"Icy surface made it even harder to master."
When it comes to the more popular video games in India, PC games lead the way as consoles are more difficult to access.
Consoles and their games tend to be more expensive than PCs.
PC gamers are also experiencing games at a higher potential as they get to play games with far better graphics.
This is because processing power is always increasing while consoles remain the same until the next one comes out. This makes it easy for PC gaming to have better graphics.
In India, PC gaming is very popular and it continues to grow. They can gain access to releases on sites like Steam for reasonable prices.
The improvement in Internet speed is also a factor which is enticing young people.
Gamers have their own personal preferences when it comes to video games. We look at ten of the top PC games in the country and why they are enjoyed.
Metro Exodus
Metro Exodus combines stealth and horror elements within a first-person shooter. The 2019 game is the third in the series and they are based on Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky.
The game remains exhilarating through as it is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of the former Russian Federation.
Within a harsh environment, players must cope with hazards and survive against mutated creatures and hostile humans. The first-person perspective makes the story all the more immersive.
To combat enemies, players must craft weapons using the materials they find throughout the environment.
The story starts during a nuclear winter which changes as the story progresses and as different continents are visited. A dynamic weather system sees the season change over time.
On PC, the game was popular in India with gamers praising the solid gameplay and story.
It was enjoyed in the country even though the PC release became exclusive to the Epic Games store.
It led to controversy as their regional pricing was not as expansive as it would be on Steam.
One Indian gamer explained that Metro on the Epic store would cost $50 plus a further $30 tax. However, on Steam, they could get it for $15 on Steam.
Despite the less-than-smooth PC release, Metro Exodus has an excellent story which is what Indian gamers love about it.
Dirt Rally 2.0
For those who enjoy a realistic racing experience, Dirt Rally 2.0 leads the way.
It focuses on being an authentic simulator featuring cars from different rally driving eras speeding down detailed rally stages.
Players compete in timed stage events on tarmac as well as off-road in varying weather conditions.
Trying to cope with the different weather conditions make it a challenge. Its realism means that car handling can take time to master.
Being able to control your car while it tries to kick out the rear on every turn is a constant challenge. Factoring the weather only adds to the problem.
Kanwalpal Singh realised the difficulty of mastering the racer as he said:
“Dirt Rally 2.0 is a simulator so it’s a harder game. Especially the drifting aspect. Icy surface made it even harder to master.”
That means that when you finally master the handling, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
It is an authentic rallying experience and the gameplay is what makes it one of the best PC games played in India as it is a challenge.
Divinity: Original Sin II
Role-playing games are very popular in India as they tell a gripping story which keeps players engaged throughout.
Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the most fascinating games of that genre as everyone’s experience is different from each other.
The 2017 PC release has more customisation options than its predecessor.
Within the huge open world, players can create their own character and choose their race, gender and origin story at the beginning.
From there, the outcomes are endless. Making choices can result in the fate of a character. However, the freedom of your decisions means there is no right way of doing something.
Divinity: Original Sin II is a game which should be played through multiple times in order to discover various outcomes.
The story is extremely in-depth. There is over 80,000 lines of dialogue meaning it makes for a more enjoyable experience.
It is a fantasy world filled with emotions and strategic combat making it one of India’s most enjoyed PC games.
Nier: Automata
The action role-playing game was released in 2017 and received positive reviews, however, it is not as mainstream as other games.
Rohit Thukral explained that Nier: Automata is well-received but it doesn’t get as much appreciation as other games. He said:
“It deserves much more love than the mainstream games everyone talks about.”
“It did get decent sales to the amount that we can expect another sequel. But it’s really disheartening to see that many people aren’t giving a chance to this hidden gem.”
Players take control of combat androids across an open environment.
As well as navigating on foot, players can also use a special item to summon a wild animal to ride. In some scenarios, players can pilot a flying mech to fight enemies.
The gameplay is fluid throughout and is coupled with an emotional story and interesting characters.
It is one of the more obscure PC games which is one of the top titles in India.
Frostpunk
Unlike the majority of games on this list, Frostpunk was originally released for PC.
It is a survival-based game which is set in an alternate 1886 where a number of factors have caused a worldwide volcanic winter.
Players are the leader of a city who has to manage resources in order to ensure survival.
Players start off with a small band of survivors that are made up of workers and engineers. Several small caches of supplies are also provided which are to be used to build a city.
Players harvest coal, wood, steel and food so that their society is kept warm and healthy during constantly changing temperatures.
The strategy-based concept is what gamers in India enjoy as they like playing games which can pose a challenge.
Making decisions to ensure survival means that there is a sense of accomplishment which is why it is one of the best PC games in India.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of the most enjoyed PC games in India because it mixes action and role-playing.
Unlike previous games in the franchise, there is more emphasis on role-playing elements and focusing on the story and characters.
The game tells the story of a fictional war which was fought between Athens and Sparta. Players take on the role of a mercenary as they attempt to restore their fractured family.
Odyssey moves away from previous games as a result of the role-playing elements.
The game contains dialogue options and branching quests which can lead to multiple endings.
While the game is different from other releases in the series, it does retain certain elements such as stealth and silent takedowns.
The visuals, combat, story and characters were praised by critics. It is one of the best PC games in India as it has a balance of action and an engaging story-driven campaign.
Fortnite
Fortnite was released in 2017 and it is still going strong today in 2019. The game is available on most devices meaning that almost anyone can play it.
The PC and mobile versions of the game are a huge success in India.
The game which started off as a cartoon version of PUBG quickly transformed into a cultural phenomenon.
It follows a battle royale concept for up to 100 players who airdrop from a ‘Battle Bus’.
Once they land, they must look for weapons and resources while attacking other players. The winner is the last person standing.
While some say PUBG looks more realistic than Fortnite, players are able to craft buildings for their defence in Fortnite. Combined with the arcade-like graphics and the game is a whole bunch of fun.
Even though Fortnite is very popular in India, gamers prefer to play PUBG.
Nishant Kaushal explained: “It’s simply because PUBG was in India way before Fortnite so people got their hands on it and this was a one of a kind game that time and highly addictive as we know.
“Plus it’s more realistic while Fortnite is more comic-like.”
Even though PUBG is a more popular PC game, Fortnite still remains an enjoyable title.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
The Call of Duty franchise is one of the most popular gaming series in India, with PC players all having a favourite.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is arguably one of the best PC games to play as the visual potential of the first-person shooter is fully utilised.
This game has a futuristic setting which only makes the graphics appear even better as the laser weaponry act as a light in the midst of dark environments.
There are several multiplayer modes to appeal to different types of gamers.
Its single-player campaign sees players control one character instead of multiple like previous games.
The likes of Kevin Spacey and Troy Baker were also added to the gripping storyline.
While it was criticised for having similarities to previous instalments, Advanced Warfare was praised for its fast-paced movement and campaign.
Advanced Warfare was also commended for it’s exciting and dynamic gameplay as well as movie-like appearance.
As a PC game, it is one of the best and most-played games in India.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
In India, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is one of the most popular PC and mobile games. It is so popular that some states banned it over fears that people were becoming too addicted to it.
It is no surprise that PUBG is extremely enjoyed as it was the game which started off the highly popular concept of battle royale games.
The concept of 100 players landing on an island and finding whatever weapons they can find in order to become the last person standing is highly effective.
The competitive aspect to be the last person standing is what keeps attracting gamers.
While it is similar to Fortnite, PUBG has more thrilling and realistic action instead of the arcade-like graphics in Fortnite.
As it is played on PC and mobile, there are a lot of people in India who play it.
Saptarshi Chowdhury explained what he loves about the online multiplayer:
“The features, the graphics, the multiplayer mode, the visuals, everything!”
“The game is itself a sensation, and that is what made it so popular among the Indians.”
Apex Legends
In terms of PC games in India, battle royale games are leading the way when it comes to the most-played genre.
Apex Legends is another battle royale game which has made waves. It was released on February 4, 2019, without any prior announcement.
The gameplay incorporates elements from several shooter video games, including Titanfall, which was also developed by Respawn Entertainment.
Around sixty players go up against each other in teams of three, with one player controlling where their squad lands.
Everyone must hunt for weapons and other resources to fight other teams. Over time, the map gradually decreases in size until one team is left.
The game may seem similar to the likes of PUBG and Fortnite but it provides a much-needed change.
While many Indian gamers feel that PUBG is more popular, some have argued that Apex Legends will eventually reach that level of popularity.
Shubham Sudra said: “Upon its release, Apex Legends has been moving like a storm destroying every battle royale game in its way.
“It seems that very soon Apex Legends will reach to the point where PUBG is now.”
When it comes to gaming in India, PC games are more mainstream than console games as it is cheaper. Games can be purchased for far less.
Even though the most popular PC games have a battle royale concept, there is a range of genres which are enjoyed in India.
Players have their gaming preferences which is what makes for such a diverse list of games.