clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Polygon’s Holiday Gift Guide 2016: PC games

You won't find many boxed copies of PC games these days, but thankfully Steam and other platforms allow digital gifting. These five games are some of our PC favorites from 2016.

By Andrew Hayward

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Welcome to our gift guide selections for PC games! Scroll down to see the list, or if you want to head back to our gift guide hub covering games, hardware and memorabilia, click here.

Deus Ex Mankind Divided

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided elevates the reimagined cybernetic universe seen in Human Revolution, letting you pick and choose from Adam Jensen's augmented abilities as you turn him into the techno-warrior of your dreams. It's a dazzling vision of a grim future, and it makes for a rather thrilling adventure.

Square Enix, $60

Obduction

Obduction

Got a soft spot for the classic Myst franchise? While not a direct sequel to that once-great series, Obduction is Cyan's latest first-person puzzle adventure, and it draws on the team's strengths to deliver a mesmerizing quest that feels both fresh and familiar. In fact, as our review expounds, the experience seems "timeless."

Cyan, $30

Doom

Doom

Speaking of a game that revives and amplifies a classic experience: id Software's new Doom is just that, capturing the intense run-and-gun thrills of the original entries while giving everything some welcome modern gloss.

Bethesda, $60

Hyper Light Drifter Heart Machine

Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter is punishing and unclear, and yet both of these tend to feel like positive qualities once you've logged some time in this beautiful, post-apocalyptic pixel world. The combat is intense and requires precision and practice, yet makes you feel powerful and amazing. Stick with it and be rewarded.

Heart Machine, $20

Virginia

Virginia

Virginia has been a divisive game, but it's one of our favorites of this year. We praised the point-and-click adventure in our review for telling a captivating story despite lacking dialogue, and presenting an unfamiliar premise and characters. The wild ending lost some players, but getting there has some marvelous moments.

Variable State, $10


Head back to Polygon’s 2016 Gift Guide hub.

Header illustration: Alice Carroll

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for Patch Notes

A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon