I am mostly a strategy gaming fan other than RPGs.
I can't limit to 3 unfortunately. So hopefully this helps with some discussions
So:
- Age of Empires 1 & 2: These and the below entry were my first games that got me hooked into PC gaming. Top-quality games in my opinion.
- The Settlers 3
- Tropico Series: I played this series since the first entry and loved the atmosphere. I've never been good at it, but still enjoy it sometimes. Waiting for the newest one to be 50% off and then I'll get it I think.
- Battle Brothers: Been playing this since it came out and I think the newest DLC has been the best. It wouldn't have made this list otherwise. Still shit at the game, but I can now manage Beginner Ironman without too many difficulties. Will need to try Veteran next. (I only have two mods installed: Make Alps only spawn one ghost per turn and a tooltip that shows what the town events actually mean).
- XCOM 2: Probably one of my most-played games thanks to all the mods available.
- Theme Hospital: Another one of the earliest games I enjoyed for the atmosphere. I never finished it, but still one of my most fun games
- Invisible Inc: Not sure this one deserves a mention, but since it was a lot of fun to play through a few times, I thought why not. Nice little turn based stealth game.
- Mount & Blade (heavily modded): Another game which was better thanks to its modding community. AAA mods were made for this game greatly surpassing the original game.
- Caesar 3: The final old game on this list. I must have played this game for hundreds of hours. I remember one scenario that I was enjoying so much I didn't progress to the next scenario until my map was chockfull I couldn't build anything anymore. One of the best old city-builders.
- Crusader Kings 2: This and the next one are Paradox masterpieces, but takes ages to get into as systems are quite complex. I played this a a conquest blobber and also as a RP build up dynasty. Both ways are fun.
- Europa Universalis 4
- Total War Series (especially Shogun, Rome, Medieval II, Shogun II & now Three Kingdoms): If you've never played this before, I recommend the newest entry ! It's probably one of the best ones they've made.
- Civ 5
Only real MP game I play
- League of Legends