Are you looking for PC games that you can enjoy without needing an expensive or high-end computer? In this article, you'll find an updated list of games. light PC games of all genres.
And there are more and more players who are looking for games that run well on modest computersWhether it's because the graphics card situation has skyrocketed prices, because you don't feel like investing in new hardware, or simply because you have a laptop that you use for work or school and would like to play a few games in your free time.
Advantages of lightweight games over big releases
In addition to being a lifesaver for those without the latest-generation PCs, lightweight gaming often has other advantages:
- Lowest price or even free: many are indie or updated classics, and can be found very cheap or even free to play.
- quick installation and hassle-free: they take up less space, download in minutes, and don't usually require heavy updates.
- Wide variety of genres and styles: from shooters to platforms, strategy, role-playing, graphic adventures, simulators and much more.
- Perfect for quick games or to play in your free time, in addition to having active communities and long-term support.
Below is a complete overview of requirements, variants, and suggestions for foolproof titles for any type of player, sorted by genre and popularity.
Sandbox, Action and Adventure
- Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V)
It's impossible not to mention it. Despite being a huge and ambitious sandbox, GTA V has one of the most envied optimizations of its generation. With fairly affordable base requirements (Core 2 Quad Q6600 or Phenom 9850 with 4 GB of RAM and a GeForce 9800 GT), you'll be able to enjoy the story of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor without any stuttering, even if you have to lower the resolution or use filters.
Recommended minimum requirements: Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom - Sleeping Dogs
If you're into open-world games but looking for something different from GTA, this Hong Kong action-packed title offers a fresh alternative. With a sublime setting and a story full of police intrigue, It's perfect even for low-end PCs. Plus, it has highly polished martial arts mechanics and customization options.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Duo at 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 at 2.7 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon 3870, 15 GB of space. - Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City
Both games revolutionized the third-person action and superhero combat formula. You can step into the shoes of Batman and take on Gotham's criminals without worrying about hardware, thanks to their efficient engine. Especially Arkham Asylum, which demands very little and offers an experience that's still relevant today.
Minimum requirements: Intel 3 GHz or any AMD Dual Core, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA 6600 or ATI 1300, DirectX 9. - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Kojima's epic conclusion to the saga is incredibly optimized and is one of the most playable triple-A games on low-powered machines in the last 10 years.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Quad, 4 GB of RAM, Geforce GTX 650+ or Radeon HD 7750+. - Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag
The pirate and boarding adventures in the Caribbean run perfectly on any modern (or not so modern) computer.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Quad Q8400 or Athlon II X4 620, 2 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 260 or Radeon HD 4870.
Shooters and First Person Action
- Left 4 Dead 2
A classic of co-op action and zombies. It's so lightweight that any machine can run it easily, and it remains one of the most played games online.
Minimum requirements: Pentium 4 3.0 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 128 MB graphics card. - Counter Strike (CS 1.6 and Source)
The most popular competitive shooter series in history. Any laptop or office PC can run it. Ideal for quick matches or online competition.
Minimum requirements: 500 MHz processor, 96 MB RAM, 16 MB graphics card. - DOOM 2016
Looking for frenetic action and spectacular graphics? DOOM is perfectly playable on medium or low settings if you have a GTX 650 or similar.
Minimum requirements: Core i5-2400 or FX-6300, 8 GB RAM, GTX 650 or Radeon HD 5830. - ShadowWarrior 2
Overflowing first-person action, very fun and optimized.
Minimum requirements: Core i3 or AMD FX, 8 GB RAM, GTX 560 Ti or Radeon HD 6850. - Titanium case 2
Titans, parkour, and shooting: one of the best-performing shooters even on hardware from years ago.
Minimum requirements: Core i3, 8 GB RAM, GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7850.
Strategy and Role
- Age of Empires (Definitive Edition and Classics)
The legendary strategy game, now remastered to run on any modern computer. Even the HD and classic versions run on integrated graphics.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2, 4 GB RAM, GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon HD 6850. - Stellaris
One of the most comprehensive and modern space strategy titles that you can run perfectly even with the latest integrated graphics.
Minimum requirements: i3-530 or FX-6350, 4 GB RAM, GTX 460, Radeon HD 5870. - They are billions
One of the sensations of the survival and base defense genre. What's more, it was developed in Spain.
Minimum requirements: 2 GHz 2-core processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD3000 or NVIDIA/AMD with 1 GB VRAM. - Guild Wars 2
The free-to-play MMORPG that has survived the test of time thanks to its large community and low technical requirements.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Duo or Athlon X2, 6 GB RAM, GeForce 8600 GT or Radeon 2600 XT. - Stardew Valley
Animal Crossing for PC is ideal if you want to relax, build your farm, and socialize in a game with minimal requirements.
Minimum requirements: 2 GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM, 256 MB graphics and Shader 3.0.
Adventures and Platforms
- Rayman Legends
Very popular thanks to incredibly polished gameplay and very low minimum requirements.
Minimum requirements: Pentium IV 3 GHz, 2 GB RAM, GeForce 6800 GT or Radeon X1950 Pro. - Hollow Knight
One of the best metroidvanias of the last decade, perfect on any modest computer.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Duo E5200, 4GB RAM, 9800GB GeForce 1 GTX. - Little Nightmares
A highly atmospheric, resource-light horror and puzzle adventure.
Minimum requirements: Core i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, Nvidia GTX 460. - A has in time
Modern 3D platformer with a classic feel, ideal for all audiences.
Minimum requirements: 3GHz processor, 4GB RAM, 8GB space. - Cuphead
The famous platform game with a 30s animation aesthetic, challenging and very well optimized.
Minimum requirements: Core 2 Duo E8400, 3GB RAM, Geforce 9600 GT or AMD HD 3870.
That's our small selection of lightweight PC games: ideal for older or more modest systems. Because you don't need a cutting-edge PC to enjoy hours of entertainment.