The 10 Best Single-Player Video Games to Start Today

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It's no secret that the world of video games is incredibly daunting for newcomers. What do you pick up that’s incredibly popular right now... a game called Final Fantasy VII Rebirth?! No. We'd never recommend a title so, you know, involved as one of your first games. And don't even think about venturing into a Call of Duty or Fortnite-esque battle. You won't make it out alive.

Here's an idea: try a single-player game. You can jump right into some of last year's greatest titles, like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Street Fighter 6 without playing earlier entries. Sports games are always safe, too. Below, we’ve rounded up the best that video games have to offer for every kind of solo experience. For those looking to start a new adventure today, these are the best solo-player games available right now.

The Last of Us - Part I

If you’re a fan of the HBO series—or if you’re simply a fan of zombie games—The Last of Us is a perfect title for you. The Last of Us is not only praised for its story, but its cinematic experience makes for one of the best solo adventures in modern video games.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Explore a world of cowboys and outlaws in Red Dead Redemption 2—one of those games you can play without knowing a thing about the original Red Dead. In a roundabout way, Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually a prequel. So, it's actually better to play the second entry first!

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Most gamers developed their chops for first-person shooting games by playing Halo as teenagers. It’s a great game to teach newcomers how to aim, plan your movements ahead of time, reload, and navigate a 3D space. It’s a classic for a reason.

Elden Ring

If you’re looking for something really challenging, I’d suggest booting up Elden Ring. Its open world is not only gorgeously designed and crafted with story elements from Game of Thrones’ George R.R. Martin, but Elden Ring's boss fights are currently the most exciting (and challenging) tests for experienced gamers.

Super Mario Odyssey

Maybe you don’t want something as challenging as Elden Ring. That’s perfectly OK! Head over to Nintendo. They’re the kings of making simple titles just as fun. Mario games are a great example of this—and Super Mario Odyssey showcases everything that the Nintendo Switch has to offer.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Heralded as one of the greatest video games of all time, Breath of the Wild is a sandbox for Nintendo’s innovative and accessible gameplay. You play as Link, a warrior who wakes up from a deep slumber to find his kingdom overrun with monsters. The beauty of the game as you explore the world in Breath of the Wild is that if you can think it, you can probably do it. The same goes for its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, which ups the experimentation tenfold.

Alan Wake 2

If you’re looking for a horror mystery, check out Alan Wake 2. While small story elements carry over from its predecessor, it’s not necessary to play the original entry first. That’s great, of course, because the haunting experience of Alan Wake 2 made the title Esquire’s Best Game of 2023.

Baldur's Gate 3

As we said up top, Baldur’s Gate 3 surprisingly has nothing to do with the other entries in the series. It’s like if you baked 3 cakes, improving upon the last one every time. You wouldn’t need to taste Cake 1 or 2 before dipping into Cake 3. In fact, you’re probably better off for it. Baldur’s Gate 3 is enhanced by its multiplayer functions, but the Dungeons & Dragons inspired role playing game is perfectly enjoyable as a solo experience.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus comes as close to Pokémon fans' childhood dreams as we've ever seen. What if... instead of 2D sprites, you could walk around a 3D space and catch Pokémon as they walk around in the world? Arceus fulfills that vision and more. If you’re looking to experience Pokémon in 2024, Legends is the best place to start.

Yakuza 0

The Yakuza series is one of the wackiest and most enjoyable video game franchises I’ve ever played. Sure, there’s a highly emotional drama about the Yakuza in Japan. But there’s also more mini-games than Mario Party. Your Yakuza member can play billiards, go to the batting cage, run a hostess bar, become a real estate agent, play arcade games, race tiny toy cars, and compete in just about any distraction from the main quest that you can imagine. Trust me: when you’ve spent a whole week just playing mini-games, you’ll understand.

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