Highlights

• Gaming on your laptop is possible with these budget-friendly options, from RPGs to survival horror games.
• Experience unique storytelling and engaging gameplay without needing high-end PC specs for these laptop games.
• From turn-based strategies to farming simulators, there's a diverse range of laptop games to suit different preferences.

Not all of us can shell out for the newest consoles or save up for a gaming PC. But chances are you probably have a laptop, whether it's for work, school, or to binge Netflix at the end of a long day. So the real question is, can you game on your laptop?

The good news is that, in a world of next-gen graphics and ray-tracing, publishers are still producing games that can run on a laptop without a good graphics card. So here is a nice variety of the best laptop games you can play on old hardware without feeling like you're gaming in 2001.

Updated on April 3, 2024, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: Gaming knows no bounds, and neither do the enthusiasts with lower-end laptops seeking entertainment at home or on the go. We've given this article a refresh to reach a new wave of readers, and we're excited to share our latest recommendations with you. Enjoy!

Pentiment

While the sci-fi fun of The Outer Worlds and the shrunken survival of Grounded isn't in the cards, Pentiment is an intriguing 2D RPG of Obsidian's that's the most laptop-friendly game next to Fallout: New Vegas. Though it does need a more hefty storage space of 12GB, it only requires 4GB of RAM.

Pentiment is a striking game both visually and narratively. Its watercolor art style and font choices are reminiscent of the scriptures from the historical era it's set in: early 1500s Bavaria. It has a detailed story surrounding a murder mystery at an abbey where choice-based decisions come into account. Investigating it all is protagonist Andreas Maler, an illustrator of 16th-century manuscripts.

Signalis

Say you're into survival horror with a classic Resident Evil design, pixelated graphics, an inventory management system, and the like, but your laptop can't possibly run Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 4 Remake. Signalis may just be the option for you. At max system requirement, you only need 2GB of free space and 4GB of RAM to launch it.

Signalis combines the genres of horror, sci-fi, and anime, having you play as an android Replika named Elster, who must navigate an off-world facility where a mysterious outbreak has occurred.

This is also a good substitute for the Dead Space Remake, as the atmospheric lighting, sound design, and cosmic horror creatures play a big part in the experience.

Darkest Dungeon

A unique turn-based roguelike with the difficulty of Elden Ring and the Gothic horror flair inspired by Lovecraft that's perfect on a laptop is Darkest Dungeon. At a minimum, all you'll need is 2GB of RAM and available storage space. With a band of adventurers in this RPG, you'll venture into dark nightmarish settings to battle enemies equally fitting such a description.

The game's hand-drawn art style aesthetic and excellent variety of hero classes you can recruit make for compelling gameplay. The combat system is already quite an intense challenge, but it's also coupled with the Affliction system, which allows your characters to become stressed when you run out of light.

Pizza Tower

There have been many amazing underrated 2D platformers over the years, and the original and wacky quality of Pizza Tower will certainly join their ranks. The cartoon style feels reminiscent of Cuphead, but the mechanics and level design take inspiration from Wario Land.

Its system requirements also hardly pose any detriment to your storage, only requiring 512MB of Ram and 300MB of space.

An Italian restaurateur comically named Peppino Spaghetti must dash and fight through levels of the titular Pizza Tower that brings strange monsters threatening his business. Along the way, you'll also receive letter ranks based on points and actions you take to clear the levels, with a stellar soundtrack in the background of it all.

Vampire Survivors

There are games where you can play vampires, but Vampire Survivors has you going up against them in a bullet-hell rogue-lite fashion. The lore of this game is as minimalist and straightforward as its gameplay, centered on a fictional 2021 Italy, where the sinister Bisconte Draculó summons waves of evil forces you must survive based on time.

You'll be able to select from a roster of heroic characters and defeat giant hordes across different locations in a pixel art top-down style. The reputation of Vampire Survivors and the hype it's been getting is a credit to its core loop, and you only need 1GB of Ram and 400MB of space to enjoy it.

Hollow Knight

Believe it or not, Hollow Knight doesn't demand high system requirements, making it playable on your laptop with just 4GB of RAM and 9GB of free space. That's not too shabby for a game that'll likely keep you hooked for longer than expected, due to its challenging nature.

As a 2D Metroidvania Souls-like game, expect unique design and levels packed with challenging enemies bosses. It might not be the easiest game to play, but it's definitely worth it and does not require a high-end PC to enjoy this masterpiece, making it accessible for many.

Age Of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings (1999)

A classic real-time strategy game is Age of Empires, and it can run on almost any laptop. Originally released in 1999, its longevity proves its compatibility with a wide range of laptops, requiring only 200 MB of disk space and 32 MB of RAM.

While there is a Definitive Edition of the game, the original Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings remains a classic, evoking a nostalgic feeling.

In this game, you can choose a civilization, build your empire, and enhance it by constructing towns, gathering resources, and creating armies to defeat opponents. Alongside the campaign mode, the game supports multiplayer over the Internet or via LAN. It's a great way to enjoy it either by yourself or with friends to determine the last empire standing.

Townscaper

Sometimes, you just want to build a cute little town atop the sea, no strings attached. Townscaper is a quaint city builder game minus the typical labor of city management. Instead, you just click, and up pops a house. Click again, and now you've got a two-story brownstone.

There is no 'end goal' in Townscaper, only a desire to build something beautiful for the sake of building it, and there is something special about that. Townscaper is available on Steam and only requires 1 GB of disk space and 4GB of RAM.

Alternatively, the incredibly generous demo of Townscaper can still be played in your browser of choice.

Isleward

Isleward prides itself on being the world's only "open-source, moddable, roguelike MMO," but most importantly, it is completely free and played entirely in your browser.

Initially launching on itch.io, and still technically in beta, this game blends old-school graphics and the nostalgia of text-based adventures with strategic turn-based battles against enemies. With options for PVP and even permadeath modes, Isleward is a surprisingly uncommon take on the MMORPG genre.

As a result, it's the best laptop game for MMORPG fans working within a budget.

Celeste Classic

Maybe you have been dying to get your hands on Celeste or have already beaten the game, but what you might not know is that before Celeste as we know it ever existed, there was Celeste Classic. Or, as it was known when developer Maddy Thorson first launched the game in 2016 for the Pico-8 virtual console... just "Celeste."

Yes, you can still play the original "mini" version of Celeste for free on itch.io in your browser, jam-packed with fantastic yet groan-inducing platforming action. There is also a Celeste 2 released by the original dev team in celebration of Celeste's third anniversary. Celeste Classic is the best laptop game for platforming enthusiasts.

Catan Universe

Now you can destroy your friendships over a game of Catan without ever leaving the comfort of your home. If organizing game nights tend to be a hassle, or you have been dying to play some board games with your online pals, Catan Universe offers an online version of the classic settlers board game.

Trade, build and rob your way to victory while playing in your browser. Catan Universe can also be downloaded from Steam, and it only requires 1 GB of disk space and 2 GB of RAM to start developing a grudge over that friend who blocked you from getting any sheep.

As a result, Catan Universe is the best laptop game for online game nights (if not the most divisive)!

Total War: Warhammer 3

Let's say you're a hawk who likes to command troops and live out your war room dreams. Let's add some fantasy into the experience as well. That's what you'll get playing Total War: Warhammer 3. This strategy title is best for gamers who prefer large-scale battle sims like Romance Of The Three Kingdoms or Age Of Empires.

On the technical side, Warhammer 3 has some demanding minimum requirements. You'll need a mid-range laptop with at least 6 GB RAM and enough storage for 120 GB of data. However, if you can swing it, Total War: Warhammer 3 is the best laptop game for aspiring generals.

Sort The Court

Yes or no. The fate of an entire kingdom rests upon these two words in this goofy kingdom management RPG. As the newly appointed king or queen, your job is simple, tedious, but dire. Every day, subjects will filter through your audience room with new requests. The consequences of approving or shutting down these demands can vary widely, and the effects are not always readily apparent.

Hem and haw over tough choices to build your kingdom and hoard more gold, all while meeting a charming cast of characters, including Yettu, Chester, and Pancake. How many days can you take it without bringing your kingdom to ruin? You can play Sort the Court, the best laptop game for players with decision fatigue, free on itch.io in your browser!

Among Us

If you're worried about overburdening your teeny little laptop with oodles worth of application memory, any game that can alternatively be played on mobile is always a safe bet. Among Us has won itself a spot as king among fun multiplayer games. It can even be played cross-platform, so your friends can plot your demise from behind their iPhone screens.

A clever take on old favorites like Wolf or Town of Salem, the game has you and up to 15 friends crewing a spaceship. The catch? One of you is "The Imposter," possessed by an alien entity with a thirst for murder. Crew can save the day by completing all their ship's tasks or catching the killer in the act.

The result is cartoonish finger-pointing madness with friends, making Among Us the best laptop game for schemers and backstabbers!

Fortnite

Just because you are playing on a laptop doesn't mean you are stuck playing Solitaire or Minesweeper. For those searching for a massively online game with a taste for high stakes and adventure, Fortnite is a great pick. In addition, its unique, slightly cartoonish style makes it more compatible with PCs with lower graphics capabilities.

Anyone who plays the game more competitively would argue that playing on the lowest graphic settings is less than ideal. Still, for the casual gamer, it neither makes nor breaks the experience. Fortnite Battle Royale is free-to-play and cross-platform, making it the best laptop game for late-night gaming sessions with your pals.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Few games have aged as well as The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, in all of its often-time glitching and ragdoll glory. It might seem counterintuitive, but despite the limits of its original time, Skyrim is still a very well-rounded open-world adventure.

If you aim to disappear inside a vast and boundless fantasy world with a deeply customizable personal experience, then there is no reason not to love Skyrim. Slay dragons, pick fights with NPCs, or become an infamous chicken murderer. The world is quite literally yours to do what you will.

Some Skyrim community members even claim your laptop can run many of the numerous mods available to spice things up a bit.

Portal 2

Portal 2 is ageless, co-op puzzle fun, and what's better is that it will not break your laptop. As long as you have 4 GB of RAM, you and a friend can outsmart GLaDOS by placing mind-bending portals to traverse the dangerous testing chambers.

Or perhaps play on your own through the story mode, guiding the silent Chell on her escape from the Aperature Science Facility. Good for hours of fun with a friend or outfoxing GLaDOS one-on-one, Portal 2 is a classic title that never gets old, making it the best laptop game for fans of 'oldies' but goodies.

The Typing Of The Dead: Overkill

Who knew a keyboard training tool could be so much fun? In The Typing Of The Dead: Overkill, you'll shoot down hordes of zombies by typing words inspired by everything from the works of Shakespeare to obscenities we can't repeat on this website. This game has fast, frantic, gory action that will improve your office skills. We call that a win!

One of the best parts of TOTD: Overkill is its convoluted storyline based on camp 70s movie tropes. Characters include loose-cannon cops, gun-slinging strippers, and horrors that look like the practical effects from your favorite B movie. You'll laugh hysterically at this game's ridiculous antics when you're not pounding your laptop keys for survival!

Cuphead

What you want is a hellish challenge, and while it might not be Dark Souls, Cuphead will not disappoint. This run-and-gun bullet-hell adventure stole many gamers' hearts (and many awards) with its classic 1930s cartoon style and old-school jazz game score.

Chockful of adorable and sometimes off-putting humanoid characters, Cuphead is a wonderful addition to any laptop gamer's arsenal. Play as Cuphead on a solo adventure or with Mugman in a local co-op with a friend as you battle through tough bosses to collect their souls to pay back your debt to the Devil himself.

It's the best laptop game for hardcore gamers on a budget, since Cuphead only requires 3 GB of RAM.

Unpacking

Games like Cuphead are fantastic if you're looking for high-action challenges. But what if you prefer something a little more mellow? In that case, you must check out Unpacking. If the title didn't give it away, this game tasks you with unpacking belongings as you move to new apartments, dorm rooms, houses, and more.

However, while your mind will fall into a state of ease while unpacking, your heart will empathize with the game's protagonist. Little details may recall memories of your first time living with roommates or your first significant breakup.

You can't contain your life in a box. But, Unpacking proves you'll learn something new every time you rip off that packing tape to start again. It's the best laptop game for relaxing and jumping into a good story.