By Pranav Bhardwaj
Follow
Followed
Thread 6
Link copied to clipboard
Sign in to your XDA account

Online multiplayer games are all over the gaming world, but nothing can beat the feeling of immersing yourself in a craftily built offline game. Whether you are dealing with internet issues or simply desire to go for solo gaming, there are many offline games that provide thrilling gaming experiences and endless entertainment.
Here are the best offline games that I love playing on my Windows PC.
The following list also includes games from the Steam platform. To play Steam games offline, you must first launch the app and switch to offline mode. The same applies to the games from the Epic Game Store. Also, although all of the following games can be played offline, some require periodic internet access for the latest updates and improvements.
Related
8 best free-to-play games on Steam
Explore the 10 best free-to-play games on Steam, from action-packed shooters to relaxing adventures
13
15 Red Dead Redemption 2
A Western epic like no other
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 is more than just a game for me. Set in the late 1800s, you take on the role of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw struggling to keep his gang alive while also dealing with his own sense of morality. It is an open world that seems alive, with cities, regions, and mysteries to uncover.
What I really love about the game is its level of detail. From dynamic weather systems to lifelike NPC interactions, each instance feels alive. The offline story mode has more than 50 hours of the best missions ever, side missions, and random encounters. However, while playing offline, you will miss out on Red Dead Online, which includes cooperative missions, competitive modes, and community-driven events.

Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar's open-world adventure, set in the tragedy and beauty of the Old West.
14 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A sprawling fantasy world filled with adventure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is often cited as one of the best RPGs of all time, and for a good reason. In the game, you play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter traveling a war-torn world searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game features an epic main story accompanied by countless side quests that are as engaging as the main story.
The open-world design is magnificent, boasting a variety of regions to explore, from the lively metropolis of Novigrad to the ghostly swamps of Velen. Its offline mode allows you to immerse in its rich lore, strategic combat, and more without any interruption. Thanks to its multiple endings and popular DLCs like Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, The Witcher 3 has given me hundreds of hours of unforgettable gaming experience. However, it's worth noting that while the offline mode is excellent, the online mods and community-created expansions can add even more to the experience.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
One of the greatest RPG adventures and fantasy games available on this generation of consoles.
13 DOOM Eternal
High-octane action and demon-slaying thrills
When I want to smash my gamepad's buttons in a turgid fashion, DOOM Eternal is the game that will give me what I crave the most. Your mission as the Doom Slayer is to eliminate hordes of demons and protect Earth from destruction. The quick, brutal combat mixed with puzzle-like level designs has kept me hooked to the game, and I began to level up faster than I thought possible.
The single-player campaign is a marvel of game design, with tons of weapons, upgrades, and difficult enemies. From chainsawing demons for ammunition to executing gruesome Glory Kills, DOOM Eternal keeps the action fast and furious every single moment. The offline mode lets me relish the chaos uninterrupted, making it perfect for first-person shooter enthusiasts. However, when offline, you'll miss online multiplayer Battlemode, where one player goes head-to-head against two others who control demons.

5Images
5Images





DOOM Eternal
A gloriously violent action game in which you must eradicate a demon invasion personally.
12 Grand Theft Auto V
A virtual world of endless possibilities
Grand Theft Auto V - Do I need to say more? Its online mode is very popular, but the offline story mode is equally impressive. You have to take on three different characters: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, who live in the overgrown city of Los Santos and go on intertwined adventures.
The game's offline mode allows me to navigate its massive open world, commit heists, and pursue hundreds of side activities like racing, golfing, and even stock-market trading, all at my own pace. With its exceptional graphics, witty writing, and infinite potential for mayhem, GTA V is a benchmark for open-world games. You can also try GTA Online, which includes new missions, updates, and multiplayer fun with friends.
11 The Sims 4
Create your dream world without internet
When I'm in the mood for creativity and simulation, I go to The Sims 4. The game enables me to create my own characters and homes and dictate every detail of their existence. From building careers to forming relationships, there are endless possibilities.
While The Sims 4 has lots of online content, its offline mode is still a rich experience. You can explore the base game offerings or expand it with DLC packs. It's a calming, enjoyable way for me to relieve stress and unwind my imagination.
10 Civilization VI
A strategy game that spans the ages
Civilization VI is a strategy game where your goal is to build an empire that lasts ages. As the head of a civilization, you need to lead your people through the Stone Age to the Information Age, making important choices related to politics, science, and military strategy.
The game's turn-based nature makes it well-suited for offline play, allowing you to plan your next move at your own pace. With many ways to achieve victory, including, but not limited to, domination through warfare or conquest of space, the game provides strategy fans like me with immense replay value; Civilization VI by itself is easily its own full-time endeavor.

Civilization VI
In Civilization VI you slowly progress through human history. In this turn-based strategy game, you must create your own army, develop technology, and interact with other city inhabitants. Unlock new skills, conquer nations, and rule the world.
9 Celeste
A heartfelt journey with challenging platforming
Celeste is a platformer with solid controls, gorgeous pixel art graphics, and an emotional story about overcoming personal challenges. In the game, you play as a young woman named Madeline, who is climbing the titular Celeste Mountain while battling her inner demons. The game is somewhat challenging, but it's balanced by a large number of checkpoints, making it suitable for players at every skill level.

6Images
6Images






Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic TowerFall.
A narrative-driven, single-player adventure like mom used to make, with a charming cast of characters and a touching story of self-discovery
A massive mountain teeming with 700+ screens of hardcore platforming challenges and devious secrets.
Brutal B-side chapters to unlock, built for only the bravest mountaineers
IGF “Excellence in Audio” finalist, with over 2 hours of original music led by dazzling live piano and catchy synth beats.
The controls are simple and accessible - simply jump, air-dash, and climb - but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson. Lightning-fast respawns keep you climbing as you uncover the mysteries of the mountain and brave its many perils.
8 Forza Horizon 5
The ultimate open-world racing experience
Taking place across the colorful landscapes of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 is part racing simulator and part arcade joyride. Its offline mode allows you to explore its open world, compete in races, and customize your cars without any internet connection.
With a wide range of vehicles, breathtaking sights, and dynamic weather systems, the game has everything the curious driver needs. In the offline mode, you'll get the core gameplay but lose the online events, multiplayer races, and seasonal challenges that bring freshness to the game.

Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is one of the latest and the best-looking games in the long-running Forza Horizon franchise. It plays very well on the Steam Deck, and it lets you drive all your favorite cars on a massive open world map.
7 Portal 2
A puzzle game like no other
Portal 2 is a masterpiece of game design. It features some of the most challenging puzzles, engaging writing, and unforgettable characters. While exploring the Aperture Science facility, you solve various complex challenges by creating and redirecting portals with the iconic portal gun. The offline story mode is full of humor, creativity, and a satisfying narrative. And even though it has been several years since its release, Portal 2 is still one of my favorite offline games. When you are offline, you only miss the two-player co-op mode.

6Images
6Images






Portal 2
Portal 2 is an excellent puzzle-platform game where you have to place portals and teleport between locations to progress. In this title, you get to pick between both single- and multi-player modes, giving you the flexibility to enjoy it in more than one way.
6 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
A terrifying journey into survival horror
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard reinvented survival horror with its immersive first-person perspective and intense environment. In the game, you play as Ethan Winters, a man searching for his lost wife in a shabby plantation mansion flooded with unimaginable horrors. The game's offline story mode balances the storyline, exploration, and fighting. The photorealistic graphics and captivating audio create an atmosphere that makes every creak and shadow seem realistic. It is a must-play for people who enjoy horror games.
5 Tekken 7
The ultimate fighting game experience
Tekken 7 delivers brutal combat and an engaging storyline about Mishima's family feud. I love the range of its vast roster of characters, who each have their own fighting styles and move sets. The offline modes have Arcade and Story modes, where I could practice my moves and play one-on-one thrilling battles. With its top-notch animation and tight controls, Tekken 7 is a must for any fighting game fan.
4 Minecraft
A creative sandbox with limitless possibilities
Whenever I feel the need to unleash my creativity, Minecraft is where I go. The offline mode allows you to build massive structures, explore numerous biomes, and even fight mobs in survival mode. You might notice that the graphics and gameplay are somewhat outdated, but that's what makes the game timeless. The offline gameplay allows me to enjoy the game at my pace without any hassle, whether I feel like assembling the most complex redstone contraptions or just mining resources. What's best is that it's not required to have a dedicated graphic card to play this game. Overall, there are no limitations to your imagination when playing Minecraft.

6Images
6Images
Minecraft
Minecraftis one of the most influential sandbox crafting games of all time, where gamers can build and create to their heart's content.
3 Hitman 3: World of Assassination
A stealth-based masterpiece
Hitman 3 puts you in the shoes of Agent 47, a master assassin who is tasked with eliminating elite targets. Every mission is a sandbox of opportunities, allowing you to pursue your objectives in innumerable ways - from stealthy infiltrations to audacious, action-laden strategies. The game's offline mode means I can keep working on completing my plans without any distractions. Hitman 3 truly shines as a stealth game, with gorgeous graphics, dense-level layouts, and satisfying gameplay.

Hitman 3
WORLD OF ASSASSINATION:Enter the world of the ultimate assassin. HITMAN World of Assassination brings together the best of HITMAN, HITMAN 2 and HITMAN 3 including the main campaign, contracts mode, escalations, elusive target arcades and featured live content.
BECOME AGENT 47:Suit up for a spy-thriller adventure where all your deadly abilities are put to the test across more than 20 locations.
FREEDOM OF APPROACH:Your deadliest weapon is creativity. Unlock new gear and up your game on highly replayable missions.
WORLD OF ASSASSINATION:Travel a living, breathing world, filled with intriguing characters and lethal opportunities.
HITMAN FREELANCER:A new way to play on your own terms, that combines rogue-like elements and deep strategic planning with a persistent and infinitely replayable gameplay experience.
2 Hollow Knight
An atmospheric adventure through a mysterious world
Hollow Knight is one of the popular Indie games that places you in the hauntingly beautiful world of Hallownest. This 2D Metroidvania game lets you traverse its interlinked zones, where you'll meet tough enemies, buried secrets, and a few unique characters. The game allows me to dig into its rich lore and sharpen my skills with its precise combat mechanics at my own pace. Between its beautiful hand-drawn art style and atmospheric soundtrack, Hollow Knight is a true masterpiece that I could play over and over.

Hollow Knight
A supernatural disease has taken over, and you must now navigate through this fallen kingdom. You'll rely on your Nail to attack enemies, but you will also have access to magic spells that enable you to kill from a distance. This is the game for people who aren't afraid of a challenge.
1 EA Sports FC 25 (Formerly FIFA)
Offline modes for football enthusiasts
EA Sports has been widely popular for its FIFA series, which is now known as FC. The latest EA Sports FC 25 offers a top-level football gaming experience. While online play has become a big part of the game in recent times, the offline modes, including Career Mode and Kick-Off, let you enjoy matches and tournaments without an internet connection.
I love playing head-to-head with my friends, creating my dream team, managing a club, and competing in thrilling matches. The game's realistic graphics and mechanics make it a must-have for every football fan who's also a PC gamer. However, when offline, you'll miss the Ultimate Team mode, which allows you to trade cards and compete with other global players.
Play PC games without internet dependency
You won't always have an uninterrupted internet connection on your Windows PC, but that shouldn't restrict you from playing entertaining games. In this list, I have tried to cover the games from almost every popular genre so that every type of gamer can benefit from it. These games are more than just a backup for when the internet is down. They prove that solo gaming is not always boring. Go through the list and get the offline games that fit your gaming preference.
- Gaming
- PC
- Windows 11: Everything you need to know
Follow
Followed
Readers like you help support XDA. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.