Explore ten PC games across RPG, racing, horror, strategy, simulation and multiplayer genres for gaming laptop owners.
Discover demanding games that showcase powerful hardware alongside lightweight titles suited for casual laptop gaming sessions.
Compare different gaming experiences based on graphics, gameplay, performance requirements and the type of player.
A gaming laptop deserves more than a library of lightweight games. Modern machines can handle demanding open-world RPGs, cinematic adventures and fast-paced multiplayer titles, while high-refresh displays and dedicated GPUs make the experience noticeably better.
PC Gamer's current laptop testing uses games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 to benchmark gaming performance across different hardware configurations. Yet, a good gaming laptop also gives you the freedom to play less demanding games without worrying about performance.
Here are 10 games that cover different genres and deliver distinct experiences:
Experience: Open-world Sci-Fi RPG
Cyberpunk 2077 remains one of the best ways to put a gaming laptop through its paces. Night City is dense, detailed and packed with things to see, from crowded streets to neon-lit interiors. Its combat allows for different builds, while the story gives the open world plenty of purpose.
It is also demanding enough to show what your GPU can actually do. PC Gamer continues to use Cyberpunk 2077 as part of its gaming-laptop benchmark suite, including testing with ray tracing, upscaling and frame generation.
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Experience: Story-Driven Fantasy RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 is less about reflexes and more about making smart decisions. Its turn-based combat gives you time to think, while the branching narrative reacts to the choices you make.
The real appeal is how unpredictable a playthrough can become. A conversation can replace a fight, an unexpected spell can change an encounter and a seemingly minor decision can affect what happens much later. It remains one of PC gaming's most highly regarded RPGs.
Experience: Open-world Action RPG
Elden Ring rewards curiosity. Instead of constantly directing players towards the next objective, it encourages them to explore, experiment and accept that some enemies are simply too powerful to defeat yet.
Its difficult combat is a major part of the appeal. Beating a boss after repeated failures feels earned, while the enormous world keeps revealing new areas, enemies and secrets.
Experience: Cinematic Open-world Adventure
Red Dead Redemption 2 is still an excellent choice if immersion matters more than constant action. Its version of the American frontier feels alive, with changing weather, wildlife, towns and random encounters creating a world that rarely feels static.
Arthur Morgan's story gives the game its emotional centre, but simply riding through the landscape remains one of its greatest pleasures. The game also features among PC Gamer's current top PC games.
Experience: Open-world Racing
For racing fans, Forza Horizon 5 is an easy recommendation. The open-world structure means you are not restricted to traditional races, and the large selection of cars gives you plenty to experiment with.
On a gaming laptop with a high-refresh display, fast corners, traffic and off-road sections can look particularly smooth. It is also accessible enough for players who are not serious racing-sim enthusiasts.
Experience: Survival Horror
Alan Wake 2 is built around atmosphere. Darkness, lighting and unsettling environments are central to the experience, rather than simply being visual decoration.
It is a demanding game, making it better suited to laptops with stronger graphics hardware. In return, you get a cinematic horror experience with a strong emphasis on mystery and psychological tension.
Experience: Co-op Third-Person Shooter
Helldivers 2 is at its best when played with friends. Missions can begin with a straightforward objective and quickly descend into chaos as enemy numbers increase and players accidentally interfere with each other.
The combination of cooperative combat, strategic equipment and friendly fire keeps every mission unpredictable. It is less about playing perfectly and more about surviving whatever goes wrong.
Experience: Action Roguelike
Hades II is a good reminder that a gaming laptop does not need to run every game at maximum settings to make gaming worthwhile.
Its combat is fast, responsive and easy to pick up, while each failed run gives you another reason to try again. The game has now moved beyond early access, expanding on the original with more weapons, powers and routes. PC Gamer also lists it among its recommended laptop games.
Experience: Farming and Life Simulation
After demanding RPGs and shooters, Stardew Valley offers a completely different pace. You inherit a neglected farm and slowly turn it into something of your own while fishing, farming, exploring and building relationships.
Its modest hardware requirements make it an obvious fit for laptop gaming, but its real strength is how much there is to do without making the game feel rushed. PC Gamer continues to include it among its favourite PC games.
Experience: Roguelike Card Strategy
Balatro looks simple until the combinations start getting complicated. Its poker-inspired system revolves around building powerful hands, collecting Jokers and finding combinations that can multiply your score.
It runs comfortably on modest hardware, making it ideal for gaming laptops where you want something quick between bigger games. Despite its simple presentation, the strategic possibilities can keep a single run going for far longer than expected. PC Gamer currently ranks it among its top PC games.
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A gaming laptop does not have to be used only for games that push the GPU to its limits. Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2 can showcase modern graphics hardware, while Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring offer deeper, longer experiences.
Games such as Hades II, Stardew Valley and Balatro prove that strong PC gaming is not always about graphical horsepower. The best choice ultimately depends on the hardware inside your laptop and the kind of experience you want. But if you have a gaming laptop sitting on your desk, these 10 games are a solid place to start.
Which PC games are best for a gaming laptop?
Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring, Forza Horizon 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 offer strong experiences across graphics, gameplay and genres.
Can a gaming laptop run demanding AAA games?
Yes, provided its CPU, GPU and RAM meet the game's requirements. Higher-end laptops can handle demanding titles at higher settings and resolutions.
Which games are suitable for less powerful gaming laptops?
Stardew Valley, Balatro and Hades II are excellent choices for less powerful machines, offering engaging gameplay without requiring the hardware needed for demanding AAA games.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 good for gaming laptops?
Yes. Cyberpunk 2077 can showcase a gaming laptop's graphics capabilities, particularly with ray tracing and higher settings on machines equipped with capable modern GPUs.
What should you check before installing PC games?
Check the game's minimum and recommended system requirements, including GPU, CPU, RAM and storage. Your laptop's resolution and thermal performance can also affect gameplay.