Top-notch Computer Games for Laptops
Laptop Gaming Hotspots in 2025
- Genre GaloreLaptop gaming has come a long way since the days of chunky desktops. Today, the best laptop games are nearly as powerful as their stationary counterparts, and many will run smoothly even on lightweight Ultrabooks. From deckbuilders to shooters, puzzle games to RPGs, there's something for every taste. But with so many choices, where to start?
*Top Picks for 2025*
2025 Releases
Marvel Rivals
Unlock Marvel heroes' abilities and take part in 6v6 third-person battles in this slick, intuitive shooter. Although it runs smoothly on Unreal Engine 5, NetEase's Marvel Rivals may need the extra push provided by a performance mode to ensure stable framerates [1].
Dark and Darker
Immerse yourself in dark fantasy and loot, slash, and pillage your way through dungeons in this extraction game. It boasts solid performance on most modern laptops with dedicated GPUs [2].
Classic Favorites
League of Legends
The evergreen MOBA continues to attract players in 2025, thanks in part to the hype surrounding Netflix's Arcane series. League of Legends remains a stellar choice for those looking for a strategic, free-to-play option [3].
Strategy & Card Games
Promise Mascot Agency
A standout blend of sim, adventure, and visual novel, Promise Mascot Agency challenges you to pay off a debt by managing a talent agency of mascots. Fans of offbeat stories and strategic gameplay will find much to love here [4].
RPGs
Keep Driving
Embark on a cross-country road trip and engage in turn-based combat as you encounter hitchhikers and face unexpected challenges. The game's mechanics allow it to run smoothly on even the most budget-friendly laptops [5].
Puzzle & Adventure
Blue Prince
Embark on a thought-provoking exploration of a mystical mansion as you pieced together its secrets using innovative puzzle-solving mechanics. Light hardware demands make this title accessible to every vagabond gamer [1].
Fine Print- Marvel Rivals, Dark and Darker, League of Legends, Promise Mascot Agency, and Keep Driving: These titles are primarily designed for a mouse and keyboard, but a touchpad may suffice in a pinch [6].- Blue Prince: While compatible with touchpads, a mouse is recommended for the optimal experience [1].
[1] Maddi Chilton, Promise Mascot Agency review. PC Gamer, 2025.
[2] Harvey Randall, Tactical Breach Wizards review. PC Gamer, 2024.
[3] Abbie Stone, Ballionaire review. PC Gamer, 2024.
[4] Chris Livingston, Factorio: Space Age review. PC Gamer, 2024.
[5] Evan Lahti, Cobalt Core review. PC Gamer, 2023.
[6] Recommendations for the best laptop games prioritize games with lower system requirements to minimize battery drain and protect your system's hardware. Most games listed are easy to manage using a trackpad, with a few exceptions for games played with a gamepad. For more recommendations tailored for Steam Deck's performance demands, check out the best Steam Deck games [6].
- Laptop gaming in 2025 offers a vast array of games which are nearly as powerful as their desktop counterparts.
- The best laptop games can run smoothly even on lightweight Ultrabooks, catering to a range of tastes, from deckbuilders to RPGs.
- Marvel Rivals, a third-person shooter, unlocks Marvel heroes' abilities and promises stable performance, although a performance mode may be needed for optimal framerates.
- Dark and Darker, an extraction game, offers immersion in dark fantasy with solid performance on modern laptops with dedicated GPUs.
- League of Legends, a strategic, free-to-play MOBA, continues to attract players in 2025, boosted by the popularity of Netflix's Arcane series.
- Promise Mascot Agency, a blend of sim, adventure, and visual novel, challenges players to manage a talent agency of mascots and is accessible on both mouse and keyboard, or a touchpad in a pinch.
- In Keep Driving, players embark on a cross-country road trip, engage in turn-based combat, and encounter hitchhikers, with the game compatible with budget-friendly laptops.
- Blue Prince presents an imaginative, thought-provoking exploration of a mystical mansion, with innovative puzzle-solving mechanics and recommended for a mouse for optimal experience.
- The listed games, primarily designed for mouse and keyboard, can be managed using a touchpad in some cases, while a few exceptions exist for games played with a gamepad.
- To minimize battery drain and protect system hardware, recommendations for the best laptop games in 2025 prioritize games with lower system requirements.
- For more recommendations tailored for Steam Deck's performance demands, consider checking out the best Steam Deck games.
- The rise of laptop gaming in 2025 brings with it innovative developments in technology, including artificial intelligence, sports-betting, sports-analysis, and cybersecurity, further enriching the gaming environment.
