If you own a MacBook, iMac, or other Mac, and want to enjoy some of the best games available today, you don’t need to look into Boot Camp or cloud gaming. Contrary to popular opinion, there are more than enough titles on macOS to sink your teeth into. The best games for Mac cover an impressive range of genres: from shooters and RPGs to strategy, platformers, and puzzle games. Listed here are my top 10 recommendations to get you started.
FYI: need more games? Check out the best Apple Arcade games that also work on macOS.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Price: $60
The universally loved Dungeons and Dragons RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3, is the game of the year winner. It also has to be one of the best games for Mac, period, and one of the strongest titles to have come out in the last 10 years. If you’re one of the many RPG fans on Mac and need to pick one game, choose this one.
Gamers across the board were pleasantly surprised how Larian Studios was able to pull off such a feat: highly layered characters, a narrative that makes your choices truly count, and gameplay that keeps you hooked. It doesn’t hurt that the game looks great, too. Just keep in mind that you’ll need at least an M1 Mac to play the game.
While you could consider the turn-based nature of the combat a limitation, I’d still recommend giving the game a try. In a time when finished games are rare, something like Baldur’s Gate 3 feels like finding a unicorn.
Can’t do without multi-monitor gaming? Learn how to connect multiple monitors to an M1 or M2 MacBook Air.
2. Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Price: $39.60
Shadow of the Tomb Raider brought the Lara Croft reboot trilogy to a neat conclusion. Fans of the franchise got a series that introduced their favorite tomb raider to modern graphics and revamped gameplay. Others discovered a trio of games that proudly stood as a fine example of a great action adventure narrative. The final game in the trilogy represents the best of these elements.
SOTR takes Lara to Central America and Mexico in a bid to save the world (again) from destruction at the hands of the shadowy organization Trinity. Gorgeous environments, fun and realistic combat, and a decent story combine to give you a memorable experience as Lara’s modern tale comes to a close.
SOTR is one of the few big-budget action-adventure games to be released on Mac and deserves to be played by fans of the genre. You don’t need an M1 Mac to run the game. Even older Intel Macs are supported.
Do you enjoy first person shooters? Have a look at our top picks for single player FPS games, which includes a selection of options for macOS.
3. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Price: $60
Strategy games enjoy a huge following among Mac gamers. And Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (or Civ VI, as fans call it) is perhaps the gold standard of strategy games. As a 4X game – a sub-genre defined by complex research, economics, diplomacy, and social dynamics – Civ VI is a must-play for gamers hungry for deep, intricate world-building games.
Civ VI grants you the tools to create a global empire to rival those of other historical leaders. It’s up to you to “explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate” your way to victory. The thrill of birthing and cultivating an empire of your own can be highly addictive, especially when you have DLCs that add dark ages and zombies into the mix.
You don’t need a powerful Mac to play Civ 6. All you need is a penchant for turn-based strategy and world domination.
4. The Sims 4
Price: Free
Life simulator games have their own kind of appeal, and the 70 million player base of The Sims 4 is a testament to the popularity of one of EA’s biggest titles. While The Sims 4 has been one of the best free PC games for Windows, there’s no Steam version of the game for Mac. Fortunately, you can use EA’s Origin to play The Sims 4 on Mac for free.
The Sims 4 isn’t a recent title; it was released way back in 2014. But the constant stream of updates by EA has made it a worthy game over the years. Plus, its free-to-play nature helped it amass a large player base. If you want the freedom to design your character the way you would like and create a whole life for it the way you want, you’ll love The Sims 4.
If you feel you’re running out of stuff to do in the base game, there are plenty of expansions you can purchase to really expand your horizons.
5. Hades
Price: $25
Switching from world-conquering and high-octane adventure games to something different, Hades was a pleasant surprise. It’s roguelike with a unique art style that feels different from many other isometric games of this genre. Perhaps it’s the emphatic music combined with the compelling story or the truly varied gameplay and elaborate systems to explore. Or maybe it’s all of that and more.
Hades is a tough game. You’ll die often and will sometimes curse out loud – or worse, lose your control. But, with time, you’ll master the game’s language and look forward to that tantalizing reward after conquering every new obstacle. Hades isn’t just one of the most refreshing roguelites to come out in recent years but is truly one of the best games for Mac.
Tip: Missing your old PS2 games? Learn how to emulate PS2 games on an M1 Mac with AetherSX2.
6. Celeste
Price: $20
Platformers have seen a resurgence of late, and Celeste is one of those truly rewarding titles you should check out. Play the role of Madeline, on a quest to scale a mountain while battling an internal struggle. The game expertly portrays mental health issues through its delicate storytelling and ingenious level design.
Like Hades, Celeste isn’t a breeze. You’ll have to be patient and stay strong through countless deaths to be able to climb the mountain, both literally and figuratively. But the gorgeous 2D-pixel art style, powerful music, and above all, deep narrative, make the ride worthwhile.
7. Final Fantasy XIV Online
Price: $20
The MMORPG genre is home to many heavyweights – World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online, EVE Online – but Final Fantasy XIV Online managed to rise above them. FFXIV became the most-played MMORPG in 2023, a colossal feat in and of itself. But it also boasts a fantastic story and an expansive world to explore.
The class system in FFXIV provides tons of flexibility for every character, and you can pick and choose skills for your character from any class. The dialogue is tight, and the soundtrack will leave you humming. The great voice acting and beautiful graphics further immerse you into the world. FFXIV is a must-play MMORPG on Mac.
Need more RPGs in your life? You can play these RPG games for free.
8. GRID Legends
Price: $40
There aren’t many racing games on Mac, but GRID Legends kind of makes up for the thin library. Released only for M1 Macs and later models in 2023, the Codemasters racer received generally favorable reviews for its arcade and simulations’ blend of gameplay. There’s even a decent story surrounding street racing and professional track racing.
You get a varied roster of cars and tracks to choose from. Plus, you can play online against your non-Mac friends, thanks to the cross-platform compatibility. GRID Legends may not be the absolute best racing game available, but it makes for a worthwhile experience on Mac.
9. Portal 2
Price: $10
If puzzle games are what tickle your gamer bone, Portal 2 is, without question, one of the best ones you need to play. Following 2007’s Portal, which was a smash hit of its own, Portal 2 came out in 2011 and improved the already excellent formula. It offers more varied adventures, with fun new elements to make it a brilliant sequel.
Whether you are looking for a challenge in your puzzle games or witty writing and voice acting, Portal 2 has it all. There’s a great story waiting to be experienced, accentuated by two new additions to the Portal cast. The cooperative mode lets you play with a fellow puzzle solver and experience a new dedicated story.
10. Gone Home
Price: $15
This breakout indie title was released in 2013 to highly positive reviews, thanks to its emotional storytelling that leaves a lasting impact. Gone Home is a must-play for gamers who enjoy slow-burn walking simulators, like The Stanley Parable and What Remains of Edith Finch. Not much happens during your play-through of Gone Home, but that isn’t to say the experience leaves you unchanged.
Arrive home after being away for a year and discover an empty house. It’s up to you to explore a home that feels both familiar and strangely foreign. The attention to detail and the eventual resolution will probably leave you thinking a lot. Gone Home is one of the best indie games you can play on Mac.
Narrowing down the best games to only 10 titles is always hard, but I’ve tried to offer a varied list, highlighting games that you can feel comfortable investing your time and money in. This is just a starting point, and there will no doubt be many other great games for Mac. If you use Steam, maybe these story-driven games are for you.
Tip: Need some Doom in your life? Learn how to play Doom 1, 2, & 3 on an Apple Silicon Mac.
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