10 Best FPS Games For Low-End PCs (2024)

First-Person Shooter games are and always will be one of the most played genres of gaming, with new titles constantly expanding the realm of possibilities that you can achieve with these games. With every new game comes new gameplay mechanics and expanded potential, along with some graphics upgrades which might be bad for players who are still running a ten-year-old PC.

But even if your PC isn't the latest powerhouse, you don't have to miss out on the action of first-person shooters. Many classic and modern FPS games are surprisingly well-optimized for lower specs, offering hours of entertainment without breaking your computer.

10 Borderlands 3

While the visuals might be a bit scaled back, the chaotic fun of Borderlands 3 remains intact even in lower settings. This looter-shooter is packed with over-the-top weapons, and a really fun and time-consuming campaign.

The cartoonish art style helps it run well on older hardware, though you’ll still probably have to lower some settings, while the gameplay remains engaging with its addictive gameplay loop. With hundreds of hours of content, Borderlands 3 is value for money, especially on a budget PC, and the chaos is worth it.

9 Portal 2

Portal 2 is one of the most innovative games designed that goes beyond any potential hardware limitations. This puzzle game challenges your mind rather than your graphics card, with clever level design and hilariously fun writing, and it's a perfect example of how a game can be both graphically simple and incredibly fun.

Its focus on game design over graphics means that even on lower-end systems, the game runs butter-smooth, allowing you to focus on solving puzzles innovatively with the iconic Portal Gun. It has been hailed as one of the best cooperative games of all time and Valve truly outdid themselves with this entry.

8 Doom

Surprisingly, the 2016 reboot of Doom can run well on lower-end systems with some graphical tweaks. While you might need to dial back the texture quality and resolution, the fast-paced action is almost as fun, and the combat will stay the same.

You'll still be able to rip and tear through Hell's minions with a satisfying arsenal of weapons, experiencing the adrenaline-pumping action along with the amazing soundtrack. Still, because it is possible to play Doom at such a high pace and with such excitement on older graphic cards, it is considered a very well-optimized game.

7 Half Life 2

A true classic, Half-Life 2 still holds up remarkably well, both in terms of gameplay and visual appeal. Even on lower settings, the game's atmosphere is something to behold and will work on pretty much any computer from a decade ago.

Its physics-based puzzles, like using the Gravity Gun to manipulate objects, remain incredibly engaging and fun, while the combat gives a good dose of action to enjoy the game. Valve released one of the best FPS story games ever and then did it again with Half Life 2, and they will both run great on any semi-modern PC.

6 Bioshock 2

The underwater city of Rapture in Bioshock 2, with its appealing architecture and haunting remnants of a failed utopia, is an amazing setting to explore even with last-gen graphics.

The game's combat system, which blends genetic modifications that grant powers with traditional weapons, offers an extremely fun approach to fighting and combat, keeping things interesting. Even with some graphical compromises, the core experience of Bioshock 2 remains compelling and thought-provoking as one of the all-time greats and can run on a generation-old PC.

5 Titanfall 2

Titanfall 2 has a lot of fast-paced action and verticality, which you can enjoy even on lower-end PCs. You may have to tweak the graphics to your liking, but the actual gameplay of piloting massive mechs and wall climbing is easily the highlight of the game.

It is easy to see just how well-optimized a game like Titanfall 2 is when it can provide such a smooth and responsive gaming experience even on old hardware. You may not be able to fully utilize the visuals to their potential, but Titanfall 2’s single-player campaign is well-designed and has a compelling story, and the multiplayer is almost as addictive.

4 Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 is a classic zombie shooter by Valve and, even years later, is still a ton of fun, and its graphics mean it runs smoothly on most systems. The cooperative gameplay is the heart of Left 4 Dead 2, as you and your friends work together to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Even in lower settings, the game's atmosphere of tension is apparent, and the thrill of narrowly escaping a horde of zombies never gets old. With a variety of campaigns and game modes, Left 4 Dead 2 offers endless hours of fun and, with the addition of workshop mods, you can play the game in any way you want.

3 Far Cry 4

Far Cry 4's open-world Himalayas might not be as detailed on lower settings, but the core gameplay loop of exploration and chaotic combat remains one of its best qualities. You'll still be able to roam the vast landscape and enjoy the main story of overthrowing Pagan Min with the help of the locals of the Kyrat region.

The game's arsenal of weapons, from bows to flamethrowers, creates ample opportunity for creative mayhem. Even with some graphical compromises, Far Cry 4 offers an amazing experience if you enjoy open-world freedom combined with some great action-packed FPS combat.

2 Valorant

Valorant is a competitive shooter that prioritizes gameplay over flashy graphics, making it surprisingly well-suited for low-end PCs. The strategic gunplay, where precision and teamwork are the main selling points of Valorant, and the game is even able to run on integrated graphics if the settings are turned down.

Each of the game's Agents has unique abilities that add depth and variety to every match. No matter what class you’re playing, Valorant's focus on skill and strategy ensures a level playing field for all players, regardless of their hardware, and its popularity is evident with how many players are currently playing and enjoying this game.

1 Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2, like its predecessor, is built for performance and, as a Valve game, has prioritized optimization as much as possible. It can run on a wide range of systems, even older ones, making it accessible to a broader audience, though not as broad as CS:GO.

Everyone who plays Counter-Strike 2 can enjoy the thrill of competitive matches, where every decision matters, and split-second reactions can alter the direction of the game. Counter-Strike 2 is an amazing follow-up to the classic Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, giving direction and inspiration to FPS games as a whole.