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From big-budget revivals of classic franchises to break-out indie hits that came out of nowhere—and everything in between—there’s been plenty to get excited about in the world of PC gaming this year. 
Here at Intel Gaming Access we’ve compiled our list of the nine best PC games of 2021. There’s enough diversity to make gamers of all types happy. Entries are listed alphabetically.
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Age of Empires IV
This is a big one for strategy game fans. Age of Empires from Relic Entertainment and World’s Edge is back with Age of Empires IV to revitalize the franchise with a brand-new installment. By combining the history-spanning setting that put the series on the map with modernized and streamlined gameplay, Age of Empires IV is a return to form for series veterans and a great entry point for new players.
And for the real history buffs out there, you can enjoy tons of live-action footage that gives an even more authentic insight into the impact of each civilization’s path through history. Strategy games have found a lot of renewed success recently and Age of Empires IV is one of the very best in years.
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Before Your Eyes
Now for something completely different, there’s Before Your Eyes from GoodbyeWorld Games. In this choice-driven narrative adventure game, you live out a man’s life from his earliest years as a baby all the way to his death and beyond. It’s a beautifully written, highly stylized, and deeply emotional journey that tugs at your heartstrings like few games can.
What’s even more special here is that you’ll control the experience in a completely unique way: with your eyes. By setting up a webcam, the game will track your eye movements and progress the story forward every time you blink. It’s innovative and extremely gripping from start to finish.
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Chivalry 2
Torn Banner Studios have brought back their violent medieval brawler for another round of mayhem with Chivalry 2. This sequel totally overhauls the physics behind the combat so it’s more intense and realistic than ever. 
What makes the Chivalry games so special is just how intricately the simulated physics react.In Chivalry 2 you must judge the precise arc and target of every swing of your weapon, just like you would in a real medieval fight. Vertical slices, horizontal swings, and stab motions are all initiated with different mouse movements. To parry and block, you even have to aim precisely at your opponent’s strikes. It’s an intense ballet of blood and gore that’s unlike anything else out there. Also available on PlayStation and Xbox.
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Forza Horizon 5
You might not expect racing games to fall into many “best of the year” lists, but Forza Horizon 5 from Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios is special. Not only is it one of the most visually impressive games of all time, but it’s endlessly fun for drivers of all skill levels. Rather than punishing you for underperforming, Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game that rewards experimentation and daring tactics just as much as it does driving cleanly.
And one of the best things about Forza Horizon 5 is that, whether you’re playing on PC or Xbox, it’s included in Xbox Game Pass, so you can play the entire game as part of your subscription.
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Hitman 3
The thrilling conclusion to IO Interactive’s Hitman trilogy is one of the very best games of the year. This newest installment started out as a reboot and morphed into a reimagining of one of gaming’s most iconic characters: Agent 47.
In Hitman 3, players are dropped into incredibly detailed scenarios and asked to take out specific assassination targets amidst a vast array of options. Want to poison someone’s food? Go ahead. Kill a target with a fish? Sure, why not? The possibilities are quite honestly limitless. Also available on PlayStation and Xbox.
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Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ember Lab is an independent studio best known for their amazing animation work, so it was surprising to discover that they were working on their first full-length game. Luckily for gamers it absolutely delivers on its potential.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits features incredible animation work, withPixar-level visuals that could rival even the most impressive Disney films, backed by gameplay that feels like a modernization of PlayStation 2-era action-adventure platformer games—and we mean that in the best way possible. It’s a riveting story about loss, and what it means to move on, that’s well worth experiencing. Also available on PS5.
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Resident Evil Village
Capcom’s latest episode in the granddaddy of survival horror games burst onto the scene near the start of the year and is still enamoring players almost twelve months on. It even took home the Ultimate Game of the Year Award this November at the Golden Joysticks ceremony.
Resident Evil Village is the eighth mainline entry in the franchise and is a direct continuation of 2017’s Resident Evil VII: Biohazard, letting players take on the role of Ethan Winters once again. This time, instead of seeking out your lost wife, Mia, you must recover your infant child, Rose, from a deranged cult of werewolves, vampires, and more. It’s a terrifying experience from start to finish. Also available on PlayStation and Xbox.
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Tales of Arise
Bandai Namco’s critically-acclaimed RPG series is bigger and better than ever this year thanks to the long-awaited release of Tales of Arise. Players travel through a multitude of diverse locales with a large party of varied characters, including Shionne, the royal refugee who hurts anyone she touches, and Alphen, the rebellious warrior that cannot feel pain.
The Tales series has always included fast-paced real-time combat, and this latest installment is no exception, featuring some of the most intense gameplay to date. Characters tap into the astral energy of the world around them to use powerful “artes” that take advantage of mystical powers. It’s a sprawling adventure that’s definitely worth the time investment. Also available on PlayStation and Xbox.
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Wildermyth
The final entry on our list is Wildermyth from Worldwalker Games. This is a special little indie game that features procedural storytelling in a way that we’ve never seen in a game before. At the start of your adventure, you’ll create a custom party of warriors, rangers, and mages to set out on expeditions together. As the game goes on, you’ll have to make choices along the way that impact not only the narrative, but your characters as well.
Your party may face death andharrowing challenges, and could even find themselves altered in unique ways. The great thing about Wildermyth is that two people could play the game alongside one another and have their experiences unfold completely differently, so no two games are ever the same.

Intel Gaming Access hand-picks our favorite PC games of the year, from big budget hits to breakout indies.

Our Best PC Games of 2021