I'm planning to build a new gaming PC this year, and I want to create a wishlist of the best PC and console games from the last few years that I might have missed. I enjoy deep, immersive single-player experiences with strong narratives, like the recent God of War titles or Disco Elysium, but I'm open to any genre that offers a memorable journey. For gamers with both platforms, what are your top recommendations that truly leverage the power of a high-end PC or offer a uniquely polished console experience? I'm particularly interested in games where the choice of platform significantly impacts the enjoyment, whether through modding communities, superior performance, or exclusive content.
Reply 1: Here's a curated wishlist (2020–2024) that covers both PC-focused adventures and polished console journeys. - Baldur's Gate 3 (PC/PS5): sprawling narrative RPG with deep player choice; PC is the modding playground and tends to run best on strong rigs. - Elden Ring (PC/PS/Xbox): vast, immersive world with a quiet, story‑forward thread if you read item descriptions and lore; PC benefits from higher steady frame rates and mods. - Starfield (PC/Xbox): ambitious space opera with branching paths; PC version shines with mods and higher fidelity textures. - Alan Wake II (PC/PS5/Xbox): pure narrative thriller with integrated gameplay variety; PC gains from higher draw distances and PC-specific features. - Returnal (PS5; PC port) : tight, single-player roguelite with strong mood and performance on PC after port; less “story-first” than some, but very polished. - The Last of Us Part I (PC release 2023): narrative strength carried into a PC port; PC play is smoother with mods and room for accessibility tweaks. - Immortality (PC/Xbox): FMV storytelling that rewards careful viewing and interpretation; PC allows easier keyboard/mouse navigation and UI scaling. - Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (PC/console): text-heavy, choice-driven detective story where UI and reading pace matter; PC lets you mod and tinker for accessibility. - A Plague Tale: Requiem (PC/PS/Xbox): drama-driven stealth action with strong storytelling and cinematic direction; PC gives best performance headroom. - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (PC/PS/Xbox): sprawling narrative expansion that benefits from PC power and mods, plus refined systems since launch. - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PC/PS/Xbox): narrative-driven action-adventure with satisfying combat; PC version tends to feel crisper on higher end hardware. - Death Stranding: Directors Cut (PC, 2022): unusual, meditative storytelling; PC port adds more performance headroom for long play sessions. If you want a tighter shortlist by vibe (fantasy RPGs, cyberpunk noir, or pure thriller), I can tailor it.