10 Great Modern Games That Run Well On A GTX 1050 Ti

Although the GTX 1050 Ti has become a “classic” among older GTX graphics cards, the more robust modern entries of the RTX 50 series have certainly showcased the full graphical potential gaming could offer at the moment. At first glance, the distance between these generations means the GTX 1050 Ti might not even be capable of running more modern titles. However, fans might be surprised to learn it might only be a matter of knowing which games to run first.

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With the right tinkering with settings, a GTX 1050 Ti could still play modern games released in the 2020s. And while these experiences certainly won’t offer anything as robust as their RTX counterparts, this opportunity would still help players at least enjoy what modern gaming could offer. However, in that regard, just what modern games are must-tries on a GTX 1050 Ti?

10

Marvel Rivals

An Exciting Overwatch Contender With Superheroes

Third-Person Shooter

Action

Multiplayer

Released

December 6, 2024

Developer(s)

NetEase Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Considered by many as the Overwatch killer with its familiar take on the hero team-up shooter with superheroes, Marvel Rivals is an exhilarating ride on a fan-favorite genre. Set in the disjointed union of two universes courtesy of a duo of power-hungry Doctor Dooms, Marvel Rivals players take on the role of heroes whose missions to save their homes come in the form of payload escorts and point captures. The game is lauded for its accessibility, such as skins that don’t come at exorbitant prices and straightforward gameplay loops that remain enjoyable for players.

The Marvel Rivals formula shines in its attention to detail, courtesy of accompanying comics and Battle Passes that explore its multiversal lore. Heroes are segregated into tank-like Vanguards, DPS-focused Duelists, and supportive Strategists – all fall into sub-niches based on playstyles that ensure each team can be set up differently whenever players switch heroes upon death. Despite compatibility issues, Marvel Rivals can run decently on a GTX 1050 Ti. While not certainly showcasing the best of graphics, it can still give players room to do their heroics across destructible environments while yelling for someone to take down that pesky Iron Man.

9

Resident Evil 3 Remake

Modernize And Relive The Chase With Nemesis

Released

April 3, 2020

X|S Optimized

Yes

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Fans of survival horror may fondly remember the way Nemesis has relentlessly pursued Jill Valentine in a condemned Raccoon City in Resident Evil 3, with players now allowed to relive these horrors with a fresh coat of blood-red paint with Resident Evil 3 Remake. Set once more in Raccoon City, Jill Valentine’s seemingly ordinary investigation towards Umbrella Corporation brings her in the middle of a city-wide outbreak – complete with a Tyrant named Nemesis designed to hunt her. Contrary to the “cinematic” fixed angles of the original that evoked a sense of nostalgia with its picturesque depictions of a city in chaos, RE3 Remake’s modernized gameplay lets players live through Jill’s desperate journey for escape.

And as though catering to the nostalgia crowd, Resident Evil 3 Remake is surprisingly friendly to older devices. The game plays at a respectable average of ~60 FPS at Low, with Medium and High not far off with their ~50 FPS. And while lower graphics do dispel the game’s upgraded graphics with reduced textures, they’re more than enough for players to revel in a livelier (or an even undead-er) version of Raccoon City before inevitably escaping it.

8

Helldivers 2

Save Super Earth Or Die Trying

Systems

Released

February 8, 2024

Developer(s)

Arrowhead Game Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Despite being the sequel of 2015’s Helldivers, 2024’s Helldivers 2 was a smash hit for its horde-style co-op gameplay. As with the previous title, players take on the role of Helldivers as they defend Super Earth from various threats such as the Bugs, the Cyborgs, and the Illuminate. As with the first game, players select their loadouts and starting positions as well as Stratagems that give them an advantage in battle.

While its compatibility with the 1050 Ti does mean a sacrifice in terms of overall graphics, players might not even notice the difference with how high-stakes every Operation tends to be. Despite the level of difficulty, players are forced to work together to ensure they finish their Missions. And with the clock constantly ticking against them alongside enemies that never seem to disappear, ever “losing” fight in Helldivers 2 will remain an exhilarating time for players looking for a good time.

7

Cyberpunk 2077

Rebel In A Dystopian Future

Released

December 10, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Cyberpunk 2077 manages to move forward from a buggy release and end up being one of the most celebrated open-world titles in recent memory, especially with its flexible gameplay and an intriguing sci-fi story. Set in the metropolis of Night City, players take on the role of V and begin in one of three scenarios – all of which end up with them gaining access to the engram of a legendary terrorist and rockstar whose consciousness starts to clash with them. This predicament takes them on a tour around the city, a journey that will give players time to bask in the glory of a well-defined world with a backstory that feels “theirs.”

Gameplay can happen through straightforward combat, tinkering with tech, or even hacking both enemies and their environments. While players can use a wide variety of weapons with special environmental properties, V can even double-jump, slide, take cover and sprint – turning combat into a thrill-fest. Although compatible with the 1050 Ti, players of Cyberpunk 2077 shouldn’t expect to go ultra with the title – which does mean suffering a bit from a graphical breakdown. Regardless, the sheer scope of Night City alongside the number of things players could do inside it will manage to immerse players in no time.

6

Diablo 4

Grim And Gore In A More Brutal Diablo Experience

Action RPG

Hack and Slash

Released

June 6, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Despite criticisms towards its general gameplay and monetization, Diablo 4 indeed attempts to up the ante with its new Spiritborn Class and improved Paragon System – giving players more ways to equip themselves to deal with the new threat that is Lilith and the game’s more active PVP component. Although not as fast-paced as Diablo 3, the more “grounded” look of Diablo 4 certainly amps up the feeling of grim and dread associated with the franchise – monsters and hordes remain a staple, and the environment emphasizes a more dire atmosphere.

Although playing with the 1050 Ti doesn’t immediately evoke a sense of dread, it’s still capable of highlighting the sheer chaos and carnage of fighting hordes and even fellow players. 1080p Medium and FSR 2 provides ~60 FPS. And while High and Ultra let players experience the game with ~40 and ~30 FPS, respectively, they might not be as fulfilling for players who want to relish in the game’s freshly-melancholic visuals.

5

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

An Epic Crossover In The Wild Shores Of Hawaii

Released

January 26, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Hawaii seems like the last place players would expect to play a Like a Dragon game – all the more a game like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth where series staple Kazuma Kiryu goes on an adventure with the rather wilder and more youthful Ichiban Kasuga. Their seemingly ordinary trip to Hawaii is interrupted when they’re dragged into yet another conspiracy – the perfect avenue to demonstrate the game’s perfect combination of the franchise’s more modern mechanics. Infinite Wealth returns with a more intentional turn-based combat system, complete with an improved Class System where most Classes have uses both inside and outside combat. Relationships between party members are emphasized, as stronger bonds through interactions correlate to more powerful supporting moves. And on the plus side, seeing Kiryu’s signature street fighting be reflected in a more tactical light is delightful.

While playing Infinite Wealth with the 1050 Ti is certainly possible, the lack of graphical depth at higher settings does defeat the game’s wealth of detail – especially with its new tropical setting. However, the game still performs decently at around ~80 FPS at Medium settings, with turn-based fights remaining as engaging as ever, and the number of activities and vibrant visuals across playthroughs more than making up for the graphics card’s visual lackings.

A Medieval Fantasy Take That Elevates The Atlus Experience

RPG

JRPG

Action

Adventure

Released

October 11, 2024

Developer(s)

Studio Zero

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Recent Game of the Year contender Metaphor ReFantazio proves Atlus’s tried-and-tested turn-based appeal isn’t just applicable to its acclaimed Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. Set just after the assassination of the king of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, Metaphor ReFantazio players become contenders to a country about to be thrown into a civil war. Although Persona and Megami Tensei are known for their philosophical takes on life, Metaphor ReFantazio adds a politically charged story. And while Metaphor’s blend of real-time and turn-based combat involving Archetypes (one’s manifestation of insecurities) vastly resembles Persona’s system, the game spices things up by allowing mixing and matching of abilities and a more flavorful take in securing the advantage in combat.

The fresh coat of medieval fantasy that Atlus has laid over Metaphor ReFantazio makes it a perfect choice for players who want a decent RPG experience with their GTX 1050 Ti. And although ~60 FPS is only achievable on 1080p Low settings, the game’s flashy HUD superimposed with the game’s stylish medieval premise can make the title quite a refreshing RPG experience.

3

Elden Ring

Git Gud In The Open World

Released

February 25, 2022

X|S Optimized

yes

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Expand

Created by FromSoft as a “successor” to its acclaimed Souls franchise, Elden Ring expands the “git gud” difficulty of Dark Souls into a vast open world whose backstory was created by none other than George R. R. Martin. Set in the Lands Between, players take the role of a Tarnished as they have to repair the eponymous Elden Ring and turn into the new Elden Lorde. The game retains the characteristic difficulty of Dark Souls complete with spells and weapon abilities, but its open-world gameplay means players can stumble into environments whose enemies end up too strong for their current builds – or perhaps challenging enough for them to dare fight.

The vastness of Elden Ring’s map comes with a familiar vagueness in its lore, encouraging players to explore the Lands Between and get invested in its environments. Players who appreciate the challenge of Dark Souls can enjoy Elden Ring even with a dated 1050 Ti. And while playing with the graphics card will certainly not provide ultra performance, Elden Ring’s exhilarating combat can more than make up for whatever visuals the 1050 Ti might lack.

2

Monster Hunter Rise

Add Vicious Speed To Hunts

Released

March 26, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Building upon the success of Monster Hunter: World is Monster Hunter Rise, a riveting 2022-2023 release that adds more action to World’s more intuitive mechanics. The game now introduces the Palamute that players can ride into battle, while Wirebugs give players better mobility – adding a fresh dose of verticality to fights that often involve huge monsters. With the Wirebug having different interactions with weapons, players of Rise can expect vastly different approaches to monster hunting with this new item – all the while maintaining sleeker and faster-paced combat.

While the GTX 1050 Ti can’t play the modern beast that is Monster Hunter Wilds, it can comfortably provide a spectacular experience for Monster Hunter Rise – its smoothness in particular is a much-needed comfort given the game’s faster-paced mechanics. Although playing on 1080p Low settings certainly trades graphics for performance, 1080p High can definitely provide a crispier experience with lush greens and effects while still comfortably reaching around the high 40s FPS.

1

Baldur’s Gate 3

The Definitive Dungeons & Dragons Adaptation

Released

August 3, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

While Larian Studios is already known for the acclaimed success of Divinity: Original Sin 2, the developers took their narrative depth and gameplay flexibility to the next level with Baldur’s Gate 3. Set in Faerun centuries after the events of Baldur’s Gate 2, players find themselves in the middle of a Mindflayer invasion – wherein they have to find the cure for an Illithid tadpole inside their heads before they become Mindflayers themselves… or succumb to the temptations of their new psionic powers.

Being a direct adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, gameplay in Baldur’s Gate 3 seamlessly incorporates the turn-based intensity of D&D mechanics and its customization options – with both Subclass and Multiclass options, combined with Feats and other Traits, giving players quite a plethora of ways to replay a session. Combined with the fact that Baldur’s Gate 3 runs rather smoothly with ~60 FPS on 1080p Low FSR and decently at Medium (~40 FPS) on a GTX 1050 Ti (barring some stuttering in high-intensity combat and time pre-loading shaders and other details), and players can end up with quite a wild ride – whether or not they’re heavy into stories or just in it for the joyous gameplay experience.

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