Best games to play on a laptop that still run brilliantly in 2024

The best laptop games offer great things in small packages. The games on this list don't need a turbo-powered GPU or tons of hard drive space, as seen the best gaming laptops, in order to run like a dream. That makes them perfect laptop experiences to bring your myriad digital adventures on-the-go. Apple fans will also find choice offerings to dig into below, because who says PC users need have all the fun? All you need is Steam, EA Play, or Epic Games installed to prove that yes, your Mac laptop can make decent gaming machine if you're choosing wisely.

And that's why we're here: to help narrow down your search for small yet mighty laptop games. Whether you're all about fast-paced online multiplayer games or story-rich single player experiences, the best games to play on a laptop don't sacrifice quality or performance despite their disk drive-friendly size and less demanding recommended specs. There's something here for everyone, so let's take a look at the best laptop games to pick up and play.

10. The Sims 4

Developer: Maxis

Glarch! The beloved life simulator first charmed its way into our hearts in the early 2000s, and it's bigger and better than ever in The Sims 4. The array of expansions available allows you to play the way you want, whether you're dreaming of living on a rustic farm in Cottage Living or have lofty aspirations of siring a legion of powerful vampires, werewolves, or magic-wielding spellcasters. Some might argue that The Sims 2 is the elite entry in the series, but The Sims 4 loads much quicker and is still constantly being updated in 2024. What's more, now that it's gone free-to-play, we count it as one of the best free Steam games to check out, too.

9. Marvel Snap

Developer: Second Dinner

Superhero fans, look no further than virtual playing card collector game Marvel Snap. Featuring famous faces from across the MCU, you can play it on your laptop as well as your smartphone. The simple interface makes it easy to dip in and out of for quick six-minute rounds, and collecting cards is as simple as it is satisfying – especially when you finally round off your deck with an especially elusive card. There's no multiplayer mode just yet, but you can learn more about the game in our Marvel Snap review for a more in-depth look at exactly how it works. 

8. Stardew Valley

Developer: ConcernedApe

When it comes to farming sims, it doesn't get more placid than Stardew Valley. Taking over your late grandfather's farm, you'll be creating your own character to carry on his legacy and start building your own. The cutesy pixel RPG has become a steadfast favorite since its 2016 launch, and one key thing about it for those looking for the best laptop games is its very undemanding system requirements. You don't need fancy specs or a gaming-level graphics card to play it, so Stardew Valley is a great option for anyone looking for a beautiful little game to get stuck into that won't make your laptop wheeze. 

7. PUBG Battlegrounds

Developer: Krafton

This free-to-play survival title is not only one of the best battle royale games, but one of the best laptop games to boot. You'll spawn on a battlefield and have to beat your enemies to gather loot, supplies, and weapons to help you stay alive long enough to be the last soldier standing. Go at it stealthily or charge in headfirst; the choice is yours. Thanks to cross-progression, you can play it on either your smartphone or your laptop for even greater portability, and its deceptively small file size means that you won't be stressing your machine out either way. 

6. Cult of the Lamb

Developer: Massive Monster

If you've always dreamed of leading a flock of devoted followers under the guidance of a primordial monster, boy do we have the game for you. Cult of the Lamb is the unholy union of Animal Crossing and a roguelike, seeing your adorable woolly hero traversing treacherous realms to defeat the Bishops of the New Religion and usher in the return of The One Who Waits. As well as fighting your way through a number of foes, you'll be rescuing followers and bringing them into the cult's fold. Manage your cult grounds well and keep your followers happy, or risk mutiny as they one by one turn their backs on you. It's a fun (if not rather dark) indie gem, and you can pick it up on your laptop to play wherever you go.

5. Hades 2

Developer: Supergiant

What could possibly be better than one of the best roguelikes ever? Hades 2, its long-awaiting sequel. Melinoë's hack n slash adventure is still in Early Access on Steam, but that doesn't stop Hades 2 from being one of the best games to play on a laptop already thanks to its small file size and undemanding specs. Set some time after Zagreus' own journey, the Princess of Hell here sees herself going up against the Titan of Time, Chronos, as she battles from the crossroads of Erebus back down into Tartarus. With even more NPCs to chat to, a host of new Gods offering majestic boon powerups, and a winding narrative that makes each death a victory in itself, Supergiant proves why it's the studio that reinvented narrative roguelikes for the better.

4. Life Is Strange

Developer: Dontnod

Life is Strange is more than your average point and click adventure. The surprisingly emotional journey introduces you to photography student Maxine Caulfield as she grapples with her newfound powers of rewinding time. It's not long until they get her involved in something far greater than her family's personal troubles, suddenly finding herself navigating a sinister mystery unfurling at her high school. Equal parts immersive adventure and tense murder mystery, the player-led choices system makes for branching relationships, multiple endings, and in general means that you have a greater sense of control over how Max's story plays out. It's a surefire winner for anyone looking for the best laptop games to provide strong narratives in relatively small file sizes.

3. Minecraft

Developer: Mojang Studios

Classic sandbox game Minecraft should need no introduction. The iconic blocky adventure is available on various platforms, including box PC and Mac versions that allow you to experience the best-selling video game no matter where you are. The good thing about Minecraft is that it's easy to pick up and play for players of most ages, meaning you won't have to shield your kid brother's eyes when you sit down to play it on your laptop. In fact, he'll probably want to join in and get building his own fantasy land, too, so it's just as well you can play it on your smartphone as well. 

2. Counter-Strike 2

Developer: Valve

Replacing CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 is the latest in the first-person tactical shooter series. It also doubles up as one of the best games to play on a laptop right now, and it's all down to CS2's modest file size and reasonable minimum specs. Demanding just 30GB of your precious SSD or HDD space, that's a lot of gunslinging bang for your digital buck. Oh, and did we mention that Counter-Strike 2 is totally free-to-play on Steam? Fans of competitive FPS goodness, look no further for your next fix.

1. Apex Legends

Developer: Respawn Entertainment

Rounding off our list of the best games to play on a laptop is Apex Legends. Much like fellow battle royale Fortnite, it boasts a series of characters with unique attributes that give them a competitive edge over others. There are a range of arenas and game modes to choose from, whether you want to go for traditional capture-the-flag antics or a quick game that takes the usual 40 minute runtime down to just 15, Apex Legends boasts something for everyone. Another title that is playable on either a laptop or your smartphone, it's easy to take with you on the go. Just bear in mind that there is no cross progression between the two versions, so you won't be able to pick up where you left off. That being said, each platform offers its own quirks and benefits, so that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Here's all the upcoming PC games to keep an eye on in 2024 and beyond, from Stalker 2 to 33 Immortals.