The 25 essential offline games to play in 2021

Although online and multiplayer games are at an all-time high, you can't forget about games to play alone or when there is no internet available. But when it comes to choosing which game to start, the doubt can be quite large, especially with so many releases on the horizon. To help you with this, we've separated nothing less than the essential offline games to play in 2021.

And look, we are only talking about recent releases or games that will only arrive in 2021. To check out our full list of essential offline games, just read our suggestions below!

1. Cyberpunk 2077

To start our list, we have nothing less than one of the most anticipated games of the past few years. Cyberpunk 2077 showed up for the first time in 2013, but it was only scheduled to launch towards the end of 2020.

The game is an RPG that promises an extremely open and fully interactive world. And all in a way never seen before, with the possibility of being able to enter any establishment you meet and have a conversation with any character.

Of course, the game itself has much more than that, but this is one of the aspects in which it promises to be more innovative than its predecessors. It is certainly one of the essential offline games to try in 2021.

Just keep an eye out, because this is one of those games so detailed that it can increase the temperature of the PC!

2. Monster Hunter Rise

If you are a fan of the Monster Hunter franchise, there is no reason to miss checking out the new title that will be released in early 2021. Monster Hunter Rise will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch and promises a more oriental footprint in its look.

Like other titles in the series, you'll be able to play it with your friends, but it's also a great single-player experience. If you want to hunt monsters in 2021, this is one of the essential offline games to consider.

3. Demon’s Souls

It may seem strange that Demon’s Souls is being recommended as one of the essential offline games to play in 2021. After all, the game came out in 2009 for the PlayStation 3.

But for those who still don't know, a remake has been announced for the PlayStation 5. Although the essence of the game will remain the same, the visuals and several mechanics have been totally modernized.

For anyone who is a fan of the games from From Software, it is a great opportunity to play the first title “Souls” that they released. Especially because it is a title that many people ended up setting aside in their original arrival.

As always, it will have certain multiplayer elements and tips from other players when you are online. Still, it can be taken advantage of entirely offline.

4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

The games in the Yakuza franchise are really unique and it seems that the recent Like a Dragon has not put that spirit aside. The cool thing is that instead of following the story of its usual protagonist, this new Yakuza has a totally new main character.

We followed a man named Ichiban Kasuga, who was recently released after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. When he realizes that he will not be rewarded for this unfair time in prison, he does his best to take revenge.

5. Doom Eternal

If you are looking for a classic with frantic shooting at demonic creatures, you cannot fail to recommend Doom Eternal. Following the 2016 reboot, this title puts the popular formula of the series in one of its best forms.

The game has multiplayer modes, but the story is all offline so you can experience all the content without interruption. If you like to print or save games, this is the title where you will find the most epic moments for that.

6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

There are few games that made as much sense as Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 2020 and there is no reason to leave it alone in 2021 either. The game that puts you to live life on a desert island with anthropomorphic animals is one of the most relaxing and fun experiences you can find in these pandemic times.

As it continues to receive free updates every month and still offers special events each season, it is a type of game that you can keep enjoying for years. It can be used on the Nintendo Switch entirely offline.

Still, there is a possibility to visit your friends on your islands if you decide to connect to the internet.

7. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

I can't say that the Assassin’s Creed franchise needs major introductions, as we practically see a new title every year. But I can't say that the games in the series don't arouse our interest either.

In the case of Valhalla, we accompany Eivor, a Viking who fights with his companions against the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The aesthetics and theme of the game is quite different from what we saw in previous titles, which can be interesting even for veterans of the franchise.

When dealing with a single-player game, there is no doubt that it will be a great experience to enjoy offline.

8. Resident Evil 2

Another older game that arrives on our list is Resident Evil 2, which was originally released in 1998. As Capcom started to remaster most of the old games in the franchise, it is clear that the only one still with outdated visuals needed to be remade from scratch.

In this case, the company did an excellent job of bringing the classic to the style and graphics of today. The game is still scary and a lot of fun, making it one of the essential offline games for 2021.

9. Wasteland 3

And for those who like strategic turn-based games, Wasteland 3 is one of our best suggestions. The game takes place in the state of Colorado, in the United States, but in a post-apocalyptic version.

You start by controlling two characters, but you can call more people into your group later. The combat system is very similar to those of its predecessors, with you can choose from several long, medium and short-range weapons.

10. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Another great title from From Software that you can't stop playing is Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Considered even better than the games in the Dark Souls franchise, this game breathes challenge and breathtaking visuals.

With a reimagination of 16th century Japan as its setting, the game features mechanics quite different from other games from From Softwares. But like the others, it remains a great single-player to enjoy offline.

11. Ghost of Tsushima

It seems that games with an old Japan as a scenario are really on the rise these days. Ghost of Tsushima is another one that follows this pattern, but with 13th-century Japan in focus.

This time, we follow a Japanese island being invaded by the Mongols. He is a young samurai who must do everything possible to turn the situation around and get rid of his enemies silently, since he was one of the only ones left to protect the island.

12. Phasmophobia

This suggestion may seem strange in a list of essential offline games. After all, Phasmophobia is an indie game that has become known as a great option for playing online with friends.

Only the game of investigating ghosts can be even more terrifying when playing entirely alone. It is clear that certain maps and challenges are much more difficult solo, but it is still possible to do everything if you have the courage.

For those looking for a scary experience, this is our suggestion.

13. Baldur’s Gate 3

There is no doubt that the first two games in the Baldur’s Gate franchise are huge RPG classics. This is especially true for those who are fans of the table RPG Dungeons and Dragons, since everything in the game is based on this system.

Fortunately, after 20 since the last title, we will have a new Baldur’s Gate. The game promises to be as faithful as possible to the 5th edition of D&D in the form of a video game.

The game can now be enjoyed both offline and in sessions with your friends. Since it is in early access, it is still considered incomplete, but updates occur frequently.

14. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

Then we have another nostalgic suggestion for those looking for essential offline games. As the name suggests, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a total remake of the first two skate games in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise.

As many people remember, they were a huge success in the 1990s and 2000s. Unfortunately, later releases were losing quality and the original charm of the originals.

The good news is that even the remake didn't take that away from the initial two games. As you might expect, you can take full advantage of it yourself.

15. The Outer Worlds

Our next recommendation among essential offline games is The Outer Worlds. An RPG to be the envy of most releases in recent years, as it offers you everything that games like Fallout 4 have failed to bring to fans.

And we make this direct comparison because The Outer Worlds was developed by the same company that made Fallout: New Vegas, one of the veterans' favorites on the series. Not only that, but several aspects of this new game are extremely similar to the Fallout franchise.

If you are looking for an action RPG with a very interesting spatial theme, you cannot go wrong with this option.

16. Watch Dogs: Legion

You can't deny that Watch Dogs Legion is a somewhat controversial franchise, with some loving it and others hating it. Either way, the open-world action-adventure game deserves a place on our list of essential offline games.

The new Watch Dogs: Legion takes place in a futuristic and fictional version of London. Again, you have countless ways to hack devices across the city to discover secrets related to the main story.

It is possible to play completely solo, but there is also a multiplayer mode available.

17. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Then we have another remake, but this time from the classic RPG Final Fantasy VII. It was announced and was expected many years ago, so I can say that it is worth checking it out even if it is just to see if it looks really good.

Unlike the original, it was divided into episodes, with each being released at different times. Although this is a strange practice and it will certainly cost in the fans' pockets, there is no failing to mention the game on our list.

18. Red Dead Redemption 2

Although many people remember Grand Theft Auto when Rockstar is mentioned, you can't forget the other great hits from the developer. That includes Bully, L.A. Noire and, of course, Red Dead Redemption 2.

Even though the original was a PlayStation 3 exclusive, it won over legions of fans who had been waiting for a sequel for years. Without much ado, Rockstar simply released the news that the second Red Dead would arrive on various platforms almost 8 years after the first.

As expected, the game further enhances everything we had available in the original. Although there is a completely online mode, the whole story can be enjoyed offline even.

19. Crusader Kings 3

Another game much anticipated by its fans was Crusader Kings 3, which also took 8 years to come out after its predecessor. Like previous games, this game has a lot of strategy and a dynasty system.

Basically, you need to lead your dynasty over several generations. It's just not that easy to make the right decisions and keep your descendants alive.

If you like PC simulation games, you can't miss it!

20 Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

Those who like farm games can't forget the classic Harvest Moon franchise, which has now been renamed Story of Seasons. And anyone who has played the games in the series should remember that the title Friends of Mineral Town is one of their biggest successes to date.

To celebrate the title, its developers remake the game from scratch. It retains the same essence as the old one, but with a modern look that goes well with the original.

For those looking for essential offline games to enjoy in 2021, this is one that cannot be missed.

21. Nioh 2

If you are a fan of the first Nioh, this sequence needs no introduction, not least because it follows a very similar formula. For newcomers to the franchise, just know that this is an action RPG that is often compared to games from the “Souls” series by From Software.

That is, he is very challenging and will require your attention every second. Set in the late 1500s, the game acts as a prequel to the events of the first Nioh.

Even so, you can play it without having tried the original. Really a great option if you are looking for essential offline games.

22. Streets of Rage 4

For those who love beat'em up games, Streets of Rage 4 is a title we need to recommend. It is basically the continuation of the other games in the Streets of Rage franchise, but it does not require that you have played them to enjoy this release.

It is a very pleasant experience for those who used to play games of this type in the 1990s, since it follows the same style. For that reason, he focuses much more on the action than on the story, which is more secondary in the middle of everything.

23. Minecraft Dungeons

Anyone who is a Minecraft fan may like the game with a slightly different scheme, as is the case with Minecraft Dungeons. Instead of giving you total freedom and no specific objective, this game offers a story about the possibility of exploring dungeons.

Of course, it's not nearly as vast as the original, but it's a welcome change from the basics we expect from Minecraft. Not only is it one of the essential offline games to try, it can also be enjoyed with friends.

24. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

For anyone who is a fan of this famous Marvel hero, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a game that you cannot ignore. The game is the direct sequel to Spider-Man, released in 2018, and follows the path exactly where the predecessor left off.

This time we accompanied Miles Morales, who spent a year training with Peter Parker after also being bitten by a modified spider. The game is one of the PlayStation 5 launch titles, and is also one of its many exclusives.

25. Hades

To end our list, we have one of the most celebrated games of 2020 and, if you haven't played it yet, it should remedy that 2021. Hades is a game of the Roguelite genre that, even though it is smaller, has won millions of fans.

You play as the son of Hades and must fight against all the obstacles that the god of the underworld puts in his way. Everything to get to Mount Olympus and escape from the underworld.

Like so many games of this genre, the difficulty is great and you will surely end up dying several times. Since it is a Roguelite and not a Roguelike, you keep several upgrades and benefits that you acquire in each game.

Did you like the essential offline games for 2021?

Did you take advantage of our list to discover some of the essential games to play in 2021? So don't forget to leave your comment telling us what you think and which ones caught your attention.

And if you like the idea of ​​creating games yourself, visit the link to check out our guide on the subject!