Finding a game for a low spec PC can be frustrating. Most of the games today are designed for the cutting edge console or powerful gaming PC’s. But not all gamers are that hardcore. In this article we’ll take a look at some exciting gaming alternatives for non-gaming PC’s, ranging from low-spec titles to engaging browser-based games.
Today, most AAA titles require a top-of-the line computing setup in order to run smoothly. This kind of gear, however, is quite expensive. There’s a lot of gamers out there who are limited to entry-level PCs and laptops. The best games, on the other hand, should keep you engaged for hours, regardless of your setup, and players shouldn’t overlook some remarkable titles that aren’t hits like GTA or Elden Ring.
Browser games
As a first entry, let’s take a look at some browser games. They could be a terrific option because they don’t require downloads or installation, and most of them are entirely free. Many gamers, however, believe that browser-based games are merely simplistic games with basic gameplay and little else to offer; but in reality, these games are pretty enjoyable and provide immersive gaming experiences that will certainly make you lose track of time.
Let’s take two immersive browser games as an example: A Dark Room and City Guesser. Both are playable on virtually any PC with an internet connection. They’re simple, yet challenging. And they do something completely different from most games.
A Dark Room, developed and published by Double Speak Games, takes a basic text-based survival premise and makes it immersive and engaging. Think text-based adventure but with interactive elements, real-time fights and a whole continent to explore. Slowly you’ll establish a village, bound by resources, quests and human problems.
City Guesser is something else entirely; you get to see a quick video of a random city. It’s then up to you to guess where it is. The closer your guess is to the actual location, the higher the points. This ones is both entertaining and teaches you a thing or two.
Or if all that isn’t for you, then there’s always online gambling games. Think of table games, such as roulette and blackjack. Take our friends at STS for example, giving you the option to enjoy real-time gaming through browser or mobile. Players can watch live games and game shows, which professional dealers operate and broadcast via streaming. And you might even make a little money on the side.
Low-spec games
An alternative to browser games are low-spec games. These are titles with relatively conservative graphics needs, so they should run on most computers too. If you’re looking for a game for your low spec PC think of games like Factorio, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, Deadlight or Into The Breach. These games respectively focus on strategy, platforming, survival, and strategic combat; real games with low CPU- and GPU-needs. To highlight some of our favorites:
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
That’s the case of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, the sequel to the popular 2016 indie release by Night School Studio. Set to be released in the coming months, the game is a mystery adventure based on coming-of-age films, with a completely story-driven gameplay and no cutscenes. The game is set five years after the previous title and introduces a new character, Riley, an environmental researcher. With simple, yet beautiful graphics, Oxenfree II should run smoothly on practically any computing setup.
Deadlight
Another critically acclaimed indie title, Deadlight is a platform survival game that can be played on a low spec PC or laptop. Players take control of Randall Wayne, a former park ranger on a quest to find his family in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. The game features side-scrolling gameplay, several environmental puzzles and hazards, and zombies who pose a constant threat to the character’s survival. Players must collect weapons and equipment to boost their chances of reaching Randall’s family while striving to live.
Into the Breach
The winner of the Best Strategy Game award at The Game Awards 2018, Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Subset Games, the masterminds behind roguelike-legend FTL: Faster Than Light. With a storyline written by Chris Avellone – best known for his work on the Fallout franchise – the game is set in the far future, when mankind is threatened by an invasion of huge bugs known as the Vek. You get to fight these creatures with mechs in a turn-based combat system that takes place on an 8×8 grid. Featuring retro graphics, Into the Breach should be playable on most non-gaming systems.
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