What are the best Mac games?

1. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium might look like a throwback to isometric classic RPGs of the past, but in reality, it's one of the most original games we've ever played. While the trope of amnesia is leaned upon, this murder-mystery detective noir game is utterly stunning thanks to its smart dialogue system, which sees your character act upon the advice of a myriad of inner voices - just be mindful that advice can be truly terrible.

One voice, for example, centers around logic, while another represents the lizard-brain-like human reaction to danger or revulsion. Rather than beat up enemies with swords and sorcery, Disco Elysium relies on dialogue as its 'combat' and that makes for a more engaging experience than you might first expect. A great art style bypasses the need for heavy graphics, meaning you'll easily run Disco Elysium on the likes of the MacBook Air M2. And you really should as it's an essential Mac game.

2. Baldur's Gate 3
After more than six years in development and a lengthy Early Access period, Baldur's Gate 3 has arrived. And to say it was worth the wait would be something of an understatement. It's not only one of the best Mac games of 2023, but it's making a case to be one of the strongest Mac games of all time. Don't believe us? Just take a look at its nearly flawless review scores.

Based on Dungeons and Dragons (the 5th Edition rules to be precise), Baldur's Gate 3 is a deeply immersive role-playing game where your choices matter and you're given the freedom to carve out your own path through its dozens upon dozens of quests. In fact, our computing editor has found the turn-based combat and eccentric characters so engrossing that he's had to resist calling in sick just to play it some more — that's the hallmark of a game worthy of a high spot on this list.

3. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

If you’re looking for a game to sink hundreds of hours into, you can’t beat Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. The latest entry in the long-running 4X strategy series launched in 2016, with the developers at Firaxis supplying a steady stream of content and updates through 2021. In addition to the core game, which has you battling it out with other historical leaders for world domination, there are also expansion packs and DLC, which added dark ages, climate change, the undead and even a battle royale mode.

4. Hades
Hades isn't just one of the best Mac games of recent years, it's one of the best games, period. This roguelike combines a compelling gameplay loop with a strong visual style and engrossing procedural storytelling that helps to make every run feel worthwhile, even the ones where you flame out and die super early on.

Speaking of death, you will experience it a lot in Hades. But the game does a remarkable job of never becoming frustrating. Every defeat instead spurs you to try again, and beating the final boss is just the start of your adventure through the hall of Greek mythology. Developer Supergiant Games created something genuinely special with Hades, and we cannot wait for the sequel to arrive later this year.

5. The Sims 4

The Sims 4 is the latest instalment in the iconic PC-first franchise. There have been numerous console ports over the years but it's a game that will always play best on a keyboard and mouse, making Mac among the best ways to enjoy this life-sim game.

At release in 2014, The Sims 4struggled with both longtime players and reviewers unhappy with the experience. But a decade is more than enough time to fix up a game, and developers at EA and Maxis have provided regular updates with countless quality-of-life improvements.

They’ve also added a lot of content from previous games that was missing at launch, such as the hot tub and the toddler life cycle. It took a while, but The Sims 4 finally feels like a worthy successor, and a game that can recommend to all players.

Although EA has finally made its games library (including TS4 and its many expansions and DLC) available on Steam, you’ll have to use Origin if you want to play this game on Mac.

6. Stardew Valley

Inspired by the Story of the Seasons series (formerly Harvest Moon), Stardew Valley is almost single-handedly responsible for the influx of "cozy" life simulation games that have swept the gaming release calendar over the last five years and counting.

Stardraw Valley isn't a grand RPG adventure or an adrenaline-pumping shooter, instead, you play a character who has inherited their grandfather's dilapidated farm in the titular location of Stardew Valley, and it's your job to get the farm back in tip-top shape. Alongside running your farm by growing crops and raising livestock, you can also befriend the local townsfolk, form romantic relationships and lots more.

One of the most impressive things about Stardew Valley is how much developer ConcernedApe — which is a screen name for one man, Eric Barone — has added over the years. Stardew Valley started as a game with small ambitions, and while it's retained its quaint roots, it's now remarkably content-rich. Stardew Valley is video game comfort food.