Best Mac games of 2017

Game developers are embracing macOS like never before, which means Windows isn’t the only place to get the greatest titles anymore. The past year brought us a ton of terrific Mac games, from intense first-person shooters to gorgeous platformers filled with charm.

Here’s our roundup of the best Mac games of 2017.

The best Mac games of 2017

Yooka-Laylee

Remember Banjo-Kazooie? It was one of the best platform games for N64, and when you consider the kind of competition it would have had on a Nintendo console, that’s a great achievement. Yooka-Laylee is from the same creators — and it’s just as spectacular.

The gameplay is very similar, which is why many consider Yooka-Laylee a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie. You control two characters from a third-person perspective; they must work together to explore open worlds, solve puzzles and eliminate their enemies.

Yooka-Laylee looks absolutely gorgeous and it’s a joy to play. If you’re a fan of platforms games and you haven’t already played it, do yourself a favor and pick it up today while there’s 50 percent off its normal $39.99 price on Steam.

Price: $19.99

Buy from: Steam

Hitman

If stealthy action games are your thing, you’ll love playing the world’s ultimate assassin. In Hitman, you’re tasked with using your genetically enhanced abilities to eliminate contracted targets in the most effective way possible.

You’ll be equipped with explosives, blades and a wealth of guns. Disguise your work by making your assassination look like an accidental suicide, or blow your target to smithereens. However you choose to do it, complete your mission before the time runs out to complete the contract.

Hitman is a game you’re guaranteed to enjoy if you have any interest in action, shooters, crime thrillers or just being a total badass. And over the holidays, you can enjoy the first major story mission for free on Steam — then save 62 percent on the complete series.

Price: Free

Buy from: Steam

Tannenberg

Classic war games enjoyed a resurgence this year, but unfortunately for Mac users, few of them are available on macOS. Tannenberg is, and it just so happens it’s also one of the most enjoyable if you’re into online first-person shooters.

Tannenberg takes you to the Eastern Front in 1914 for a battle between Russia and Germany. You engage in intense online combat as you battle for dominance with up to 64 other players. There are beautiful landscapes to enjoy, many detailed weapons to master, and plenty of “horrendous gore.”

It might not be the biggest game franchise to return to early war this year, but Tannenberg is up there with the best. And at $17.99, it’s also a lot more affordable.

Price: $17.99

Buy from: Steam

Tacoma

Tacoma is a delightful science-fiction adventure game from the creators of Gone Home. It puts you on a high-tech space station in 2088 and tasks you with retrieving the processing module of the station’s artificial intelligence.

To complete your mission, you’ll use AI to relive what happened on the station when it was once occupied. You’ll review the actions and conversations of previous crew members, and even follow them around as they go about their daily lives.

Along the way, you’ll collect data to move the story forward and help you reach your goal. The story line will suck you in and you’ll find it hard to put this game down. It’s a fascinating adventure that looks gorgeous on Mac. It’s available for $9.99, which is 50 percent off its normal price, for a limited time.

Price: $9.99

Buy from: Steam

BioShock Remastered

BioShock has been around a while now, but it’s one of those games that gives you an urge to play again and again. The remastered version, which brings glorious 4K graphics and a higher frame rate, is a great reason to dive back into it 10 years after its initial release.

The gameplay experience is the same, which is to say it’s just as awesome as it always was. You’ll relive the same story line with the same weapons — only this time, it looks even better. And thanks to the Steam winter sale, it’s available for just $6.59 right now!

Price: $6.59

Buy from: Steam

Fortnite

2017 was the year everybody became addicted to battle royale games. The likes of H1Z1 and Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds helped make them insanely popular, but despite being a latecomer, Fortnite brought a lot of fresh meat to the table.

Fornite puts 100 players together on the same map and gives them just one mission: Be the last to survive. You start with nothing, which means you’ll have to hunt for equipment, weapons and other resources before taking on every other player in the hope that you’ll make it to the end.

The map gets smaller over time, while the remaining players get stronger as they scavenge for more weapons and equipment. Random air drops also provide rarer items that could spell the difference between life and death. Team game modes are also available.

Fortnight is the only big battle royale game playable on macOS, and it’s completely free to download.

Price: Free

Buy from: Epic Games

Old Man’s Journey

Old Man’s Journey is a puzzle adventure game that’s not for the faint of heart. It beautifully tells the story of “life, loss, reconciliation and hope” as you guide the old man along his path, reliving his memories along the way.

Interact with the whimsical, hand-drawn environments and solve puzzles to move the story forward. Enjoy a spectacular soundtrack and calming gameplay that’s hard to come by.

Old Man’s Journey is a delight from start to finish. Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a gamer, you’re going to love it — especially at just $5.59 since you’ll get 30 percent off the normal price in the Steam sale.

Price: $5.59

Buy from: Steam

Emily Is Away Too

Emily Is Away Too is a story played out on the internet of yesteryear. You’ll use retro instant messaging apps, social networks and websites as you live out your senior year at high school with your best buddies.

There are multiple endings to the story, and the interactions you have will determine how yours plays out. If you harbor fond memories of AOL Instant Messenger and Netscape, you will surely get a kick out of this $2.49 game.

Price: $2.49

Buy from: Steam