Best Mac Games: Disco Elysium, Crusader Kings III and More

When it comes to gaming, Macs have always been overlooked. Until recently, whether a game would come to this operating system was always a mystery, and the answer was often negative. However, as of WWDC 2022, Apple committed to starting "a new day" for Mac games, focusing on two new features to make the platform better. These features were MetalFX, an upscaling program, and the Fast Resource Loading API, which will reduce game load times.

With these new developments, more and more games will come to Mac, bringing with them a new group of players looking for something to play. It doesn't matter what kind of Mac gamer you are; there is something for you. This includes AAA blockbusters like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, methodical shooters like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and indie darlings like Stardew Valley. Apple fans may not have access to every Windows and Steam game, but you will still find many of the best PC games below. What are the best Mac games? Let's take a look!

What Are the Best Mac Games? 2023

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Disco Elysium is not just one of the best computer games, but one of the best games ever made. Fortunately, it is also available on macOS. You play as an alcoholic and drug-addicted detective who wakes up in a trashed motel room and remembers nothing about how he got there. The man hanging from a tree out back doesn't make things any easier. As you play, you carve your own path, investigate the murder as you see fit and determine your identity along the way. Disco Elysium is a Mac game about choice. You can approach every encounter however you like. Maybe you want to shoot the sneeringly disdainful hotel clerk, or sweet-talk him into opening a door in the back. However you choose to approach each situation, Disco Elysium will change the game world based on the decisions you make and create a unique and memorable experience for every playthrough.

Crusader Kings III

Crusader Kings 2, developed by Paradox Interactive, which also published Europa Universalis 4, is considered one of the best strategy games ever made. Crusader Kings 3 only advances its predecessor. It is a grand strategy game on the largest scale. Every game begins with you choosing a noble or royal house, starting from 867 or 1066. From there, it plays out in the typical grand strategy style of a video game. You can choose to build relations with neighboring regions, spread your religion across the continent or declare war on everyone who gets in your way. What sets it apart is the depth and freedom of Crusader Kings 3. As your kingdom advances, you will need to appoint an heir to your throne, and Crusader Kings 3 has a full genetic system to pass some of your traits on to the ultimate ruler. Crusader Kings 3 is an intense game that lets you do everything from seducing someone from a faraway land to gaining political influence and demanding ransom for prisoners taken in war.

Stardew Valley

After years of frustration with the Harvest Moon series he once loved, the original developer, Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, took on the task of creating his own version of the farming simulation game. It arrived complete with gorgeous retro-flavored characters, charming characters, marriage, combat and plenty of post-launch support. Stardew Valley is more than a farming simulator. It is also a role-playing game in which characters level up in areas like fishing and mining, customize their professions, unlock new areas and explore a dangerous cave full of monsters and artifacts - as in the Animal Crossing games, you can later donate these to the local museum. If you would rather focus your attention on your own personal property, you can fully customize your home and the farm around you to create a rural paradise. If you prefer to play on a console, it is also one of the best Nintendo Switch games.

Portal 2

Portal 2 brings players back to Aperture Science in this addictive first-person puzzle game. You play as Chell, the protagonist trying to escape the massive Aperture research facility and claim her freedom. Armed with nothing but the iconic portal gun, you are tasked with working through a variety of rooms filled with unique puzzles. You use time and space, as well as various environments and objects, to advance through the facility. Portal 2 expanded on the successful formula of its predecessor and added a deep story to boot. Actors Stephen Merchant and JK Simmons voice recurring characters, and their work in the game is spot on. Although the plot deals with a serious conflict, the game is filled with well-timed comedy at every opportunity. Portal 2 is one of the most unique experiences in gaming, and one of the funniest.

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

After being received somewhat coolly by fans coming from the previous game in the series, Civilization: Beyond Earth, developer Firaxis came back with full force. Civilization VI builds on what made Civilization V great in 2010, but adds sturdier culture and science trees, more dynamic choices and more insight into why world leaders act a certain way. It is the culmination of years of development and the experience that created the earlier Civilization games, and it shows. Since its launch, Civilization VI has gained a significant number of civilizations to control, including the Aztecs, Persians, Nubians and Australians. Each is led by a famous historical figure, such as Montezuma for the Aztecs, and with new content released every few months, returning players have plenty of reasons to come back and start a new game.