Amongst the classic genres in video gaming, FPS or First Person Shooter is probably the most popular. It is centered on guns and other weapon-based combat in a first-person perspective. In an FPS, you experience the action through the eyes of the protagonist and controlling the player character in a three-dimensional space. In this article, we are going to list out the best FPS games for low end PC.

Table of Contents

1 - F.E.A.R.

F.E.A.R. or First Encounter Assault Recon is a survival horror first-person shooter video game that expertly blended masterful FPS gunfights with horror storytelling. In this game, you would step into the shoes of the Point Man, a member of the military's special forces. His task is to apprehend a rogue mercenary who has seized the headquarter of a corporation.

The best part of F.E.A.R.'s probably the main character's special power of "Reflex Time". It slows down the game world while allowing the player to aim and react at a normal speed. This effect looks really good with bullets flying through the air and the main character dodging. Overall, players would feel like action heroes.
Gunfights in F.E.A.R. are very satisfying.

Another part that was commended in F.E.A.R. is its AI, which is regarded as one of the best AIs ever created in the shooter genre, even when compared with the best shooter games of all time. The AI provides a lot of challenges: they can take cover, flank, retreat, flush players out of covers with grenades... and more. Overall, F.E.A.R. is one of the most dynamic FPS games for low end PC.

2 - The Darkness II

The Darkness II is a 2012 first-person shooter video game that fuses gunplay with creative magic abilities. In this game, players control Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman who possesses a mysterious power called "the Darkness" that grants him supernatural abilities.

Jackie's goal is to rescue the soul of his dead girlfriend, who was trapped by the Darkness in Hell. He also has to confront the Brotherhood, a group of cultists who are trying to take away the Darkness from him.

The Darkness II lets you combine your weapons with very creative magic powers.

Besides the usual array of firearms like shotguns, SMGs and ARs, Jackie is armed with a pair of Demon Arms, courtesy of the Darkness. They resemble tentacles and can be used to crush/slash enemies or pick up items in the environment. Afterward, you can either throw those items or use them as shields. Furthermore, the Demon Arms can rip out the hearts of enemies to recover, execute enemies, or throw them. Players can also summon a Darkling for combat assists and stealth missions.

The best part about this game is the mechanics related to Light. Jackie's health regeneration and Darkness abilities are disabled when exposed to light and players need to extinguish light sources.

3 - Half Life 2

It is impossible to talk about the best FPS games and not mentioning Half Life 2. It is a game like no other - a perfect blend of storytelling and action. In this game, players assume the role of Gordon Freeman, whose task is to fight and topple the alien invasion alongside resistance fighter Alyx Vance.

Half Life 2 is widely regarded as one of the best games ever created.

The best part about Half Life 2 is its weapon arsenal. Besides the usual shotgun, assault rifle, SMG, you also have a special weapon called Gravity Gun. It can pick up various objects on the map and fling them at enemies. This is completely new compared to other games at the time. Half Life 2's level design is also really good. Besides shooting enemies, players also need to solve various puzzles using the gravity gun to proceed.

4 - Doom 3

Unlike the previous entries in the franchise, Doom 3 solely focuses on action horror. It is a prequel to the first game, taking place on the Mars base in 2145. Due to human experiments, the portal to hell was open, resulting in a catastrophic invasion of the Mars base by demons. It is up to the player to stop the demons on their track before all is lost.

The best part of Doom 3 is probably its intense combat, with 10 types of weapons for players to utilize. From melee weapons like the chainsaw, conventional firearms like SMG, shotgun and grenades, to experimental plasma weaponry like the BFG 9000... evaporating demons have never felt more satisfying.

Doom 3 can be a pretty scary game, especially if you play without the "flashlight mod".

The level design of Doom 3 is pretty innovative, with darkness being one of the most prominent elements. The player must choose between holding a weapon and holding the flashlight - this alongside the sounds and visuals makes the game super spooky at times.

5 - Left 4 Dead 2

Unlike the other entries on this list, Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-op experience, in which a party of 4 journeys through levels full of zombies. The events of the game are set during the aftermath of a zombie outbreak on the East Coast. During this, the four protagonists or "survivors" have to get through the hordes of the infected in order to escape the region. It is regarded as one of the best zombie games ever created.

The Level AI or "director" is probably the best part in Left 4 Dead 2. No single game is the same - it spawns the infected and the special infected based on how well the players are doing. This creates a dynamic experience and greatly increases replay value. Overall, it is one of the best co-op FPS games for low end PC.

Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the best co-op FPS games for low end PC.

Interested in more of Gurugamer's articles related to PC gaming? Please check out this post for Top 5 Best RPG Games For Low End PC