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Chances are that you've already seen the dreadful announcement that the ongoing silicon shortage is bound to last *at least* until the end of 2023. If you're not lucky enough to have plucked a new GPU by now, your odds of getting it won't get any better anytime soon, we're sorry to say. The silver lining, though, is that the category of low-end PC games in 2021 has become way more relevant than it ever was before.
It may surprise you, but there are still games being released in 2021 that will, conceivably, run on truly ancient PC hardware. We've highlighted a few of them late last year, but we thought the time was right to do something similar for 2021, too.
Down below, we've singled out ten amazing low-spec PC games that you should consider checking out. Doubly so if you're in a precocious situation with your PC's specs! One of them's not new as such, but you'll forgive us - it's pretty darn awesome.
Top Low-End PC Games 2021: Must-Have List
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
In simplest terms possible, Wings of Ruin 2 is the best non-Pokémon Pokémon game ever made, bar none. Set in the revered Monster Hunter universe, this game gives you an idea of how non-Hunters live and behave in this strange post-apocalyptic culture. All the while an entirely new apocalypse might be looming overhead...
Featuring exciting turn-based combat, a fully-fledged array of RPG features, and a substantial list of Monsties to tame, Wings of Ruin 2 offers incredible value to its players. Best of all, though, is the fact that it will run on some pretty old hardware. And even if you do get an unstable frame rate, the fact that the game's a turn-based RPG means your gameplay won't suffer in the slightest!
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 560
- CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 / AMD FX-6300
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 28 GB
Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced Edition
We admit! We're cheating a bit with this one! That being what it is, Borderlands' remastered version is a joy to behold. To be sure, the original iteration of this long-lasting franchise is odd in more ways than one, but it also remains unsurpassed by its successors in more ways than one.
Strange, atmospheric, and delightfully creepy, Borderlands GOTY is the very first proper FPS/RPG hybrid we got. Ever. It kickstarted the looter-shooter genre single-handedly, and it remains a must-play for anyone and everyone under the sun. It will also run on virtually anything you might have, making it an easy recommendation even in its updated format.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce 7 Series / ATi Radeon HD 3000 Series
- CPU: 2.4 GHz with SSE2 support
- RAM: 1 GB
- Storage: 8 GB
Dread Templar
As the sub-genre of so-called Boomer Shooters grows in popularity, so too do awesome examples of it keep popping up. Dread Templar is only the latest of these games, and though it's currently undergoing active Early Access development, it's a right and proper hoot.
Dread Templar combines classic DOOMalike gameplay with a whole slew of RPG-lite features. Upgradeable weaponry, advanced mobility skills, and passive progression mechanics all come to a head in what is, arguably, the best FPS of its kind. What makes it a good match for this piece, though, is the fact that it'll easily run on a GPU from 10 years ago. Neat!
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560
- CPU: 2.5+ GHz
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 2 GB
Curse of the Dead Gods
Roguelikes and roguelites are a dime a dozen in 2021, but Curse of the Dead Gods stands out in every way that matters. Deep, satisfying, and increasingly more punishing as you progress, Dead Gods is one of the most fun and rewarding games in this entire niche.
There's a huge emphasis on running on a knife's edge between risk and reward, and Dead Gods balances its gameplay loop phenomenally well. Though most roguelites will easily run on any old PC you might have, Curse of the Dead Gods takes the cake in our book and still manages to perform admirably on aging rigs.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon R7 370
- CPU: Intel Core i3-2125 / AMD FX-4100
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 2 GB
Play Curse of the Dead Gods today!
Greak: Memories of Azur
Bet you missed this one! Greak hasn't received nearly as many headlines in gaming media as it deserves. Graphically astonishing and phenomenally well-animated, Greak: Memories of Azur is a game about three magical beings running headfirst into the fray - from a sidescrolling perspective.
Though the game might seem like a Hollow Knight or Metroidvania sort of thing at first, it is, in fact, a linear puzzle platformer. There are a few unique mechanics attached to the game that we won't spoil here, but it's an easy recommendation that doesn't forego visual fidelity in order to turn on your ancient 2007 GPU.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT / AMD Radeon HD 6570
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 / AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 3 GB
Play Greak: Memories of Azur today!
Super Robot Wars 30
Quite possibly the game with the lowest spec requirements released in the last couple of years, Super Robot Wars 30 is pure cheese. In fact, we'd go so far as to call it gouda, because it's awesome.
At its core, SRW30 is a turn-based strategic RPG. Its combat sequences, however, consist of the most anime-looking cutscenes you've probably ever seen. Robots cut each other up, blow up their targets with nuclear-grade weaponry, and punch each other into submission. For mecha fans, this is nothing short of a dream come true.
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GT 320 / AMD Radeon HD 6670
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 / AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 15 GB
Play Super Robot Wars 30 today!
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Another Capcom title on this list, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is precisely what it says on the tin. Basically, we're looking at a wombo-combo of two alt-history Ace Attorney adventures with a Sherlock Holmes expy added for good measure.
True to form, this Ace Attorney game is a slow-burn RPG where frame-rate is the least of your concerns. That said, it will run on anything and everything you might install the game on. The recommended minimum spec lists a lowly Intel 520 AGPU, which is a record of some sort, for sure.
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 520
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6300U
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 7 GB
Play The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles today!
CryoFall
CryoFall is a title you've probably heard about during its Early Access stint - though the game's now out and about in full. For all intents and purposes, it combines features of RimWorld, Don't Starve, and Rust into one strangely compelling sci-fi colony management sim.
It's a remarkably fun and deep game - one that lends itself well to the kind of reactive and progressive storytelling you'd expect out of the genre. It's no Dwarf Fortress, to be sure, but it certainly looks way better than it does, and with truly minuscule spec requirements, to boot.
- GPU: 512 MB VRAM, Shader Model 4.0+
- CPU: Dual Core 2.2 GHz
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage: 700 MB
Low-End PC Games to the Rescue!
Really, what it all boils down to is that you don't really need the latest and greatest graphics card to keep enjoying PC games. In fact, if you don't mind checking out some real horror classics, we've got even more low-spec recommendations ready to go. We did just wrap up Halloween, after all.
Otherwise, there's precious little we can do nowadays. The best we can hope for is that the situation stabilizes towards the start of 2024. Since we've got a long way to go beforehand, though, we expect to make a few more of these before all is said and done.
Be sure to stay tuned to our Community Hub for future updates. Deals, discounts, news, and highlights are all coming in fast and hard. We'll have a big PC optimization update ready in the coming days, too - you're going to be interested in that one, we think. In the meantime, have fun!
Get in the Game ! 
