Finally built a PC after 5 years of being a corporate slave, what are the best games 2026?

I finally upgraded to a proper gaming PC after about five years of mostly working and barely having time to play anything. Now that I actually have a machine that can handle modern games, I’m a little overwhelmed by how many games I’ve missed.

I’m especially looking for an open-world survival game where I can explore, build a base, gather resources, and get completely lost in the world for hours. I’m fine with solo or multiplayer, but I’d prefer something with a good sense of progression rather than just surviving for the sake of surviving.

I’m also open to other genres if there’s something from the last few years that you think is an absolute must-play. What would you consider among the best games for someone finally coming back to PC gaming after a five-year break?