PC Gamer has published its 2026 Top 100, an annual ranking of PC games its editorial team recommends playing. The publication describes the list as a snapshot of the games its staff currently values, bringing established classics together with newer releases. Its choices are subjective and reflect the team’s individual enthusiasm as well as broader recognition of a game’s influence.
The ranking process begins with staff nominations, producing a longlist of more than 300 games. Editors rate each nominee in three categories: quality, worth 60% of its score; importance, worth 20%; and freshness, also worth 20%. The ratings are averaged across voters and processed with additional formulas, including a penalty for games that receive too few votes.
PC Gamer then makes adjustments to encourage variety, generally limiting the list to one game per series unless multiple entries are considered distinct enough to warrant inclusion. Editors can also propose changes, which require majority approval from the wider team.
The available portion of the 2026 list starts at No. 100 with Deadlock and continues through Death Stranding 2, Total War: Warhammer 3, Cities: Skylines, Doom Eternal, Dwarf Fortress, Inside, BattleTech, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Marathon at No. 91. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles appears at No. 90, where the supplied excerpt ends.
The accompanying staff comments highlight a range of reasons for each game’s selection, from Deadlock’s setting and accessible modes to Dwarf Fortress’s deep simulation systems and Inside’s atmospheric puzzle design. Opinions also differ: contributors debate which Death Stranding is stronger and note both the appeal and challenge of Silksong.
Sources: PC Gamer.