Summary
With the console wars as strong as ever, it’s easy to see why both Microsoft and Sony are in the race to gain as many system-selling exclusives as possible. However, in this race, most people seem to forget that the PC also hasits fair share of exclusive titlesthat are pretty engaging in their own right. In fact, most PC gamers would wholeheartedly agree that the sheer amount of games they have access to dwarfs both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
There aremany open-world gamesthat players can access on the PC, with some of them exclusive to this hardware. These titles feature unique gameplay loops that are unlike most other titles in the genre, making it clear why the PC is a hub for a variety of imaginative games that deserve time in the spotlight.
Updated on July 21, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Open-world games are some of the most popular video games on the market, and they usually attempt to aim for a release on as many platforms as possible to maximize sales. With consoles being one of the most popular platforms for playing video games, it’s easy to see why most people would assume that games that require major resources to be made won’t just be localized on the PC platform. However, not all open-world games are made with the objective of attaining a release on all consoles, and a fair few of them are exclusive to the PC too. This list has been updated with a few more examples of open-world games that are exclusive to PC.
The Forestisone of the best survival gamesthat fans can check out. It may not be revolutionary, but it is a great example of what the survival genre can achieve when everything clicks into place. Suffice it to say, hopes were high for a sequel that would serve as a natural evolution of this formula.
Sons of the Foresthas done exactly that, impressing many players despite currently being limited to an Early Access release. Still, it’s a great indication of how the game is performing, and fans can’t wait to see how the full release will serve as a major step forward for the survival genre.
7The Matchless Kungfu
Steam Rating: 87%
A Wuxia game that aims to let players enjoy a level of freedom with their gameplay unlike anything they have ever seen before, fans of titles that don’t define a goal for the player will love whatThe Matchless Kungfubrings to the table. There’s no denying that this game has a bunch of rough edges that need to be ironed out, but the fact that it has created enough of a buzz despite those issues speaks volumes when it comes to how addictive the experience is.
With a bit of polish, there’s no telling the heights thatThe Matchless Kungfucan reach. A single session can genuinely make hours fly by once players understand how the game works, allowing for endless possibilities.
Sure, the latestMount & Bladegames have seen a release on major consoles as well as PC, but this wouldn’t have been possible without the runaway success the first game enjoyed. This game was released only on PC and was an instant hit with fans who loved the simulation gameplay present in this medieval sandbox.
Players can either serve as knights in an army, or try and become rulers in their own right as they slowly understand how the game’s many layers come together. The interconnected systems ofMount & Bladecoupled with its immense freedom is what made this game so popular and paved the way for a franchise that fans can’t get enough of.
The idea of a survival game set in the zombie apocalypse may already be making many people groan because of how overpopulated this genre is. So,Project Zomboidmust be doing something differentto stand out in a setting that has been done to death so many times now.
Each and every death inProject Zomboidserves as a lesson for the players on what they did wrong, compelling them to improve with each run. Building up a vast array of equipment and attaining the skills required to survive in this zombie apocalypse is a huge part of what makesProject Zomboidso engaging to play through.
Caves of Qudis one of the most engaging video games ever made, with this roguelike title serving up an entirely new experience in each playthrough. A few failures are downright required, just for players to get a handle on the game.
Despite its simplistic visuals, the boundless creativity inCaves of Qudmakes it worthwhile for fans of unique games that aren’t afraid to take risks. It’s not an easy game in the slightest, which is what makes certain achievements in later runs feel that much more satisfying.
The legend ofDwarf Fortressis something many PC gamers are already quite familiar with. The game was in development all the way back in 2002, making up for its rudimentary graphics with an excellent gameplay loop that allowed players to form a Dwarven colony while dealing with the many roadblocks that came along the way.
The learning curve for this game is immense, in no small part because of the massive amount of content players can explore in this experience.There’s an Adventurer Modefor people looking to enjoy a classic RPG experience too, which is the icing on top of a loaded cake that can keep players busy for days on end.
Kenshiisan open-world game with no fixed objective. Players are just dumped into a world they know little to nothing about and are expected to understand how the mechanics of this title work by themselves. As one would expect, the learning curve is immense, but players who stick with the experience will be incredibly impressed by what’s on offer here.
Players can form their own goals, becoming everything from a traveling merchant to the leader of a stronghold. The possibilities are endless, leading to a truly insane level of replayability and keeping interested players occupied for hundreds of hours with ease.
It speaks to the quality of a truck driving game that it is somehow one of the most popular and well-received games on Steam by a country mile.Euro Truck Simulator 2is obviouslynot a game for everyone,but there’s something so magical about this title that players can’t stop investing a ton of hours into it.
The immersive environments, realistic driving, and calming atmosphere makeEuro Truck Simulator 2one of the best driving games on the market. Any person who thinks that driving trucks is the most boring thing possible will be singing a different tune after playing this game.
