Low-end PC? Try these games
While Hogwarts Legacy and other sparkling new games captivate the attention of most gamers, the reality is that there’s a bulging library of titles out there that don’t require the latest graphics cards and huge available memory.
If you’ve got an old laptop under the bed that you want to use as a gaming PC, you have a whole host of games you can download and play, even if it won’t be much use for many eSports favourites. This article introduces seven brilliant games that work on practically any low-end PC, each of which you can download today for vintage and enjoyable gameplay.
Stardew Valley
Released in 2016, Stardew Valley allows you to develop your farm into an empire of production, growing vegetables and other products to sell at the local market. There’s also a SIMS element to Stardew Valley, as you can interact with your next-door neighbours and even fall for the love of your life. While the graphics are nothing to write home about, Stardew Valley is the perfect game to download and enjoy on your low-end PC.
Age of Empires 3
The legendary Age of Empires saga is perhaps the most popular strategy series ever made. In Age of Empires 3, choose from 16 civilisations to build (or destroy) and experience the battlefield as you’ve never seen it before. Of course, Age of Empires 3 isn’t the best as far as graphics are concerned, but it's ideal for low-spec rigs. For those with something slightly faster, you can even download the re-mastered version of Age of Empires 3 from Xbox Studios – the graphics are much sharper than those in the original.
Online Poker
It’s one of the most popular games of all time, and all types of poker can be played on PC against other players from around the world. You can play different poker variations, including Omaha and Texas Hold’em. You can find free-to-play games online and low and high-limit games, depending on your budget. Ultimately, online poker works on practically any PC and is the perfect option if you want to enjoy a card game that doesn’t slow down your PC.
Minecraft
Mojang’s 2011 release of Minecraft might not be as good as the original, but it’s a brilliant option if your PC isn’t replete with available RAM. You can enjoy most of the block-building features that Minecraft fans know and love without splashing out on a seriously expensive gaming rig. If you want to ignite your nostalgia, Minecraft is the stand-out candidate for any low-spec laptop gamer.
Faster than Light
One of the best things about Faster than Light is that you can play it on practically any device – it requires a graphics solution capable of just 1280 x 720. The aim of the game is to build a spaceship before taking your crew on an intergalactic adventure to save the world. The only downside to this game is that if you die in space, you have to start again, but it’s a super lightweight game that works well on most devices.
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is an RPG that comes with a file size of just 20GB, and it requires just 2GB of memory. You replace a downbeat, drug-addicted cop who can’t seem to find his place in the world. Regardless, you need to solve a murder, which is pretty difficult given the main character’s flaws! While it won’t win any awards for its graphics, Disco Elysium has a cult-like following and is an ideal RPG that’s not going to bust your laptop.
Hotline Miami
If retro top-down shooters are your thing, you’ll love Hotline Miami. Playing on the violence that was endemic in this southern Florida city in the 1970s and 1980s, Hotline Miami tasks you with killing as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Utter carnage, Hotline Miami requires just 512 MB, so it’s the ideal shooter game for any low-spec PC. Thankfully, these days Miami is clamping down on crime.
Recap
The seven games above illustrate that you don’t need to invest in a super-expensive gaming PC to have a good time. You can fire up your old laptop and save your shiny new PC for work, as these retro games all work on practically any device. Whether you build your farm empire or take out some baddies in Miami, there’s a retro game for everyone.
