Best Multiplayer Games for Low-End PCs

There are a truckload of multiplayer games up for grabs right now. However, most need a powerful PC to run smoothly. Thankfully, there are several games that players can enjoy on laptops with integrated graphics or older desktop PCs, too.

The icing on the cake is that these games offer robust multiplayer content, allowing players to explore the title with their friends or against online foes. Below, players will find a list of games, from hero shooters to chaotic puzzle titles. Each of them will test a team’s communication, and have everyone laughing uproariously.

Low-end PCs exist on a spectrum, and often, anything older than two generations is counted as obsolete when that is not always the case. To make things clear, all games listed in this article will be able to run on an i5-4th gen and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, with many titles requiring even less than that.

Updated October 8, 2024, by Hamza Haq: With the sheer amount of new multiplayer games now on offer, players with low-end PCs no longer need to rely on the classics released in the early 2000s to scratch their itch. Developers are realizing now that gamers almost always prefer good gameplay over visual fidelity. As a result, some of the best games of the last decade can comfortably run on a potato PC, making the hobby as a whole more accessible to a wider audience.

12 Dead by Daylight

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i3-4170 or AMD FX-8120
• Minimum GPU requirements: DX11 Compatible GPU

Players looking for an adrenaline rush will find Dead by Daylight right up their alley. In the game, a team of up to four players must work together to evade the killer and escape the trial grounds. There are several characters to choose from, each with a custom skill tree. However, he overarching gameplay remains the same: fix the generators that power the exit gates, and when they open, make a run for it.

Gamers can also play as the killer. There are different types of killers, each with a unique skill set. Most killers move than the survivors, although they can have limited visibility. The hide-and-seek nature of the game makes it a great title to enjoy with friends, and it runs well on older laptops and PCs.

11 Fall Guys

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent
• Minimum GPU requirements: NVIDIA GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7950

Fall Guys puts a new spin on the battle royale genre. Instead of dropping into a map and frolicking for loot, players must compete in a series of obstacle courses. The colorful albeit out-of-a-hat maps will challenge a player’s skill and patience.

The game has numerous multiplayer maps, and players can team up with up to three friends to compete in various squad challenges. Despite its wacky physics and ragdoll effects, the game should pose no issues, even for thin-and-light laptops with integrated graphics.

10 BattleBit Remastered

BattleBit Remastered

Systems

Released

June 15, 2023

Developer

SgtOkiDoki, Vilaskis, TheLiquidHorse

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i5-2310 or equivalent
• Minimum GPU requirements: Geforce GTS 450 or equivalent

Instead of aiming for photorealistic graphics or complex gameplay, BattleBit Remastered seeks to prove that fun, simple gameplay will always have a place in the gaming sphere. BattleBit Remastered is a low-poly multiplayer first-person shooter where up to 254 players can compete against each other at the same time in a shared server. It is a team-based game where every player is part of a group, either the Americans or the Russians, on a single map with the simple goal of killing every single enemy on the map to achieve complete victory. The game features class customization that limits which guns and gadgets a player can equip, some special abilities, proximity chat, and a lot of different game modes that vary the base objectives to change how a match plays out. Due to its simplistic visuals, BattleBit Remastered can run on very low-end PCs without a hiccup.

9 Deep Rock Galactic

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel i5-3450 or equivalent
• Minimum GPU requirements: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870

Deep Rock Galactic is a chill 1-4 player co-op game that sees players venturing into the depths of cave systems to mine resources while fending off dangerous enemies around every corner. It sounds simple, but the gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, polished, and, most importantly, fun. The environments are entirely destructible, and mining isn’t as simple as finding a node and hitting it. Players can carve out entire tunnels if they want to. The world is procedurally generated, so each delve into the caves is different.

The game promotes a sense of a shared goal and camaraderie that sets the tone for the community. For newcomers, this means that veterans will almost always be willing to lend a helping hand, teach the game’s mechanics, give advice on how to approach encounters, and generally offer helpful tips. On top of being incredibly wholesome, Deep Rock Galactic has one of the most active communities of any co-op game, meaning finding someone to play with is easy.

8 Valorant

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (Intel), Athlon 200GE (AMD)
• Minimum GPU requirements: Intel HD 4000, Radeon R5 200

Valorant is arguably the most popular PvP shooter. And, unlike some games on this list, it is free to play. Granted, players can unlock snazzy skins using the in-game store or by purchasing the battle pass. However, these skins are purely aesthetic.

The game has excellent mechanics and a steep learning curve. As such, players must spend a lot of time learning the maps or how to peek corners. Gamers can refine their playstyle by opting for different Heroes, each with unique abilities. The game also offers a Deathmatch mode, which restricts the use of abilities and lets players shoot the competition to their heart’s content. The game does take up a lot of space on the hard drive, but it is more than playable on lower-end PCs, especially when run with Low graphics presets.

7 Counter-Strike 2

Systems

Released

September 27, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i5 750 or better
• Minimum GPU requirements: 1GB VRAM and DirectX 11-compatible

Counter-Strike 2 is the successor to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The gameplay hasn’t seen many changes, and most modes divide the lobby into teams of Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. Players compete against one another to reach the objective, which could be defusing bombs, rescuing hostages, and more. Players can queue up with friends or randoms.

The game runs on the Source 2 engine, which brings enhanced lighting and volumetric smoke effects to the mix. Needless to say, CS2 requires more computing power, which may be challenging for older PCs. However, it can still maintain a playable frame rate, particularly at low graphics settings and resolution.

6 Among Us

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i3-4330 or equivalent
• Minimum GPU requirements: Intel HD Graphics 4600 or equivalent

Those with a knack for detective work should try Among Us, which pits a team of space adventurers against an impostor. As crewmates, players are tasked with keeping their spaceship up and running by solving puzzles and fixing issues around the ship. At the same time, they must keep an eye out for the impostor(s), whose task is to sabotage the operations and kill everyone on board.

Related

Among Us’ Newest Roles Explained

Among Us just got itself a new update, announced during the recent Nintendo Direct, which adds three new roles into the game.

The impostor can use secret vents to eliminate crewmates. When a dead body is discovered, crewmates must report it and figure out who the impostor is. Unsurprisingly, the game can reach chaos in minutes. On the bright side, the game can run on most devices, including smartphones and even older laptops and PCs.

5 Rocket League

• Minimum CPU requirements: 2.5 GHz Dual Core processor
• Minimum GPU requirements: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760,AMD Radeon R9 270X, or better

Rocket League is a highly optimized game that runs superbly on older laptops and PCs. For the uninitiated, the game is a cross between racing and football. In it, players must roll a super-sized ball down a football field with their cars. While it may seem simple, in reality, it is quite challenging.

Adding to the game’s complex mechanics, players can come up with unique and powerful skill shots. They can use the surrounding walls to score a goal, or flick the ball in the air to great distances. The game supports private matches with up to eight players divided into teams. It has a a competitive ranked mode, too.

4 Diablo 4

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-8350
• Minimum GPU requirements: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or Intel Arc A380 or AMD Radeon R9 280

Diablo 4 is possibly the most resource-hungry game on this list. That said, it can run well on laptops with integrated Intel Arc or Radeon graphics, albeit at lower resolutions. It also scales well on gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, logging up to 70FPS at low graphics settings.

The game is set in Sanctuary, a mythical place created by angels and demons as a refuge from the everlasting war that had consumed heaven and hell. Players start by choosing one of five classes: Necromancer, Druid, Sorcerer, Rogue, or Barbarian. Each class has its own skill tree and abilities. In addition, players can enjoy the RPG with up to four friends. This includes completing the main campaign, clearing dungeons, cellars, and more. The game also has seasonal events, which can be enjoyed with fellow Diablo 4 players as well.

3 Brawlhalla

• Can run on PCs and laptops with 2GB of RAM.
• Only requires 800MB of storage.

Brawlhalla is a free platform brawler with fluid movement and enjoyable combat. The game has over 50 playable legends, all of which share the same set of unarmed attacks. To that end, each legend can cast a light or a heavy attack. Players can also use aerial attacks. However, during a fight, the game will spawn random weapons that contribute to a legend’s signature move.

Related

Brawlhalla: 21 Best Legends For Beginners

Players looking to get into Brawlhalla will want to try these characters first.

The game offers a superb multiplayer experience and can be enjoyed with up to eight players. It also supports cross-play. Most notably, Brawlhalla is among the least taxing multiplayer games and should work well on PCs with just 2GB of RAM.

2 Chained Together

Systems

Released

June 19, 2024

Developer(s)

Anegar Games

• Minimum CPU requirements: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD R5 1600X
• Minimum GPU requirements: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or equivalent

Chained Together is one of the most sought-after games at the moment, and for a good reason. The game plays similarly to titles like Only Up! and Getting Over It. What sets it apart is that in the game’s multiplayer mode, gamers are literally tethered to three other players with a chain.

As such, players must strategize and coordinate their jumps to avoid falling and resetting their progress. Most gaming sessions are filled with ‘whose fault was it’ moments. Players can find ‘Wings of Freedom’ spread throughout the map, which can help them in case of a fall. The game can be somewhat taxing on older PCs. That being said, this title can be enjoyed at slightly lower frame rate.

1 Stardew Valley

• Minimum CPU requirements: 2 GHz clock speed or better
• Minimum GPU requirements: 256MB video memory with Shader Model 3.0+

Those looking for a relaxing game to play with friends will find a lot to like about Stardew Valley. The game follows a burnt-out office worker who decides to revive their grandfather’s aging farm. Little do the players know; they will not only have to redo the farm, but will also contribute to the betterment of the town.

The game is filled with content. Players can farm, fish, tend to their house’s decor, and explore dungeons. In addition, they can romance one of many bachelors or bachelorettes in the area, and start a family. The game also supports a co-op mode, which allows up to four friends to join in.

More

12 Best FPS Games for Low-End PCs

First-person shooters usually look and feel better on beastly PCs, but these great FPS games can be enjoyed even on low-end machines.