Mac gaming has seen a notable shift in recent years, with more high-profile titles arriving on macOS than ever before. The perception that Macs are only suited for casual gaming is no longer accurate. In 2026, titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and Resident Evil 3 demonstrate that the platform can handle complex graphics, detailed open worlds, and intricate gameplay mechanics. Apple Silicon has played a key role in this transition, with M1 and M2 processors providing performance capable of running modern AAA games smoothly.
This guide reviews the most significant Mac-compatible games currently available, covering a variety of genres including RPGs, shooters, strategy, platformers, and survival horror. The following selection highlights both recent releases and established franchises that have been optimized for macOS.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 marks one of the most significant releases for Mac users in 2025. Once criticized for performance issues at launch, the game now runs effectively on Macs with an M1 processor or newer, requiring macOS 15.5 and at least 16GB of RAM. The narrative follows V, a hacker whose consciousness becomes intertwined with that of the rockstar Johnny Silverhand. Players navigate Night City, a sprawling open world inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics, completing quests, interacting with a large cast of characters, and upgrading skills through cybernetic enhancements. The game combines first-person shooter elements with traditional role-playing mechanics, offering flexibility in playstyle and character development.
Night City allows for extensive exploration, and the combination of story depth and player freedom distinguishes the game from other Mac titles. While the content is intended for mature audiences, the technical performance on Apple Silicon devices demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale RPGs on the Mac platform.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is the first entry in the long-running Assassin’s Creed series optimized for Mac. Set in Japan during 1579, the game places players in the roles of Naoe, a stealth-oriented shinobi, and Yasuke, a combat-focused samurai. The dual-character system allows for flexibility and replayability, with Naoe emphasizing agility and stealth while Yasuke focuses on blocking, parrying, and close combat.
The game features an open world with numerous quests and parkour-style navigation across rooftops and environments. Visual fidelity is maintained consistently throughout gameplay, not just in cinematic cut-scenes, which provides a cohesive and immersive experience. Shadows is designed for mature audiences, with adjustable settings for violent content.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong continues the series’ emphasis on platform-action and exploration in a hand-drawn, 2D world. Players control Hornet as she navigates the kingdom of Pharloom, confronting over 200 enemies and multiple bosses. The game maintains fluid animation and responsive combat mechanics, running smoothly on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, even at 4K resolution.
Silksong builds upon the original Hollow Knight while introducing new weapons, movement mechanics, and an expanded world. While platforming can be challenging, the game remains accessible thanks to forgiving mechanics and carefully designed levels. The combination of visual artistry, combat depth, and exploration makes it a notable title for Mac gamers interested in the genre.
Control: Ultimate Edition
Control: Ultimate Edition blends conventional shooter gameplay with psychic abilities, creating a distinct combat system. Players explore the Federal Bureau of Control, an interdimensional government agency investigating paranormal phenomena, using a combination of firearms and telekinetic powers to overcome enemies. The game runs well on Macs with M1 or newer processors, providing stable frame rates without the need for high-end hardware.
The game’s surreal environments and narrative focus differentiate it from traditional shooters. Combat involves strategy and adaptability, with a mix of shooting, object manipulation, and environmental problem-solving. Control demonstrates that narrative-driven action games can function effectively on macOS, even when using advanced 3D graphics.
Resident Evil Games
Several Resident Evil titles have been optimized for Mac, including Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Resident Evil 3 presents a survival-horror experience with Nemesis acting as a persistent threat. Resident Evil 4 offers a remake of the original game with improved controls and updated graphics, while Resident Evil 7 uses a first-person perspective to create a tense, atmospheric environment in a Louisiana mansion.
All three titles require Apple Silicon and macOS 13 or newer. Performance is solid, making the franchise accessible without high-end Mac hardware. These releases highlight the continued interest in classic survival-horror gameplay on macOS, with a mix of defensive tactics, exploration, and combat.
Civilization VII
Civilization VII introduces refinements to the long-running strategy series. The game separates leaders and civilizations, allowing for historically inaccurate combinations, and divides gameplay into three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Players can pursue economic, cultural, scientific, or military paths to achieve dominance.
The game’s 3D visuals are detailed and run smoothly on Apple Silicon Macs, although the interface has been criticized for being less intuitive than previous iterations. Civilization VII demonstrates that complex strategy games remain viable on macOS when optimized properly.
Roguelike Action and Platform Games
Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong represent two of the stronger offerings for Mac in terms of roguelike and platform action. Hades II follows Melinoë through procedurally generated underworld levels, emphasizing repeatable runs and skill progression, while Silksong maintains tight platforming and exploratory gameplay in a hand-drawn setting. Both games support Apple Silicon Macs and illustrate the platform’s ability to handle fast-paced, mechanically demanding titles.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut offers an experience focused on traversal, storytelling, and world-building, set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players act as Sam Porter Bridges, delivering supplies and connecting isolated communities. The cinematic presentation and technical performance on Apple Silicon demonstrate that open-world, story-driven games are viable on the Mac.
Frostpunk 2 expands survival city-building mechanics into a morally complex society simulator. Players manage resources, populations, and factional disputes in a frozen, dystopian environment. The game’s detailed 3D graphics and complex mechanics run well on modern Macs, making it an appealing strategy option.
Mac Gaming in 2026: A Broader Range of Titles
Overall, 2026 demonstrates that Macs can support a wide range of gaming experiences, from large-scale RPGs and shooters to platformers, strategy, and horror. With Apple Silicon providing consistent performance and optimization for both Steam and the Mac App Store, Mac gamers now have access to many high-profile releases previously limited to Windows systems.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I play AAA games on a Mac?
Yes, Apple Silicon Macs (M1 or newer) can run many AAA titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and Resident Evil 3, with good performance.
Do all Mac games require Apple Silicon?
Not all, but most modern AAA and resource-intensive games now require Apple Silicon. Older or 2D games may still run on Intel Macs.
Can I use a controller for Mac games?
Many Mac games, including Hollow Knight: Silksong and Resident Evil titles, support controllers, although keyboard and mouse are often supported as well.
Where can I buy Mac games?
Mac games are available through the Mac App Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other reputable digital retailers.
Are there any web3 games on Mac?
There are web3-integrated games compatible with macOS, though adoption is limited. Most mainstream titles currently do not use blockchain features.