Thanks to the power provided by Apple's M-series chips, Mac gaming has seen impressive growth in recent years. Sure, Mac developer support is not as robust as the best gaming PCs or the best gaming laptops, but it is in much better shape than it was two years ago. Today, it is difficult to completely dismiss Mac gaming, and the future seems rather bright. While titles like [Cyberpunk 2077] and [Marvel's Spider-Man] are not (yet) playable on the Mac, there are many "AAA" games optimized for the Mac that are playable right now. Some are several years old, others are more recent. All of the games show what is possible if developers create titles specifically for macOS Sonoma and the hardware on which the OS runs. And with the introduction of new M3-powered Macs, such as the iMac M3, MacBook Pro M3, and MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max, gaming on the Mac has never been more comfortable.

Here are five games you should be playing right now on your Mac.

Let me start with the game that really made me a Mac gamer: Resident Evil: Village. I played this game on a MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Max, 2021) and a MacBook Pro 16" (M2 Max, 2023). Not only did the game look great on these laptops' Liquid Retina displays, but it ran like a dream at 120Hz.

Beyond the impressive graphics, "Resident Evil 7: Resident Evil Village" is a frighteningly engaging experience, thanks to its moody setting and engaging story. And if you haven't played Resident Evil 7, don't worry, because "Village" makes the story easy to understand.

I've been a fan of "Resident Evil 7: Resident Evil" since its release on the original PlayStation in 1996, and I can confidently say that "Resident Evil 7: Village" is one of the best.

Next up is something more recent and probably the game of the year: Baldur's Gate 3. Tested on a new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3 Max, I was blown away by the graphics and performance of this game. Both environments and characters were vividly detailed, and I was particularly impressed with the vibrant colors. The frame rate was consistently in the 100 fps range, which was a bonus.

Computing Editor Alex Wawro said that "Baldur's Gate 3" is a love letter to Dungeons & Dragons, and I have to agree with that assessment. Not only do you get Dungeon Master-style narration when characters make decisions, but you also get authentic (digital) die rolls. I've only dabbled in "Baldur's Gate 3," but I may end up playing the entire campaign on my Mac.

"Lies of P" is another recent, graphics-intensive title that is playable on a Mac; like Baldur's Gate 3, this game was tested on a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max. Even with the highest graphics settings and resolution, this quirky title ran at frame rates as high as 80-130 fps. The haunted train station and the creepy robots that inhabit it are rendered with great detail and precision using ray tracing.

Lies of P shamelessly borrows gameplay and atmosphere from Bloodborne. I don't mind, considering that From Software's PS4 exclusive is one of my favorite "SoulsBorne" games. The fact that it's inspired by Pinocchio makes the title all the more enticing. This is another game that makes me want to play it exclusively on my MacBook Pro because of how good it looks and runs when played on my Apple notebook.

Who needs Starfield on a Mac when you can have No Man's Sky right now, and a Mac with an M-series chip will have no problem rendering the game's colorful procedurally generated alien environments. Frame rates can reach the 70 fps range, which is very good for a game where so much happens in the environment. While not as graphically demanding as the other games listed above, "No Man's Sky" impresses on the Mac.

I played "No Man's Sky" when it was first released in 2016 and was disappointed by the lack of content. Years later, it is now a strong title, packed with all kinds of activities, including base building, driving a variety of vehicles, multiplayer exploration, and legitimate space battles. If you're looking for a game that will keep you immersed for hours, "No Man's Sky" is just the ticket.

The classic PC game Myst was remade in 3D in 2021 and has since become available on the Mac. I learned about this remake at an Apple event and was stunned by its awesomeness when I played it on my iMac M3. I played the original title back in the 90's and found this version to be a faithful interpretation.

"Myst" differs from the other games on this list because it focuses on exploration and puzzle solving rather than horror and action. If you are looking for a relatively relaxing experience in a gorgeous looking game, Myst is a game to consider.

We would like to highlight two titles that will be available on the Mac by the end of 2023.

The first is the Resident Evil 4 Remake, which was released on consoles and PC earlier this year. I had my doubts about this remake, as I think the original GameCube/PS2 version is perfect as is. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded. This remake is as good as, or arguably better than, the excellent "Resident Evil 2" and "Resident Evil 3" remakes, and the Mac version of "Resident Evil 4" should be phenomenal.

Next up is Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding. This is one of the bleakest games I've played in a while. Despite that, its bleak post-apocalyptic world begs to be explored, and having played it on PS4 Pro and PC, I can't wait to see how it looks and works on my MacBook Pro.