There are hundreds of games out there that still work well even on slower computers. You can go back to the beginning of the 3D era, and then even weak GPUs can handle Quake II or The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind. In recent years, even conventional desktops and laptops have become much more powerful than their predecessors. An old computer does not need to be sent to landfill. It is still capable of becoming a good gaming platform. There are many of the projects outlined here on Steam, from big-budget AAA to indie projects and from shooters to RPGs..
Below is a selection of popular games that are not too demanding on computer power. While their system requirements vary, they all run on a system with a dual-core (at least) processor, dedicated graphics card, and several gigabytes of RAM.
Assassin's creed
- Processor: Intel Pentium D Dual Core @ 2.6 GHz
- Video card: nVidia GeForce 6800 / ATI Radeon X1600
- RAM (GB): 1.0
This is a historical stealth adventure game. The plot of the series mainly revolves around the rivalry between two ancient secret societies: the Assassins and the Templars. Centuries and even millennia pass, and the enmity does not stop..
In Assassin's Creed, the player finds himself in the Middle East during the Crusades. The main character is Desmond Miles, who, with the help of a special device, can relive past events and control his ancestor. The player will have many stealthy missions, assassination missions, and an intriguing plot.
Counter strike source
- Processor: Processor 1.7 GHz
- Graphics: DirectX® 8.1 compatible graphics card
- RAM (GB): 1.0
The first game in the series was developed by Valve Corporation and was released in 1999. It appeared on the Windows platform in 2000. Counter-Strike Source was released in 2004. This is one of the most successful games of all time. Estimated sales of about 35 million copies (for all games in the series)..
The concept is simple - counter-terrorists and terrorists fight in separate rounds. The winning team receives money to purchase weapons before the next battle. The game turned out to be phenomenally popular on local networks. Online shootouts with friends can take many hours.
Call of duty 2
- Processor: Pentium IV 1.4 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1700+ or higher
- RAM (GB): 2.0
- Free space on HDD (GB): 4.0
First-person shooter of 2005, the second part in the popular Call of Duty series and one of the best projects in the military genre. The game has both single and multiplayer modes. The events unfold during the Second World War. The plot is full of hot battles with realistic weapons of that era. The difficulty will increase with each mission.
Battlefield 2
- Processor: Pentium 4 / Athlon XP 1.7 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Video card: 128 MB
Although the game is already old, it has good graphics even by today's standards. It runs easily on most Core i3 or Core 2 Duo PCs or laptops. This is a great first person shooter with a bit of strategy. Battlefield 2 is a sequel to the original Battlefield 1942 and offers many improvements in terms of gameplay and graphics.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: 256 MB
Any laptop with Intel HD 4000 graphics or higher can handle this Truck Driver Simulator without any problems. The relaxing gameplay of Euro Truck Simulator 2 already makes the game worth installing. Thanks to the efforts of the developers, the conditions on the roads are as close as possible to real ones. Transport behaves unpredictably, traffic density changes depending on the time of day.
An added benefit is that the game has a full range of keyboard controls without the need for a mouse. The trackpad is only needed to rotate the game camera. But you can only control the vehicle using the keys.
Stardew valley
- Processor: 2 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: 256 MB
This game should appeal to fans of farming simulators. Such projects are in high demand, which confirms the success of Farming Simulator and Harvest Moon. Stardew Valley allows you to fully enjoy rural life, building a successful farm and gradually becoming wealthier.
At first glance, the concept is pretty dull. What could be fun about tending the fields every day, fishing and driving a tractor? But that's the beauty of the game. A quiet life reigns in the world of Stardew Valley. Here you can develop your farm, fish and find new friends. You can build your own village even on the road. Stardew Valley has fairly low requirements for a laptop or netbook.
Half-life 2
- Processor: 1.7 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Graphics: DX 8.1 compatible
When people think of games that run on a weak computer, they often think of ancient 2D designs. However, some of the fantastically popular (at the time) 3D games are very well suited for mid-range laptops. Valve's Source engine is especially good with older GPUs. Thanks to this, the classic Half-Life 2 runs without problems on laptops with integrated video cards.
For those gamers who don't like Half-Life 2, Portal 2 can be recommended. This game is also created on the Source engine. In it, the player receives a portal cannon, which Gordon Freeman used in Half-Life. With this cannon, you can make holes for teleportation anywhere - in the walls, ceiling, on the floor. The task is to teleport so as to solve puzzles and avoid numerous obstacles.
Civilization V
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: Intel HD
Many people spent their days and nights playing the famous "Civilization". The fifth part of this series is also quite old - it was released in 2010. Civilization V has received a number of significant changes over previous versions. For example, there was a hexagonal map, city-states and much more. The gameplay has become much easier. And this is good if you plan to spend 30 minutes on entertainment, not 3 hours.
There are many new possibilities for the game in the extensions and mods available on the Steam Workshop. But in the standard Civilization V Complete Edition, there should be enough content for an exciting pastime.
Civilization V will run on virtually any Intel Core laptop released in the past 5 years. But if it turns out that the power of the computer is not enough, there is always the opportunity to launch Civilization IV. Released in 2005, this game is very unpretentious in terms of computer resources.
Gta vice city
- Processor: 800 MHz Intel Pentium III or 800 MHz AMD Athlon
- Memory: 128MB
- Video card: 32 MB
GTA Vice City was released on October 27, 2002, and it was then so addicting that people couldn't get away from it day and night. This was the first project with such a large open world. You could do anything here. In fact, it turned out to be a whole simulator of gangster life in a big city.
The game turned out to be very unassuming to the hardware characteristics of the computer. Therefore, it can be run even on laptops with a modest processor and video card. You can download it quickly enough, since its size is only about 1.5 GB. Supports screen resolution 800 * 600.
MAX Payne
- Processor: Pentium II 400 MHz
- RAM: 96 MB
- Video card: 16 MB
Great background music, one of the best stories, unrivaled graphics. All this was inherent in MAX Payne in 2001, when the game was released. There were many new features in it, for example, dynamic shadows and a high level of detail. The game was then a huge success in the gaming community. The history deserves a separate mention. Even today, few games have such a well-thought-out storyline.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
- Processor: Dual Core 2 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: DirectX 9 compatible
Skyrim is an award-winning, epic, open-world RPG. Although it was released in 2011, people around the world still continue to play it. This is an incredibly exciting adventure that is hard to break away from.
Few older games are still as relevant today as The Elder Scrolls series. Although the first game was released back in 1994, it continues to attract the attention of fans today. A respectable age also means quite loyal requirements for hardware.
The game runs pretty well on Intel Core processors released in the last 2-3 years. It can even run on Atom / Pentium, but at low settings. There is also a mod called Ultra Low Graphics Mod that allows you to make the minimum requirements even lower.
Need for speed underground
- Processor: Pentium III or AMD Athlon 700 MHz or higher
- Video card: 32 MB
- RAM (GB): 1.0.
This game was presented on November 17, 2003 and became revolutionary for its time. This was not the first part of the famous Need for Speed series about street racing. The blur and vibrant visuals clearly set Underground apart from other racing games. One of the key features is the quality music produced with the assistance of composer Jim Latham. The graphics are also noticeably improved over previous Electronics Arts games.
The game was the first to implement the concept of competing with racers to gradually increase reputation. The opponents became more and more difficult, until it came to races with the final boss. Unfortunately, the Need for Speed series, with the exception of 1 or 2 parts, did not create anything new in terms of plot. Even Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012 had the same story that started in Underground.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
- Processor: Intel Core i3-2100T @ 2.50 GHz / AMD Phenom II X3 B73
- RAM: 4 GB
- Video card: ATI Radeon HD 4850 or NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Although this game was released in 2018 and has good graphics, mid-range graphics cards can handle it well. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire has almost the same system requirements as the first part of the game (and it was released back in 2014). For fans of the series, this is a real gift.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire throws the player into the world of Eor, where you need to find the rogue god. As in the previous installment, there is deeply thought-out gameplay, complex relationships between characters and unexpected plot twists. The game's creators clearly drew inspiration from Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights.
Although all backgrounds are 2D, they are pleasant to look at. The graphics are reminiscent of classic RPGs, and the countless spells and dynamic battles make the gameplay truly addictive. The game developer is the Obsidian studio, known for many successful projects. This alone allows us to be sure that the adventure will turn out to be incredibly exciting.
Fallout shelter
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83 GHz)
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (1 GB) or AMD Radeon HD 6970 (1 GB)
- RAM: 2 GB
In this game, you can build the perfect underground shelter to enjoy life in a post-apocalyptic future. The Lone Wanderer, Courier and Lone Survivor were familiar to gamers from previous games in the series.
In Fallout, Shelter will take control of the caretaker who keeps order in the shelter. Ensuring the survival of all the inhabitants of the giant bunker is not an easy task. You can equip the inhabitants of the shelter on distant sorties to complete quests and get valuable resources.
Fifa 14
- Processor: Intel Celeron E1200 Dual-Core 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Video card: 256 MB
FIFA 14 takes AI to the next level. Football players here know how to control the force and angle of impact so that the ball hits the target more accurately. The game is more realistic compared to some previous versions of FIFA.
Football players perform more actions, making what is happening on the screen closer to real life. The physics of the ball has also been greatly improved. The player can create their own teams and invite FIFA Superstars to them. Among them: Maradona Pele and David Beckham. You can play against each other, or unite against a common opponent (2 on 2).
Minecraft
- Processor: Intel Pentium D
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: Intel HD
At first glance, this game may seem very old, but the pixel art shouldn't be misleading. Minecraft is far more innovative than critics say. And it is suitable not only for children. Many adults are surprised to find that this is a very deeply thought-out project.
Minecraft is styled after old games, so you can't count on Crysis-style graphics. The task is quite simple - to travel the world and build, build, build ... You can create all kinds of objects, erect buildings, even change the landscape. There is a switch between first and third person views. In fact, there are no specific assignments. The player needs to constantly improvise. Minecraft works well for laptops as it doesn't require significant cursor precision. This is especially useful when using a trackpad rather than a mouse.
Mafia - The City of Lost Heavens
- Processor: Pentium 3 @ 500 MHz
- Video card: 32 Mb
- RAM (GB): 1.0
The game is set in the early 1900s. Leisurely life, old cars and buildings allow you to feel the atmosphere of that time. It may seem to the player that he is indeed transported to that world. City of Lost Heavens has a unique story, open world and numerous missions. Despite the high-quality graphics, old PCs and laptops will cope with the game.
Mafia was released on 28 August 2002. Its creator is studio 2K Czech. In 2010, another game in the series, called Mafia 2, was released, which looks more like a remake of the old version. If anyone wants to become a real gangster, it is worth trying both parts of this story.
Age of empires 3
- Processor: Pentium 4 / Athlon XP 1.4 GHz
- RAM: 256 MB
- Video card: 64 MB
Real Time Strategy Game developed by Ensemble Studios and released by Microsoft Game Studios on October 18, 2005. It is a sequel to Age of Empires 2 and the third project in the series.
First, players need to develop the city, extract resources and build buildings. To strengthen and expand the territory of the state, you need to constantly fight with neighbors and win. The gameplay is truly addictive. Many people did not sleep at night, developing the kingdom and trying to expand its borders as much as possible.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
- Processor: Intel Pentium 3 1 GHz or AMD Athlon 1 GHz
- RAM: 256 MB
- Video card: 32 MB
Do you need to convince someone to buy Knights Of The Old Republic? The name of this game speaks for itself. Perhaps the most successful project in the entire Star Wars game universe. Of course, fans of Dark Forces II and Rogue Squadron can argue with that. Either way, KOTOR has proven that an old story can be new and exciting outside of the movie screen.
Created by Canadian studio Bioware, KOTOR gives you access to engaging characters, intense battles, inventive tactics and a deeply thought-out history of the galaxy. These same developers were involved in the creation of Dragon Age and Mass Effect, which is already a great recommendation.
Endless legend
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5 Ghz
- RAM: 4 Gb
- Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460
This game should appeal to fans of leisurely, thoughtful 4X strategy games. Studio Amplitude has created an amazing fantasy world on a distant planet, where representatives of many races live. The player must manage cities, conquer new territories, strengthen the economy and achieve superiority over other factions. Diplomacy is of great importance. Relying only on money and brute force in Endless Legend will not work.
Rogue legacy
- Processor: 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Video card: x1950 Pro, 7900 GT
With a classic '90s platformer style, unexpected plot twists and a modern random level generator, that's what Rogue Legacy is all about. To this it is worth adding RPG elements and bright juicy graphics. The result is one of the most addictive indie games of the past decade.
The player takes on the role of a knight who finds himself in a castle filled with enemies. In the best roguelike traditions, sooner or later the character will certainly die. Then the heir of the knight gets to the castle, who continues the journey. The castle will be different, as will the character class. Although you need to start over each time the passage, you can accumulate gold and unlock various bonuses.
The money collected by the deceased hero is spent on improving the characteristics of his heirs. For example, armor improves defense, and mana enhances the character's magical capabilities.
Project IGI - I am Going In
- Processor: Pentium II 266 MHz
- RAM: 64 MB
- Video card: 8 MB
Project IGI was released on December 15, 2000. The developer was studio Innerloop and the publisher was Eidos Interactive. This is one of the hardest stealth games ever. The game became a worldwide hit as it had one of the most realistic timelines at the time.
The main character is David Jones, officer I.G.I. (Geotactic Intelligence Institute) and former SAS (British Special Forces) officer. Jones just walks like Rambo and kills all the bad guys. But if you need to use brute force, the protagonist also has no problems with this. It all depends on what works best in a particular situation.
F1 2010
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.4GHz or Athlon X2
- RAM: 1 GB
- Video card: GeForce 7800
When it comes to professional racing, there is nothing better than Formula 1. Here, speeds over 300 km / h are considered normal, and the slightest mistake can lead to defeat. Codemasters' F1 2010 game was released in September 2010 and has sold 2.3 million copies.
Thimbleweed park
- Processor: 2 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB
- Video card: Intel HD 3000 or higher
An interesting adventure game from the real veteran of game design Ron Gilbert. Gilbert's tradition of impeccable work continues on this project. The pixelated graphics along with the point-and-click format will definitely appeal to fans of old school games.
In the story, FBI agents Reyes and Ray solve a mysterious murder. The main characters are reminiscent of another famous pair of fictional FBI members involved in the study of the paranormal. Reyes and Ray arrive in a quiet provincial town to find the perpetrators of a gruesome crime.
The sims 4
- Processor: Core 2 Duo
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: Intel HD 3000
Electronic Arts is a true legend in the gaming world. It has been named America's Worst Company twice. However, she knows very well how to get a large audience interested. In other words, The Sims 4 will run well on almost any laptop.
The well-known life simulator even has a "Notebook" mode designed specifically for low-performance systems. The game itself, as usual, is very business-like. You need to make money, take care of your family, build houses, and do many other things that are typical of the average person. We need to do everything possible to make virtual people feel happy. And this, as in real life, is not very easy.
Chronicle: RuneScape Legends
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64X2
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: 512 MB series
When it comes to CCG (collectible card games), Hearthstone is a great choice. In this project based on Warcraft, you can arrange hot battles, destroy enemies and become the most powerful hero. But what if you want something calmer and harmless? Then there's the solution - Chronicle: RuneScape Legends.
Based on the classic MMORPG Runescape, Chronicle combines dealing cards with classic RPG elements in a 3D setting. The cards represent different characters and enemies. In this game, you need not just lay out cards on the table and compare them, but fight with a whole deck.
If you manage to reach a certain level, the players can clash with each other. In five basic rounds, you manage to pump your character well and prepare for battle. There is also a single-player mode which is good for newbies.
Kentucky route zero
- Processor: Intel Pentium 3 @ 1.0 GHz
- RAM: 512 Mb
- Video card: 32 Mb
Kentucky Route Zero is similar in design to Telltale's Walking Dead. The game consists of five acts, two of which were available at the time of this writing. All acts can be purchased separately or in one edition.
Reviews compare Kentucky Route Zero to classic adventure games. But it's even more interactive storytelling than a game. Here you need to follow the traveler who must explore the secret paths in the caves of Kentucky. A mysterious atmosphere and dark colors give the game a special charm.
Gunpoint
- Processor: Pentium Dual Core E2180 2.0GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Video card: GeForce 8600 GS
An adventure game based on solving puzzles. The basic mechanics of 2D levels is that the character can jump long distances, move along walls and ceilings. He also knows how to disable various devices, such as lamps, door locks and even weapons of enemies. All this is necessary in order to secretly get to the goal. The character can even change the principle of the device. For example, pressing the light switch key will open a locked door. Alternatively, you can use the guard's pistol to turn off the lights.
This mechanic encourages players to experiment and find new ways to overcome obstacles. Gunpoint has a story centered on espionage, assassination, and secrecy. Add to this noir art, rainy city, jazz music and stylish spy raincoats.
Mount and blade
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2 GHz
Video card: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro / NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600
RAM (GB): 1.0
The medieval mercenary simulator is something out of the ordinary. The player needs to create armies, alliances and win numerous conflicts. Battles take place in real time. Dozens of characters can participate in the battle at the same time. The player does not have any specific goal. All his actions are aimed at obtaining resources, increasing the army and strengthening power.
Mount and Blade has received several expansions that add new features, building skins, weapons, and even landscapes. However, the game is better known for its numerous mods that sometimes add unusual features. There's even a Star Wars mod. A combination of medieval battles and battles in the distant future - isn't it worth trying?