10 Recent Single Player Games That Are Worth Every Penny

In a scenario increasingly dominated by online experiences and games as a service, single-player games continue to resist and prove that they still have a place in the hearts of gamers.

There’s something special about venturing into a world carefully built for one person, guided by a narrative that engages us every minute that passes. There’s something magical about the feeling of being immersed in that world, where every detail has been thought out to provide a deep and unforgettable experience.

In this article, we’ve gathered 10 single-player games that not only justify every penny paid but also deliver something memorable from start to finish.

More than a decade after the release of the first game, Alan Wake 2 re-emerges as a masterpiece of modern psychological horror. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the game combines elements of suspense, investigation, and action into a fragmented story that keeps us fully engaged.

Alternating between two main characters, Alan Wake himself, trapped in a dark dimension, and detective Saga Anderson, the player will unravel mysteries that cross between the real world and the supernatural.

The atmosphere is dense and disturbing, with tense action sequences and sensational fourth-wall breaks. The graphics are absurdly stunning, especially with ray tracing, and the soundtrack by the band Old Gods of Asylum is mesmerizing.

The gameplay has evolved significantly compared to the first, bringing better mechanics and tense shootouts. Each chapter is like an episode of a TV series, keeping the player hooked from start to finish. For those looking for something deep and atmospheric, Alan Wake 2 is an experience worth every penny.

Coming from the mind of Hidetaka Miyazaki, with collaboration from George R. R. Martin, Elden Ring is a landmark in the history of action RPGs. Expanding the Soulsborne formula into a vast, open world, the game offers complete freedom of exploration, customization, and combat. Players find themselves on a continent torn apart by war and fallen gods, and must forge their own path as the Tainted One searching for the power of the Elden Ring.

In the vast "Middle Realm", you explore dungeons, face colossal bosses, and uncover fragmented lore. The freedom is impressive: you can ignore main bosses, invade other players' worlds (PvP) or focus on crafting items.

Combat is challenging, as is traditional in FromSoftware games, but the diversity of builds, weapons, spells and play styles leaves room for a freedom never seen before in the series. The map is full of secrets and NPCs with complex stories. It’s one of those epic games that rewards curiosity and effort, easily offering hundreds of hours of quality content.

One of the most beautiful titles of its generation, Ghost of Tsushima is like a poem to feudal Japan and samurai cinema. In the game, we follow Jin Sakai in his fight against the Mongol invasion of the island of Tsushima, in a dilemma between maintaining the honor of the samurai or adopting shadowy methods to save his people. The game combines combat with stealth, exploration, and a thrilling narrative.

The title is extremely stunning, full of details that enrich the experience, such as the wind guiding the player or the autumn leaves gently falling during a battle.

The combat is brutal, the katana battles are cinematic, and the bow and stealth tactics are well-crafted to make the player feel like they’re part of the environment. The side missions have a lot of depth, and the black and white Kurosawa mode is a respectful tribute to the Japanese cinema legacy of Akira Kurosawa.

The island of Iki (included in the Director’s Cut edition) adds 10+ hours of story, mini-games and new enemies. The online Legends mode, inspired by Japanese folklore, offers co-op for 2–4 players. Definitely a game worth every penny spent.

The final chapter in the Nathan Drake saga is an interactive cinematic spectacle. Uncharted 4 delivers a more mature story, exploring Drake's past, his relationship with his brother Sam and the dilemmas of a life outside of adventure. Naughty Dog knows how to raise the bar for storytelling in video games, balancing moments of intense action with deep dialogue and character development.

The search for pirate Henry Avery’s treasure takes you from Italy to Madagascar, with Oscar-worthy chase scenes. The gameplay introduces grappling hooks and tactical stealth. With landscapes that look like they’re straight out of renowned painters’ artworks, creative puzzles, and well-choreographed shootouts, the game is a true masterpiece.

The Legacy of Thieves Collection bundle on PC and PS5 brings 4K, wide-screen and DualSense haptics, increasing the immersion in the game. Multiplayer with “Mystics” (supernatural powers) and Survival mode extend the game’s lifespan.

Even for those who’ve never played the previous titles, Uncharted 4 offers a complete experience and will remain among the best games of the PlayStation 4 generation and of all time.

Released as the debut title for the Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild redefined the concept of an open world. Instead of following the traditional mold of fixed markers and objectives, the game encourages the player to be curious, experimental, and free to play. Link wakes up in a Hyrule in ruins, and now it's up to the player to decide how, when, and in what way to face Ganon.

The physics of the world are impressive, allowing for creative exploration as you climb mountains, brew potions, solve puzzles, and fight enemies. The lack of a linear path makes each mission unique, and the subtle soundtrack helps the player feel like they're in the game. Breath of the Wild is a masterclass in game design that has influenced other titles. An unforgettable experience that justifies every penny.

A direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, this game from Asobo Studio continues to follow Amicia and her brother Hugo on an even darker and more exciting journey.

Set in medieval France that is haunted by plagues and persecutions, Requiem is a masterpiece of narrative art; the gameplay evolves from basic stealth to environment-breaking alchemy (fire, acid), creature control, survival, and family drama.

The highlight is the bond between the brothers, which grows stronger amidst tragedy and adversity. The graphics are extremely impressive, with varied scenarios and a melancholic and powerful soundtrack. Although the game is linear, it offers a deep and impactful story, with an ending that leaves its mark on the player's soul. For those seeking excitement, Requiem is a must-play.

After more than a decade, Capcom returns with the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved action RPG. Dragon’s Dogma 2 expands on everything that made the original great: dynamic combat, freedom of exploration, a living, breathing world, and a unique system of AI-controlled pawn companions that can be trained and shared between players online. Your companions (Pawns) learn from your actions and share knowledge between worlds.

The combat physics, which allow you to climb giant monsters and attack them directly, climb cyclops, or conjure tornadoes that suck up enemies, are reminiscent of games like Shadow of the Colossus, with more speed and variety. The narrative immerses the player, with multiple choices and consequences, and the world reacts realistically to the passage of time. A bold RPG that delivers everything fans expected.

Inspired by the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong is a Chinese production that surprised the world with lush visuals and extremely fluid combat.

Controlling the Monkey King, players face demons, gods, and mythological beings in cinematic battles, with a transformation system that adds strategy to the gameplay. You master fluid combos and animal transformations. The bosses are challenging, requiring pattern reading and the use of elemental skills.

The setting is rich in Eastern culture, with an art direction that mixes fantasy and folklore. Each enemy is a challenge, and the learning curve is very fair, rewarding the player. Despite being a more recent title, everything indicates that Wukong will be remembered as one of the great games of this generation.

Developed by Korean company Shift Up, Stellar Blade is a hack'n slash that mixes frenetic action with a thrilling story. We follow Eve, a warrior sent to reclaim Earth from mysterious creatures known as Naytibas. With katana combos and gunplay, the game is reminiscent of games like NieR: Automata in its existentialist philosophy and combat style.

The battle system is fast, responsive, and stylish, with an emphasis on perfect dodges and counterattacks. Graphically, it’s one of the most impressive games on PS5, delivering a thrilling experience from start to finish.

The sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn expanded on everything from the original, with a richer world, new tribes, even more impressive robotic creatures, and an Aloy who continues to grow as a character. In Forbidden West, players explore a forbidden West of tropical forests and underwater ruins, now overrun by new biological and political threats.

Combat combines archery with traps and strategies to deal with huge machines, requiring exploitation of weaknesses of enemies such as the Tremortusk. Underwater exploration and free climbing increase movement possibilities, and the story is full of surprises and twists. It’s one of the most beautiful games of the generation with stunning graphics. If you liked the first one, this game is a must-play and worth every minute and penny.

The Complete Edition includes the Burning Shores expansion, which introduces new enemies, accessibility features such as auto pause and difficulty adjustment, making the game inclusive.

Whether it's the engaging narrative, the refined combat, or the beauty of the world presented, these games prove that playing alone is still one of the most rewarding ways to experience video games.

Each of them offers unique experiences, but they all share the same merit: they’re investments that pay off not only in entertainment, but in lasting memories. Whether for those seeking excitement, challenge, or contemplation, these works show that the art of telling good interactive stories is more alive than ever.

There are many other single-player games that I could list here, but I'll leave that task to you in the comments. Which game would you include on this list?