Keyboards also open the door for hotkeys and “macros,” custom combos you activate with a single key. On a keyboard, you can easily assign every input you need to a different key. Both the PS5 and Xbox controller have 10 gameplay-facing inputs: For games like MOBAs and MMOs, where you have lots of actions and abilities, designers often have to design menus for you to dig through. Usually, you need a keyboard in games that have lots of commands and inputs.

While this list focuses on games that are entrenched on the mouse and keyboard side of that line, it can sometimes be tough to see the difference. That PC gives you the option to easily choose between the two is one of its great strengths. Some PC games feel better with a mouse and keyboard.

What to consider when picking between a mouse and keyboard versus a controller In many cases, these games are available on PC and consoles, but playing them with a controller feels like a compromise. All of the games on this list feature interfaces that require either the ability to point and click or a higher number of gameplay-focused buttons than on a controller. I’ve also reviewed lots of gaming peripherals-including mice, keyboards, and controllers-so I have a strong understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. That means I have a better-than-average knowledge of the games out there.

Best Isometic RPG for PC: Divinity: Original Sin 2Īs a former game critic, I’ve played a lot of games on many platforms.

Best strategy game for PC: Civilization VI.These games are at the heart of PC gaming, in part because the experience of playing them is so specifically tied to its traditional tools. Whether you’re a prospective PC player looking for reasons to invest in a gaming rig, or a seasoned PC builder looking to commune with the platform’s roots. Strategy games, massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), old-school isometric role-playing games (RPGs), multiplayer online battle arenas, (MOBAs)-some of the best PC games rely so heavily on the free movement of a mouse or the extended range of inputs on your keyboard that it feels like it would be impossible to play them with a controller. There are games that you can (and maybe should) play on a PC, and then there are games that you need to play on a PC.

Best single player pc games