Best Games For Integrated Graphics – What to Play on Your Laptop!

Best Games For Integrated Graphics – What to Play on Your Laptop!

If you are a casual gamer who is not willing to pay hundreds of dollars to buy a new GeForce xSomething and still wants to enjoy some PC gaming – we have an excellent idea for you! This article will present a list of games for dedicated graphics card on your laptop or PC. As you know, it will not be the biggest or the best of them all, but it will be a solid list of games you can enjoy.

Games for PCs with dedicated graphics cards can feature great gameplay although they are older titles that do not require those hundreds of dollars of initial investment. You can play games with those integrated graphics cards on your gaming laptops, such as the Intel Iris Xe graphics card or the AMD component. Graphics settings are not the most important in gaming, and the laptop-integrated graphics may as well be everything you’ll ever need. With that in mind, let’s see what titles are available for those with medium settings!

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

  • Release Date: November 2007, May 2021 (Legendary Edition)

  • Developer: BioWare, Edge of Reality, Demiurge Studios.Straight Right

  • Platforms: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, iOS, PlayStation 3, Android, Windows Phone, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

  • Meta Score: 91/100


Starting with – Mass Effect: Legendary Edition . First, it will work with your integrated GPU, newer or older Intel HD graphics/AMD, even if it’s not a laptop but a desktop PC. Those were the most demanding games in the past, but many things have happened since then. Like – the new and improved version of those titles, with new graphics. So, if you were a fan of Commander Shepard in the past or just never got around to playing those games – we recommend it for sure!

It’s a beautiful single-player experience, suitable for AMD’s or Intel’s integrated graphics. So, a budget machine will be able to show you what it’s capable of on screen. With limited power, you aren’t sentenced to limited experiences. The Mass Effect saga's focus lies in the writing. And let us tell what a story it is! You have the giant open world to explore, a grand conspiracy over who can use the mass effect to their advantage.

Additionally, this game had some groundbreaking solutions regarding gameplay, from the advanced weapons modifications to the famous duck-and-shoot style of combat; this space opera has provided millions of players worldwide with fantastic gameplay and an even better story.

So, if you have an older PC or a laptop or just a decent system not made for gaming, this seems like a perfect opportunity to test it out. If you would like to compare it to any of the games released today, it would be Starfield, but with more action and, let’s be frank, a much better plot. Additionally, the Legendary edition comprises all the released games plus 40 DLCs and the Ultra HD 4k textures version.

We must tell you that it was one of THE titles in our experiences, and in the writing room, we often compare the new space-games to the golden standard set by Mass Effect. And, who know, maybe the developers will go back to this world once more?

Dishonored

  • Release Date: October 2012 

  • Developer: Arkane Studios

  • Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

  • Meta Score: 91/100


Another fantastic game for the not-that-advanced devices is Dishonored . It will not take too much of your memory or CPUs, but it will provide you with great gameplay, an exciting story, and lots and lots of stealth action.

What makes this especially great for computers with integrated graphics is that it does not have graphics that would get old. The whole visual concept of Dishonored is based on the fairy-tale-like animation style that seems evergreen.

Additionally, as it came from the award-winning Arkane Studios, everything is polished to the smallest detail. The company is known for creating some of the most creative titles, and with Dishonored as one of their best, it shows.

The whole story revolves around the super-assassin Corvo, who is blamed for killing a royal. In the quest to clean his name, he will jump, compete in battles, stealth kill all the enemies he sees (or just put them to sleep), and overall – take down the conspiracy that took down the status quo.

The combat system in this game is one of the best we have ever seen, as it allows you to go through the game guns blazing or just in stealth mode. Additionally, you get to have fun with some magical powers, such as disappearing, shadow dashes, and everything you could imagine would end up in the assassin’s playbook.

And, of course, our favorite element in all of this is the steampunk vibe of the game. We cannot tell you how fun going around Comic-Cons in the 2010s was, seeing everyone in high hats and goggles. This was an experience, and the fact that they combined Victorian-era mannerisms and style with the steampunk version of the world was an astonishing feat.

Bioshock: Infinite

  • Release Date: March 2013 

  • Developer: Irrational Games

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

  • Meta Score: 94/100


In recent years, many games have surpassed the expectations of creators. But nothing is as surprising as the popularity of the Bioshock: Infinite , the next game on our list. Do you think we’re overreacting? Well, let us explain.

Bioshock: Infinite, at first glance, is an extremely simple title. You walk around and kill enemies with some basic guns, and that’s pretty much it. But what made this game appear on most people's desktops in 2013 was the quality of every single element of this game.

From the fantastic plot through the wonderful side character Elizabeth, ending with some of the most creative world designs ever to be seen, this title deserves to be played repeatedly, regardless of the discrete graphics cards. It’s an older game, so you don’t have to put it on low settings, as it will still be playable. And no gaming PC is needed as well.

In this version of the dystopian world, based on Ayn Rand's works, we are playing Booker DeWitt. He’s a detective sent to Columbia, the world in the sky, to find a woman called Elizabeth. He’s supposed to retrieve and return her to New York as quickly as possible. Well, as it turns out, there is no such way, and you will have a lot of discoveries to do in the process.

Similarly to the Dishonored, this game is also deep into the steampunk aesthetic with how people dress, all the weapons available to you, and even our protagonists. Although, as we have mentioned before, the combat is pretty simple, there are some additional aspects to it. You can use Vigors that give you temporary supernatural powers to blast the enemies with everything you have.

But what makes the game so popular and playable is the story. Especially when paired with the fantastic partnerships you have with the Elizabeth. When playing games, you always look for the “IT’ factor, whether those would be the AAA games, indie games, or something in between. This game has this incredible playability where you just have to see what happens next. You need to find out what’s going on with Elizabeth. You have to solve the mystery. And that is something that only legends in the industry could accomplish.

Fallout: New Vegas

  • Release Date: 2010

  • Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

  • Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360

  • Meta Score: 84


Fallout: New Vegas is the next title on our list, and what a game it is! Let’s just say it follows the trope of a groundbreaking game with a fantastic plot released in the 2010s. 2010, to be exact.

So, what’s the fuss all about? Well, in most cases – the world. Here, it’s all about the exploration. And the game can deliver some unique sightings. At the core, it’s still a Bethesda title that fans worldwide have enjoyed throughout the years, but the approach to the world makes it out of its league.

In the post-apocalypse world, where all the values have been put upside down, there is no single answer to what is good and evil. You are the Courier, who was found left for dead in unknown circumstances. Your quest is that of revenge, but you will meet a lot of people on your way there. So, strap on and see what the Mojave desert offers.

It’s 2281, and, well, let’s just say that not everything went according to plan. It seems the world is ravaged by many factions trying to come out on top. The ruins of Las Vegas are where everything seems to be circling, so if you want to explore this immersive open world – it’s the best place to start.

This vast world is full of surprises waiting for you. The mix of the technology from the 50s and the futuristic plasma guns makes it a dream scenario for all the tech-buffs who always wanted to experience such a world. Additionally, there is a lot of upgrading your equipment, getting money in the form of Nuka Cola caps, and a lot of free roaming to better understand this world.

What makes it so unique is the game’s feel. In the editor’s room, we discussed that what made it better than the original Fallout 3 was the experience of actual conflict in this world that you couldn’t solve with a simple solution. Well, maybe, except for the Roman cult that crucified people. Those were the bad guys. But the moral ambiguity of this game made people think. And we feel like it’s the best recommendation for this game. It makes you think about the world around you, not just play and forget it.

Diablo 3

  • Release Date: Windows, OS X, May 15, 2012; PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, September 3, 2013; PlayStation 4, Xbox One, August 19, 2014; Nintendo Switch November 2, 2018

  • Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows; OS X; PlayStation 3; Xbox 360; PlayStation 4; Xbox One; Nintendo Switch

  • Meta Score: 88


And if you have finished with all the fantastic storylines, why not get cozy with something basic and familiar? Like – Diablo III! This game will work on anything, so you don’t need to worry about missing frames. The optimized version will work on any PC/laptop from the last decade, so gamers – prepare for the mayhem!

So, what’s it all about? Well, it’s about killing the devil, of course! The game's third installment is another look at the classic formula – hack and slash your enemies, get a new weapon, then hack and slash them some more. It’s pretty fun! And you can play it with an Intel-integrated graphics card.

The Kingdom of Heaven needs our help to destroy the devilish hordes that attack the Sanctuary once more. There are six classes to choose from: 

  • Barbarian 

  • Blood Knight 

  • Crusader 

  • Demon Hunter 

  • Monk 

  • Necromancer 

  • Wizard


Each one has a different specialty and can help you destroy monsters differently. Crusader and Necromancer came with the Reaper of Souls addition, so if you want to summon some friends to help you out in fights, this would be it. 

The gameplay is pretty straightforward, which you would expect from this title. Unfortunately, there seems to be no additional content for the end game, so you cannot enjoy all of the additional stuff Blizzard has prepared for you. Nevertheless, it’s a good game and worth recommending for sure, especially if you are a fan of the series.

Borderlands 3

  • Release Date: September 2019

  • Developer(s): Gearbox Software

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, macOS, Stadia, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

  • Meta Score: 91


Next up, we have the Borderlands 3. It seems to be one of the most exciting games on our list, as it’s completely different. This is the first-person shooter that will blow your mind! Or will let you blow some minds. Nevertheless, it has a fantastic array of weapons, detail levels that are just incredible, and some of the most hilarious exchanges in the series.

Borderlands 3 is everything the previous two games were, plus – additional content. This time, we are not only limited to Pandora, as we will be able to travel across the galaxy and meet all the creators of different weapons we used to destroy the enemies.

After getting rid of Handsome Jack in the previous game, we have Calypso Twins to take care of this time. Both are sirens, and both are problematic when it comes to taking care of. They took out our Phoenix – Lilith, a powerful Siren who was keeping all of us safe. 

As you can guess, new Vault Haunters are necessary to fight against the threat. With four different classes, some more into slashing, some more into shooting – we can assure you that this game is everything but boring. 

Additionally, you can play it solo or with a friend. This game's performance is up to the latest standards, so you can even put it on the highest settings with some of the higher resolutions. Every computer that came out in the last few years with a discrete graphics card or integrated GPUs will be able to run it without problems.

Superhot

  • Developer: SUPERHOT

  • Release date: July 2017

  • Meta Score: 83

  • Platforms: PC, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One


Next, we have the Superhot. And – it’s a lot! It’s a game that will make your discrete GPU or integrated graphics good while also having some incredible graphics performance at the same time. So, what’s it all about?

You have a corporation full of red people, who you need to quickly take care of if you want to live through it. The only thing is – they move only if you move. So, there is a lot of bullet-time action, violence, and lots and lots of uncomfortable questions from the computer you are communicating with. The levels are pretty intense, as with every platform, the difficulty level only worsens.

The corporation you are fighting against (or working with) is full of skyscraper-based sequences, full of desks and chairs to hide behind to, well, not get shot. The game does not give you any hints on how to take over those enemies, but if you look closely, there are pathways for you to utilize. It’s pretty satisfying to see all of them and choose the best one in the end.

The game also allows you to create some incredible fighting sequences, where you can choreograph some masterpieces of combat into the real-gaming scenario. Additionally, the thing that can even further convince you to check out this game is the VR aspect. You will have a tremendous time if you have something you can connect to your PC or laptop.

The visuals are ecstatic, the gameplay is intriguing, and overall – it’s entirely out of the ordinary. This means the best game you would like to play on your work computer between emails.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

  • Developer: Nicalis

  • Release date: November 2014

  • Meta Score: 88

  • Platforms: PC, Mac, Vita, PS4, New 3DS, Wii U


And finally, we have The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. For some reason, people are obsessed with this title, and we know why. The game is highly playable, even though the graphics are not the most advanced. On the other hand, every onboard graphics like Intel UHD graphics or AMD card will support it with no issues whatsoever. 

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a great indie game that has won the hearts of many gamers all over the world. It will run on most mainstream laptops and is as playable as some AAA titles, for sure. The central concept is pretty simple. The title, developed by Nicalis Studio, represents the growing-up process. The boy, Issac, is trying to escape from his evil mother. On his way, he will encounter many monsters representing his growing-up process, including his terrifying mom at the end of everything.

The game has been praised for how it approaches the subject. Even though it seems simplistic in how it portrays the world, it has a lot of depth and memorable characters. Sometimes, it looks like those 2D, pretty basic games have much more to present when it comes to storytelling or character development than some of the most expensive titles in the world. Issac is one of those, for sure.

Moreover, Issac has an incredible replayability aspect, as its randomly generated dungeons can change with every single approach. It is even more critical because there are no save games in this game, so if you run out of hearts – you just die, and that’s pretty much it. 

Regarding gameplay, Issac is a pretty standard roguelike with an isometric camera, many RPG elements, different ways of killing each enemy, and just plain fun! Regarding games, you can just put on and have an incredible experience – Issac is on top of the best. You don’t have to put a lot of time into it; you don’t need to spend hours upon hours on the installation process. No, the game is pretty straightforward – what you see is what you get. And that’s it!

We love this game in the writers’ room and can assure you that we have checked if the dungeons are the same. Let us tell you – they are not! Every single time, we have managed to get lost in it, and every single time – it was a blast. So, do not hesitate to let this game astonish you as it did to us!

Best Games for Integrated Graphics – Conclusion

That’s it for this article! As you can see, there are plenty of games to play if you have an older computer or a laptop with an integrated graphics card. Nowadays, it’s not a problem anymore, as those titles are often made with some low-setting in mind for the people who would like to try them on their work machines. Of course, there are plenty more games that would be great for this article, some strategy games or Portal games, for example, but we feel like we have chosen some of the best in our subjective, as always, opinion. 

Let us and the others know if you want something to be added to this list! We are positive that everyone would be more than happy to have some new perspective. And – it’s building a positive gaming community, so it’s a win-win-win!

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