Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- #21 V Rising
- #20 The Outlast Trials
- #19 Mechwarrior 5: Clans
- #18 No More Room in Hell 2
- #17 Abiotic Factor
- #16 The Thing: Remastered
- #15 Age of Mythology: Retold
- #14 Panicore
- #13 Dark and Darker
- #12 Enshrouded
- #11 Palworld
- #10 Helldivers 2
- #9 Empire of the Ants
- #8 Pioner
- #7 The First Descendant
- #6 Nightingale
- #5 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- #4 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
- #3 GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK
- #2 Destiny 2: The Final Shape
- #1 Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
Some games have you fight AI, some have you fight other players, and then, there are these games that can have you fight both!
Update: We will continue to update this list periodically throughout the year, so you will likely see some games removed or added. These games are not ranked in any particular order, as the focus here is to showcase titles we are excited to see hit the marketplace.
#21 V Rising
What do you think it would be like to become a vampire and attempt to create an empire for yourself? In V Rising, you’ll find that out firsthand. You’ll start off as a vampire lord who has been locked up for many years. Thus, when they arise, everything they once built will be gone, and their powers will be diminished. So, you know, that’s bad.
That’s where you’ll start, as you’ll go and work within the shadows and at night to rebuild your castle, your kingdom, and to deal with anyone who might try to stop you. As you gain new abilities, you can take on foes and bring people to your side.
Create the dark reign you feel suits your vampiric style.
#20 The Outlast Trials
Sometimes, the events you’re dealing with are far more sinister than you imagine. In The Outlast Trials, you and others will be kidnapped a familiar yet equally vile corporation and put under experiments to test various things. Specifically, how far they can go before breaking your mind and will.
Your job is to complete the challenges that are put in front of you and proceed to the next one without losing your mind or will to live. The good news is that you can play this PVE game with friends to try and survive together. Then again, can you really trust them in such a setting?
#19 Mechwarrior 5: Clans
Look, we all know what Mechwarrior 5: Clans is; it’s literally in the name! This is a game where you get to take on threats in a giant mech suit, and you’ll slowly build up that mech suit over time so that you can be even stronger and deal with even greater threats.
The small catch is that you are a small part of a much bigger war, and your goal is to help free your planet from the oppression it’s currently under. You’ll work as a new graduate of a program to train pilots, then work with a group to complete missions and take on the numerous enemy mechs you come across.
#18 No More Room in Hell 2
Why is there no more room down there? Because all the monsters are on the surface!
No More Room in Hell 2 puts you in a zombie-filled world that is overrun, and the remnants of humanity are fighting desperately for survival. That includes you and the group of players you’re in. A group of eight will come together and attempt to traverse the world, looking for supplies to make it to the next day.
Teamwork is paramount here, as you’ll need one another to fight off the zombie hordes should they find you and help search out new areas for supplies. Can you work together to survive?
#17 Abiotic Factor
How about a PVE game that is basically just you doing your job? Doesn’t that sound like a nice change of pace? In Abiotic Factor, you play as a scientist who works at a place called GATE. They are a secret group that goes around and captures monsters for both containment and research. Yeah, surely nothing wrong can happen there!
Sure enough, something does go wrong there. There’s a containment breach, and to make matters worse, there’s another group infiltrating the place! Using various tech, and getting help from others, you must contain all that has gotten out and stop those who are trying to steal things for themselves.
#16 The Thing: Remastered
Yes, if you were a fan of the classic horror movie and the game that came out in 2002, then you owe it to yourself to get The Thing: Remastered. The title is a remaster of the 2002 “sequel” to the film, where you are a new team sent in to Outpost 31 to figure out what went down there. Naturally, the moment you show up, everything has gone wrong, and the entity that haunted the previous team has infected one of your crew.
Your goal is to kill everything that isn’t human and hopefully take out this “thing” before it kills you and assumes your form.
#15 Age of Mythology: Retold
Many city-building titles have you trying to create a civilization with standard or “historically accurate” materials and technologies to see if you can build something great. In Age of Mythology: Retold, you’ll still do that, but you’ll also have a bunch of gods and monsters on your side. You know, to support you!
You’ll choose the pantheon that you feel is best and then work with your gods and other mythical entities to both build an empire they would be proud of and to smite your foes and the gods that they worship!
You can even bring in friends to help create your empire or face off against them to see who commands their legions better!
#14 Panicore
Here is a PVE title that relies on the horror element to keep you engaged. In Panicore, you’ll be part of a group of urban explorers who end up in a place they shouldn’t have gone into. This place is truly haunted, and once they get in, they aren’t able to get out. Just as bad, there’s a monster in this place, and it almost always knows where they are and attempts to get them.
You’ll need to work together and use both your wits and your bravery to take on the monster and the puzzles within the place to try and get out alive. Whether you make it or not is literally up to you.
#13 Dark and Darker
So, check this out. You hear about this ancient place that is said to have many treasures within it. Sounds like a tempting place to go check out, right? In Dark and Darker, you’ll have the chance to do just that. You’ll assemble a party, each with a different class, and then descend into the depths to try and get the treasure you seek. Sounds easy, right?
Except, this place is full of dangers, including things that truly slither in the dark. That doesn’t even mention the other people that could come out and hurt you, so they get the gold while you get the shaft. Happy treasure hunting!
#12 Enshrouded
Platform: PC
Release Date: January 24, 2024 (early access)
At first, Enshrouded might not seem like a true PVE title. However, while it is RPG-focused, there are some “player versus world” events that you can do. The reason for this is the game allowed for co-op. But not just any co-op, 16-person co-op! So, you’ll be able to form massive parties by which you can take on numerous challenges within the game.
Those challenges include doing raids, taking on hordes of enemies, and so on. Plus, you can form your party in special ways so your weapons and skills complement each other well.
So what are you waiting for? Build up your crew and see what awaits you in this cursed realm!
#11 Palworld
Platform: PC Xbox One XSX|S
Release Date: January 19, 2024 (early access)
By this point in time, you’ve definitely heard about Palworld. After all, people are buying it in good numbers, and it might be sued for AI usage and copyright infringement.
But what is this game exactly? Well, you live in a world that is inhabited by creatures known as “Pals.” These Pals do what most animalistic creatures do to survive, and now, you must do the same. You’ll roam around capturing Pals and do whatever you desire with them so you can live the “good life.”
Want to raise them into an army? Go for it! Want to put them to work in a factory? Yep, you can do that, too. Want to steal them? Evil, but it’s an option.
And that’s just the start of things in this crazy title.
#10 Helldivers 2
Platform: PC PS5
Release Date: February 8, 2024
When you’re tasked to protect Earth from the threats of an alien menace, you don’t ask why you’ve been selected; you ask what gun you can use to dish out Earth justice! That is the basis of HellDivers 2, using the best weapons you can obtain to take down alien threats that come right at you.
The good news is that you won’t be lacking options. The game provides all sorts of weapons based on the strategies you want to employ. Do you feel the head-on approach is best? Then, unleash weapons up close to blast them to bits.
Or, if you prefer the long-range approach, you can blast from afar or even rain down blasts from the skies above to ensure that the threats don’t stay upright. Whatever your desires, the battles are waiting for you right now!
#9 Empire of the Ants
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an ant? If so, you really need to rethink what you ponder about in your daily life!
Jokes aside, Empire of the Ants is a video game adaptation of a book where you’ll be an “ant savior” and attempt to lead your colony to new lands where they can have a better life. But, since this is the animal kingdom, you’ll have to work together to face obstacles and defeat foes that are going to challenge you.
Can you help lead your colony to their new promised land? Will you be everything they hope you are and more? Play the game and find out.
#8 Pioner
One could argue that the Pioner MMORPG we’re talking about is one of the most unique MMOs of the lot. Why is that? Because this is a 1st-person MMO versus the 3rd-person that you usually get.
Second, the world that you’re in is not one where you’re trying to “build a life for yourself”. It’s one that you’re supposed to simply survive in.
This place is filled with monsters that come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll need to venture out across a vast archipelago and endure missions where you seek out these terrors and destroy them! Because the hunter you want to be, and see if it’s enough to beat them.
#7 The First Descendant
Do you want another title that’s a little more simplistic and is basically shooting? We can get that for you. The First Descendant is a title that will place you in a war between alien invaders and the protectors of a continent. Each Descendant has a different set of skills and abilities for you to use, and as a result, you’ll have plenty of ways to play the game. Plus, you’ll have numerous weapon options so that you can take on foes in various ways.
There’s also a deep story within the title that will make you wonder who the Descendants truly are. Are you ready to learn the truth?
#6 Nightingale
Perhaps you’re looking for a game that has plenty to do and near-endless possibilities on what you can do. If that’s the case, Nightingale is one you’ll need to pay attention to when it arrives.
The game has you as a “realm walker” as you go through portals to end up in different lands. Your goal is to find a sacred place where the last traces of humanity can be found. Even if it takes you a while to get there, each realm offers new opportunities for exploration, crafting, and fighting monsters.
Plus, you can play with friends and have a fun time seeing how you adapt to each place you end up in.
#5 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
While not your typical kind of PVE game, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree does have elements of that, especially since FromSoftware shifted to the open-world style with the main campaign and now the DLC. You’ll be taken to a separate realm, apart from the main game, and forced to fight against numerous new threats. Yes, that means you’ll have to “git gud” once again. But don’t worry; it shouldn’t be as hard this time…
Craft the builds you need to take on numerous threats, both new and familiar, and learn the lore behind where you are and what you are fighting.
Oh, and we lied before. It’s going to be EXTREMELY hard.
#4 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
The galaxy isn’t what it should be. It’s full of monsters and chaotic beings who want nothing more than to destroy everything and consume all who live within it. There are a few who can stand up to that darkness, and you’re one of them.
In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, you’ll become one of the legendary Space Marines of the universe and set out to stop a force that is consuming whole planets. The Emperor has tasked you with defending the galaxy, and whether you do it alone or in a squad, you’ll need to prove that their faith in you is not misplaced.
#3 GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK
Platform: PC PS4 PS5
Release Date: February 1, 2024
Tons of video games like to “up the ante” by not just having you fight random enemies you come across but giving you “events” for you and your friends to take on. Within Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you’ll find yourself going from “event to event” as you travel from island to island.
Specifically, you’ll be in the Sky Realm, where islands are numerous, and there are plenty of dangers upon them. Those dangers could be random monsters or part of a secret church that is trying to unleash their conspiracy upon the people!
To take on these threats, you’ll have to muster together a party and build them up to be true warriors to save the day and find the legendary item at the center of everything.
#2 Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Yes, we know the irony of talking about this game, too, given how much chaos has happened in Bungie lately. Plus, they “officially” delayed Destiny 2: The Final Shape, and thus, we can’t guarantee it’ll be out in good time within 2024. But, for now, let’s just play along and say it will be.
The game’s final DLC is just that, the final part of the story. This is the tale that brings together everything you’ve done so far and asks you to push one last time to defeat The Witness before they bring an end to everything. Can you do that? Can you fight that hard and save everything?
#1 Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
We thought we’d end this game with a true title that embraces PVE because that’s what an MMORPG is at its core. It’s a game that gives you lots to do and is constantly evolving because of how much is going on with the world and its players.
In Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, you’ll get to experience a “new beginning” for the beloved MMO due to how the story of the game so far has come to a close. That means you and your friends can start fresh and see just how far you can go in this new land with a new story at your back.
Disclaimer:
ARC Raiders, Blight Survival, ArcheAge 2, Deathground, Synduality: Echo of Ada, Evercore Heroes, Nakwon: Last Paradise, The Quinfall, Corepunk, Ashfall, Ashes of Creation, Dune: Awakening, ARK 2, and Killing Floor 3 were removed as they are now slated for 2025.
