10 amazing games you can play with a modest GPU

We often get excited about the most graphically demanding games, which are as much about pushing the latest and greatest graphics cards as they are about having fun. And there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, games that showcase the technological apex of modern PC gaming deserve to be celebrated.

However, amidst this hype surrounding GPU-melting titles, we shouldn’t forget that countless must-play games run just fine on low-end hardware. Whether it’s because these games are a few years old or use a timeless visual style, you don’t need a powerful Nvidia RTX or AMD RX graphics card to enjoy them. Your GTX 980, GTX 1660, or RX 580 is more than enough. You might have to use a mix of low and medium settings for some of these titles, but that doesn’t take much away from the experience. Even graphics cards sold 5-10 years ago should be able to play the games included here as an example of just how much these older GPUs can keep up.

10 Star Wars Battlefront II

The visuals are strong with this one

Whenever someone brings up Star Wars Battlefront II, horrible memories of lootboxes and broken progression systems start swirling in my mind. Those, however, are not the only memories I have of the game. After the dust settled on the entire fiasco, gamers finally appreciated all that was good about Battlefront II — an engaging story, rich and vast environments, and stunning graphics.

Even today, Battlefront II stands out due to its impressive visuals. The polished reflections, perfect lighting, and masterful art direction together delivered something that many gamers still marvel at. When I played it on my GTX 1660 Ti back in 2019, I couldn’t believe the game looked that good without ray tracing. Fortunately, you don’t even need a 1660 Ti to run it — a 1060 3GB will be more than enough.

Star Wars Battlefront II

Star Wars Battlefront II is not only one of the most enjoyable Star Wars games, but also one of the best-looking games of all time. Despite its flaws, it’s a must-play title, especially for Star Wars fans.

Related

10 games that prove you don’t need ray tracing for phenomenal visuals

Ray tracing might be the cool new tech in gaming visuals, but these games manage to look amazing even without it

9 DOOM Eternal

Eternally well-optimized

If there’s one series that comes to mind when thinking of well-optimized titles, it’s DOOM. And DOOM Eternal exemplifies that trait in the best way possible. Despite being able to run equally well on low-end and high-end PCs, that isn’t even the most memorable thing about the game. DOOM Eternal is beloved for its thoroughly satisfying combat, diverse locations, and fast-paced, brutal action.

A follow-up to 2016’s DOOM, this game can be run even on a GTX 1050 Ti or GTX 1060 3GB. If you love arena shooters, you’ve probably already played this one to bits. If you love mindless action and blazing-fast gunplay, DOOM Eternal is one game you shouldn’t miss out on. Some aspects of the game, like platforming, aren’t as universally loved, but ignore that and just play the game already.

DOOM Eternal

A gloriously violent action game in which you must eradicate a demon invasion personally. DOOM Eternal is one of the most enjoyable FPS experiences you can have, and the best part is, you don’t even need a powerful PC to run it.

8 Batman: Arkham Knight

Return to the madhouse

The Batman: Arkham series left a lasting impression on me. Playing the original trilogy was, and still is, one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences of my life. And it all started with Arkham Asylum. No one had cracked how to make a truly great Batman game before Arkham Asylum swooped in with its cinematic storytelling, game-changing combat and gameplay, and a Batman that felt authentic to the comic book hero we all loved.

Batman: Arkham Knight capped the trilogy with an ending that couldn’t have been more perfect, in my opinion. I have my fair share of complaints regarding the Batmobile spamming, but let’s be real, the final chapter did what it set out to do. If you want to play this game today, you only need a GTX 760, according to the system requirements. It’s safe to say that most gamers can easily enjoy this landmark game and series, as a whole, without needing a GPU upgrade.

Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight is the concluding chapter of Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy, featuring bleeding edge graphics for its time. It holds up pretty well even today, allowing almost everyone to experience this exceptional finale to the Batman trilogy.

7 Alien: Isolation

Fear is the mind-killer

Perhaps the best Alien game ever made, Alien: Isolation stays true to the paralyzing fear that the necromorph commands. As someone rightly said, it’s the game the Alien franchise always deserved. Playing as series protagonist Ripley’s daughter, you explore the isolated space station to figure out what happened to her. The game equips you with nothing but novel gameplay tools and a survival instinct to avoid the necromorph at all costs.

While the survival horror gameplay might scare you, don’t be afraid of the game’s system requirements. You only need a GTX 660 to run the game on recommended settings. Despite being released in 2014, Alien: Isolation doesn’t look like an old game. The unique visual style of the game still manages to deliver impressive visuals, no matter what system you’re playing it on.

Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation is the quintessential Alien game, providing the survival horror experience that fans of the series have always asked for. The game follows Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda, as she arrives at a space station to investigate what happened to her mother.

6 NieR: Automata

Gorgeous, desolate, atmospheric

NieR: Automata is one of those games that’s for not everyone. Despite having the ingredients of a massively popular title — satisfying hack-and-slash combat, beautiful vast landscapes, and a meaty story — it’s a game that won’t appeal to everyone. For those looking for a fast-paced action-adventure game with nothing more to offer, NieR: Automata isn’t the perfect choice.

However, if you’re actively looking for a game that will speak to you on a deeper level and form a lasting connection with you, you don’t need to look elsewhere. The story and characters (who are androids, by the way) of the game will force you to dive into difficult questions about life and humanity. If you’re prepared, whip out your GTX 980 (or better) and get gaming right now.

NieR: Automata

Nier: Automata is an action RPG that centers around the conflict between machines, who’ve taken over the world, and the androids who’ve been sent to defeat them. It features varied combat, a seamless open world, and RPG mechanics. The highlights for most players are the characters, story, and the world itself. 

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Slay in style, even on your old PC

If you’ve somehow avoided playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt until now, I don’t know what I can say to convince you. Maybe you’ve seen the Netflix show and think there’s nothing more the game holds for you. I’d still urge you to pick this one up, even if you haven’t played the first and second installments. Without overstating things, the third game is a masterpiece.

If you love an incredible story, exploring a fantastic world, and killing monsters, there’s really no reason not to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The only thing stopping you might be your PC’s hardware, but fortunately, even that’s not a hurdle. All you need is GTX 770 or something just slightly more powerful, and you can enjoy the game at a mix of low, high, and even ultra settings.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is inarguably one of the greatest RPG adventures and fantasy games ever made. If you’re hesitant to play the next-gen update of the game on your PC, rest assured as it can run even on budget GPUs.

Related

9 older games that can still punish your gaming PC

Who says only the latest titles can melt your GPU? These older games still pack a punch.

4 Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Don’t raid your wallet for a GPU upgrade

You would have seen Shadow of the Tomb Raider (SOTR) frequently turn up in GPU reviews. It’s a fairly popular title that scales extremely well with CPU and GPU load, and hence, it makes sense for reviewers to include it in testing. Being the final installment in Crystal Dynamics’ Lara Croft series, SOTR had high expectations riding on it. And, for the most part, it delivered.

You get the same solid gameplay and adventure elements as the previous installments, but the ending might not resonate with everyone. Still, if you’re convinced and want to try it out, your old 1060 6GB would be perfect to play the game at recommended settings. A GTX 1660 Ti or GTX 1070 would be even better.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an action-adventure game and the final installment of Crystal Dynamics’ Lara Croft trilogy. It’s also visually impressive and can still be played on years-old GPUs.

3 Far Cry 3

Old but gold

I know Far Cry 3 is already 12 years old at this point, but it’s still the best entry in the series. So what if it looks a bit dated? That shouldn’t stop you from experiencing one of the best gaming stories and villains of all time. The kind of locales you get to see in this game will still feel fresh to someone playing the game for the first time. And I would even say that the game has aged quite well.

You only need a GTX 600-series GPU to run this game well, and I’m guessing most people have a stronger GPU than that right now. So, if you’re looking to dive into a heady mixture of pulse-pounding action and a mind-bending narrative, do yourself a favor and get a copy of Far Cry 3.

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 is possibly the most successful output of the Far Cry formula. The villain, Vaas, does most of the heavy lifting, and the game succeeds in making the player believe in the bizarre narrative that unfolds on the island. The game might be old, but it deserves at least one playthrough from action-adventure fans.

2 Life is Strange Remastered

An unexpected jaw-dropper

Life is Strange is one of those games that some might term a walking simulator or point-and-click game, but what I’d call it is a fantastic adventure game that will tug at your heartstrings. Originally released in multiple episodes, it lets you play as Max, a high-school senior who mysteriously gains a unique superpower that turns her world upside down. She’s not the only one affected by her newfound powers, though.

As the story unfolds, the player is allowed to mold the story’s outcome through their choices. Mature themes, complex relationships, and brutal consequences are the hallmarks of both the original game and the Before the Storm spin-off game. The game might have come out in 2015, but a remastered version was released in 2022. You don’t need a high-end system for either of them, with the newer version requiring only a GTX 1060, RX 580, or better GPU.

Life is Strange Remastered

Life is Strange Remastered is a 2022 update to the 2015 episodic adventure game of the same name. Max gains a powerful ability that will forever change the course of her life as well as the fate of her friends and town. The story is a powerful tale of friendship, choices, and consequences, and you don’t need a powerful GPU to enjoy it. 

Related

32 classic PC games you can (and should) still play today

These are some of the best PC games history has to offer.

1 Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut

You never asked for it, but here it is

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the most influential game I’ve ever played, and it has shaped most of my outlook towards video games. Originally released in 2011, the game might be ancient by today’s standards, but its layered narrative, painstaking world-building, and nuanced commentary are more relevant than ever.

The Deus Ex series has had a massive impact on the genre, and Human Revolution is my favorite, by far. The sequel, Mankind Divided is a decent follow-up, but it was riddled with multiple issues that hold it back from being truly great. If you’re a fan of cyberpunk and sci-fi stories, and want to experience this superb title, the official requirements of the 2013 Director’s Cut edition only ask for a GeForce 8000 series card. It goes without saying that you can probably run this one smoothly.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a masterful take on human augmentation and the pervasive nature of technology in general. Set in a futuristic world, it allows the player to utilize powerful cybernetic abilities to uncover a global conspiracy with colossal consequences. With even the Director’s Cut version quite old now, you can probably run this game on any GPU.

Everyone has a different idea of a low-end GPU

There’s no single definition for what constitutes a modest GPU. Some believe anything that can’t run games at maximum settings at 1440p or 4K is a budget GPU, while others might consider any discrete GPU good enough for gaming. However, the good news is that as long as you have a decent 1080p-capable GPU launched in the last 10 years, you can safely run many top-notch AAA and AA games at decent framerates using optimized settings.