These ten Microsoft Store games are editorial picks for Windows 11 players, chosen to cover different kinds of play rather than to claim a universal quality ranking. Microsoft’s PC popular-games results include several of these titles, but popularity is not proof that a game is best for you. Genre, hardware requirements, purchase model, and whether you want solo or online play matter more. Store availability and Game Pass access can also vary by region and change over time, so check each listing before installing or buying.
How to choose a game from the Microsoft Store
Start with the kind of experience you want, then check the title’s Windows PC listing and system requirements. Windows 11 by itself does not guarantee that a particular game will run well: requirements differ, and your CPU, memory, graphics hardware, and available storage all matter. Xbox notes that system requirements vary by game and performance scales with higher-end systems (Xbox PC gaming).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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CyberPowerPC Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 7 8700F, GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | $1,499.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel Core i5-13400F 2.5GHz, GeForce RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB... | $1,285.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops III - Standard Edition - PC | $10.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Doom - PC | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Check the edition: Confirm that the listing is for a Windows PC version, not just a console edition.
- Check the cost and access: Confirm the current purchase price, free-to-play status, in-app purchases, and any subscription needed. Do not assume a Game Pass result means a title is included on PC in your region and plan.
- Check how you can play: Look for solo, co-op, online, and account requirements in the current listing.
- Check age guidance and hardware: Review the rating and the developer’s minimum and recommended specifications before downloading.
Microsoft Support points users to the Store’s Gaming category for browsing and to their library for downloads; the Store carries both free and paid games (Microsoft Support). An Xbox controller is an optional PC accessory, not a requirement; mouse and keyboard remain natural choices for many PC games.
10 Microsoft Store games to consider on Windows 11
This is a varied shortlist, not a ranked scorecard. Microsoft Store PC popularity results surfaced several of these candidates, including Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Among Us, Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, Microsoft Ultimate Word Games, and Minecraft Dungeons for Windows (Microsoft Store PC most-popular games). The listing is a source of candidates, not an independent verdict on quality.
#1 Best Overall
- System: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F 4.1GHz 8 Cores | AMD B850 Chipset | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 2x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 2 x USB-C 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 2 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
1. Forza Horizon 5 — for open-world racing
A strong starting point if you want a racing game rather than a traditional track-only format. The title appeared in Microsoft’s PC popular-games results and in an Xbox PC Game Pass / Play Anywhere result, but current edition availability and subscription access should be checked in your local Store listing (Microsoft Store; Xbox Game Pass games).
2. Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition — for pirate adventures and crew play
Consider this if a pirate-themed adventure and playing with others are more appealing than a solo campaign. The current PC results include Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition, but confirm the edition, online requirements, and whether your Game Pass plan currently covers the PC version before relying on subscription access (Microsoft Store; Xbox Game Pass games).
3. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition — for classic real-time strategy
This is the shortlist’s choice for players looking for a strategy title built around managing a civilization rather than driving, shooting, or platforming. It appeared in Microsoft Store’s PC popular-games results. Check the current listing for the edition’s purchase options and system requirements before installing (Microsoft Store PC most-popular games).
Rank #2
- System: Intel Core i5-13400F 2.5GHz 10 Cores | Intel B760 Chipset | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 2x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 1 x USB-C 3.2 | 2 x USB-A 3.2 | 6 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
4. Age of Empires IV — for a newer strategy campaign
Age of Empires IV offers exploration, resource gathering, construction, and combat, and its official page describes four campaigns. Its page lists Windows 11 support. The published minimum includes 8 GB of memory, DirectX 12, and an AVX-capable CPU; the recommended memory is 16 GB. These are Age of Empires IV specifications, not a baseline for the other games in this list (Age of Empires IV official page).
5. Among Us — for social party play
Among Us is a pick for a group that wants a compact social game instead of a long single-player campaign. It surfaced in both Microsoft Store PC popularity results and an Xbox PC Game Pass / Play Anywhere result. Check the current Store listing for the Windows edition, online play details, and subscription availability in your region (Microsoft Store; Xbox Game Pass games).
6. Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced — for open-world action
This is the shortlist’s open-world action option. Microsoft’s PC popularity results surfaced Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, but that alone does not establish hardware suitability, current price, or which edition you should buy. Review the specific Windows listing and its age rating before making a decision (Microsoft Store PC most-popular games).
Rank #3
- INTRODUCING A NEW ERA OF BLACK OPS: Call of Duty: Black Ops III takes place in a dark, gritty future where a new breed of Black Ops soldier emerges and the lines are blurred between our own humanity and the cutting-edge military robotics that define the future of combat.
- A CALL OF DUTY CAMPAIGN UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE IT: Treyarch elevates the Call of Duty social gaming experience by delivering up to four player campaign co-op, using the same battle-tested network infrastructure and social systems that support its world-class Multiplayer and Zombies game modes.
- PREPARE FOR A LEVELED-UP MULTIPLAYER: With Black Ops III, Treyarch premieres a new momentum-based chained-movement system, allowing players to fluidly move through the environment with finesse, using controlled thrust jumps, slides, and mantling abilities in a multitude of combinations, all while maintaining complete control over your weapon at all times.
- FIGHT THE UNDEAD IN AN ALL-NEW HORROR STORY: No Treyarch title would be complete without its signature Zombies offering - a full-game experience with its own distinct storyline right out of the box. Black Ops III Zombies is the most immersive and ambitious Call of Duty Zombies to date, with a full XP-based progression system for players that adds depth and re-playability to the engaging gameplay Zombies fans have come to expect.
7. Microsoft Ultimate Word Games — for quick word and puzzle sessions
If you want a casual option rather than a large action or strategy game, Microsoft Ultimate Word Games appeared in the Store’s PC popularity results. Use its live listing to confirm current availability, cost, and any in-app purchases; the search result alone does not specify them (Microsoft Store PC most-popular games).
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →8. Minecraft Dungeons for Windows — for accessible action-adventure
Minecraft Dungeons for Windows surfaced in the Microsoft Store PC popular-games results, making it a candidate if you want a game in the Minecraft universe with an action-adventure focus. Verify the exact Windows edition, multiplayer options, and current purchase or subscription terms in the listing (Microsoft Store PC most-popular games).
9. Gears 5 — for action and campaign play
Gears 5 appeared in an Xbox PC Game Pass / Play Anywhere result. That makes it worth checking if you are interested in an action game and already use the relevant PC catalog, but the result does not establish current inclusion for every plan or market. Confirm the Windows listing and access terms first (Xbox Game Pass games).
Rank #4
- A Relentless Campaign: There is no taking cover or stopping to regenerate health as you beat back Hell's raging demon hordes
- Return of id Multiplayer: Dominate your opponents in DOOM's signature, fast-paced arena-style combat
- Near-Limitless Gameplay: DOOM SnapMap - A powerful, but easy-to-use game and level editor that allows for limitless gameplay experiences on every platform
10. Brotato — for short-session action
Brotato also surfaced in an Xbox PC Game Pass / Play Anywhere result. It is a candidate for players who prefer shorter, repeatable sessions over a large campaign. Treat catalog inclusion as time- and plan-dependent, and check the current PC listing for availability, requirements, and purchase details (Xbox Game Pass games).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know about Game Pass and Store availability
A search result showing a title in a Game Pass list is not a permanent promise of access. Catalogs can change, and availability depends on plan, platform, and geography. Microsoft’s surfaced PC results included Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition, Forza Horizon 5, Among Us, Gears 5, Brotato, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but that result does not establish their current inclusion for every subscriber (Xbox Game Pass games). Check the individual title’s current listing and your plan before treating subscription access as part of your decision.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Store’s popular-games page is useful for discovering candidates, while the listing for an individual game is the place to confirm the Windows edition and current terms. Microsoft’s 2021 overview of Windows gaming named several familiar games, including Flight Simulator, Sea of Thieves, Age of Empires IV, Forza Horizon 5, and Halo Infinite, but that article is historical and should not be used to establish today’s availability (Microsoft’s 2021 Windows Store overview).
Will these games run on your Windows 11 PC?
There is no single system requirement for this list. The available Xbox guidance explicitly warns that requirements vary by game, while Age of Empires IV supplies one specific example: Windows 11 support, a minimum of 8 GB memory, DirectX 12, and an AVX-capable CPU, with 16 GB memory recommended (Xbox PC gaming; Age of Empires IV official page).
Quick Recap
- Open the game’s Microsoft Store listing and confirm it is the Windows PC edition.
- Find the developer’s current minimum and recommended PC requirements.
- Compare the listed CPU, memory, graphics, and storage requirements with your PC’s specifications.
- Check the listing for online, account, age-rating, and purchase requirements before downloading.
