Amazing PC Games With Low System Requirements
You don’t need a monstrous PC to see some of the best the platform has to offer. Today, we’re covering the best PC games with low system requirements.
It becomes abundantly clear from playing PC games that graphics aren’t everything. Many of the most streamed games on Twitch have low PC requirements, which isn’t a coincidence. Sometimes developers sacrifice gameplay quality for graphics. It’s an unfair tradeoff, but it’s a stark reality.
Someone can pour hundreds of hours into these games until their laptop or desktop computer overheats. With a quality PC build, people can play most of these games on maximum settings or increase the frame rate on lower settings. Note that many great low-spec PC games are also playable on macOS.
Updated February 12, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Low-end PC gaming is a thriving subculture within the larger gaming sphere. While video cards like the GTX 1050 might struggle to run the latest AAA games, they still present their owners with potentially thousands of options. This library grows larger with each passing day.
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Hotline Miami
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
1.2GHz processor
RAM
512 MB
Graphics Card
DirectX 8-compatible graphics card with at least 32MB of video memory
Storage
250 MB
Steam Page
Hotline Miami follows a nameless protagonist who receives cryptic messages that are generally interpreted as “go here and kill everyone.” Set in the late ’80s, the top-down shooter is drenched in neon lights and video game eccentricities that inspire players to not give much consideration to the reasons behind their actions. As the killer shoots their way through a building’s floors, they leave behind a trail of blood, guts, and bonus points.
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Straightforward as the formula sounds on paper, Hotline Miami contains quite a bit of depth, both in the way stages need to be approached and the narrative that drives the slaughter. Perhaps more importantly, the game is a lot of fun to play, and it has not aged a bit since its 2012 debut. Hotline Miami is not just one of the best low-end PC games but also one of the greatest projects of all time.
The Forest
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7
Processor
Intel Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT; ATI Radeon HD 3850
Storage
5 GB
Steam Page
Eric wakes up on a treacherous island without his son, and he soon comes to realize that surviving a plane crash was the easy part of this adventure. A survival horror game, The Forest incorporates most of the standard elements associated with the genre, including crafting tools, building shelter, and finding food. Eric must also deal with the locals who happen to be cannibals, although they are not necessarily evil (or good).
The Forest is a must-play for survival or horror fans. While not especially striking in the visual department, its gameplay and story are rock-solid. A sequel called Sons of the Forest is expected to launch in February 2023.
Portal 2
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.0 GHz; AMD Athlon 64 X2
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
ATI Radeon X800; NVIDIA GeForce 7600; Intel HD Graphics 2000
Storage
8 GB
Steam Page
Valve does a fantastic job optimizing its games, with pretty much all of them playing well on low-end PCs. Portal 2 is no exception, although the game can look pretty fantastic with high-end graphics. But even “watered down,” and with the settings on low, Portal 2 is one of the most engaging and entertaining puzzle adventures ever produced. Most players come to experience the hilarious storyline and stellar voice action, only to be completely gripped by Portal’s unique brand of gameplay.
What’s even better is that Portal 2 can be enjoyed with a friend, thanks to an entirely separate cooperative storyline. This means there’s twice as much to see and do in Portal 2, and it should all run smoothly with low requirements.
Among Us
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7 SP1+
Processor
A CPU that supports SSE2
RAM
1 GB
Graphics Card
N/A
Storage
250 MB
Steam Page
It’s hard sometimes to find enjoyable multiplayer games that feature very low-end requirements but there are some serious gems out there. Among Us is a great example that video games don’t need insanely complex graphics or gameplay elements to be a blast. With its cute 2D art style and mini-game-like structure, Among Us offers players a fun gameplay loop that is accentuated by a multiplayer mechanic that makes it even more engaging.
Not only will players enjoy the “tasks” sprinkled around each map, but they’ll also need to keep away from a player-slaying imposter, while also maintaining their innocence.
Disco Elysium
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7+
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
DirectX 11 Compatible Card with 512MB Dedicated Memory as a Minimum
Storage
20 GB
Steam Page
Released in 2019 before receiving an updated version two years later, Disco Elysium is among the most decorated RPGs of the last decade. ZA/UM’s game follows an amnesiac detective who is assigned a murder case, one that quickly spirals out of control while also revealing different facades of the protagonist.
Presented from an isometric angle, Disco Elysium is reminiscent of old-school ’90s RPGs that prioritize world-building and dialogue over action. Set in cyberpunk-esque universe, the story dives into the political ideologies that shape the world’s various cultures, and the player’s choices impact the protagonist’s thought patterns and beliefs. Disco Elysium is a story-driven experience with fantastic writing, unforgettable characters, and genuinely impactful choices. Ultimately, the RPG is not for everyone, but that has nothing to do with its accessible specs.
Tomb Raider (2013)
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7/8
Processor
Intel Core2 Duo E6300 1.86 Ghz; AMD Athlon64 X2 2.1 Ghz 4050+
RAM
1 GB; 2 GB on Vista
Graphics Card
AMD Radeon HD 2600 XT; NVIDIA GeForce 8600
Storage
12 GB
Steam Page
Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider reboot will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary soon. While the sequels surpass the 2013 game in a number of ways, Lara Croft’s first “contemporary” adventure is arguably the most consistently great, and the game does not outstay its welcome. Anyone looking for an action-packed game with good visuals, fun gameplay, and a passable storyline will find what they are looking for in this title.
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Tomb Raider is well-optimized on PC, and the game is likely to run on most (relatively) modern systems. On low settings, the game can be played on a laptop with Intel HD Graphics 3000 and a halfway decent processor. Lara might lag on occasion, but she will run.
Subnautica
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows Vista SP2, 64-bit
Processor
Intel Haswell 2 cores/4 threads @ 2.5Ghz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics 4600
Storage
20 GB
Steam Page
Compared to some other low-spec PC games, Subnautica requires slightly more juice under the hood, which is to be expected of a 2018 open-world release. However, Unknown Worlds’ game entered early access in 2014, and its system requirements are more in-line with projects from that era. Consequently, this title is a great option for users with budget computers who are searching for an immersive 3D experience with a reasonably-sized map for exploration.
Crash-landing on planet 4546B, Ryley Robinson finds herself alone in a world consisting primarily of water. In order to survive and perhaps find a way off this rock, the protagonist must scour the ocean for resources, a process that is just as likely to produce beautiful or nightmarish sights.
Kerbal Space Program
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7 SP1+
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
Supports DX10 & 512MB VRAM
Storage
3 GB
Steam Page
A space flight sim, Kerbal Space Program has been around in some form since 2011, although its official release did not happen until 2015. Do not be fooled by the quirky mascots into believing this is an accessible and casual game as that is far from the case. Kerbal Space Program strives for realism, and players need to know what they are doing if they want a successful lift-off, let alone complete a full trip.
Even though the gameplay is difficult to master, the journey tends to be fun regardless of whether a mission ends in triumph or failure. Kerbal Space Program has an active online community that has crafted tons of great mods and is likely to keep the game active for a long time, even with a sequel announced for 2023.
Loop Hero
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8.1/10 x64
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.20 GHz; AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3600+
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 512 MB; Radeon X1300 Pro 256 MB
Storage
200 MB
Steam Page
Loop Hero is a fantastic strategy game with a unique premise and some serious nostalgic vibes. Featuring a chiptune soundtrack and some SNES-era graphics, this procedurally-generated RPG world doesn’t take extensive PC hardware to run well. That said, players with high-end PCs shouldn’t sleep on this title just because it looks and feels like a retro release.
The world of Loop Hero is complex, giving players the opportunity to “influence a world” rather than simply control a character. They’ll need to place down cards, create paths, manage resources, and “strategize for the future.” It’s challenging, deceptively simplistic, and a good change of pace for players looking for something to tease their brains.
Killer Is Dead
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows Vista 64-bit
Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.3 Ghz; AMD Phenom X4 2.3 Ghz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
GPU that supports Shader Model 3.0
Storage
13 GB
Steam Page
Grasshopper Manufacturer’s Killer is Dead garnered a mixed reception upon release, mostly thanks to its similarities to the developer’s more popular No More Heroes games and some rather awful mini-games. However, the hack and slash title’s positives still shine roughly a decade following its debut. Firstly, the game’s stylized graphics have aged beautifully, arguably better than most mid-tier 2013 releases with more realistic visuals. Secondly, and more importantly, Killer is Dead’s combo-driven combat is incredibly fun, and it holds up well on repeat playthroughs.
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Killer is Dead was never a very demanding game, and in 2023, most low-spec laptops are likely to be able to run it. Due to its unique art style, the title still looks decent even when its graphics settings are set to as low as possible.
Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY Edition
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz; AMD Athlon 64 3500+
RAM
1 GB; 2 GB on Vista
Graphics Card
ATI Radeon X1300; NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Storage
9 GB
Steam Page
Batman: Arkham Asylum, City, and Origins are all good games for low-end PCs, and they come with the added bonus of being quite cheap. Arkham Asylum might drop players in a smaller-scale playground than its successors, but this translates to a strong and focused campaign. Visually, the 2010 game has aged extremely well, thanks in part to its Gothic and stylish architecture.
Arkham Asylum is one of the greatest and most influential action games of all time. Rocksteady’s combat system inspired projects like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Mad Max, and Remember Me, and none of those titles are as great as Arkham Asylum.
Fallout: New Vegas
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
Intel Dual Core 2.0 GHz; Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5800+
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
ATI Radeon 1300XT; NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Storage
10 GB
Steam Page
Fallout 1-3 and New Vegas are safe picks for RPG fans with low-end computers. Although naturally dated in certain ways, all four games have timeless strengths, with Fallout 1 and 2’s storytelling aging particularly well. Fallout 3 is still probably Bethesda’s strongest entry in the series, and mods have greatly extended the game’s lifespan.
New Vegas serves as a middle-ground between Fallout’s isometric and 3D eras, combining the complex world-building and quest design of the former with the modern sensibilities of the latter. Obsidian’s RPG can be enjoyed without any mods, although that scene should not be ignored either.
Age Of Empires 2 Definitive Edition
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 10
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo; AMD Athlon 64×2 5600+ 2.8 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce® GT 420; ATI™ Radeon™ HD 6850; Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Storage
30 GB
Steam Page
Compared to most other low-spec games recommended in this article, Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition requires slightly more power under the hood; however, the 1999 original game and its HD version are also readily available and can be run on a toaster. A contender for the greatest strategy title of all time, AOE 2 combines city building and war management to create a deep and potentially endless experience.
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Besides a graphical upgrade, the Definitive Edition primarily sticks to implementing quality of life improvements, most of which enhance the gameplay in small but welcome ways. There are also a few new campaigns and modes, so this package is not simply a more beautiful version of a timeless classic.
Darkest Dungeon
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP
Processor
N/A
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
Card that supports Open GL 3.2+
Storage
2 GB
Steam Page
Those who enjoy punishing gameplay and strategy elements should put Darkest Dungeon at the top of their list. This gritty, macabre RPG is downright unfair at times, hitting players with strings of bad luck and RNG-generated madness. Even the smartest and most prepared players can find themselves hopelessly clinging to life at the hands of Darkest Dungeon’s mechanics.
Thanks to its charming 2D aesthetics and side-scrolling action, Darkest Dungeon doesn’t require an immense amount of PC power to run smoothly. A lack of complex particle effects paired with its hand-drawn and sometimes simplistic graphics allows players with low-end PCs to join in on the fun. It also features a pretty dedicated modding community, so there’s a lot of customization to be found.
Undertale
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10/Vista/XP
Processor
N/A
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
128 MB VRAM
Storage
200 MB
Steam Page
There’s a lot of debate found throughout the gaming world on whether or not games need expressive graphics and gameplay to be considered truly great. Undertale firmly plants itself as an Indie release that proves that a game can have a fantastic story, fun gameplay, and engaging characters with minimal graphics and effects.
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Toby Fox created an incredibly imaginative world that spawned a massive cult following thanks to its colorful cast of characters, incredible soundtrack, and fast-paced dodge-based gameplay elements. Anyone who hasn’t played Undertale is seriously missing out and its ability to run well on even the lowest of low-end PCs gives almost anyone a chance to experience it.
Stardew Valley
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
2 GHz CPU
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
256 MB VRAM and supports shader model 3.0+
Storage
500 MB
Steam Page
Farming games, like tycoon games, are typically great for low-end devices. The goals of the game are simple on the surface, but with layers and layers of depth to keep players engaged. And, of course, it’s hard to mention the genre without bringing up the best there is: Stardew Valley. This game wears a lot of different hats over the core farming gameplay loop, and it executes on everything it tries to do with ease.
In terms of running games on low-end computers, the minimum requirements for Stardew Valley include Windows Vista as the operating system, among other quaint settings. If that doesn’t indicate the fact this game can run on anything, I don’t know what else will. It’s frequently on sale, so PC game players both hardcore and casual have no excuse to not pick up Stardew Valley.
Slay The Spire
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10/Vista/XP
Processor
2 GHz CPU
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
1 Gb VRAM and supports OpenGL 3.0+
Storage
1 GB
Steam Page
Slay the Spire is one of the best roguelites of all time and basically shaped what became the deck-building subgenre. The game is simple and easy to learn, but with so much depth in building decks that each character can play radically differently between each attempt. For example, the mage analogue in The Defect can use its elemental orbs to succeed or can pick up a bunch of Claws and rip enemies apart. It’s so much fun to experiment, and getting an overpowered run is an amazing dopamine hit.
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For low-end PCs, the game’s style is what carries it over the edge. It doesn’t look like a typical card game, but it certainly runs like one. Even the slowest of PCs can get the game going without too much effort. For fans of the genres Slay the Spire flirts with, it’s definitely worth it to check out.
Far Cry 3
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6700 2.6 GHz; AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6000+ 3 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX; ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT
Storage
15 GB
Steam Page
Debuting in 2012, Far Cry 3 is more than a decade old by this point. In Ubisoft’s long history of open-world releases, few garnered as much praise or were as influential as Far Cry 3. A critical and commercial success, the FPS drops players on Rook Islands, a gorgeous but highly dangerous archipelago that does not take kindly to outsiders.
Featuring an iconic villain in Vaas and a decent protagonist in Jason Brody, the campaign holds up reasonably well. Although expanded upon by its sequels, Far Cry 3’s gameplay is still fun today. The gunplay is responsive, while the exploration benefits from taking place on a big but not overwhelming map.
Fortnite
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10
Processor
Core i3-3225 3.3 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Storage
26 GB
Epic Games Store Page
Plenty of things contributed to Fortnite’s success. Epic capitalized on the battle royale craze just as it was picking up steam, arguably producing the subgenre’s definitive IP. This mode’s free-to-play status attracted people who might have been on the fence about dropping cash on something like PUBG. The gameplay is intuitive and addictive for both the battle royale mode and Save the World, while Fortnite’s love for cross-promotion has prolonged its existence in the public eye.
All those components helped propel cement license as a juggernaut, however, the importance of the PC game’s low specs should not be underestimated. Fortnite has become the de facto “casual” game because of its accessibility, not only in terms of its content but also availability. Essentially, almost anyone can play this (highly popular) release.
Genshin Impact
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8.1/10
Processor
Intel Core i5 equivalent
RAM
8 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030
Storage
30 GB
Genshin Impact Download Site
Another extremely popular free-to-play release, Genshin Impact is an action RPG that utilizes a gacha system for unlocking characters. Set in Teyvat, the game has been steadily expanding its world, story, and roster of characters, and the future is bright for Mihoyo’s project. Now, Genshin Impact requires a bit more under the hood than most other low-spec PC games mentioned in this article, but the requirements are shockingly manageable for what is an open-world experience filled with content.
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Even if its graphics or map density cannot compare to games like The Witcher 3 or Grand Theft Auto 6, Genshin Impact is still visually appealing and offers quite a variety of variety in its locations and storytelling.
Torchlight 2
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP SP3/Vista/Windows 7
Processor
1.4 GHz
RAM
1 GB
Graphics Card
256 MB RAM and supports DirectX 9.0c minimum
Storage
1.7 GB
Steam Page
Released in 2012, Torchlight 2 attracted attention for providing a traditional hack and slash experience unlike the controversial launch version of Diablo 3. Naturally, it is hardly surprising that a decade-old game can be run on the PC equivalent of a toaster, especially one that was not even intensive when it debuted. Regardless of its age, Torchlight 2 is still a fantastic dungeon crawler and a must-play for anyone itching to pick up as much loot as digitally possible.
The RPG’s cartoonish art style is timeless in a similar way to how the early Borderlands games look set to always be pleasant on the eyes. More importantly, Torchlight 2’s gameplay also seems to be immune to aging, permitting a player enjoys its classic approach to combat.
Spelunky
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/Vista/XP
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8 GHz (E7400)
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
3D support
Storage
200 MB
Steam Page
Spelunky is one of the definite indie titles on both PC and console. In terms of influence, the game should be considered in the same league as The Binding of Isaac, Cave Story, and Super Meat Boy. It’s a game designed with infinite ways to make the player struggle, but just as many ways to help the player succeed. Sometimes the chips don’t fall in favor of Spelunky Guy, but when they do, it’s so worth it.
The sequel, Spelunky 2, delivers more of the same, but it may require a somewhat more modern system to get working. Spelunky’s HD port on Steam, on the other hand, can still run on Windows XP. The game operates smoothly and is still as engrossing as ever.
Celeste
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10
Processor
Intel Core i3-380M 2.53 GHz
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Storage
1200 MB
Steam Page
Celeste was regarded as the leading indie game in the year of its release. In 2018, it received numerous awards for its phenomenal platforming. In this challenging game, players control Madeline as she attempts to scale a mountain while avoiding obstacles. The artwork is gorgeous, and the gameplay is almost flawless.
Celeste does not require a lot to get running, and while the game’s difficulty could put off some people, its story is well worth the effort.
Team Fortress 2
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
1.7 GHz CPU
RAM
512 MB
Graphics Card
N/A
Storage
15 GB
Steam Page
Team Fortress 2 is free-to-play on the Steam Store, and the game still continues to sit somewhere near the top of the platform’s most-played titles. It’s a multiplayer first-person shooter from Valve, the famed developers that brought the world Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Half-Life, and Portal. Games like Overwatch might not exist if it weren’t for TF2.
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Even if someone has a basic integrated graphics card like the Intel HD Graphics 630, they will probably meet the minimum and recommended requirements for Team Fortress 2. Although it’s aged since its release in 2007, the gameplay holds up well.
Gang Beasts
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7
Processor
Core i3 2nd Generation; AMD A6
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT; Intel HD Graphics 3000; AMD Radeon HD 5670
Storage
2 GB
Steam Page
In 2022, quite a few of the most popular games come with a low barrier for entry. Gang Beasts is a silly physics-based multiplayer title that sees players trying to push each other toward certain doom. Boasting a vibrant aesthetic and simple but stylish graphics, Boneloaf’s game is a crowd-pleaser capable of entertaining both casual and hardcore gamers.
Gang Beasts does not require much power under the hood, and the game is likely to be playable on most modern laptops regardless of whether they are intended for gaming or not. As this is solely a multiplayer package, anyone seeking a solo experience should look elsewhere.
Call Of Juarez Gunslinger
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10/Vista (SP2)/XP (SP3)
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2 GHz; AMD Athlon 64 X2
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
512 MB Card that Supports DirectX 9.0c
Storage
5 GB
Steam Page
Released in 2013, Call Of Juarez Gunslinger is a western shooter split into short chapters revolving around famous figures from history. Silas Greaves saunters into a saloon filled with patrons who are (mostly) willing to hear his wild tales, some of which sound too outlandish to be true.
Although hardly a graphical powerhouse, Gunslinger’s visuals have aged shockingly well, and the same could be said for its gunplay. Although repetitive at times, the campaign shakes things up just enough to keep things interesting. The narrator’s big personality also enhances these stories.
Terraria
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10/Vista/XP
Processor
2.0 GHz CPU
RAM
2.5 GB
Graphics Card
128 MB VRAM and supports shader model 2.0+
Storage
200 MB
Steam Page
Indie game Terraria is like Minecraft in two dimensions. The game’s vibrant 2D pixel artwork blends well with its themes as players can dig and build almost anywhere they choose. This indie darling debuted in 2011 and can run on pretty much any remotely modern system, along with computers that have dated operating systems like Windows XP or Vista.
Terraria has more than proved its longevity by this point in its lifespan, evolving into a complete and addictive experience that can keep someone coming back for years on end.
World Of Warcraft Classic
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7 64-bit
Processor
Intel Core i5-760 2.80 GHz; AMD FX-8100 2.80 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce GT 440 1 GB; AMD Radeon HD 5670 1 GB; Intel HD Graphics 4000
Storage
15 GB
WoW Page
If a player wants to revisit the original World of Warcraft in its vanilla state, WoW Classic is very appealing. Take a journey back to World of Warcraft when there weren’t numerous expansions convoluting the plot and creating player imbalances.
Back in its heyday, World of Warcraft had relatively low PC requirements, although this version does require a more modern system than most other titles mentioned in this article. Still, low-end desktop or laptop owners will love this game, and World of Warcraft Classic only needs 2 gigabytes of RAM and Intel HD Graphics 4000.
Postal 2
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10Vista/XP
Processor
Intel Pentium 3 1.13 GHz; AMD Athlon 733 MHz Processor
RAM
128 MB
Graphics Card
32MB GeForce 2; Radeon Video Card
Storage
10 GB
Steam Page
The Postal series has produced its share of terrible games (Postal 3), but there is a reason Running with Scissors’s franchise is still around more than two decades after its debut. A lot of the goodwill acquired by the license can be credited to Postal 2, arguably the only genuinely decent entry in the series prior to 2022’s Brain Damaged.
As the infamous Postal Dude, players lead their lives in a relatively normal town; however, they can decide to turn things on their heads whenever they want. Postal 2 is unapologetically violent and irreverent, but it is also entertaining.
Warframe
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7 64-bit
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo e6400 2.13 GHz; AMD Athlon x64 4000+ 2.1 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
N/A
Storage
35 GB
Steam Page
With 4 gigabytes of RAM needed for this game, Warframe’s requirements are higher than most other games on this list. However, it has relatively low requirements in comparison to other action role-playing games on the market, especially ones that incorporate open-world elements.
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The incentive to play Warframe is high since it is a free-to-play game without a pay-to-win formula. Players can grow their characters without spending a dime, although the game offers currency for people who would prefer to reduce the grind.
Minecraft
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7
Processor
Intel Celeron J4105 2.50 GHz; AMD FX-4100 3.6 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
AMD Radeon R5; Intel HD Graphics 4000
Storage
1 GB
Xbox Page
Many of the most popular video games have low PC requirements. It’s not always about frame rate or graphics, which is why a game like Minecraft is widespread.
This block-building game is nothing short of a phenomenon, and a huge part of its appeal is its accessibility. Minecraft is a game for everyone, and that is reflected in both its creativity-driven content and its undemanding PC requirements.
League Of Legends
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10
Processor
Intel Core i3-530 2.93 GHz; AMD A6-3650 APU 3.8 GHz; supports SSE2
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT; AMD Radeon HD 6570; Intel HD Graphics 4600
Storage
16 GB
LoL Page
Whether someone is a League of Legends or a Dota 2 player, they can’t deny that the former has left a huge impact on the gaming world. League of Legends is a MOBA that can be difficult for newcomers to jump into, especially after the game has been on the market for so long, but players won’t need an especially jacked PC to get the title running.
LoL is an entity onto itself; a beast of a game that dominates lives and continuously evolves. It might not cost money or hardware, but LoL demands time.
Papers, Please
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP
Processor
1.5 GHz Core2Duo
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
OpenGL 1.4 or better
Storage
100 MB
Steam Page
An indie project released in 2013, Papers, Please utilizes a minimalist presentation to tell a harrowing story about war, sacrifice, and guilt. Set in a fictional state that is at odds with other countries, players control a border agent who must examine the documents of migrants trying to cross over. Simultaneously a nameless cog in the machine and an entity capable of dictating the lives of countless people, players will steadily come to understand the responsibility placed on their shoulders.
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Letting the wrong person through or denying someone who should have been accepted comes with dire consequences in the form of a salary penalty. While this might not sound like a big deal, the agent needs to use their measly income to keep their family fed and alive.
Left 4 Dead 2
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System
Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3 GHz
RAM
2 GB
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT; AMD Radeon HD 6570; ATI Radeon X800
Storage
13 GB
Steam Page
Left 4 Dead 2 will never die, or that at least seems to be the case. Valve’s co-op shooter has been out for more than a decade, and the game’s popularity has hardly waned. Four players must work together to blast their way through creative levels overflowing with zombies, some of which are quite creative.
Even in 2009, Left 4 Dead 2 was not a particularly taxing game; consequently, modern systems should not have any trouble running this title on minimum or even maximum settings.
Valorant
Minimum System Requirements (30 FPS)
Operating System
Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
Processor
Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor E8400 3 GHz; AMD Athlon 200GE 3.2 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics 4000; AMD Radeon R5 200
Storage
20 GB
Epic Games Store Page
Although Valorant released in 2020, the game has surprisingly low PC requirements. This low-end favorite is jumping on the scene as one of Twitch’s most streamed games. Its mass appeal is likely because of its low PC requirements and because it’s free-to-play. By using the Unreal Engine, developer Riot Games could focus on improving gameplay instead of building on the game’s graphics.
It goes to show that better graphical fidelity doesn’t trump all. Valorant has addictive gameplay, and Riot is continually adding new content. A budget laptop likely has the necessary hardware to run this explosively popular game.
MORE: Valorant: Biggest Fixes It Still Needs (& Things We Hope Riot Games Add)
