exponentially, Cyberpunk's Night City is an undeniably exhilarating place to explore.
Featuring a brilliant soundtrack, industry-leading voice acting, and enough side quests to shake a Bloody Baron at, Cyberpunk 2077 is about as epic as an open-world epic can get. You won't regret stepping into the shoes of V and getting to know Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves). Plus, the excellent Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty expansion just gives you more reasons to give it a go if you haven't already. Read our Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review for more insights.
6. Baldur's Gate 3
Developer: Larian Studios
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5
While you can absolutely play Baldur's Gate 3 with some pals, Larian's sprawling RPG is an excellent game to play solo. Accompanied by a party of memorable companions - who you can develop a relationship with if you so wish - you can get stuck into a series of engaging quests as you try to root out the tadpole in your brain.
With so much scope to shape your own journey, from the character you create or the decisions you make and the way you approach encounters, The Sword Coast is a stage for you to play out your own story. This is easily one of the best games to come out in recent years, and you can learn more about it in our Baldur's Gate 3 review.
5. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Developer: MachineGames
Platform(s): Xbox Series X, PC, PS5
Single-player gaming doesn't get much better than Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The Bethesda-MachineGames collab struck gold when it launched at the tail end of 2024, delivering not only one of the best single-player games in a generation, but the most exciting adventure for Indy himself since the original trilogy.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle combines stealth, melee, and the occasional demand for ranged combat as the intrepid explorer uses his trusty bullwhip to confuse foes and get himself into (and out of) sticky situations that take him on a globetrotting, time-bending journey. Sounds good, right? Well, there's never been a better time to jump into the adventure now that the Order of the Giants DLC has arrived. To learn more about the game, check out our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review.
4. Elden Ring
Developer: FromSoftware
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5
FromSoftware's action RPG takes you to a sprawling open-world setting of the Lands Between as the Tarnished. With dungeons to explore, great big foes to conquer, and all manner of challenges to overcome, Elden Ring delivers a rich, engrossing experience that's only enchanced thanks to the Elden Ring: Shadow of Erdtree DLC.
While you can expect to be in for several tough fights, there's nothing quite like the feeling of emerging victorious when you take down a particularly strong enemy. And with character customization and an impressive fantasy landscape to discover, Elden Ring quickly became one of the biggest games of 2022 - not to mention one of the best FromSoftware games of all-time. Read our five-star Elden Ring review for more information.
3. The Last Of Us 2
Developer: Naughty Dog
Platform(s): PS4, PS5
To be fair, we could easily have named The Last Of Us here, but its sequel, the neatly named The Last of Us 2, took the original formula and improved it across the board. Like its predecessor, expect themes of love, loss, and more breath-taking moments than you can shake a makeshift Molotov cocktail at.
The first Last of Us venture was hardly lacking in themes of humanity and morality, but number Two dials those levels up to 11, and is all the better for it. You can read our five-star The Last of Us 2 review if you want to know one of the best single-player games around.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Developer: Rockstar
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, PS4
Is there a better way to kick off this list than with Rockstar's western epic? A prequel to the first game, Red Dead Redemption 2 places you in the shoes of Arthur Morgan. Explore the staggeringly beautiful Wild West on horseback, hunt animals, play poker, go fishing, and more as you saunter around as part of Dutch van der Linde's gang.
There's so much to explore in this game, but as our Red Dead Redemption 2 review points out, it particularly shines with all the side quests on offer. Truly, it's a single-player dream experience. When you've finished the 80+ hour journey, jump into Red Dead Online for even more cowboy action.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch
If you can get your head around a brand new style of combat that does away with most conventions seen in other games, the rest of The Witcher 3 could be considered perfect (read more on that fact in our The Witch 3 review)!
You are Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher - also known as a monster slayer to you and I. There's so much to do and see in this game that, even as a solo player, you're never bored or left wanting more. It may seem overwhelming at first, but after you complete your first few monster contracts and begin Geralt's journey to find the ones he loves, you will not put The Witcher 3 down until you've reached the end and slain thousands of enemies.
Single-player games FAQs
Do single-player games need servers?
While a lot of single-player games don't require you to be connected to online servers, many single-player games will require that you're connected online initially, or in future instances in order to update your game. Depending on the kind of game you're playing, there are also certain single player games that will also require you to be connected to online servers to access certain features.
Once you've updated your game, you can more often than not play single-player campaigns offline thereafter. In certain cases, a game may also require to be connected online for DRM software, which is sometimes incorporated as an anti-piracy measure.
What are the best free single-player games on Steam?
If you're looking for some recommendations for single-player games you can get stuck into for free on Steam, we helpfully have a roundup of the best free Steam games you can play right now. Among them, there are a helping of fantastic single-player freebies you can download, including the likes of Doki Doki Literature Club, The Sims 4 (base game), and War Thunder.
Other options also include the likes of the 2025 open-world action RPG, Where the Winds Meet, as well as The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, Path of Exile, and Moonring. Our pick of the best free games also includes other recommendations that are available for free on Steam that can be played solo, such as Infinity Nikki.
What is the best single-player campaign?
There are some truly fantastic and memorable single-player campaigns out there, and every pick in our roundup has one that's worth exploring for one reason or another. If you're looking to get swept up in a sprawling, immersive storyline that will tug on your emotions, for example, Red Dead Redemption 2's single-player campaign continues to be one of the very best out there.
Both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 also offer up an engrossing experience that you won't soon forget, alongside God of War and The Last of Us.
Look ahead to more future releases with our roundup of upcoming Xbox Series X games, upcoming PC games, upcoming PS5 games, and upcoming Switch games.
