If you aren’t sporting a top-end console or a gaming computer gleaming with 2025 equipment, you might be feeling a bit unsure about where to take your gaming adventure next. More and more games are releasing exclusively for the highest-end systems, leaving some gamers who don’t have the budget to upgrade just yet feeling left behind.
And yet, there are more gaming options available than you could ever get through in a lifetime, all capable of being played on low-to-mid-end systems that can be purchased on a small budget – or systems that you might already have. We’re going to touch on several choices that we think will still challenge gamers from all walks of life, without requiring you to splash out on the highest-end gear.
Try Your Hand At Strategy Card Games
If you’re looking for a real challenge, look no further than games like classic card games. Here, you’ll find titles that have enthralled and challenged people of all ages and all IQ levels for centuries. Whether you want the mathematical demands of blackjack or the people-reading trial of poker, casino card games provide rigorous mental workouts that can be played on pretty much any system, including a basic smartphone.
Take an online casino in Canada as an example; here, you’ll find all sorts of strategy card games that require you to think in a multitude of different ways. Bluffing comes into titles like Texas Hold’Em Poker, while blackjack is more probability-based and requires a good head for numbers. Pai Gow is another option that can be challenging to master and is great for anyone who wants to test their skills.
In many of these games, you’ve got to make your strategic decisions quickly, read opponent cues, and handle your bankroll effectively. They can take years or even a lifetime to master, and they have enthralled gamers the world over for hundreds of years.
What’s more, regardless of which casino games you choose, these are very low-spec options. Forget about gaming computers or expensive consoles here: you can dive into these with just a basic mobile device. And if you want another card game in the same vein, you could opt for Balatro as a straightforward alternative to poker.
Investigate Platformers Like Silksong
If you’re a gamer, you’ll know there’s just one title that’s the talk of the town at the moment: Silksong. And if you’re after a challenge, this game will certainly deliver.
First, though, let’s check whether you’re going to be able to play. Fortunately, even though it’s a new release, this game isn’t super demanding, and you probably won’t need a hardware upgrade to enjoy it. The minimum recommended specs are i3-3240 or AMD FX-4300, 4GB RAM, and DirectX Version 10. For a modern game, that’s super accessible, and tons of people will be able to play it even from older gaming rigs. And for console fans, more good news: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and all the newer versions will be able to run this game.
Now, back to the challenge for you as opposed to the system: Silksong is definitely a step up from its prequel, Hollow Knight, and even for a skilled gamer, it should represent some real difficulty. With fast-moving bosses, dexterity-testing jumps, and very fine timing, it’s quite exceptional for the trials it confronts players with. Add in the secrets you’ve got to find and the mental math you’ll be doing trying to figure out the plot behind the game… yes, it will challenge you on every level. Plus, it’s the kind of game that gets into your heart and keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve put it down.
Test Out Crusader Kings III
Okay, you might have already come across this option since it’s been around for 5 years now. Still, in case you missed it… this is a title perfect for the intricacy-lovers if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re actually living in an ancient civilization and grappling with all the complexities of world takeover, complete with who likes you, who doesn’t, and which of your 10 children are going to inherit what bit of land – well, Crusader Kings III delivers.
The level of detail this game goes into has to be seen to be believed, making it a perfect pick for ultimate strategist gamers. Figuring out how to handle different political movements, determining what traits are most likely to benefit you (and that’s a lot deeper than it looks at first glance), and navigating the mortality of your current character, as well as planning for your future leaders, will test your brain to the maximum.
As for the system requirements, an i3-2120 or AMD Phenom II X6 1055T and 4GB of RAM should do the trick on the lowest settings, although you will do better with slightly beefier specs. Overall, though, this is another super accessible option for gamers who want to dial up their gaming challenges without taking on a huge price tag.
