Not all of us have the money to buy the most expensive GPU or CPU. That’s the common problem amongst gamers- the lack of money. However, if you have a low-budget PC, don’t you worry, there are tons of games for low-end PCs, and those games are VERY good. So, if you are a gamer on a tight budget, I’m here to help you with my list of best low spec games for PC. Sit comfortably, grab a cup of coffee, and keep reading. Here is the list of best low spec PC games.
1. Cuphead
Cuphead is that sweet, cartoonish-looking game, that will kick your ass as soon as you start playing it. Yes, it looks amazing, and it’s impressive how a small development team could make such a great game. As Cuphead is a 2D game, it is capable of running even at the weakest PCs, which makes it a great contender for our list. It’s essentially a run-and-gun game, but it’s hard because of the bosses and the enemies that will test your reflexes. The game will offer you a lot of fun, and if you have enough skill, you just may beat it… but maybe!
2. Portal 2
Portal 2 is another challenging game but in a slightly different aspect. There isn’t shooting here, aside from that badass portal gun that can shoot orange and blue portals. Here, you’re going to solve various puzzles in order to advance through the game and get to the grand finale. It’s all about platforming and thinking about every move, as you enjoy the company of GLaDOS and her funny jokes about you. It may sound intense, but I actually find the game very relaxing. On top of that, Portal 2 requires very low specs, so you can enjoy it at almost every configuration and resolution.
3. Minecraft
When you look at Minecraft’s graphics, it can be seen that the game is low-spec. Although it is, don’t get fooled by Minecraft. There are some graphical mods that further improve the graphics and may put your GPU on its knees, especially if it’s an older one. Now, gameplay-wise, you know the game, right? It’s a survival game with a strong emphasis on RPG elements like looting, crafting and fighting to get better weapons and survive. Minecraft is a challenging, yet very fun game that will get under your skin as soon as you start playing it.
4. CSGO
CSGO is a legendary game. Like it or not, CSGO is here to stay, as it’s one of the most popular first-person shooter games out there. You know the drill; choose either terrorists or counter-terrorists and fight on some popular and non-popular maps. Some new weapons are introduced here, as well as improved graphics which look really well, especially on ultrawide or 4K monitors. The game requires very low PC power, and I even managed to play it on my Intel HD graphics at reasonable framerate. If you think you know shooters, try this one!
5. League of Legends
League of Legends is another E-Sports title, worth your time. It’s a MOBA game, that has a simple gameplay mechanics, but it’s damn hard to play, especially when going player-vs-player. As this is an online game, League of Legends allows your characters to level up, thus gaining more efficient abilities that you can use versus the other players. With an average PC, this game should work like a charm, even blasting above 100fps, which is great for 144Hz monitors.
6. Battlefield 1
It may seem strange that an AAA title such as Battlefield 1 is on our list. Well, that’s because Battlefield 1 is one of the best-optimized games ever. It looks stunning, and the gameplay is smooth as the butter, plus it works well on almost any machine out there. Thanks to detailed settings, you can now tweak various settings, including resolution scaling which tends to vastly increase performance. Battlefield 1 is a beautiful war game and will give you a great WW1 experience, and now that you know that you can play it on your PC… well, go get it!
7. Pillars of Eternity
Do you remember that phenomenal role-playing game Baldur’s Gate? If you do, then you aren’t that young anymore! Jokes aside, Pillars of Eternity is a spiritual successor to this game and offers a similar experience, but in better visuals. The game is sort of 2D game, as there are only two planes when it comes to movement and rendering. Pillars of Eternity also includes real-time gameplay, so it can pick up the pace sometimes, and there’s a lot of interesting stuff here. The game rewards exploration and completing quests, so it’s a rewarding and satisfying experience from the beginning to the end.
8. DOOM
DOOM is a game that you can run on almost every PC. If a potato had a screen and CPU in it, I bet it could run it too! This brutal game is filled with action and there are demons lurking in every corner of the game. It’s a heaven for first-person shooter lovers! Shoot the demons with your shotgun, pistol, RPG and other weapons or rip them apart or slam their heads off the ground. It’s so fun to play, and the whole experience is more than satisfying and smooth. Remember, it’s DOOM or be DOOMED, so what’s it gonna be?
9. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Back in 2011, when Skyrim was released, the RPG genre was at its peak. The release of Skyrim was followed by very good reviews and the game quickly became one of the best games for PC ever! And how wouldn’t it be? Skyrim is known for its huge, open world that you can explore from A to Z. There are tons of stuff to be done here; complete the quests, kill that monster, craft new weapon, look for better items, and the list could go all the way to Bethesda and backward. As it’s a fairly old game, I’m sure your PC can handle this masterpiece. Thank me later!
10. Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 is a strong contender for the finest third-person shooter ever. This game brought back the old Max Payne, with his depressive one-liners and sarcasm that goes beyond the healthy limits. But this old man still packs a punch! He can still dodge the enemies in bullet time, and he is damn accurate when shooting. If you like a great story, amazing voice acting and an explosive action from beginning to the end, then get ready for a challenge that Max Payne 3 provides.
11. Trials Fusion
If you like motorcycles, then Trials Fusion is for you. I mean, there aren’t options for customization, and sure, the bikes aren’t licensed, but the game is a well of fun. It’s a 2D game with 3D rendering, and has some nice visuals, whether it’s a desert, urban cities or a snowy mountain in the game. Aside from that, Trials Fusion will push you to your limits, as it’s a very hard game, often forcing you to replay levels over and over again in order to get that gold medal. Once you master the game, you’ll feel like a pro!
12. Undertale
Who said that the game with 8-bit graphics can’t be fun? Oh boy, it can be fun as hell! This game is very complex, especially in the story department, although it looks like another 8-bit game. In the story, you can make various choices, interact with NPCs and engage in boss fights that are unforgivable. Every choice counts in the game and results in a satisfying ending for the most part. The final boss is abnormally hard to beat, especially if we talk about that creepy Flowey, which always sends shivers down my spine.
13. Rocket League
The developers of Rocket League deserve a gold medal for creating this game. It’s literally every man’s dream; fast cars and a soccer ball, which results in quite a bit of fun! Playing soccer with the cars have always been something authentic, and now that Rocket League is here, I’ll ditch my soccer games to play this one. It’s so fun and immersive, that you’ll want to play it again and again. But, the game is very challenging and requires a serious control over your car and the ball on the field. Master that, and kick some ass… and the ball into the opponent’s goal!
14. Dirty Bomb
If you read my articles, you know that I always put at least one free game on my lists. So here you are, Dirty Bomb! This game is everything you want from an FPS game. It’s fast-paced, fluid, gorgeous and challenging. The community in this game knows their game and will often kill you until you get the feel of the game. Gameplay-wise, it’s a great alternative to CSGO for example, but it’s a lot less tactical game and relies more on player’s reflexes. There are numerous classes that you can use in your gameplay, so you can either snipe the enemies from a distance or go guns blazing. It’s your choice how you play it, but be sure to enjoy it to the max!
15. Trackmania Turbo
Ubisoft is known for developing and publishing great AAA games, but they work on games like Trackmania Turbo too. This game is all about racing across the dangerous and physics-denying tracks that will make your head spin and your palms sweat. Trackmania is fast as lightning! You’ll often find yourself drifting in dangerous corners, jumping off the cliffs and perform some moves that can only be seen in this game. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s hard, especially in the last twenty races. Please, be sure not to break your keyboard!
16. The Sims 4
Some say that The Sims 4 is a game for the girls, as most of my female friends like the game. But, if you are a male, you can have fun with this game, too. It’s a life-simulation game, that begins by creating your characters and having them do some stuff in the game, particularly their life. Here, you’ll also build your house, organize parties, work on the family, go on the job, take care of certain relationships and much more. It’s a relaxing game which you can play after the hard day of work. Grab a cup of tea, and enjoy The Sims 4.
17. Spec Ops: The Line
Now, this is the game you must play if you love third-person shooters. Its graphics might not be the prettiest, but the game offers a smooth gameplay, nice and responsive controls and the story that will leave you asking many questions. Spec Ops: The Line still has some nice details, especially as the main setting is in Dubai. Those sandstorms and fog raising as the shootout rage across the map are a sight to be seen, especially on the higher resolutions.
18. Mark of the Ninja
Stealth genre is with us for quite some time, and although I’m an experienced stealth player, I’m still amazed at some games. Mark of the Ninja is an excellent example of a stealth game done right. Here, you’ll be hiding in the shadows and avoiding the spotlight as you navigate through the well-crafted and sometimes claustrophobic levels. It’s all about stealth here, and killing is the second option, as the enemies’ AI is up to par, which is a really rare case in the games.
19. Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs borrows several ideas from the GTA series, but the game expands a little further by introducing great fighting and parkouring mechanics. It’s set in Hong Kong which looks gorgeous here, and the environment is colorful, with great visuals. There is also a great story here and talks mostly about Chinese mafia, as well as some serious themes that will make you care about the characters in the game. Overall, Sleeping Dogs is a quality game, and I might play it again soon.
20. Euro Truck Simulator 2
I remember playing some truck simulators with my father a few years ago. That was a great time! Now, as Euro Truck Simulator 2 is out, I’m still playing it a lot, and I consider it one of the best games on Steam. The graphics aren’t that beautiful, and the details surely aren’t the most impressive, but the game does a damn fine job at sucking you in and making you want it more. It’s a relaxing game, and the whole point is to transfer your cargo from point A to point B with your truck. It’s a simple routine, but fun, especially in multiplayer.