The best games to play on a laptop offer up a host of memorable adventures and engaging challenges without demanding too much from your setup. In fact, some of the best best PC games out there run beautifully on a laptop, even if you don't have most advance GPU or lots of storage space.
That's because, thankfully, lots of the best gaming laptops out there can support some big gaming experiences on deceptive small packages. Of course, it's always work checking the specs of any game you're considering picking up so you can make the most of your setup, but we're here to help you find some gems that find a happy home on most gaming laptops around these days.
From some of the best sim games to indie delights and much more, you'll find options below across a variety of different genres, with picks of some recent releases to longtime mainstays that are worth your time. If you're new to gaming laptop world, you'll just need to get set up by downloading Steam, EA Play, Epic Games Store, or Xbox Game Pass for PC to tuck into your next adventure. And if you're after more recommendations, be sure to check out our pick of the best free games or the best free Steam games. Read on below to find our selection of the best laptop games to play right now.
10. The Sims 4
Developer: Maxis
Glarch! The beloved life simulator first charmed its way into our hearts in the early 2000s, and it's bigger and better than ever in The Sims 4. The array of expansions available allows you to play the way you want, whether you're dreaming of living on a rustic farm in Cottage Living or have lofty aspirations of siring a legion of powerful vampires, werewolves, or magic-wielding spellcasters.
Some might argue that The Sims 2 is the elite entry in the series, but The Sims 4 loads much quicker and is still constantly being updated today. It also has had some great DLC offerings lately (which you can read more about in our list of the best Sims 4 expansions guide). What's more, now that it's gone free-to-play, we count it as one of the best free Steam games to check out, too.
9. Thank Goodness You're Here!
Developer: Coal Supper
OK, yes, this may seem like a bit of a wild card on our list of the best laptop games, but this is one of the best games of 2024 and runs on every laptop out there (including Mac). Thank Goodness You're Here! doesn't have super high system requirements, thanks to its short length, but it still looks and plays fantastic. It's a simple platformer, where you play as a traveling salesman who ends up in the whacky and hilarious English town of Barnsworth.
Slap the world around you to interact with townsfolk and run errands for everyone you meet. As you progress in the game, it becomes super surreal but still downright hilarious. If you’re a laptop user looking for a polished game to play through an afternoon, Thank Goodness You're Here! is the perfect choice. For more on this game, check out our thoughts in our Thank Goodness You're Here Indie Spotlight.
8. Stardew Valley
Developer: ConcernedApe
When it comes to farming sims, it doesn't get more placid than Stardew Valley. Taking over your late grandfather's farm, you'll be creating your own character to carry on his legacy and start building your own. The cutesy pixel RPG has become a steadfast favorite since its 2016 launch, and one key thing about it for those looking for the best laptop games is its very undemanding system requirements.
You don't need fancy specs or a gaming-level graphics card to play it, so Stardew Valley is a great option for anyone looking for a beautiful little game to get stuck into that won't make your laptop wheeze. Also, the recent 1.6 update has added even more content for free for us to enjoy - just in case you needed reminding that it's one of the best farming games around.
7. Balatro
Developer: LocalThunk
Balatro was one of the best indies of 2024, and if you've yet to tuck into the game, it finds a happy home on any gaming laptop. LocalThunk brings to life an incredibly satisfying poker roguelike that plays around with the classic scoring system and sees you try to overcome challenges with a good hand. With different card types, modifiers, and special Jokers that can tip the scales in your favor.
Every Joker has unique abilities to make use of if its in your deck, and with tarot cards that enhance your playing cards, planet cards that level up poker hands, and voucher cards to get that will give your permanent buffs, you can try to earn yourself new cards with every run. With stats that will also help you strategize, Balatro is a roguelike that's hard to put down once you start, but you won't regret giving it a go.
6. Cult of the Lamb
Developer: Massive Monster
If you've always dreamed of leading a flock of devoted followers under the guidance of a primordial monster, boy, do we have the game for you. Cult of the Lamb is the unholy union of Animal Crossing and a roguelike, seeing your adorable woolly hero traversing treacherous realms to defeat the Bishops of the New Religion and usher in the return of The One Who Waits.
As well as fighting your way through a number of foes, you'll be rescuing followers and bringing them into the cult's fold. Manage your cult grounds well and keep your followers happy, or risk mutiny as they, one by one, turn their backs on you. It's a fun (if not rather dark) indie gem, and you can pick it up on your laptop to play wherever you go. Check out our Cult of the Lamb Indie Spotlight for more details!
5. Hades 2
Developer: Supergiant
What could possibly be better than one of the best roguelikes ever? Hades 2, its long-awaiting sequel. Melinoë's hack n slash adventure is still in Early Access on Steam, but that doesn't stop Hades 2 from being one of the best games to play on a laptop already, thanks to its small file size and undemanding specs.
Set some time after Zagreus' own journey, the Princess of Hell here sees herself going up against the Titan of Time, Chronos, as she battles from the crossroads of Erebus back down into Tartarus. With even more NPCs to chat to, a host of new Gods offering majestic boon powerups, and a winding narrative that makes each death a victory in itself, Supergiant proves why it's the studio that reinvented narrative roguelikes for the better. Read our Early Access Hades 2 review for more information.
4. Life Is Strange
Developer: Dontnod
Life is Strange is more than your average point-and-click adventure. The surprisingly emotional journey introduces you to photography student Maxine Caulfield as she grapples with her newfound powers of rewinding time. It's not long until they get her involved in something far greater than her family's personal troubles, suddenly finds herself navigating a sinister mystery unfurling at her high school.
Equal parts immersive adventure and tense murder mystery, the player-led choices system makes for branching relationships, multiple endings, and in general means that you have a greater sense of control over how Max's story plays out. It's a surefire winner for anyone looking for the best laptop games to provide strong narratives in relatively small file sizes. Check out our Life is Strange review for more insights.
3. Minecraft
Developer: Mojang Studios
Classic sandbox game Minecraft should need no introduction. The iconic blocky adventure is available on various platforms, including box PC and Mac versions that allow you to experience the best-selling video game no matter where you are.
The good thing about Minecraft is that it's easy to pick up and play for players of most ages, meaning you won't have to shield your kid brother's eyes when you sit down to play it on your laptop. In fact, he'll probably want to join in and get building his own fantasy land, too, so it's just as well you can play it on your smartphone as well. Read our five-star Minecraft review next.
2. Tactical Breach Wizards
Developer: Suspicious Developments
Tactical Breach Wizards is a turn-based tactical RPG that you absolutely shouldn't sleep on if you're looking for something to play on your laptop. With engaging conspiracy-laden story at its heart, the game sees you lead a group of wizards through turn-based battles as you try to get to the root of a plot that's starting to unfold.
With different spells in their arsenal, there's a satisfying layer of strategy that brings to mind the likes of Into the Breach and XCOM 2, but the wizards bring their own blend of magical chaos that makes it stand out among some of the best strategy games around.
1. Apex Legends
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Rounding off our list of the best games to play on a laptop is Apex Legends. Much like fellow battle royale Fortnite, it boasts a series of characters with unique attributes that give them a competitive edge over others. There is a range of arenas and game modes to choose from; whether you want to go for traditional capture-the-flag antics or a quick game that takes the usual 40-minute runtime down to just 15, Apex Legends boasts something for everyone.
Another title that is playable on either a laptop or your smartphone, it's easy to take with you on the go. Just bear in mind that there is no cross-progression between the two versions, so you won't be able to pick up where you left off. That being said, each platform offers its own quirks and benefits, so that's not necessarily a bad thing. Read our Apex Legends review for more information on our top pick for the best laptop game to play right now.
Here's all the upcoming PC games to keep an eye on in 2025 and beyond.
