The games in today's list are three years old and aging just fine. Get ready to fight your way through dark dungeons or step into the shoes of pirates and kings. Play an old bounty hunter with a "faulty" memory while enjoying a game that doesn't take itself too seriously. Here's are the top PC games you may have missed in 2013.
11. Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
The official gameplay trailer.
Leave a bloody trail behind you.
Black Flag places you at the height of the golden age of piracy. As Edward Kenway your exploits will gain favor among legendary pirates, but will also draw you into an ancient war.
Choose whether you want to follow the main story or search the world for Templar secrets. Or buy a fishing boat and upgrade your character through spoils gotten by hunting sea creatures. It's multiplayer is still unique in presentation; blending in with NPCs to hide from other players instead of a deathmatch situation.
Make your name as a pirate.
8. Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
Did this really happen?
You are Silas Greaves, an old bounty hunter, in the post Civil War west. The game starts with Greaves wandering into a bar and telling very exaggerated tales of his exploits. Of course, you'll play through these stories but the interesting thing is, if someone calls Greaves out on a lie the story will change as Greaves is forced to backpeddle.
Taking down enemies is satisfying since the AI is intelligent enough to be challenging, while just simple enough to pull off consecutive headshots that give extra experience. With an immersive story and two endings on top of fun combat, there's plenty of replayability value.
Comedic over the top violence. Old West style.
7. Outlast
Gameplay trailer shows the first look inside Mount Massive Asylum.
I hope you wore brown pants today.
Still one of the most terrifying games of a journalist who sneaks into an asylum, and spends every moment after that regretting his decision. Outlast makes you fear what's around every corner or in every dark room. While at the same time making you run blindly into these areas with someone right on your heels.
Your only guiding light is a handy camera with night vision. This game is not without repetition, but being powerless to defend yourself will keep your adrenaline pumping.
Once you're caught, game over.
6. Volgarr the Viking
Gameplay trailers the many ways you can die.
How about an ax to the face? That always works.
Volgarr the Viking is a pixelated arcade style game where you play as a rage filled viking. It has a simple control scheme but with a steep difficulty. The reward for adapting is lasting just a little longer than you did before.
Even with no discernable story it's still an enjoyable game. There are alternative paths you can take but they require near perfection to complete and are even less forgiving than the main path. So will you answer Odin's Call?
Face inhuman creatures ready to send you back to the grave.
5. Path of Exile
Gameplay trailer shows just how overwhelming a dungeon can get.
Loot. Lots of Loot.
You're a criminal dumped in Wraeclast, hacking and slashing your way through monstrous creatures. The story is told through quest givers and items. It makes discovering the story it's own reward while allowing players to enjoy a good dungeon crawler.
Mountains of loot also serve more of a purpose; gems are given as quest rewards or drops which you match by color to your abilities. The skill tree itself is an almost overbearing maze itself but if you can understand it, Path of Exile is a great example of what free-to-play can be.
Enjoyable chaos.
4. Expeditions: Conquistador
Gameplay trailer that shows teases of the combat system.
Flawed, ambitious, and well rounded characters.
This is a story based, tactical based RPG that allows you to build your own adventure. It can be broken down into map exploration, it's turn based combat and team management. You get thoughtful dialogue with options that affect the story's events. Resource management and travel can become repetitive. Expedition's strong points lie in the characters and their development. It explores a historical moment with skill without downplaying the period's darker moments.
Take advantage of different tactics to undermine and defeat your enemies.
3. Europa Universalis IV
Gameplay trailer where exploration and how it affects your game is discussed.
See the world come to life on a 3D map.
Guide a nation through the centuries and historic moments as you make your mark. The world map is luscious and even has dynamic weather changes. A new trade system allows you to take control of the world's trade routes and fill your pockets with their riches. Make use of coalitions, royal marriages, and even support rebels if they serve your needs.
The freedom of customization allows you to mod to your hearts content with the Steam workshop. You decide how history will remember you.
2. Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
Gameplay trailer that shows the world map and how you can interact with other characters.
The world is torn apart by war and intrigue. Can you survive?
Step into the shoes of a pagan chief in the world of Crusader kings. Survive invasions, adventuring, and holy war. Struggle to keep control of disorganized vassals that are susceptible to religious conversion, defend your right to rule from too many heirs and frequent civil wars.
But you also get to play from the Christian side and it adds another level of intrigue; there are three kingdoms fighting to claim Europe. The gameplay is complex and continually surprising. The old Gods is a great start for strategy lovers who haven't played previous games from Paradox.
How will your decisions shape medieval Europe?
1. Bioshock Infinite
Gameplay trailers shows an intimate moment between Booker and Elizabeth. As well as high action combat.
An idyllic setting that hides dark secrets.
You play as former Pinkerton agent Booker Dewitt who's been sent to Columbia, a city that was a sign of hope and is now falling from the sky, to rescue Elizabeth. You'll have to fight foes in high speed chases on the skylines. All the while learning to use new powers and weapons.
As Booker's relationship grows with Elizabeth her powers will compliment yours. The games mysteries will draw you in and once you're done still leave you dumbfounded, in a good way. Bioshock Infinite is a truly artful game and well worth your time.
A true sign of destruction?
Whether you decide to build your legend among the grand empires of the past, struggle to survive after the apocalypse, or cut through swathes of enemies you'll have a great time experiencing these great games. Each offers a unique world that successfully sells the illusion of being real. With distinct characters that make it easy to become invested in their stories. Take a chance on an unforgettable experience.
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