10 Best Lightweight Games to Play on a Weak PC

Even a weak PC can run famous and highly successful games, as some games are less demanding and do not require high-end hardware. Among them are Minecraft, Undertale, and even the recent Disco Elysium. In addition, it is also possible to play some older, but renowned games, such as Far Cry 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. In the following list, learn about 10 lightweight games that run on weak computers.

It is worth saying that, in this listing, Techidence considered as “weak PC” those that have integrated video card, with dual-core processors of older generations and that require less RAM. In the next paragraphs, check also the minimum specifications of each game and find out if your machine can run them.

1. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a farm game that mixes RPG with elements of simulation, exploration, and survival. A huge hit on multiple platforms, it has sold over 10 million copies and gained a dedicated community of fans who invest hundreds of hours in the experience. Inspired by the Harvest Moon series, the game has very light 2D graphics, and can run even on simple PCs.

Stardew Valley is among the lightest on the list. To play, you need a processor equivalent to or higher than the Core 2 Duo E4400 (released in 2007 by Intel), 2 GB of RAM or more, any graphics card with 256 MB of RAM, and 500 MB of free space for installation.

2. Minecraft

Minecraft

As a traditional and historic title, Minecraft has sold more than 200 million copies to date and has 126 million active players monthly across its various platforms. With a simple premise, the game instills creativity and allows users to invest hundreds of hours exploring, building, and having fun with its limitless creative possibilities. Originally released in 2010, Minecraft is lightweight enough to run on a PC.

Official hardware recommendations indicate that the user needs only a 2013 Core i3 3210 (or processors of the equivalent profile), along with 4 GB of RAM and at least 180 MB of disk space. With simple graphics, Minecraft can run on integrated video cards from Intel and AMD, performing well even on older monitors of 1024 x 768 pixels maximum resolution.

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3. Disk Elysium

Disk Elysium

Disco Elysium is a 2019 isometric RPG that won four categories at The Game Awards and is highly praised for its complex and immersive narrative. Its gameplay dispenses with a traditional combat mode, favoring a deep and nuanced story that varies depending on how you upgrade the main character.

Although it has a very special aesthetic, with graphics that are more demanding than games like Stardew Valley or Minecraft, Disco Elysium can, yes, run on simpler computers. According to the hardware recommendations announced by the developer itself, a dual-core processor operating system with 2 GB of RAM and 512 MB graphics card memory can run the RPG.

4. Cuphead

Cuphead

Famous for its difficulty and challenge level, Cuphead is a 2D platform game that invests in the aesthetics of 1930s cartoons. With two-dimensional graphics, what weighs on the title is the frenetic action it presents. This, it is worth saying, depends more on the processor than on the video card. Still, the game can be considered low, since it runs even on a Core 2 Duo from more than ten years ago.

Although it is more demanding than the other games on the list, demanding a graphics card, Cuphead can be played on weaker PCs. Its minimum recommendations are processor equivalent or higher than the Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (released in 2008), 2 GB of RAM, graphics card equivalent or higher than Nvidia’s GeForce 9600 GT (2008), DirectX 9.0c installed, and Windows 7.

5. Among Us

Among Us became a fever in 2020 with its gameplay that bets on intrigue and investigation. In it, a number of four to ten players must identify an impostor aboard a spaceship to eliminate him and win the match. With very modest graphics, the game bets on fun and gameplay, leaving aside more demanding visuals. This makes the game quite suitable for weaker PCs.

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To give you an idea of how low the game is, a system with Intel Pentium 4 from 2002 could run it without problems. Among Us is so light that the biggest restriction is the system requirement needed to install the Steam application – which, it should be noted, is needed to install the PC version of the game.

6. Loop Hero

Loop Hero

Loop Hero is an RPG with rogue-like elements and no set ending, released as recently as 2021. It has been a great success on Steam, with more than 500,000 players on the platform. In the game, the world ended and it is up to the player to rebuild it, in a journey that involves numerous adventures.

The RPG is very light and requires only a processor equivalent to or higher than the Intel Core 2 Duo E4500, plus 2 GB of RAM, a graphics card with access to 256 MB of memory, and only 200 MB of free disk space.

7. Undertale

Undertale

Undertale is proof that games do not need hyperrealistic graphics to enchant and entertain. The work of a single developer, the game bets on an RPG aesthetic of the 1980s and invests in an unusual story, full of humor and fun. In it, the player can walk his path, fighting enemies within Undertale, or dialogue and appease conflicts.

With a highly praised soundtrack, gameplay full of choices, and alternative endings, Undertale requires little from the system. A computer with Windows XP, 2 GB of RAM, 128 MB video card, and 200 MB of free disk space is enough.

8. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

Those with a weak PC can also consider older games, which once demanded a lot from computers, but today can run well even on simpler PCs. One of the options is The Witcher 2, which was released in 2011 and offers a story full of alternate paths and different open-world endings.

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At the time of its release, the game had a demanding profile, but already tolerated computers with processors a few years old. The Witcher 2 requires only a 2.2 GHz dual-core processor (with more cores, the speed can be lower), graphics card equivalent to the 2006 GeForce 8800, 2 GB of RAM, and 25 GB of disk space.

9. Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas

New Vegas from 2010 is among the most beloved titles in the Fallout series. The RPG tells an adventure in a post-apocalyptic world, where the player lives a courier tasked with making a delivery to the city in the game. After having the package stolen, the player must investigate the theft and ends up involved in a complex dispute between rival factions for control of New Vegas and the Mojave Desert.

A computer with Windows XP, 2 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, GeForce or equivalent graphics card from 2006 onwards, and 10 GB of free space can already run the title. Like other old games, especially in the RPG genre, there are mods available for Fallout, which can improve the gameplay.

10. Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3

RPGs like the ones above are engaging but can take up a lot of time. If you are looking for something more casual, with a good story and gameplay, Far Cry 3 might be a good choice. In an open-world first-person shooter, the game has an interesting storyline, characters that have become famous, and gameplay that is conducive to creating chaos on the screen and fun moments.

Far Cry 3 was released for PCs and consoles back in 2012, so it can run normally on PCs that are nine years old or even older. It requires a computer with Windows XP, a Core 2 Duo E6700 processor (from 2006), 2 GB RAM, an equivalent or higher 2006 GeForce GTX 8800 card, and 15 GB of disk space.

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