The Best PvE Games to Play In 2025

In the world of gaming, Player vs. Environment (PvE) experiences have always held a special place for players who love to immerse themselves in rich narratives, explore breathtaking worlds, and face thrilling challenges. Unlike Player vs. Player (PvP) games, which focus on competitive interactions with other players, PvE games allow players to engage at their own pace, free from the pressures and unpredictability of facing human opponents. PvE offers a more relaxed and often more personal experience, where the focus is on storytelling, exploration, and self-improvement. For those who prefer the thrill of defeating AI enemies, uncovering secrets, and immersing themselves in carefully crafted worlds, PvE games provide a space to enjoy gaming without the pressure of online competition. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best PvE games that showcase the very best the genre has to offer.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

• Why? An immersive RPG with a deep story, turn-based combat, and an incredible level of freedom in how you approach the game. Often called one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
• The details: Baldur’s Gate 3 is an exceptional PvE game that masterfully blends storytelling, tactical combat, and player-driven choices. It offers a deeply immersive experience where every decision—be it in dialogue, exploration, or combat—shapes the world and relationships around you. The game features a robust narrative with branching paths, allowing players to approach challenges creatively, whether through persuasion, stealth, or sheer force. Its turn-based combat system, inspired by D&D 5e rules, offers endless strategic possibilities, making each encounter feel unique and rewarding. The detailed world design encourages exploration, with hidden secrets, intricate puzzles, and morally complex dilemmas that make every moment engaging. This level of depth, combined with breathtaking visuals and unparalleled freedom in roleplaying, makes it a standout PvE experience.
• Platforms: PS5, PC

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Why? A sprawling open-world RPG with an engaging story, memorable characters, and tons of content, including two excellent expansions, Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone.
• The details: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a masterclass in PvE gaming, offering an expansive open-world experience filled with rich storytelling, meaningful choices, and immersive gameplay. Playing as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter navigating a morally ambiguous world, players are drawn into a deeply layered narrative that intertwines personal quests with political intrigue and the supernatural. The game excels in its world-building, with lush, living environments ranging from dense forests to bustling cities, each teeming with detail and lore. Combat is skill-based and rewarding, combining swordplay, magic, and alchemy to create a dynamic system that requires strategy and adaptability. Side quests and contracts often rival the main story in depth and quality, providing emotionally charged moments, challenging moral dilemmas, and memorable characters. The game’s narrative depth is matched by its visual and auditory presentation, with stunning landscapes, atmospheric weather effects, and an evocative soundtrack.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox, Switch

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Why? A stunningly immersive world filled with activities, a great story, and tons of optional content. Perfect for players looking to take their time.
• The details: Red Dead Redemption 2 stands as one of the finest PvE experiences ever crafted, delivering a sprawling, immersive Wild West setting that feels alive at every turn. Players step into the boots of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw grappling with loyalty, morality, and survival as his gang’s way of life crumbles. The game offers unparalleled freedom to explore its vast, meticulously detailed world, from snow-capped mountains and dense forests to arid deserts and bustling towns. Every encounter feels meaningful, whether it’s a tense standoff, a random traveler needing help, or a quiet moment hunting in the wilderness. The richly written story is complemented by dynamic side quests, emergent gameplay, and a complex honor system that shapes how the world reacts to Arthur’s actions. Its PvE combat is varied and satisfying, blending gunplay, stealth, and strategy, with AI that feels intelligent and reactive. Beyond the main story, players can lose themselves in countless activities like fishing, treasure hunting, and poker, all seamlessly integrated into the world.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox

4. Cyberpunk 2077

• Why? With its revamped 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion, the game has been transformed into a polished and rewarding open-world RPG with deep storylines and combat mechanics.
• The details: Cyberpunk 2077 offers an electrifying PvE experience, immersing players in the neon-drenched, dystopian sprawl of Night City, a vibrant metropolis teeming with life, danger, and opportunity. As V, a customizable mercenary navigating a world of cyber-enhanced humans, corporate intrigue, and street-level chaos, players are drawn into a gripping narrative filled with morally complex choices and branching outcomes. The game’s PvE appeal lies in its combination of high-octane combat, stealth mechanics, and hacking abilities, all of which allow for diverse playstyles. The AI enemies present challenging encounters, whether it’s during tense gunfights, tactical infiltrations, or boss battles. Beyond its main story, Cyberpunk 2077 shines through its rich side quests and gigs, many of which feature compelling characters and emotional depth, making the world feel personal and lived-in. The RPG mechanics provide a deep progression system, allowing players to upgrade cyberware, master new skills, and refine their character to suit their preferred approach. Night City itself is a marvel, brimming with detail and packed with activities, from uncovering hidden lore to exploring the contrasting districts, each with its own unique personality.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox

5. Monster Hunter: World (with Iceborne expansion)

• Why? A cooperative or solo PvE experience where you hunt giant monsters, craft gear, and improve your character. Offers hours of gameplay with little to no FOMO.
• The details: Monster Hunter World (with the Iceborne expansion) stands as a premier PvE experience, offering players a deeply engaging journey into a vibrant ecosystem filled with awe-inspiring, massive creatures. As a hunter, players embark on quests to track, study, and ultimately take down a wide array of monsters, each with unique behaviors, attack patterns, and habitats. The core appeal lies in its methodical combat system, which emphasizes strategy, preparation, and skill, as players choose from 14 distinct weapon types, each offering unique mechanics and playstyles. The base game’s lush environments are meticulously designed, with intricate ecosystems where monsters interact with each other and their surroundings, adding an immersive layer to every hunt. Iceborne significantly enhances this experience, introducing the snowy, treacherous Hoarfrost Reach, new monsters, and the challenging Master Rank difficulty, which tests even seasoned hunters. The game’s progression is richly rewarding, with a crafting system that revolves around harvesting materials from monsters to create powerful weapons and armor, encouraging players to master each encounter. Cooperative multiplayer further amplifies the PvE appeal, allowing friends to team up for thrilling hunts.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox

6. Ghost of Tsushima

• Why? A visually stunning action-adventure game with samurai combat and an open world to explore. Features a single-player campaign and optional co-op PvE.
• The details: Ghost of Tsushima is a masterclass in PvE storytelling and gameplay, immersing players in the beautifully crafted, war-torn landscapes of feudal Japan during the Mongol invasion. As Jin Sakai, a samurai torn between tradition and survival, players navigate a deeply personal and gripping story of honor, loss, and rebellion. The game’s combat system is a standout feature, offering fluid, skill-based swordplay that emphasizes precision, timing, and strategy, while also allowing players to adapt to different enemy types using multiple combat stances. Beyond its core mechanics, the game provides a wealth of PvE content, from liberating villages and engaging in duels with powerful foes to exploring the serene, open-world environments filled with shrines, hidden treasures, and mythic tales. The dynamic weather and day-night cycles further enhance the immersion, creating a living, breathing world that feels authentic and captivating. With its breathtaking visuals, compelling narrative, and satisfying blend of stealth and action mechanics, Ghost of Tsushima excels as a PvE experience. It balances the intensity of combat with moments of peace and reflection, inviting players to lose themselves in its rich lore and stunning world while forging their own path as the Ghost.
• Platforms: PS5, PS4

7. Hades

• Why? A roguelike dungeon crawler with fast-paced combat, an engaging story, and endless replayability. Playable in short or long sessions.
• The details: Hades is a phenomenal PvE game that masterfully combines fast-paced action, deep storytelling, and a vibrant, mythologically inspired world. Players take on the role of Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld and uncover the secrets of his lineage. The game’s rogue-like structure creates an endlessly replayable experience, with each run offering randomized rooms, enemies, and boons from the Olympian gods that drastically alter the way combat unfolds. The gameplay is incredibly fluid, with responsive controls, diverse weapons, and strategic abilities that allow for a variety of playstyles. What sets Hades apart is its narrative depth—each failure is woven into the story, with Zagreus forming relationships and uncovering new dialogue with a rich cast of characters like Hades, Nyx, and Achilles. The vivid art style, dynamic soundtrack, and sharp writing make every moment in the game engaging, whether players are battling hordes of enemies, fine-tuning their builds, or exploring the personal dynamics of the Greek pantheon.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox, Switch

8. Deep Rock Galactic

• Why? A cooperative PvE game where you play as space dwarves mining resources and fighting off hordes of enemies. Solo mode is also available and enjoyable.
• The details: Deep Rock Galactic is an outstanding PvE experience that combines cooperative gameplay, strategic depth, and a unique sense of camaraderie in a dangerous, alien-infested world. Players take on the roles of space-mining dwarves, each with distinct classes like the Gunner, Engineer, Driller, and Scout, working together to explore procedurally generated caves, collect valuable resources, and survive waves of hostile creatures. The game’s cooperative focus encourages teamwork and communication, as players must navigate treacherous environments filled with hazards such as collapsing terrain, swarms of alien bugs, and unpredictable cave systems. The dynamic lighting system and destructible environments add to the sense of immersion and create opportunities for creative problem-solving, whether by drilling new paths or building platforms to reach hard-to-access areas. The variety of mission types, from resource collection to dangerous extraction tasks, keeps the gameplay fresh, while its progression system rewards players with upgrades and cosmetics that allow for customization. The lighthearted humor, distinctive art style, and rocking soundtrack create a fun yet intense atmosphere that makes every mission feel like a high-stakes adventure.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox

9. Elden Ring

• Why? A massive open-world action RPG with rich lore and exploration. While it’s challenging, it allows solo progression without reliance on multiplayer.
• The details: Elden Ring is a masterful PvE game that redefines the open-world RPG genre with its seamless integration of exploration, combat, and storytelling. Developed by FromSoftware, it combines the challenging combat and intricate world-building of their iconic Souls series with an expansive, open-world design. Players are thrust into the Lands Between, a mysterious and hauntingly beautiful realm filled with diverse environments, from sprawling plains to desolate ruins and towering castles. The game’s PvE experience is driven by its vast array of enemies, ranging from grotesque creatures to awe-inspiring bosses, each with unique attack patterns that demand strategy, skill, and perseverance. The sense of discovery is unparalleled, as hidden dungeons, secret paths, and powerful rewards await those willing to venture off the beaten path. The freedom to tailor your playstyle—whether through melee combat, ranged magic, or hybrid builds—ensures that every encounter feels personal and dynamic. Elden Ring’s cooperative and asynchronous multiplayer features enhance the PvE experience, allowing players to share tips through messages or summon allies for assistance. The lore, co-written by George R.R. Martin, enriches the game’s narrative depth, giving players a world that feels alive with history and mystery.
• Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox

10. Horizon Zero Dawn (and Forbidden West)

• Why? Beautiful open-world exploration and combat against robotic creatures. Excellent story and flexible combat options make it a fantastic PvE experience.
• The details: Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, deliver an exceptional PvE experience by blending breathtaking open-world exploration, engaging combat, and a compelling narrative. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has reverted to tribal societies and robotic creatures dominate the landscape, these games immerse players in a unique, visually stunning setting. Playing as Aloy, a skilled hunter and outcast, players unravel the mysteries of a forgotten world while battling mechanical beasts and hostile factions. The combat system is a standout feature, encouraging creativity and strategy as players use an arsenal of weapons, traps, and gadgets to exploit enemy weaknesses. Each robotic creature presents a unique challenge, requiring tactical thinking and careful planning to defeat. The expansive environments are teeming with life and detail, inviting players to explore lush forests, arid deserts, icy tundras, and futuristic ruins, all while uncovering secrets about the world’s collapse and Aloy’s origins. The sequel, Forbidden West, builds on its predecessor with enhanced mechanics, richer storytelling, and even more diverse biomes, including underwater exploration and advanced traversal options. Both games excel at delivering a rewarding PvE experience, offering hours of discovery and thrilling encounters.
• Platforms: PS5, PS4